hip pain

[random901]

I have an excruciatingly sharp pain deep in my left hip/buttock (RHS none too good either). Bending down, walking, getting up from chair or bed a challenge. This has been coming on for 3 days and is worsening. Not responding to max dose of paracetamol + dihydrocodeine plus voltarol. Phoned physio at GP surgery (being treated for lumbar compression fracture) who says it sounds like PMR flare (no GCA symptoms atm) and to phone rheumy at hospital. Helpline not responding. So I have upped the pred from 11 to16mg. Do you think I'm doing the right thing? This pain is worse than that I had when first diagnosed 14 months' ago.

[piglette]

Is it the same pain as you had originally, also is the right hip OK? If the increase in pred works it probably is PMR, if not it is possibly something else.

[random901 in reply to piglette]

pain much worse than originally. R hip less affected

[piglette in reply to random901]

It could be back problems and possibly nerve problems. It could be the PMR. It is a matter of discounting things that it could be. Can you talk to your GP?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Yes, you are trying to find out if it’s PMR or not…. If there’s no improvement within 7-10 days, it’s probably not PMR… and you'll need to rethink things.

But whatever then after the trial period you can then return to current dose [or just above if it is PMR ]

I’d delete your other post, or you’ll have both running together…

[random901 in reply to DorsetLady]

thanks DL will see if 16 mg pred improves things

[Theo13]

Hi, you may want to ask the Rhumatologist about sacro-iliac inflammation. I was diagnosed with PMR in 2019 and reduced my cortisone to zero by the end of 2024. Through the last year I started to have a lot of inflammation in my right knee, then pain as you describe in my left hip, followed by pain in the sternum (not ribs). After various tests, scans etc, I was diagnosed with axial spondyloarthritis, possibly psoriatic. This may or may not be independent from the PMR (for which I had classic shoulder and hip pain and responded well to cortisone). Am now treated with antiTNFs with very positive results. My Rhumatologist was not always pleasant (he didn't seem to like me researching my own symptoms, following this forum, and discussing treatment options and particularly timeframes) but I am now treated by a Rhumatologist in a hospital setting and don't have to dread my three monthly appointments with my former doctor. Wishing you all the best.

[random901 in reply to Theo13]

Thanks for this, Theo13. The pain is definitely in that area. Will suggest to rheumy helpline when & if they respond to my message. Nurses there also think they know best & I don't have happy relationship with them!

[Vitsbelievervk2mk7]

Your issue sounds familiar . This was my experience. I'm a fit healthy 82yr old anti vax / anti pharma / pre &probiotic,/ butyrate / supplement guy.. Sudden onset of excruciating pain up the leg into shoulders turned me into a robot a couple of years ago. GP diagnosed PMR . Said pred could work quickly. I was anti steroids but needed relief so took 10mg for a week with no effect so arbitrarily upped does in 5 mg increments to 20 which kicked in after a further week without needing pain meds. Desperate to get off pred before it took a too greater hold on my system I elected to scale back the dosage in a similar fashion over following two weeks without incident or subsequent reoccurrence. I might just have been lucky although contrary to medical doctrine, it is my personal feeling is that being on this drug long term is not critical. Hope things improve for you.