What you're describing — a burning, wrapping sensation from your lower back around your abdomen — sounds like it could be the "MS hug." This is a well-known MS symptom caused by nerve damage that sends incorrect pain signals to the brain, even when there's no physical injury.
The burning feeling is a type of neuropathic pain Show Full Answer
What you're describing — a burning, wrapping sensation from your lower back around your abdomen — sounds like it could be the "MS hug." This is a well-known MS symptom caused by nerve damage that sends incorrect pain signals to the brain, even when there's no physical injury.
The burning feeling is a type of neuropathic pain called dysesthesia, where sensations don't match what's actually happening to your body. Being without treatment for a year is something worth flagging to your neurologist, especially since this symptom may be new or worsening. Some things that can temporarily make these sensations worse include:
- Heat or warm weather
- Stress
- Fatigue
- Infections
These are called pseudo-relapses and don't necessarily mean new damage, but new or worsening symptoms should always be reported to your healthcare provider. There are options that may help manage the burning sensation. A doctor might consider:
- Anti-seizure medications like gabapentin
- Certain antidepressants like duloxetine or amitriptyline
- CBD cream — some MyMSTeam members have found this helpful for nerve pain
- Cooling strategies to manage heat-triggered flare-ups
Given your treatment gap, reaching out to your neurologist soon would be a really important step. 💙
AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to
diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.
MS Burning Sensation: Causes and Relief Tips
October 18
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