Joint pain in hip

Symptoms & Treatments
1

I'm at the end of my rope and hope I can get some answers here. My pain level did not improve at all when on Cymbalta, weaned off it properly and I now on gabapentin (worked up to 3200mg). Though some of my pain improved, my hips, knees and shoulders are still very painful, daily. If I walk for a bit (15-30 minutes), not race walking but not window shopping, it feel like my femur wants to push through the hip socket. Even if I do some light house work. Had x-rays done on hip and shoulder. Hip is normal and shoulder shows small calcific tendonitis. I try to work through the pain but it becomes too strong. I also have to look for a job due to lack of income, I just do not know what to do anymore. Please, I need some help. Is the type of hip pain normal for fibro or does something else need to be investigated? Some days, like yesterday evening, I just broke down, I can't take the pain anymore. I also have well controlled Diabetes, some thinning of my cervical and thoracic spine (I have pain meds that work for this when it acts up), anxiety and depression. I have to be careful with meds because of my Diabetes.

Thank you for any suggestions you may have.

Farida

2

I know exactly what you're talking about, and for years I attributed my pain to my weight. My doctor said the location, type, and timing indicated FMS was to blame. Because of mental health issues, I cannot take any medications currently on the market for FMS, so I have to find alternative ways to cope. So, here's what I do for my hips...

I stretch a ridiculous amount, especially in the butterfly pose (bring the bottom of your feet together while sitting on the floor, then bring them back to your pelvis and slowly bend to bring your shoulders to the floor). I do this at least 3-5 times a day - even at my office. I also stretch my legs to the side, and I stretch my quads. Even when it hurts to the point of tears, I stretch. I also do the Yoga pose 'Cobra.' I don't do any other yoga, but that pose really stretches and opens the hips.

I NEVER lie on one side. I will lay on my stomach with one leg up (picture) or sometimes on my back, but never ever on one side. I figured out that I pay for if I do... not right away, but I do pay for it. So, if I wake up all comfy but I'm on my side... I force myself to move.

When I walk, I walk on uneven ground. The pavement can kill my joints. Walking on a trail may sound harder, but my theory is because you have to use more muscles to balance and whatnot, and because you have to concentrate more on what you're doing, there is less BANG! BANG! BANG! on your joints. Also, I have these shoes that were 'in' for a while... shape ups. Combined with taking smaller steps, these shoes allow a gentle flow for walking.

On bad days, I soak in a hot bath and double up on my aspirin. If I need to take 3 baths, I do. I have driven across town to go home and soak for a while then driven back to work. I know that the heat and the aspirin can work miracles for me.

Finally, I breathe. When it hurts more than I can bare, when I want to cry, when I want to beg for an aneurysm or heart attack, I breathe. Not those slow, deep, calming breaths... The breathing you do when you weight train... the focus it takes to maintain that can ease the pain and has the added benefit of add extra oxygen to your blood.

I hope one of these work for you. And don't give up... we all feel like we just can't take it, but that's why we have this site and these friends. We understand. You are not alone.

HUGS

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3

I get similar pain... you might find trigger point injections useful? Failing that you can have topical lidocaine patches prescribed which again might be useful but will not involve any systemic medication. Do you use a stick when you walk? If so make sure it is the right height, if not maybe try using one. When was the last time you had a vitamin D and calcium blood test? Mikexx

4

Mikexx, actually just got my blood work back. Both D and Calcium are fine as was everything else. It's interesting that you came up with a cane, I was suggesting that, really thinking it was silly, to my husband. Maybe I need to rethink it.

Thanks, Farida

5

Moe, sorry to hear that you can't be on any meds for Fibro.

I stretch but the butterfly pose you mention is not possible for me other than slightly putting the bottom of my feet together and pulling toward the pelvis, though not reaching it. The level of pain to complete that pose, which BTW I used to do all the time, will make me want to scream in pain and then feel faint and nauseous. I do the Cobra pose when my shoulders are holding up.

I'm a strong believer in stretching and always have regularly, but in addition to Fibro I also have a busted back and neck, so I have to be careful of that as well.

Well, though everybody tells me not to sleep on my stomach, at least it's good for something, yeay. I noticed quite quickly that being on my side does not work at all, the pain sets in within minutes.

Unfortunately our tub is too small, must be one of the smallest ever made. I use a heating pad, it feels a little better for a short time.

I have another Dr's appt. on the 9th to see what else she suggests and I will ask to see someone who specializes in Fibromyalgia. I don't feel that I can hold a job because my mind sometimes gets scattered and I noticed that I have problems typing, I put spaces in the middle of words and reverse letters all the time. How can I work like this, or even sit in a chair for more than 20 minutes, I could barely get up. I know they talk about Fibro fog, I have that for sure but what's up with my fingers now?

I just feel so helpless and lost because I have always been an independent person and now I can't even help and bring in a paycheck, even part-time.

Thanks, Farida

6

I know how you feel, I do. My tub is tiny and the pain is incredible... it's often all I can do to put one foot in front of the other. But I've managed to survive, to start my own business, and to have friends and family and events.

You can do it. Maybe not today and maybe not all at once, but you can do this. I promise.

HUGS

7

It is definitely not a silly idea... anything that might help is worth trying :). Glad the blood work was ok, just wanted to make sure it was not osteoporosis or any such condition xx

8

Never even thought about osteoporosis, I may be a bit young for it at 53? I also wouldn't be called petite, at my thinnest.

Just checked it out on Google and I do not fall into most categories, but thanks for mentioning it. You never know.

9

My mother-in-law suffers from it and has done since her 40s so definitely not too old. If you did have it you would have low Ca++ and Vit D so you do not have it (I am glad to say). Various types of arthritis have been excluded I presume?

Mikex

10

I do have Osteoarthritis in my hands (no x-ray), my neck and Thoracic spine, with thinning of a couple of discs in both (x-rays). Adding that to the rest and some days, I can hardly move, even though I know I have to.

Other than that they ran all kinds of inflammation tests, ANA, Sjogrens, etc., everything negative. My ANA used to be a high positive years ago (1240 and 670) so now they rule out any autoimmune disorders.

Some days I feel so overwhelmed and question the dx. BTW, I also have well controlled Type II Diabetes.

Farida

PS: Is there a spellcheck somewhere that I am missing, my fingers don't work that well and having to reread everything takes a lot of time.

11

Hi, again I am sorry u r having such issues I do not generally get that pain with the fibro so im hoping more people will join in and give some advice.....I would say it must be something more than fibro but don't want to jump the gun...I pray u get some relief soon...lots of hugs Wings.

12

Hey there,

There is a spellcheck in some browsers (chrome, opera etc) that is automatic... I do not think this site has its own one but I am sure it would be useful for those with sore fingers. Another option (I am not sure about finances so might not be possible) is voice controlled software. Dragon is the best and I get it through my university but there are a lot of other ones as well and any of them can be very good.

I know what you mean about complicated diagnosis's. I have fibro, arthritis in knees and fingers, hypermobility, chronic pain syndrome, soft tissue rheumatism, hepatosplenomegaly (enlarged spleen and liver), medication resistant high blood pressure (on three pills a day and it is still high), anxiety and struggled for years with severe depression that I thought I would never see the end of. Thankfully the depression at least seems to have buggered off and frankly I want it to stay that way. All in all I think half the people on this site are medical oddities. We seldom seem to have anything that will kill us but are full of things that will stay with us until we do die. Since it is nothing fatal we get shunted into a box of "multiple pathologies" and the doctor calls the next patient in the hope they can cure them and make a difference.

Any CRP (C Reactive Protein) results on the latest bloods? If that is high then there is inflammation somewhere and they can monitor it to see whether the inflammation is getting better or worse or stabilising. Any scans of your hips in the last few years (specifically MRI)?

Mike xx

13

Truly, I sometimes feel like a freak. Between the various pains the anxiety and the depression, who would not go bonkers sometimes. My depression is up and down and some times very, very down. I have cut myself off from just about anybody, they couldn't get that I did have the energy to do things, so one after the other dropped off. I'm ok with that, sick of pretending everything is fine when I feel like death warmed over.

I have not had a MRI done, I would have to check how expensive that would be. Finances are a big issue. That is one of the things that frustrates me to no end. I need to find a job, even part time would be a huge help but driving farther from home is not possible because turning the steering wheel kills my shoulders. My frustration level with myself, though I know I am not to blame, is sky high. Logic battles emotion. GRRRRRRR!!!!

CRP and Sed. Rate were both negative.

Do you know, by any chance, if physical therapy helps at all?

Farida

14

Thanks, Wings, I appreciate it.

The biggest issue is my joint pain. I take 3200mg of Gabapentin a day and that seems to have worked on my muscle pain and muscle twitches, those, unfortunately were not my worst issues. The good thing is that I can sleep now and I am very greatful for that. 1 Flexeril 10mg and 1 Klonopin 1mg did it, I hadn't slept a good night's sleep in years. I discovered it by accident, having forgotten to take the Flexeril so I took it before bed with the Klonopin and been doing it ever since. My Dr. is happy that I can sleep better.

Just being on this site has been amazing. Everybody is so kind and understanding and I don't have to feel shy about talking Fibro and feelings.

Farida

15

I know the pain you speak of all too well. I was diagnosed with bursitis at the same time I got my fibro. diagnoses. Bursitis in hips shoulders knees and gluteal bursitis…siatica and bi lateral sacroilitis. I get injections from my rheumy and they work wonders…not pleasant but that is short lived and the pain goes away.
Hhuggs Belinda

16

Belinda, I had x-rays done for my worse hip and my worse shoulder. Hip came back clean and shoulder only with calcific tendonitis. Bursitis would show up on an x-ray if memory serves me correctly. I even had a CRP and Sed. Rate done and both came back negative.

I still have so much to learn about this disease.

Thanks for making suggestions, Farida

17

Depression is a horrible condition that I wish I had the power to eliminate. MRI will likely be expensive without insurance. I feel so sorry for you all living over in the States without a national health service. Over here we do not need to worry about a thing... it is all taken care of. I wish it could be the same over there for you. Finances seem to be a big bug for everyone with fibro, but more so your side of the Atlantic. It is a disgrace that you have to work when you are so sore just to pay for healthcare which should be a basic human right.

Physio might well be helpful. You need to try it to be sure. Has your rheumotologist checked to see if you are hypermobile?

Mikex

18

Thanks, Tina. Today I am having a relatively good day, both physically and mentally (just a bit foggy). I am actually doing some of my artwork and that always makes me feel good. I can see something being completed, it gives me a sense of accomplishment.

Farida

19

Mike, I am replying to your post below, somehow the reply button was not there.

I agree with your comment about depression, I wish I didn't have it but I try to stay positive as much as I can.

I do have health insurance but with deductables and co-pays, who knows how much it will be. Health insurance here is a joke unless you are wealthy and have no problem dishing out some major cash. Well neither here nor there, I am not wealthy. I am originally from Germany and have lived in many European Countries that have socialized health insurance. Back then, I never had to worry about anything and how I would pay for it. But I love the US and have lived here since 1987. No Country is perfect but I don't want to get into politics or anything like that.

Right now I am not working and it is causing us great financial stress. I might have to look for a job anyway even feeling as bad as I am, it's not fun but it's live, I guess. That is if I can find one close by.

I have called around to Rheumys to find one who is specialized in Fibro, none in my area. I'll check with my GP when I see her on Tuesday. I have to check what hypermobile is, I'll Google it.

Farida

20

Hey there, I am replying up high. The button disappears after so many replies to replies etc so I have replied to my original message to keep it from being a problem for a while.

I completely understand that there are good and bad points about every country. I loved going to the US but as you say you need to be rich and able to splash serious cash.... not only for healthcare but to experience the best of a country as well. I would say I fit into the lower middle class bracket. We live comfortably but struggle to save much etc.

Depression is one of those conditions that is unique to everyone who suffers it and I would not wish it on anyone.

Mike x