Dearest April, I could not believe what I was reading, as I read your profile about yourself! Your profile could have been my profile (almost). I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1989 and had been experiencing all sorts of symptoms since the age of 33. I was finally diagnosed with MS in 2005 at the ripe old age of 48. The diagnosis was a shock but at the same time, it gave me a sense of clarity I had not had in years. I saw many doctors over the years, which include neurologists, pain specialists, psychiatrists, psychologist, different G.P's and my GP kept telling me it was depression, anxiety, stress from my job, etc. I finally had a diagnosis that would explain many of my symptoms. I, too have other auto-immune diagnoses including: all sorts of allergies, arthritis, hypothyroidism, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, and numerous problems with joints-TMJ that was so severe, I had surgery, 2 surgeries to right knee, one surgery to left knee, surgery to left shoulder due to torn rotator cuff, three bulging disks in my cervical spine, herniated disk in my lower spine, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and bilateral lymphodema in both lower extremities-edema in both legs, have to do compression boots for an hour each day, self massage and wear compression hose when I get "bad". I am in constant pain but I do not respond well to the opioid prescriptions I tried and I tried many. Had allergic reactions, extremely rapid heart beat, and other symptoms. I used to get the "hug" but have not had one since being on disease modifying medications. I started Copaxone in November 2005 and was changed over to Aubagio in December of 2013. Aubagio is in pill form. Baclofen did not work that well for me but I do take a small dosage of clonasapan at bed time. I also take Tramadol. I think the first 6 months were very difficult because when I woke up,my first thought was, "Oh s--t, I have MS". I did not like this thought being my first thought of the day, as I had never taken on the role of "victim". Then one day, I noticed I was not waking up with that thought. It took about six months to shake that off and I was glad to see it go! I think trying medications and keeping the ones that work and discarding the ones that do not help has been part of my MS medical plan. I also changed my eating habits and I take supplements. I try to keep inflammation as low as possible, as i know MS loves inflammation. I do this through diet and supplements. I hope you continue to find things that can help you with your pain. Take care of yourself and I will be sending good thoughts your way.

When I started to get them went to my neuro we had a good discussion and I changed meds and it went away

Curcumin - its a supplement and helps me a lot.

The MS hug was my first symptom. Back then it was referred to as The Cumberbund Affect. It didn't hurt much at first. Then it did. Over the years it has come and gone. Sometimes it squeezes my ribs so hard, I can barely breathe. Thankfully, it always goes away again.