MonSter "Hug"

[Gabriella7]

Does anyone here have this symptom when you are in a "flare". I have had it in the past but never to the extent that I am having it now. What do you take in the way of medications or do you have any suggestions for relief until it decides to release me from it's grip?

My neuro wanted me to be seen in the center today but, they called and said the earliest I could be seen by the NP would be on Wednesday.

Blessings,
Gabriella

[agate]

Gabriella, I haven't had the MS hug but I've read some descriptions of it, and it sounds like a spasm. Have you tried any of the anti-spasmodics?

The only one I've tried is Soma (carisoprodol). It works sometimes, and sometimes it doesn't. Tizanidine was also prescribed for me but I never took it. I'm really reluctant to add new meds.

[renee]

I've been getting the bear hug since my first exascerbation 16 years ago.
Baclofen gave me a rash so I have been taking klonopin the whole time.

The severity of hugs and spasms wax and wave.
Somehow i just live with it in a pain scale of 1 to 7, seven making anyone near me panick 8>).
Anything for theatre.

Perhaps when much of your life chaos is resolved so will the spasms.
Unfortunately the hug doesn't create abs of steel.

D**N, there should be some beauty benefit to it.

[stillstANNding]

My hug feels like a wet suit that is too tight and therefore I can't take a deep breath. I have always thought of mine as in the parasthesia category- Something that I feel that isn't really there. Mine is rarely a regular symptom. It seems, for me, to come w steroid requiring relapses.

Gabriella- your plate is full- unfortunately the perfect time for a MS relapse. Take care of yourself.
ANN

[jendie]

I'm sorry to hear that you are having to deal with this, Gabriela. I haven't specifically dealt with the MS hug, but I have friends who have, so I offer you my sympathies.

Take care...

[Gabriella7]

It is still with me and not seeming to want to go away. I'm also having issues with speaking as the words just don't come out correctly. While telling a friend (who also has MS) that I was having an exacerbation....that came out "I am having an exasperation". That's happening very frequenty when I have been speaking lately but we just laugh it off. I had to change my appointment with the NP until next Wednesday as they rescheduled my husband's c-scan for tomorrow afternoon.

Not much can be done about the squeeze anyway. I am taking more hydrocodone 5/500 and I'm going to try some low heat tonight with my homedic back vibrating pad and have the A/C turned down to 68. Maybe I do need to be back on the Klonapin but I tapered off as it didn't seem to be working for the sleep issues but maybe it was keeping the boa constrictor at bay. I will discuss all the drug options with the NP next week.

If I can I will be going to the dinner/drug presentation by Questcor Pharmaceuticals tomorrow night since this is the next step up drug that my neuro wants to trial me on. I'm sure all the stress of my husband's condition is a big part of my relapse but that's life with MS. On top of everything else a virus has invaded my e-mail address book and sent out e-mails with a website to link to all my contacts. I couldn't even get into the e-mail account until tonight and I had to change my password in order to get back in.

Hope it doesn't do any more mischief with finances....more stress....as if there is not enough already!

Blessings to All,
Gabriella

[stillstANNding]

Gabrielle,

Maybe a phone call to that NP to see if you could re-start the Klonipin? I don't want you to suffer until next week.

I did some reading and found that people use pressure (???), aspercreme and similar salves, Motrin, and cold/warm packs for home remedies. Also imagery. For drugs, klonipin, valium, elavil and neurontin have been tried.

Here's what the NMSS has: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8M1spBk3yE
ANN

[SalpalSally]

I hope you find some relief soon, Gabriella. I haven't had the hug in years, thank heavens. It's awfully uncomfortable.

[Jeanie Z]

:) Gabriella I have been keeping you and your husband in my prayers. I hope your hug quits hugging you soon. Jeanie :)

[Gabriella7]

Just got home from the dinner/presentation on Acthar. It is used specifically to treat relapses when steroids do not work. I am going to call the MS Center and see if they got approval from the insurance company for it. It was in the works last year when I had to go into the hospital for steroid infusions and then that lead to IVIG infusions for the myasthenia gravis and MS.

We will see just how reliable the office staff is.... as it was going to be the next treatment for me when I needed it!

Blessings,
Gabriella