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Suggest Remedy For Severe Back Pain Caused By Muscle Spasms

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Posted on Sat, 21 Nov 2015
Question: i HAVE BEEN HAVING SEVERE MUSCLE CONTRACTIONS SPASMS IN MY BACK FOR3 years. I am on disability and nothing seems to help except nitro pills.. My last visit to a doctor for this resulted in him calling me f.../ing crazy and that I should be seeing a different type dr.. I have just accidently come accross something called MS HUG and my troubles are almost identical.
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Answered by Dr. Dariush Saghafi (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Get seen by a specialist

Detailed Answer:
The MS HUG is a constellation of symptoms that involve the banding of the intercostal or ribcage muscles which contract or sometimes go into spasm causing a squeezing effect and is sometimes one of the first symptoms of demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis. It is NOT DIAGNOSTIC for MS. It is not SPECIFIC for MS but is recognized in people who are eventually diagnosed with MS under other conditions and circumstances.

There are many other reasons that back muscles may be contracting such as hormonal, electrolytic, and other metabolic reasons. Also, if you've been having these troubles for only the last 3 years then, you would be considered a significant OUTLIER if diagnosed at age 60 with MS. Personally, I have made the diagnosis of MS which was verified in a 72 year old woman who had her first attack upon coming off an airplane after a coast to coast trip. So, by no means is it IMPOSSIBLE for a 60 year to have that particular disease.....but I've never diagnosed or run into anybody who merited a diagnosis of MS over age 55 since that time.

I don't know what the workup is that the other doctor completed on you who suggested that you see someone else but perhaps, it is a good idea you get a 2nd opinion anyways.

I would advise you seek out a specialist in either the musculoskeletal or neurological arenas as these are people much more used to seeing these types of symptoms that may not seem to coalesce very well with other disease entities if the doctor looking at them is not specialty trained in this area.

I hope this addresses your concerns. If so, may I ask for the favor of a HIGH STAR RATING on our interaction and some brief written feedback.

Write to me at: bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional comments, concerns, or to upload information that you would like me to look at in the event you may have reports, imaging studies of the head, labs performed, or doctors' notes you'd like reviewed.

This query required 12 minutes to read, research, and compile an envoy to the patient
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dariush Saghafi

Neurologist

Practicing since :1988

Answered : 2473 Questions

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Suggest Remedy For Severe Back Pain Caused By Muscle Spasms

Brief Answer: Get seen by a specialist Detailed Answer: The MS HUG is a constellation of symptoms that involve the banding of the intercostal or ribcage muscles which contract or sometimes go into spasm causing a squeezing effect and is sometimes one of the first symptoms of demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis. It is NOT DIAGNOSTIC for MS. It is not SPECIFIC for MS but is recognized in people who are eventually diagnosed with MS under other conditions and circumstances. There are many other reasons that back muscles may be contracting such as hormonal, electrolytic, and other metabolic reasons. Also, if you've been having these troubles for only the last 3 years then, you would be considered a significant OUTLIER if diagnosed at age 60 with MS. Personally, I have made the diagnosis of MS which was verified in a 72 year old woman who had her first attack upon coming off an airplane after a coast to coast trip. So, by no means is it IMPOSSIBLE for a 60 year to have that particular disease.....but I've never diagnosed or run into anybody who merited a diagnosis of MS over age 55 since that time. I don't know what the workup is that the other doctor completed on you who suggested that you see someone else but perhaps, it is a good idea you get a 2nd opinion anyways. I would advise you seek out a specialist in either the musculoskeletal or neurological arenas as these are people much more used to seeing these types of symptoms that may not seem to coalesce very well with other disease entities if the doctor looking at them is not specialty trained in this area. I hope this addresses your concerns. If so, may I ask for the favor of a HIGH STAR RATING on our interaction and some brief written feedback. Write to me at: bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional comments, concerns, or to upload information that you would like me to look at in the event you may have reports, imaging studies of the head, labs performed, or doctors' notes you'd like reviewed. This query required 12 minutes to read, research, and compile an envoy to the patient