Groin pain flare = inflammatory arthritis?

[LuckyJC]

I'm currently diagnosed with UCTD plus possible fibromyalgia. In the last six weeks I've had two episodes of a new 'crisis' - groin pain that I'm guessing is coming from the hip joint. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

I have had mild pain in both hips (really the grease of my groin, on both sides), on weight-bearing, since January. About 6 weeks ago it suddenly flared up one day on the left side. I was at work and it went from normal mild pain at about 11am to 50% worse by about 4pm, inc pain when sitting still. By that night it was excruciating, throbbing pain, like my whole hip was on fire. The next day it was ridiculously painful, and I had a severe limp and it was very stiff. Over about 3 days the pain improved, and within a week the stiffness had worn off and the limp as well. This was the first time I've had an episode like this, although I've had joint pain in various joints for about 2 years. I was seeing my rheumy nurse the next week so she gave me a depo-medrol injection.

About 2 weeks ago it happened again, but much shorter duration. It came on and was over within about 24 hrs, but was the same hip, same pain and same experience generally. I'm guessing it could have been the steroid injection that shortened it so much.

I'm seeing my rheumatologist in about 2 weeks but it's driving me insane wondering what this is. The rheumy nurse thought that my description of it suggests it's some kind of inflammatory arthritis, which might mean the UCTD diagnosis gets a bit clearer.

Does anyone else get flares that feel like this? I should mention there was no redness or swelling, but then would I be able to see that on my hip?

[PMRpro]

Had you been walking more or doing stairs? It could be an inflammatory arthritis (palindromic rheumatism if you want to look it up and see if it fits) but it could also be trochanteric bursitis being irritated by overuse and then resolving when you are forced to rest.

[LuckyJC in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks PMRpro no that's what's so weird, I hadn't been doing more walking or exercise, it just seems to spring out of nowhere. I did actually come across palindromic rheumatism the other day and the description felt very familiar!

[PMRpro in reply to LuckyJC]

The periods between flares can be short or long - and sometimes it goes into remission for a long time! Hopefully yours will. Unfortunately in some cases it then progresses to a more constant form - but there is medication.

[weathervane]

Hi lucky , i have bursitis in my hip and the pain is usually centred in the out side of my hip and down the leg - i dont have to do much to aggravate it !! Pain in the groin can indicate OA in the hip . I think you go to your doctor and ask about an x-ray and referral to a specialist . It must be hard for you in work coping with this pain , i hope you find the cause . Best wishes xx🌸🌸

[Lupiknits]

I have this very frequently - both hips and across the base of my spine. It's been called inflamatory arthritis to me, and, for, me, requires some quite strong pain relief. Best check with rheumy and your GP.

[LuckyJC in reply to Lupiknits]

Thanks Lupiknits, glad to know it's not just me. Do you mind me asking what pain medication you take? I tried 30mg cocodamol and it barely touched it. I'm not allowed anti-inflammatories because of another condition...😩

[Lupiknits]

I can't take anti inflamatories either, and the co-codamol prescribed was not enough, especially to take me through the night when I kept waking up. My GP tried me with Butrans patches. Cautiously, because they don't suit everybody. I'm currently on a 20mcg and 5 mcg patch. You change them every 7 days. They may help you. You can start with the smallest amount. It was my GP who helped with this.,

[LuckyJC in reply to Lupiknits]

Thanks, I think patches might be a good way to go 👍🏻

[Lupiknits in reply to LuckyJC]

Worth trying. They are a controlled drug, and apparently people can get " high" on them or misuse. Mystery to me!

[LuckyJC in reply to Lupiknits]

The only thing I'll be getting high on is not being in pain 👍🏻😀does make me mad the way some in the medical profession worry about the potential for addiction more than they worry about people being in pain 😡

[Lupiknits in reply to LuckyJC]

My GP has been wonderful when I said I really didn't like needing so much pain control. She just said pain is horrible, bad pain means no quality of life and I don't want you to be in pain!

[LuckyJC in reply to Lupiknits]

Yeah to be fair my GP is the same, very sympathetic. It's usually my consultants who are less so!

[Hidden]

I have this too - exactly as you describe (ie Palindromic). But fortunately not for a while. My first rheumy said that hip arthritis was almost always first felt in the groin and a gp confirmed this when it last got really bad about six months ago now.

It did show up as wear and tear on x-ray and I do have a confirmed diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis (previously diagnosed as RA) with primary Sjögren's. I find that trying to get my weight down with a low carb diet, taking Mycophenolate and walking 5000-2000 steps (but obviously not while it's flaring) daily and Pilates keep it at bay. It also comes and goes and is often awful the day after I've lifted or carried anything heavy. But other times arrives from nowhere seemingly. My feeling is that for me it happens when inflammation caused by the hip arthritis, sits on a nerve. It usually affects one side of my groin more than the other.

It's excruciating when it's bad - you have my sympathies.

[LuckyJC in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, is really nice to know that others understand and it's not just me! I think that Pilates might be the answer for me as well, plus some heavy duty pain relief!

[Hidden in reply to LuckyJC]

Yes - it's really important to have the latter I agree. I must ask about patches.

The problem is that by the time I see the GP about mine it's often passed and I end up focussing on whatever is bothering me most then and there - so pain relief has never been properly discussed yet?!

Last time I was given Dyhydrocodeine but it made me so bunged up below that I got really sick - then remembered that a surgeon told me a few years ago "for you Codeine is poison - please remember this!"🙄

Now I just take a naproxen for a few days and increase Lansoperazole - and as I only take it minimally, just for this purpose - it is very effective until the gastritis kicks in.

My liver is too reactive to all pain meds to let me take anything really. This makes pain a source of extra dread!