Left hip pain down leg

[Den73]

Hi all what a 3 weeks!My husband had a stroke on the 8th Jan, totally out the blue, no high BP on blood thinners cholesterol not high, very distressing.

They have classed it a mild stroke, he has lost the use of his legs we are hoping he will regain the use of his legs with rehab.

But of course I am his carer now and the stress everything has flared, Sjorgens and PMR but not GCA I am on 35mg pred, I was down to 17.5mg but increased it to keep GCA at bay (hopefully) but I have the most painful left hip into the groin and the small of the back, down the left leg cannot put weight on the leg can PMR cause this?

I cant walk without my stick.

Its been like this for 2 weeks now.

Any advice please, living on painkillers paracetamols and tremadol at night.

[piglette]

It may be worth asking your GP to arrange an x-ray. Groin pain often is caused by the hip.

[Den73 in reply to piglette]

Yes I did have an appointment for today but it was cancelled by surgery, going on Tuesday and I think I will request an xray, it feels suspiciously like hip.Just came on so suddenly?

[piglette in reply to Den73]

At least it is a method of finding out more about the problem and possibly discounting things.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Sorry to hear about your husband. Not sure I'd class that a mild stroke though!!

Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome - GTPS - maybe? Is the pain just part way down the leg?The pain can start suddenly if the inflammation is triggered by a sudden increase in activities that irritate it and you will have suddenly been doing an awful lot of things while he was in hospital at first and probably even worse if he is now home?

With such a high dose of pred I would expect it to calm down a bit but a targeted steroid injection is far better. Have you tried icing the area?

There are also exercises that help though not immediately so may be a bit sore at first.

nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/...

newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk/....

The Scottish one is better - the early exercises are done standing, not on the floor and the others are probably OK on a firm bed.

[Den73 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes neither would I re the stroke!

That sounds like what it could be PMRpro as it camre on so suddenly!

I will definitely try the ice have been using warmth and the excercises..thank you!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Den73]

Is he home?

[Den73 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes he is been home after oy 4 days in hospital, so I think all the extra moving has brought this all on.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Den73]

Have you got help? You will be running around like the proverbial blue-^%^£" flea!!!

[Den73 in reply to PMRpro]

You have got that right 😜 I dont quite know where to go for help, tgought of chatting with the doc when i see him on Wednesday.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Den73]

I was sole carer for my husband through Covid and up to his death, No chance of help then of course and my daughters are 1000 miles away!! No chance of them dropping round to give a hand ...

[Den73 in reply to PMRpro]

We are South African so in the same biat have 3 daughters in SA so yes no chance of help.I am sorry to hear you lost your husband and being a carer is not for the faint hearted especially deally with our own health issues.

I was just thinking yesterday if only I didnt have all these other issues 🫣

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Den73]

I know. Both DL and I know exactly what you face - though she did have some family in the same country. Some are in NZ though!

[Den73 in reply to PMRpro]

And its at times like this when the stress and worry of family ill health just underlines how far away we are from family for emotional support...nothing like a family hug 🤗 xx

[Karendeena in reply to PMRpro]

I had this diagnosis, trochanteric pain, went to physio and they gave me exercises, lying on my side and doing the 'leg clam' is how I describe it

[Den73 in reply to Karendeena]

😂Thank you lets hope so🙂 will find out tomorrow! (Hopefully) but for today more on the bed hee heeThank you all x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Karendeena]

A few of us have found the clam exercise very helpful.

[bookbear68]

don’t want to worry you more but I had similar last winter. Ask for an X-ray it could be a fracture if you can’t weight bear. Do you have osteoporosis? Mine was an osteoporotic insufficiency fracture. Was on my crutches for about six weeks. Can you get some care support?

[Den73 in reply to bookbear68]

Mmmmmm definitely in my mind...because I had a soinal fracture about 6 months ago and feels very similar.....I see the dic tomorrow and yes going to request an xray and yes I do have osteoporosis 🤦Thanks for your comment I do appreciate all, even the unpleasant ones😜, I still have crutches and just this morning I felt thst the stick wasnt enough....oh my goodness

[bookbear68 in reply to Den73]

Don’t panic but good to check out. Also maybe use the crutches they will support you more.

[SVLady in reply to bookbear68]

I second the comment by bookbear68. Definitely make sure it is not a fracture of the hip like a friend of mine had with very similar symptoms. Scary thought but best to address it if there is a fracture involved. So sorry about your husband and your new role as caregiver. Just lifting or moving him puts strain on parts of your body that may be vulnerable so I am happy you are requesting an X Ray at the least. Good luck to you!!!

[Den73 in reply to SVLady]

Thank you SVLady, for your valuable comments, I will definitely push for an xray tomorrow and your kind comments comments re my hubby.A new role but some comments here show me it definitely can be done.

Thank you all. Xxxx

[Pixix]

sorry to hear about your husband, that’s awful. Re the pain, I have trochanteric bursitis on my left side, & sciatica on my right side. Both have pain that go down the legs, but while bursitis goes down the leg occasionally, my sciatic pain is down my right leg most of the time. This doesn’t mean you have either of these things,but does show you a few things that it could be.only a Dr, after examination,can tell. Just one thing, though, neither of my problem needed an x-Ray…if it’s bones, of course, an x-Ray is good, but not if it’s other things. Hope all goes well…my mum couldn’t speak for a week after her mild stroke, but suddenly it all came back…I hope your hubby’s legs improve soon. S x

[Den73 in reply to Pixix]

Thank you Pixix for your encouraging news about your mums speech, hope she continues to get better.Yes PMRpro suggested the excercises as DL so definitely my option, as has been said till doc investigates, in the meantime excercises will, if anything relieve the pain, about to do them now.

[Pixix in reply to Den73]

Sadly she died 3weeks later, of something completely unconnected with her stroke, just as they were getting ready to discharge her, & had started giving us things to help in her when she came home. It’s a while ago now! S x

[Den73 in reply to Pixix]

Oh so sorry...thats sad 😔 xx

[Pixix in reply to Den73]

It’s OK…sad because she recovered from the stroke & was so determined (she has double pneumonia the week after, too, & kicked that into touch). S x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pixix]

The most important thing about an x-ray may not be what it FINDS but what it rules out!

[Den73 in reply to PMRpro]

Good point....x

[Pixix in reply to PMRpro]

Fair enough…but my patella dislocated…& I relocated it…& could feel, & see, that the bones are all in place. But it’s possible that the hospital won’t uktrasound until there’s a x-Ray, this just happened with my shoulder…but the x-Ray came back abnormal with details of problems, so now the ultrasound can go ahead. Instead of 1 appointment I will now have 3,n which is tough, as I’m on crutches atm!

[Den73 in reply to Pixix]

Oh dear Pixix, I think when I stsrted out on this 'journey' I thpught I can do this...but...since 2023 when it began, I have learned of all the pitfalls we have to face....I found just these chats help us in so many ways, I have learned, and solved many issues that the rheumy didn't even try to sort, ever so grateful, for friends I have not even met xxx

[Pixix in reply to Den73]

Oh, PMR is fine, you will handle it well, I’m sure. But it’s going to be hard dealing with the fatigue now your husband has had a stroke, I am my husbands carer, he was in hospital 3 times last year, & I find a need to be better organised, make a lot of lists! I also prepared food in the morning when I have a bit of energy, & then it makes the evening meal easier…& I use a soup maker & slow cooker to help make things easier. Hope it goes well for you, S x

[Den73 in reply to Pixix]

Thank you Pixix ...that was so encouraging...yes I realise ineed organisation I do batch freezing but other things need to be more organised xxx

[Pixix in reply to Den73]

I write everything down! My ‘to do’ list is huge, but I love it when I tick them off as done!!

[Stills]

just sending sympathy and a virtual hug and hoping hubby recovers well

[Den73 in reply to Stills]

Thank you Stills so much for your kind thoughts really appreciate your message. He has just had the physio from stroke unit here to do his rehab.SUCH a lovely young man, he is so good with Don..really put him through his paces, do heartwarming to see sych care shown.

We are so fortunate in the care he is getting xxx

[Angelsmummy]

So sorry to hear about your troubles,I too am a carer for my OH so as I have been told many times,you must look after yourself too!Sending you both heartfelt best wishes.xxx💐💐

[Den73 in reply to Angelsmummy]

Thank you so much for your kind words..and true words, no use to anyone if we both unwell! Seeing doc today if we can just get a handle on the pain aspect that would be a great help...excercises definitely help the muscles, so a good routine to follow. Have a pleasant day, there are so many of us in the same boat xx

[Angelsmummy in reply to Den73]

Ain’t that true!Look after yourselves eh?xxx💐💐💐😜