Hi all what is the best over the counter meds for Hip Burtits?

[cazzz]

I went to the doc about the pain im getting in my hip area, he then said it sounds like Hip Burtitis and has referred me for physio , how can he be sure it is this without having any scans done....im in great pain have been for 6 /7 weeks now....please help

[earthwitch]

Its fairly common practice to try the simplest solution first for things like this, so physio was probably a fairly typical thing to do straight off. If you get a good physio, you could ask them it they really think its bursitis - they should be able to tell exactly where the pain is coming from when they check how your hip moves and what movements cause pain. I would think it would only be if they thought it wasn't bursitis or they thought that it could be something that needed other treatment (eg antiinflammatory meds) that you would have any more investigations.

Do you have pain in any other area? is it possible you have some kind of inflammatory arthritis? If there is any possibility of this, then I would have thought a GP would have done some blood tests to check for rheumatoid arthritis or inflammation levels generally, especially if this wasn't the result of an injury.

[cazzz in reply to earthwitch]

morning earthwitch and thank you for replying to my qs, as it happens I do have pain in my big toe joints and have been taking Naproxen for around 5/6 months again I have been told its bunions but I`m not so sure as again I haven't had any scans of anything I was referred to a podiatrists which didn't work for me as I was just given insoles....

My hip pain just appeared I hadn't injured myself or fallen, I do power walk 5 miles a day home from work but had no trips or anything, but since my burtitis I have put my (PW) on hold .

[earthwitch]

sorry, didn't answer your question - if you think its inflammatory, then non-steroidal antiinflammatory medications like ibuprofen would be better than straight pain meds like codeine or paracetamol. You can also get NSAID gels (voltarol, or an ibuprofen gel) that you can use over the area as well, but check with the pharmacist or your GP if you want to use both tablets and gel, as there is a maximum total daily limit for NSAIDs.

[cazzz in reply to earthwitch]

I have been taking codeine with paracetamol which does make the pain mild to cop with, I do know that when also taking Naproxen these other 2 meds are allowed .....Thanks

[Hidden]

Hello BOB here

Has the doctor given any NSID s and pain medication, If not go to the GP and He will give a prescription.

If it is what they say the pysio will be able to feel the problem, it is normally easy to feel.

If you need medications you can get some ibuprofen and paracodine (Paracetamol and Codene) in tablet/ soluble form

One will reduce swelling the latter pain.

Mind under the circumstances I would still advise you to see the GP he will discuss the prescription with you and it will be entered on your medical records, so everybody treating you will see what you are taking, for future scripts if required

All the best

BOB

[cazzz in reply to Hidden]

Morning Bob and Thank you very much for replying , I have been taking Par/Cod which is the only meds that helped keep the pain at bay, I am also on Naproxen as I have painful big toe joint too I have been on that approx. 5/6 months , I do know I have to be careful as you what meds I can take.

[sharelle]

Hi there, I have hip bursitis diagnosed by MRI. Personally I wouldn't rely on a GP diagnosis but would request an xray or MRI and referral to hip specialist. I have regular steroid injections which is the only thing that works for me. The only over the counter meds I recommend are Nurofen Plus. There is no generic version that I've found so they are expensive but they contain ibuprofen and codeine so you can take paracetamol as well. I did pilates too as recommended by my hip surgeon. There is no cure for it although there is an operation being tried but with little success at the mo. The other thing you can try is using crutches when really bad to relieve the pressure a bit. I hope that helps x

[cazzz in reply to sharelle]

Morning Sharelle Thank you for your reply to my question, Is there really no cure?

I have booked another appointment to see a doc next week , (probably a different one I get to see) and will request an xray or mri . earlier on in this year I did have sciatica in the same side (leg) I do wonder if there is a connection .....I am also on Naproxen for painful big toe joints which I have been on all year, so I do have to be careful as you what meds I take with naproxen......I sound like a wreck..!!!..thanks once again x

[sharelle in reply to cazzz]

Hi, there may be a connection, but it may be your hip joint and not bursitis. What symptoms do you get and how often? Do you get low back pain, or pelvic pain? There is no cure at the moment, it can burn itself out. If the GP insists that's what it is they might refer you for steroid injections at the same time as an MRI referral. If you are an NHS patient it will take months to get an appointment so try and get referrals to all. Regarding pain meds, you can stop the naproxen to try the Nuurofen Plus and the ibuprofen in that may help your toe pain.

[cazzz in reply to sharelle]

Hi , my symptoms are a deep pain in the right upper leg joint groin area & soreness, then pangs of pain that goes to the front , sometimes a deep pressure pain affects the back / upper and lower leg, like a bruise feeling inside , my buttock feels tender and omits pain , weather im sitting or standing , even if I cough or sneeze its pain....so I cant really sit for too long or stand / pace so im in limbo ....apart from when I get home to relax on my bed on my good side.i can`t crouch or bend to do even the simplest thing like pull on my shoe to fasten , im not sure the doctors really care enough when it comes to it.....Thank you for enquiring

[sharelle in reply to cazzz]

I wouldn't think that would be a definite bursitis, it could be anything! With me it is tender to touch, hurts when I walk and I describe it as burning sensation (like when you do repetitive leg and hip exercises. Definitely pursue a referral. Keep us updated.

[cazzz in reply to sharelle]

Hi Sharelle, thank you for your response, I`m off to doctors on Wednesday and have annual leave all next week so I shall be glad of the rest opportunities I shall be in touch with any updates, thank you again and I wish you well , take care x

[Helene]

I have been struggling with bursitis for about 30 years, as part of my connective tissue disorder (EDS). I agree with the advice you have got above, if you are able to take NSAIDs that’s something to try, but ask your GP to prescribe the right dose and type. I have also had steroid injections with good result, but it is limited how many injections you can have in each bursa and I have reach my limit in terms of my hips. I have also removed the bursa on my left hip 3 times and they grew back again after about 6 months all 3 times so not a good option for me.

You can also try using heat packs, it helps me, you can buy heat packs to put in the microwave, or disposable ones – or you can make your own ones to microwave using uncooked rice in an old sock. Don’t use rice that is parboiled or instant, just use ordinary cooking rice.

Some people find using cold instead of heat better, I think you just need to try what you find most useful. The best way to apply cold is to take a pack of frozen vegetables and wrap in a towel and apply for 10-15 min. Make sure your skin doesn’t get too cold, you don’t want to risk getting a frost bite! Put the vegetables back in the freezer and use the same pack next time but don’t use it for eating, as being thawed and frozen many times isn’t really good for things you want to eat.

And finally, when you see your physiotherapist, ask for exercises to do at home between the appointments, it will be very much up to you to nip this in the bud now, to prevent the bursitis going on and on. With the right kind of exercises and some anti-inflammatory medication it could be all over soon, depending on the cause of the bursitis, your age, any underlying medical problems etc. If exercises and anti-inflammatory medication doesn’t work out I think I would have asked for a referral to a hip specialist, as the first thing they would try is anti-inflammatory medication and physio, so when you get to the hip specialist at least you can say you have already tried that.

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon. Take care, Helene.

[cazzz in reply to Helene]

Morning Helene and Thank you for responding to my question and your useful advice, I do hope things will improve for you also, I would not like to have this pain for so many years , ive already had 6 weeks of it and it brings me to tears fro time to time.

taking baths in the morning seems to aggravate my pain even more for some reason, I will most definitely try a home made heat pack, I have tried freeze spray doesn't last to long ...as long as I am sleeping on my good side I do manage to get to sleep thank goodness that is my only pain free time at the moment, as you say its a case of trying things and seeing what works best for me, great advice positive thinking thank you again , all the best Cazzz

[Helene in reply to cazzz]

Hi again, just a quick question, have you been doing your power walks for a long time or was it something you started with this year? Are you normally doing lots of walking? Just wondering, as 5 miles of quick walking for someone who is not fit and well and used to it could possibly bring on bursa pain, but should not be a problem at all if you are physically fit.

[cazzz in reply to Helene]

Hi there, no I have been power walking for the last 4 and a bit yrs...with no problems at all....I would very much like to get back to them some day soon.....x

[cazzz]

Hi all,

Thought I`d update you on my journey of my hip pain, .....

Went back to the doc on Wed, unfortunately didn't get to see the same one as before, but in one sense it was good as this one sent me for an Xray on my hip which I`m still waiting for the results of and also put me on stronger meds Co-Codamol 30mg/500mg, she also she thinks I have some sciatica going on there as well. my pain is still constant but the new meds do help a lot more. I still have my Physio appointment on the 4th so I`m hoping this will help even more. I did mention my power walking and was told see how you go, so this week I aim to start again gradually, obviously if I get more pain then I shall stop.....thank you for reading x