8 replies to this topic

[juli]

my husband is a c4c5 quad. a few months ago he started having this sensation of something wrapping around his back and chest. he says that it feels as if he has been shoved into a hollow tree. as the weeks go on the feeling is going higher and higher up to his neck.its very scarrey to him. i know this sounds strange but the doctors dont have a clue what it could be. anyone else have this?

[123]

Hi Juli,

I have that exact sensation you describe and it is the pits. It's like having your chest and upper back stuck in a vice. It is frightening. Mine sometimes goes lower to my ribs and waist. In the early days I used to think I was having a heart attack. According to my neurosurgeon it is caused by irritated or pinched nerves and is a common symptom for a lot of neurological conditions. I don't know much about cervical spine injuries and how they affect the chest area; hopefully somebody else will be able to explain this. I do know that the upper T spine controls all the muscles and nerves in this area, but then anywhere below the injury level can be compromised. I found that tramadol helped me tremendously in dealing with this pain, but had to sadly stop taking it as it gave me bad head pains. Failing that, he could maybe try one of the neuropathic painkillers such as gabapentin. Do pass on my regards as I know how miserable it is. I really hope you can fix it - try and keep your chin up!

Best wishes to you both,

Leah

Edited by 123, 26 February 2011 - 02:52 PM.

[juli]

123, on 26 February 2011 - 02:44 PM, said:

Hi Juli,

I have that exact sensation you describe and it is the pits. It's like having your chest and upper back stuck in a vice. It is frightening. Mine sometimes goes lower to my ribs and waist. In the early days I used to think I was having a heart attack. According to my neurosurgeon it is caused by irritated or pinched nerves and is a common symptom for a lot of neurological conditions. I don't know much about cervical spine injuries and how they affect the chest area; hopefully somebody else will be able to explain this. I do know that the upper T spine controls all the muscles and nerves in this area, but then anywhere below the injury level can be compromised. I found that tramadol helped me tremendously in dealing with this pain, but had to sadly stop taking it as it gave me bad head pains. Failing that, he could maybe try one of the neuropathic painkillers such as gabapentin. Do pass on my regards as I know how miserable it is. I really hope you can fix it - try and keep your chin up!

Best wishes to you both,

Leah

thanks for your reply. scott thought he was having a heart attach also ,but mainly thought he was going crazy, he will be glad to here that someone else is experiencing the same thing. i will ask his doctor about those meds. thanks so much

[S&W Winger]

Sounds like those wondrous "bands of pressure," another gift of SCI, that usually effects us around the level of injury...anywhere from a boa constrictor ever-tightening its grip to simple rubber band pressure 'round the torso, neck, or anywhere the line of demarcation may be...my personal line shifts, but usually hovers 'bout breast level, as I have cord compression from C6 to T3/4 to complete T7 and on down...so the joys of pressure are mine to enjoy/-dure at ever-varying level for extra-added fun...

Usually this phenomenon dissipates over time, but may revisit thoughout our SCI'd Lives...perhaps to e certain that you are indeed not experiencing a heart issue or other such dilemma, a good MD with actual SCI experience and knowledge should help assess the situation...if truly bothersome, Lyrica may help, as it's a neuropathic issue...

Edited by S&W Winger, 26 February 2011 - 03:58 PM.

[Trinity]

It's almost certainly down to the nerves, it feels like you're being squeezed tight and can make breathing feel tight and difficult

It is a very recognised symptom in many neurological diseases. People with Multiple Sclerosis call it The MS Hug!

[123]

That's not what I call it!

[spot]

Absolutely the worst part of this whole SCI thing. With a C1/C2 level injury, I have that feeling from the tip of my head to the tips of my toes. If anyone ever comes up with a solution, I would give him just about everything I have. I might even want to live again.

The only time it departs is when I am overtaken by the drugs and sent into this weird half-existance on some other universe. That only lasts a couple of minutes, then I am back in my way-too-tight, all-over rubber suit.

[Tetracyclone]

spot, on 26 February 2011 - 06:40 PM, said:

Absolutely the worst part of this whole SCI thing. With a C1/C2 level injury, I have that feeling from the tip of my head to the tips of my toes. If anyone ever comes up with a solution, I would give him just about everything I have. I might even want to live again.

The only time it departs is when I am overtaken by the drugs and sent into this weird half-existance on some other universe. That only lasts a couple of minutes, then I am back in my way-too-tight, all-over rubber suit.

Spot,

Would you give your kitten?

Seriously, I experience tightening of muscles that used to affect breathing but now centers in the abdomen. It distorts my posture and movement. It makes me a frequent urinator. Over time an emphasis on stretching and deep breathing has allowed my breathing to function normally in spite of this tightness. diaphragm is now strong enough to push the muscle cage out.

For many reasons your husband will benefit by working at deep breathing whenever this tightness attacks him. If it makes the pain worse try outsmarting it with very gentle breaths.

[qbounce]

This feeling only becomes a major problem if you find yourself LOSING function/ sensation above your injury level. Then you have a tethered cord or even a syrinx. If this sensation just started recently you NEED to ask your neurologist to order you an MRI to see if any visible signs are causing this new sensation. Just keep in mind that if things get worse, and nothing is VISIBLY wrong on your MRI, you still may be affected by POST TRAUMATIC TETHERED CORD. They said 10-15% of SCI have this to the point of needing surgical intervention.

Check out Dr. Scott Falci at Craig Hospital in Colorado: www.craighospital
There are only 2 doctors that can do this surgery in the US. I had the untethering done last October, and actually felt better for a short while, until it started up again in December. Now it looks like I'm going back for a CERVICAL DRAIN. Only 5% of their patients experience this after an untethering. I feel sooooooo lucky lately to be one of the few who need to go back one . . . . more . . . . . time, to hopefully get it right.

So, for all you who feel this tightness wrapped around your injured area, if it moves upward, and you begin to feel it in your arms, neck, forehead, or ALL THE ABOVE, move on it but quick! It really sucks when you thought your injury was stabilized to the level it's at, only to find that at any time you can still lose more.

Edited by qbounce, 27 February 2011 - 05:34 AM.