Over the years, a repeated cycle has always occurred when I went to an appointment with my neurologist.  I would see him and a week later I would have some sort of MS problem. I would up either back at his office, on steroids or at an MRI usually all 3. Over the past week I’ve been waking up feeling like I smoked a pack of cigarettes the day before. I’ve had this feeling before but never knew what it was or that it was an MS thing. Especially since I did smoke at various times over the years. It wasn’t until my blog and connecting with others did I learn about the MS Hug. http://www.healthline.com/health/multiple-sclerosis/ms-hug#Overview1

The MS hug is a symptom of multiple sclerosis where you feel as if you have a tight band around your chest or ribs or it can be pressure on just one side of your torso. Some people find that it is painful to breathe.

I’m not even sure if I’m truly experiencing the MS hug or not because I feel it or I should say I’m aware of it mostly upon waking. I don’t know how long it’s been going on or if I’m just use to it except the morning. I have been on medicine for my muscles spasms for years. I also now wonder if that is causing some of my breathing issues I discussed in a prior post. https://multipleexperiences.org/2017/01/23/multiple-sclerosis-serious-symptoms-respitory-issues/ I’m not experiencing any pain just a little pressure. Whatever it is, it isn’t severe. I’m lucky for that because from what I read, it could be extremely painful.

I woke up today again feeling like I smoked a pack of cigarettes but mostly, I felt numb. I should rephrase, I’m always numb, but today I feel worse. I feel strange. I feel wrong, off, numb-er if that could be. Something is wrong. I actually HAVE an appointment with my neurologist this morning which is a first when I don’t actually feel well.

After all this time, I’m not even sure what we do. My last real relapse was back in 2014. I know I’m sort of part RRMS (relapse remitting multiple sclerosis) but mostly SPMS (secondary progressive multiple sclerosis). Steroids back then didn’t do anything. Do we try again with  that horrible medicine? Wait it out? Then does this mean Rituxan isn’t working and that needs to be changed? The only thing I can say for sure is I know my body, I’ve been doing the MS thing for 19 years, something is going on. Now I have to see what the doctor says. I won’t even go into the fact that this neurologist has been with me for 19 years but isn’t on my insurance plan which means he can’t prescribe steroids for me. That’s opening another can of worms but I’ll leave that frustration for another blog.