MS Hug with no spinal lesions? Armchair diagnosis, pls

[Sydne]

So. I had my first series of MRI's in 12 years. Brain, cervical and thoracic. When I went to the dr, I mentioned that I'd been having a tingling sensation on back, sort of across my ribs on the left side, from the spine outward. Same area everytime. And it was just kind of annoying back there, I couldn't wait to get my bra off at night. That was not the reason for my visit, but it seemed opportune that I was having an MRI that week.

The tingling, which I had had for 2 or 3 weeks, began to HURT. Sharp shooting pain right across my back, both sides of my spine. The tingling area also started hurting instead of tingling. It first started hurting after at the end of a brisk walk with my husband, it was August and I was hot. We went to buy a rotisserie chicken, and he had to carry it because holding it made the pain worse.

I called the doctor. She said my MRI's looked clear, no spine lesions and hardly any change from the last one (I won't even get into that one now, sounds like another thread!). Whatever was wrong with my back was not MS related. There was also no evidence of bulging discs or pinched nerves, so she ruled that out too. Possibly shingles she said, though I never got a rash.

Now the pain is back to the one spot and is dull with tingling. The pain is definitely worse when I'm hot, like after walking somewhere. And the tingling is seriously more noticeable after a shower. It hurts more if I exert myself, like if I lift a big casserole full of food or something.

So if its not shingles, and not MS, what the hey is it? Does anyone else have the hug but no spine lesions???????

[MSer102]

MRI's don't show everything so it's possible that your huggish symptoms could be coming from an MS lesion or two that are just not showing up on your MRI. My neuro told me that spinal cord lesions tend not to be "silent" so she knows to pay attention to the symptoms even if nothing show up on the MRI. My last leg symptoms didn't come with anything that showed on my MRI. Maybe you could talk to your neuro to see if some gabapentin or Ampyra might help?

[mercadies25]

i just saw my neuro last thursday. I have been having the same sensation for the past 3 to 4 weeks. I have not had an mri for over 6 months, but he did tell me it was the MS hug. He upped the neurontin and the zanaflex. It has helped a little but I am still feeling it. Yes it's a relapse.

I don't really care about the mri or lp or any test. I know I have MS and there is no cure. So we try to stay comfortable. If it's bothering you and you are in pain make sure you tell your neuro and hopefully he will prescribed the right med to keep you comfortable.

Good Luck!!!!!
Feel Better!!!!

[Sissy]

mercadies25

"I don't really care about the mri or lp or any test. I know I have MS and there is no cure. So we try to stay comfortable. If it's bothering you and you are in pain make sure you tell your neuro and hopefully he will prescribed the right med to keep you comfortable."

My Dr and I talked abt that same thing and I forgot abt it until you mentioned it! But you are right! What difference is it going to make!

As far as the MS hug, I have that a lot and it feels like some one is giving me a very tight "Bear Hug". It is hard to talk, breath or move. I can get temp relief with some lorazepam, baclophen and going to sleep!

[Fed Up]

Having more pain than 'usual' I've been rather concerned if my pain is MS or Shingles...KNOWING I have and am, again being treated for shingles.

I'd suspect you are having both. The MS hug and possible 'shingles' type of pain...
I've been treated and had spinal surgeries; that sort of spinal pain, well, different.

I'd suspect the big difference..for me, between shingles pain and M.S. is the spine feels like it is on 'fire!'

That is what I'd use as a geiger counter for me to know the difference. Regardless, if it bugs you and interferes with your everyday life, make sure all rocks are turned and get some relief.

Have you had the shingles, did you ask her to treat it then? I think I would! Wish the Best Outcome for you; fed

[josischlie]

MS Hug

For 2 years, I complained to my physical therapists that my ribs and right shoulder hurt. They told me I probably twisted a rib when I fell. After 6 months of deep tissue massage, it went away. I do not have any new spinal lesions, I do however have 30 years of untreated relapse damage.

My MS hug feels like I have a fist stuck just under my right shoulder blade. I treat it with Baclofen (muscle relaxer) and I sit with a heating pad, most of the day. When I wake up some mornings it's hard to breathe. Other mornings, I feel okay, go about doing simple household chores and late in the afternoon/early evening, it takes all I have just to put a simple meal together. Sometimes it's so bad, I cannot even eat the meal I have prepared. I wish there were stretching exercise instructions easily accessible.

I tried a MS yoga video and wound up hurting my hip

I think I'm strong enough to try yoga again, just not the hip stuff.

I miss being physically active.

[Sissy]

josischlie said "I have a fist stuck just under my right shoulder blade."

Well thank you for that!! I always thought I was crazy!! It hurts soooo bad I told my husband I wanted to take a butcher knife and stick it under there and cut "IT" loose!!
I never thought about it being an MS SX or spasticity!

But I was without a DX and everyone looked at me like I was ready for the psych ward. WOW! it feels good to know I am not alone (sorry I know that sounded tacky!!)

[mjan]

I am in the same boat..but it includes my neck and mid back area. I think this could be related to MS hug which to me, is from SPASTICITY!!

Sorry..hope you feel better soon

Jan

[Strhuntrss]

Tingling in Spine

Sydne,

I too have had that tingling near the bra.

Then the hug which felt like someone squeezed the dickens out of me.

At first I thought it was the bra. I told my neuro about it and he said it was from the MS.

Mild case the neurontin and muscle relaxers tend to help me.

When it is real bad, had it twice to that degree, he prescribed steriods which helped immensely.

But that is for me.

Find out what works for you. We are all different in our sx and relief for them.

Praying for relief for you