I’ve been diagnosed for 4 years and have had a few sensory relapses however nothing major u til now. 2 weeks ago I felt horrific, like I was being squeezed to death! It’s carried on and thoug bearable earlier in the day its agony come tea time. My MS nurse introduced me to the term MS hug (not as nice as it sounds eh?) my question is how long can this last? I’m on 20mg nortryptaline nightly as gabapentin did not agree. I’m scared this is how I’m going to feel forever? Not on any dmd as this is only my 2nd significant relapse in 4 years but this feeling is horrific, any help/suggestions welcome thanks
hi lugor
it is a very badly named thing.
hug? more like the grip of death.
understanding what is happening is helpful.
the intercostal muscles between your ribs are in spasm.
to me it feels like my ribs are being broken from within.
what you need is muscle relaxants such as baclofen, diazepam, tinazidine and others.
try hot/cold pads.
you just have to ride it out, i’m afraid.
however it isn’t likely to last more than a few days, which will feel like a few months.
get in a comfortable position, keep warm, have drinks nearby (maybe a flask).
wish i could make it feel like a cuddle.
carole x
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Hi Lugor,
Once dx’d surprised you’re not on a DMD but consider them.
I first presented Oct 2012 and developed the hug within 2 weeks. I’m fortunate in that mine is not hugely acute but unfortunate in that it’s been with me every waking hour since. Always worse at bedtime, I now sleep when I can with 5 pillows, one between my knees, one either side of my chest and two for the head.
It’s tough but their are many Msers in worse condition. Try and find your path
Good Luck
Adam
I bought a heat pad its been my saviour, i use it everyday. I dont get the spasms everyday though but when i do its like i am wearing the tightest bra ever and its hard to breath. I have diazepam at night so dont get it then.
I know its easy to say but try to relax, it wont harm you in anyway it just feels weird and a bit scary. My first one was so bad it went under my arm down the arm and i thought i was having a heart attack. Was taken to the surgery even they did lol, and I had to have an EEG but luckily phew it was the HUG. My doctor said its the nerves going mad basically and like carole explained its a bad spasm.
Have you checked for a UTI, as sometimes these odd things do come along when we are actually sick with infection.
Remember it will go away and will become sadly part of your MS.
Hi Lugor
I’ve had just one episode of the Hug which lasted four/five days. It’s very frightening and so painful.
Only thing that helped me to move was to breath in (slowly) and fill my lungs to maximum so they sort of pushed my ribcage out from the inside and made me rigid then held my breath so I could change position. Sorry that’s a rubbish description but I hope you know what I mean. I slept sitting up as trying to lie down was impossible.
You need a muscle relaxant like Baclofen. Keep warm and accept any help you’re offered. I hope it passes soon. x
Thank you for your comments, it makes me feel better to know I’m not on my own with this. Do you think the cold may be making it worse? It’s pretty much in the -degrees here all day just now. Also along with the tightness in my chest I’ve got numbness / altered sensation which isn’t helping, I have been to GP to check for anything underlying but they didn’t bother as it’s easier to put everything they don’t understand down to MS. I had bloods which were normal as I asked because originally I thought the pain was my liver and other organs swelling up as that’s what it feels like. Will try the heat pad idea and just ride it out I guess, like you say there are worse off, at least I’m able to go about day to day things with this. Lucy x
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Last week was a bit of a life/winter changer. I bought some baggy thermal leggins and short sleeved top from the market just because the man was selling them for five pounds. ( I look like a white sack of spuds but what the heck)!
I cannot tell you how different this week has been. I wear them to bed and my temperature is constant instead of getting a bit chilled and having the hug and pain. In fact, after my morning shower or bath I put them un under my clothes. Yesterday I was in the garden for ages tatting about and managed to feel much better for it.
I am going back on Friday to get an extra pair for the day and then intent to spend the next twelve weeks in my thermals. It really has made a difference. The hug has threatened a couple of times but it has stayed at bay. Worked for me, thought it might be useful for someone else to try.
I have also found from last year’s experience that the hug affects me when the temperature is below 10 degrees so I buckle up in the winter then as soon as the sun or slighter warmer air comes, I get out in it whatever day of the year it is. Even if it is for ten minutes.
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Hiya
So sorry you’re suffering.
I get the hug constantly. Amitriptyline helps me. Gabapentin works with other spasms but not the hug.
Good luck. I hope you find something to help with yours. It’s so uncomfortable.
Shazzie xx