Is this a flare?: For the last month or so I've... - PMRGCAuk

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Is this a flare?

Broseley profile image
23 Replies

For the last month or so I've been getting stiff in my left hip/groin area. It doesn't get better during the day. I really noticed it last week when I couldn't lift my left leg high enough to get into a friend's SUV car and had to go round the other side.

Funny thing is my right hip was always the main problem when I was diagnosed, my left was barely any trouble at all.

I'm also feeling very tired since I went down to 5mg, 6 days ago, but that could be my adrenals.

I'm wondering if I should up my pred? I mentioned it to my rheumy and he got me to stand up with my arms across my chest, but that's no problem, and he said it needs to be a lot worse to be a flare. But it's bringing my knee up towards my hip that's the problem, not straightening it.

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Broseley profile image
Broseley
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23 Replies
SnazzyD profile image
SnazzyD

From your brief description it could be a groin strain. You don’t have to be an athlete to get one. I’ll find some links. My right hip is prone to issues for various reasons, always has been. No arthritis or PMR. If it gets tight it then makes my tendons and ligaments sore which then, if I don’t get it seen to, goes to my sacral area. It’s quite complicated in that area so it need someone to do the necessary exam to work out which bit and for this reason I find regular GP’s not useful. I go to a trusted osteopath or physio.

webmd.com/fitness-exercise/...

Broseley profile image
Broseley in reply to SnazzyD

Thanks, it's literally just stiffness. No pain, and I don't notice anything until I try to bend my leg up.

nissemor profile image
nissemor in reply to Broseley

actually, that happened to me. I was reducing and told the GP I saw in New Zealand that I had trouble getting dressed ,who later phoned me and said she had been on a course that week end and hip flexión was quite common with PMR. I hope that may reassure you.

Broseley profile image
Broseley in reply to nissemor

Thanks, yes, it's the same symptom I had when PMR was (finally) diagnosed.

LozzaSandstrom profile image
LozzaSandstrom in reply to nissemor

Wow thats very interesting I have a lot of pain in my right groin going down the leg and some days I literally cannot walk its like a trapped nerve and I collapse almost. So could be hip flexion thats something I have never heard of = thank you!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to nissemor

You mean hip flexion problems? Or is flexion getting mixed up with hip effusion - which is common.

nissemor profile image
nissemor in reply to PMRpro

Hello PMRpro and LozzaSandstrom

I mean hip flexion, bending my knee upwards towards my tummy. It was just difficult and I had difficulty pulling my trousers on. No pain and no effusion. It’s still not that easy, but I have learnt to live with it. Pain in the groin and down the leg sounds more like osteoarthritis.

Gs

Broseley profile image
Broseley in reply to nissemor

Or could be sciatica.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to nissemor

Or bursitis

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

What a chump - him, not you! Everything has to start somewhere and asking a patient to stand while they cross their arms on their chest is hardly diagnostic of a flare or not!!

That said, I agree with SnazzyD - the fact it is just one side makes PMR less likely too.

Pixix profile image
Pixix in reply to PMRpro

To PMR…um…but he is a rheumatologist….! I’ll leave it there! S x

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Pixix

Yeah ... There are a lot who think PMR is not worthy of their attention!

Broseley profile image
Broseley in reply to PMRpro

Yes mine only seems to be interested in my GCA. But since my GP referred me I haven't seen her about PMR.

Pixix profile image
Pixix in reply to PMRpro

wonder what is their ‘cup of tea’?

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Pixix

Anything they don't have to use pred for!

Pixix profile image
Pixix in reply to PMRpro

good reply…yes, that maybe the answer…!

Broseley profile image
Broseley in reply to Pixix

You got me interested there, so I Googled 'rheumatologist'. It seems they treat musculo-skeletal conditions specialising in those that are also inflammatory. Examples given include RA, lupus, vasculitis. PMR wasn't mentioned on any of the sites!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Broseley

Webmd,com mentions it, the others tend to say vasculitis - it isn't joint related. It will be included under other headings like musculoskeletal pain disorders.

Pixix profile image
Pixix in reply to Broseley

interesting, isn’t it? I had a look the other day at the related posts, & there’s such a number of posts with the subject ‘rheumatologist’ & all of them are problems, people don’t know what to do next…lots of ‘he/she wants me off steroids asap’. Mainly issues after appointments…a few ‘before the appointment’ queries!

piglette profile image
piglette

It could be osteo arthritis in your hip. Have you had an xray of the hip?

Broseley profile image
Broseley in reply to piglette

Yes but in 2021. Nothing found, it was said to be in tip top condition.

piglette profile image
piglette in reply to Broseley

I was told my hip was fine and three years later I needed it replaced. I was told the steroids had eaten away the cartilage.

Broseley profile image
Broseley in reply to piglette

😲 that's awful.

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