Cramping Pain with MS Hug or no Pain

Everyday living
1

Hi everyone

Just wondered how many get cramping pain with the hug. I have since diagnosis had the banding feeling around my ribs (neuro said it was the hug) but for the past couple of days I keep getting like a cramp like pain there too. When I stretch it disappears.

I’ve never had actual pain with my hug until recently. Anybody else?

Thanks maties.

Shazzie xx

2

Hi Shazzie,

I do experience cramp in my pectoral muscles (“boobs”, for want of a better word!) However, I regard this as separate from the “hug”, and I’ve never had both at the same time. I experience the “hug” as a feeling of pain/pressure on the breastbone (the same place someone would push if they were doing emergency resuscitation). But it’s more of an ache - it doesn’t feel like cramp.

The cramp feels like - well, cramp! Probably no need to describe that one, as it’s the same as most people have experienced. But pre-MS, I didn’t get it in my boobs!

Tina

x

3

Thanks Tina. Sounds just like mine. I don’t get it in the middle of my chest though. Mine seems to be one sided. I’ve had a cold so I reckon that made it a bit worse.

Take care.

Shazzie xx

4

Hi Shazzie, yes it does sound like hug… or ‘banding’ as some health professionals call it now. I get it quite a bit and here is a list of ‘copy & paste’ tips that might help:

It’s a spasm of the small muscles between the ribs. Here are some tips that might help:

· It can go all around your rib area, or only in part of rib area… up high on ribs or low down on

ribs… or it can be only on one side of ribs

· It can feel tight without pain, or it can be tight and painful

· Sometimes the affected area will be extremely itchy

· Much worse in heat

· Much worse when fatigued or stressed

· Don’t wear a bra (it irritates the muscles)

· Don’t wear tight clothing… the looser the better

· Avoid large meals… little and often is better

· Lie down in/on bed if you can… and lying completely flat often helps… although some people find lying down makes it worse… so try different positions to see if one works better for you

· Take 2 Paracetamol… if you are not on other pain med’s… or try one Paracetamol & one Ibuprofin (no more than 3 times a day)

· Try controlling your breathing… deep in through the nose and slowly blow out of mouth… and try and relax whole body while doing it

· Stay as cool as you can but don’t have cold shower… luke warm is better

· Rest, rest, rest and then get some more rest (if at all possible)

· Gently rub the affected area. It might feel like it’s bruised… don’t worry, that’s normal

· Recently I’ve discovered that if I eat something small, eg bowl of cereal, it seems to relieve the hug for a while. Not sure why but it’s worth a try.

· I have read that some people find relief by tying something tight around the affected area (a scarf maybe). So it might be worth trying to see if it works for you.

Pat x

5

Awww thanks Pat. That is really helpful.

Some good tips too. Might leave out the bra one though. Don’t want to frighten the family!!!

Thanks again.

Shazzie xx