Hello all. I’m going through the diagnosis process, so this may or may not be MS related (I had my MRi a week and a half ago, have been in the system since October. I’m waiting for results - may be a while yet…).
Previously I have had dull aching under my pressure under my breasts, towards my sides, predominantly under my right breast - like a bra that is too tight but I get it even when I don’t wear a bra. Since waking up this morning, I’ve been getting the same pain but sharper and much worse, this time on my left side. I went for a shower and it got even worse still. It comes and goes in sharp jabs and is really getting to me now. It doesn’t hurt to touch, so I don’t think it is bruised or anything.
It has been suggested to me that this feeling could be the MS Hug, but of course I don’t know yet if I have MS - so I don’t want to jump to conclusions. But given some of you may have had some experience of similar pain / sensation, could you recommend anything I can do to alleviate the pain? I’ve been taking ibuprofen, but doesn’t seem to be having a great effect.
I had this prior to diagnosis and had no idea what to do. A physio helped and massage and after, it just went away after 6 weeks. It was RRMS. It’s known here as the MS hug. You’ll find plenty of posts about this. Naming it helps. Diazepam helps too. And lyrica. And amitrityline. Lyrica is expensive though and you may be relapsing. So if that’s confirmed then hopefully you should get Lyrica.
If not, then shingles has a similar effect. I know quite a lot about ms but nothing about shingles. I hope you feel better soon xx
Thanks, COSGalto - its good to know I’m not going mad…!
It is a little better this evening. I’ve had shingles before so I don’t think it is that. Will look into the medication you mention, that’s really helpful thanks. xx
You have said you’re not diagnosed with MS, but that it’s a possible. Not to jump the gun, but you could have a look at the MS Trust info on the MS hug: MS hug | MS Trust obviously they do say that not all chest pain is MS related and indeed any chest pain should be treated seriously.
But supposing it is nerve pain, then ibuprofen will not touch it.
As COSGalto has said, there are a number of drugs that do help with nerve pain. What is perhaps the best way of treating your pain though is to see a GP. They presumably are aware of your current neurological investigation process. They could check out where you are experiencing pain and may be able to prescribe something to help. Lyrica (aka pregabalin) is often prescribed for neurological pain as is amitriptyline, or a short course of diazepam might be possible from your GP. Although the GP may also be reluctant to prescribe in the absence of diagnosis.
So you may be as well to try to get your results appointment moved forward, try phoning your neurologists secretary maybe?
Its really difficult, as I haven’t been diagnosed and this chest pain may not even be related to my neurological issue / investigation. The whole thing is really frustrating as not sure what’s going on!
I’ve booked a gp appointment for Friday (that’s actually about as quick as it gets in my corner of London, so pretty pleased). I’m actually in much less in pain today, although I feel pretty tired.
My neurologist sent me and my gp a letter earlier in the month, stating that if there are any abnormalities on the mri, they will be in touch to set up an “early appointment”. If clear, he recommends some options to my gp in relation to migraine medication (I also had some bad aura migraines in addition to my other neurological symptoms), so presume I won’t have an appointment unless something shows on the scan?
I’ll call the secretary anyway on Monday to see if I have to take any action to book in the appointment (although I guess it may not go ahead if scan is clear). I don’t want to get lost in the system. When I had my neurology appointment in December, he said it could take a few weeks for him and the radiologists to have all gone through the scan, so I’m not expecting to know anything for another couple of weeks at least. I had to wait an initial 3 months to see the neurologist with an “urgent” referral from my gp, and another month for the scan - I know I am far from an abnormal case, the NHS is definitely going through it at the moment.
Trying not to think about it all too much and just get on with it. For a few weeks, I was feeling ok and getting on with things, but this week I’ve not felt great again (not just the chest pain but also recurrence of constantly pulsing/vibrating foot and tingly/numb patches on face) and it is hard not to think about things.
You sound pretty sensible. Taking appropriate action by phoning the neuros secretary, seeing your GP, and generally trying not to overreact (but as we all know that’s easy to say and hard to do).
Best of luck this week with the symptoms. Hopefully the chest banding think will continue improving. And you’ll soon get proper answers. Fingers crossed it’ll be the all clear on the MS front and something easily resolveable.
My doc told me I had an infection of the rib and so I took my pills and slept a lot. Next pain was an inflamed central nerve. By then I was diagnosed. It took 4 hours! A bit of a shock, but finally a name for all these illnesses. Hmmm, MS. It’s bugging me now with a stiff leg and lots of pain. I’ll have to miss another concert:(
I’m sorry to hear that, COSGalto. I hope you don’t have to cancel your concert - but if you do, make sure you treat yourself to something nice to try and make up for it.
Thanks, Sue. Trying to be as normal as possible! My sister has MS, so I am aware of how it is both a life-changing thing, but at the same time not the end of having a happy life. And also that there are many things that have symptoms like MS but are not! I’m still very hopeful it could be something much less serious.
