I need some advice or suggestions! I recently had an MRI done on my right hip because I have been in severe pain. My doctor, who is a "pain specialist" called me and told me that my results came back normal.I am angry, frustrated, and very discouraged right now! I am at my wits end with this doctor! She has done nothing to alleviate my pain and now she is suggesting that I get an MRI of my lower back! Is it time for me to move on and find a more experienced doctor who specializes in fibromyalgia? Who should I see? A neurologist or a rheumatologist? Or both? Should I get the MRI or have an Ultrasound done on my hip? Has anyone ever experienced hip pain before that radiates down to your knee? What do you suggest that I do? I know that everyone is different and handles their pain differently and what works for one person may not work for another.But I am at my wits end and can't take it anymore! This doctor will not prescribe me any pain meds!
Hi FF,
It sounds to me like she is trying to discover if you have joint damage, possibly from arthritis, or possibly something else. She is smart to want to have an MRI of your spine, in my opinion, many of us have spinal problems brought on by illness or injury.
I need to have new MRI's done of my upper and lumbar spine, they are probably close to 8 years old. This is important for comparison, especially since I am on the biologic, Enbrel.
In my opinion all fibro patients should be seen by a Rheumatologist on a regular basis if only yearly. If they are worthy of their education, they are our best hope. I am not a medical professional, I am a patient with Fibro, and 3 autoimmune diseases, two are systemic, causing harm to every cell of my body, especially my spine.
I also found out that some of my incredibly bad hip pain was due to a tilted pelvis! That was corrected by chiropractic adjustments, but most likely caused by my disease. As my Chiropractor says "It's all one unit, Everything is connected!"
I hope that you can find the source and reason for your pain. Doctors are almost not allowed to treat pain unless they know the reason.
Hi there FibroFrenzy,
I think your doctor's suggestion of an MRI in the back isn't a bad idea at all. I had horrible pain in my sacra-ilia joint, that radiated down into my hip. An MRI did find some herniation of a disk. That wasn't causing the pain BUT in my case, it seems that arthritis of the spine was causing some of the pain and the pain was radiating down into the hip area. And trust me, it was misery, sheer misery for about 6 solid years, with no relief! So yes, I think further studies of the back could be helpful. Who knows, you could have a disk issue or arthritis or something else that might be causing initial pain and then the pain goes downwards into the hip. Our lovely friend FIBRO (grrrrrrr!) likes to amplify pain so that could be part of the problem too.
I don't know about the hip to knee pain. Unless you're having fibro in both areas? Or is it a connected strand of pain, like the pain that goes down a tendon?
And I concur with SK about your seeing a good rheumatologist, to have him check you out for autoimmune illnesses, etc.
Unfortunately, with fibro we get A LOT of those "Normal" readings on test results that nearly drive us to madness! I guess the good new is that nothing is technically wrong with the joint...but those tests aren't testing for fibro, as no fibro test currently exists. So it's a grueling chore to keep being tested and tested, until the doctor finally can make a determination on what's up.
Hope this helps a bit.
Gentle hugs to you, my friend,
Petunia Girl
Can I ask you a question? Don't you think that it would've made sense for this doctor to have the MRI on my lower back done while they were imaging my hip as well? MRI's are not cheap and my husband's insurance only pays a portion of it. I don't mean to sound condescending, but, I am very, very frustrated about the whole situation.
FibroFrenzy68
Thanks for your help, I guess I'll have to think about it as MRI's are really expensive and my husband's insurance only covers a portion of it.
FibroFrenzy68
I have hip pain constantly like this in both hips some times when i am in bed lying on my side i feel like I am lying on hard concrete. I am so sorry u are ging thru this and in my experience mose of these drs want to treat u like a drug addict and nt someone who has a dibilitating disease. good luck hope u find the proper help u need gentle hugs
Pebbles
Wow SK, everytime you post something I find something else in common with you! Crazy!
I have also been told I have a “deep and tilted pelvis”…I thought it was semi-normal since the doc never said that I should have it addressed.
Anyway, I totally agree with you as well…a Rhuematologist is the way to go! At least for me, I found a pretty good one who seems fairly educated in Fibromyalgia. Although she has mentioned Mixed Connective Tissue to me a few times. I plan on asking her about that when I see her this week.
Yep, I can understand that! I have had to ask to have my back looked at (MRI & X-ray). It’s almost like they can only focus on one thing at a time sometimes! I’m not sure if there is something else to it that we aren’t aware of, like if they have to do it that way for it to even be partially covered by insurance, etc. I think the insurance companies are way worse than the docs for sure!! They dictate what the docs can and can’t do, I wish they would just let them do their jobs and help people instead of constantly putting money before patients!
HI Tina - for many years, I have had hip pain radiating to my knees and sometimes down my legs too. It's a burning, aching pain and can keep me awake all night if it's on both sides. I do agree with SK though. Your doctor may be doing the right thing in getting an MRI of your spine. The spine is responsible for so much that goes on with our bodies, Tina. Do you think you can hang on? It sounds like she is just trying to rule out anything to make a proper diagnosis. I know it's frustrating because you are in so much pain. I have been through it all. But my son has advised me on occasion to slow down and see what the doctor wants to do. Most of the time, it has worked out pretty good. I just get impatient when I hurt. Please! Let us know what is going on? Love and hugs!! Laurie
I too think you should rule out the options, and ensure it is nothing to do with your lower back.
I have sciatica which flares in both hips, although mainly on the left. It too refers pain down the sciatic nerve down to my knee. My husband has it as well. Normally the pain is bearable but it has been so bad that I’ve spent a number of nights and most of the day walking, trying to lay down , trying to sit, and although I seldom cry from pain, in tears most of the time. I had T3’s which hardly touched it and oxycontin which would give me some relief for about 1 1/2 hours. . I cannot take any type of anti-inflammatory which I expect might have helped. I’m not sure if fibro and sciatica are a common combination. If you can take Advil you might want to try it to see if it helps with the pain, as it is a mild anti-inflammatory. Good luck with finding the answer and/or finding some pain relief.
Hi FibroFrenzy, I really believe its all from fibro. I was diagnosed with Fibro after my doctor had xrayed, Mri and scanned my right hip and lower back as well. My hubby thought I had pinched a nerve from getting off and on our motorcycle. I was then sent to my Rhuemy which in returned dianosed me with Fibro. My right hip always hurts more than anything else. I went for Pt, no help at all, in fact some days I left in tears. If I were you, I would try to found a rhuematologist because they can give you injections in your hip or back they may help you. I get them when I get really bad. It takes me two days for it to help and may last a few weeks or just a few days. So be patient with your Dr. I;m sure they are just trying to rule out things. I sur hope you get some relief. Sending hugs your way, Robin
Hi Robin,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I have already had an injection in my hip but it only lasted a couple of days. I have decided to go to a rheumatologist and a neurologist.I'm still pondering whether or not I should have the MRI done on my lower back.
Thanks for your help B2chi! Will consider the MRI for my lower back since everyone seems to be saying the same thing.
Thanks for your support Laurie. I have decided to see a neurologist and a rheumatologist to find out what is going on. Still pondering about the MRI.
Thanks for your kind words and support Pebbles!
Thanks for your support Tina! I am really beginning to think that my doctor does not know a lot about fibromyalgia even though she is a pain specialist. I am contemplating the MRI for my lower back and have decided to see a neurologist and a rheumatologist as well.
Come to think of it, mine is too. Is this a fibro trend?
Yes, a rheumy is a must for us, in order to rule out other illnesses and to help with treatment.
Tina, do you have any double-jointed people in your family? Are you double-jointed? It sometimes goes along with connective tissue issues. Please keep us updated, okay?