What to do about hip bursitis?: I recently tapered... - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

20,119 members37,704 posts

What to do about hip bursitis?

Navion profile image
17 Replies

I recently tapered down from 15 to 12.5 mg of prednisone and things seemed to be going well. However, on Thursday I went for a hike and I guess it was either too long or too hilly. Since then, I've been plagued with bilateral hip bursitis which I haven't had since going on prednisone nearly 3 months ago. The aching is keeping me awake. Should I kick back up to 15 for a day or two or just hope it goes away? I don't want to jeopardize my tapering.

Written by
Navion profile image
Navion
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
17 Replies
DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

You could try 15mg for a couple of days - it may not be bursitis, but not enough Pred fullstop.

15mg - 12.5mg is a recognised taper, but for some it's too big a jump. Combine that with a long and hilly hike could definitely be too little medication.

However, if it is bursitis, then ordinary painkillers may help - we don't recommend using Pred as painkiller per se.

Difficult though it may be, you need to sort out in your mind what its really is, then take the appropriate medication.

Navion profile image
Navion in reply to DorsetLady

I can't take NSAIDS because of a bleeding disorder and Tylenol doesn't seem to work.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Navion

Well in that case, Pred seems to be your only solution. That’s not good news really.

Ice packs may help bursitis, but no heat - just increases inflammation.

piglette profile image
piglette in reply to Navion

You should not take NSAIDs with pred anyway as they are contra indicative.

GOOD_GRIEF profile image
GOOD_GRIEF

Try taking a NSAID, but do it a couple of hours before or after your pred dose. Pred and NSAIDS don't mix.

Also, if it is bursitis, alternating hot and cold patches may help.

Of course, everything feels better after a couple of shots of blackberry brandy. And even if it doesn't, after another couple of shots, you won't care! ;/}

Navion profile image
Navion in reply to GOOD_GRIEF

I can't take NSAIDS as I have a bleeding disorder. But brandy is another story, but I gave up alcohol when I was diagnosed.

GOOD_GRIEF profile image
GOOD_GRIEF in reply to Navion

Ask you doctor for Lidocaine patches, or try Aspercreme. Asperecreme is my new body lotion.

in reply to GOOD_GRIEF

Doesn't asperecreme contain a form of salicylic acid/aspirin or is it different with lidocaine?

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to

When I googled aspercreme it suggests it IS lidocaine.

GOOD_GRIEF profile image
GOOD_GRIEF in reply to PMRpro

There is a variant available OTC in the States that has Lidocaine. There are other options here with Lidocaine.

But nothing OTC is as effective as the patches by prescription.

Barbola profile image
Barbola in reply to GOOD_GRIEF

I love ur suggestion! Blackberries ... hm. I went into kidney failure, recivered with slight kidney damage, from too many NSAIDs, especially Meloxicam which could have killed me. Used to love ibuprofen but the Meloxicam did me in. Some days I forego the Tramadol just so i can have a drink or two.....

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

That's quite a while for overdoing-it bursitis to persist - mine is usually away in a couple of days though I know my limits and probably don't go anywhere near the distance you did. It may take 15mg for a few days - but as DL says, it is possible that the time on 15mg didn't get rid of all the bursitis - it was probably 4 or 5 months at 15mg before mine had gone. A local steroid injection is far more effective and possibly worth speaking to your doctor about.

Navion profile image
Navion in reply to PMRpro

I had shots in both hips back in September before I was diagnosed. They didn't help at all. Maybe they would now in conjunction with the prednisone. The bursitis actually disappeared even at my initial dose of 5 mg. This is the first I've seen of it for 3 months but it's also the first time I hiked uphill. It was only for an hour but a lot of up and down. I hadn't planned on going that far but we took a wrong turn. Sigh

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Navion

Hmmm - or maybe they got it in the wrong place. It can be a bit hit and miss - literally!

V1a4 profile image
V1a4 in reply to PMRpro

I agree! I have had many (ultrasound) guided injections for hip bursitis over the years and whilst most have been successful, others have made no difference at all.

Linny3 profile image
Linny3

I have had bursitis in my hip for a long while. Ice seems to be the best. If I ice it a few times a day for a few days it feels much better for awhile but then it comes back again. I saw Dr. today and she agreed that it was bursitis. She gave me a cortisone shot into the bursa.She was very thorough in finding just the right spot, so I have high hopes it will relieve the pain. It will take a day or two to kick in. She added some lidocaine in the shot and that really makes it feel almost normal. I dread when the lidocaine wears off.

It is my understanding that there are certain exercises that will help. It was suggested I see a physical therapist.

Good Luck

Lin

Janstr profile image
Janstr

When I got hip bursitis, (diagnosed via an MRI pre PMR diagnosis when Rheumotologist was doing lots of tests to try to find the cause of my pains ), I met someone who cured hers using some very expensive custom made orthotics. I decided to try some of these for 3 months (in preference to the recommended steroid injections), as the diagnosis could well have been correct for my leg & thigh pain, but didn't explain my shoulder, neck & upper arm pain. The orthotics helped a lot & I still use them. I didn't complete my 3 month trial as was diagnosed with PMR/GCA after 2 months & pred took all of the pain away.

You may also like...

Hip Bursitis

comments regarding hip bursitis and wondered if this is common with PMR. Bursitis in my left hip...

Recurring Hip Bursitis

grinding ache radiates down the back of thigh to the knee , from the painful spot over the hip...

What to do about work

after suffering aches and pains and then losing the use of my arms, severe shoulder and hip pain....

Prescribed Naproxine 250 twice a day for hip bursitis is that dangerous with Pred

Naproxine 250 twice a day yesterday for bursitis ? on right hip. Pain is so bad dr. gave a...

What to do about my rheumatologist?

for second opinion. However my rheumy was not convinced PMR as she says I am too young (55). So sent