PMR Hip Pain-I think!

[RaisinBran]

I have been tapering 1/2mg for the past 6 weeks and am down to 3 1/2mg now. I have significant pain in my hips which is making it extremely difficult to walk because the pain hurts that much. This has been going on for at least 4 weeks. Has anyone ever experienced this before? My rheumy said to go to 5mg for a week and see if that resolves the pain. What do the experts think?

[piglette]

I think I would go up by 5mg for a week and really try and knock the PMR on the head.

[RaisinBran in reply to piglette]

thanks piglette

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Follow rheumy’s advice…

[InTheMoors]

My sympathy RasinBran.

My PMR has settled on my hips although I don't suffer as much pain/discomfort as you. Physiotherapy has helped me and was recommended by my consultant (I was already seeing a physio.). I'm currently on 8 mg. Increasing/decreasing didn't work for me. I tried this for six months last year.

My consultant suggested painkillers when I had a bad day and advised I use co-codamol 15/500. I keep their use to a minimum. Has anyone suggested this to you? it might be worth mentioning this to your doctor/consultant.

[RaisinBran in reply to InTheMoors]

thank you, i certainly will explore that.

[InTheMoors in reply to RaisinBran]

Other things that help me:

1. This morning my hips/thighs were aching quite a bit. I've just been on my cross trainer. My legs now feel better. The exercise forces blood/nutrients into the muscles.

2. Protein. I ensure that i have close to 100 g of this every day. As you get older the body's ability to produce this declines and needs replacing. I take biltong (aka beef jerky), whey drinks, protein bars and collagen (mixed in drinks). You can up your protein with just your diet. For example, every morning I had two large eggs which give me 12 - 15 g of protein. Eggs also include the nine essential amino acids

3. Supplements. Every morning I take two turmeric capsules, a garlic capsule and a one vitamin D3 tablet.

4. Every week I see a physiotherapist/health coach and have done so for over twenty years. A few weeks ago he noticed that I wasn't walking correctly and this would be putting pressure on my hips. He worked on my feet and this eased my hips quite a bit.

My consultant is aware of the above and approves all of it. He believes, as I do, that my lifestyle helps take the edge off my PMR. I don't seem to be suffering as much as many on here.

I appreciate that what works for me won't work for others.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I seriously doubt that going up to 5mg will do a lot but you can only try it to see.

I develop trochanteric bursitis which causes hip pain and while over a longer period a higher dose of pred will improve it, sometimes a steroid injection does a far superior job.

[Elmadon in reply to PMRpro]

Steroid injection for bursitis in one hip got rid of my pain. Not related to my PMR pain.. very different

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Elmadon]

But hip bursitis is a part of PMR, the muscle pain and the bursitis pain are very different but they have the same underlying cause.

[Pixix]

I have bad hip pain,but only in one hip, & was diagnosed with trochanteric bursitis. But I think it’s more likely in one hip than two! I hope you don’t have it!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pixix]

I get it in both though more/first in the right.

[Pixix in reply to PMRpro]

Interesting, as I had a twinge on my other hip…but when they x-rayed it (to find out how bad the arthritis had become), they found bone was growing on the muscles round the hip joint! Ossification rules, OK!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pixix]

Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones ...

[Pixix in reply to PMRpro]

YES! Everybody else losing bone density, bones etc…& I’m busy growing extra!! Typical! S x

[mtrafter]

I too experienced hip pain and thought it was a flare, when increased pred did not help found as Pixix found was diagnosed with trochanteric bursitis that was relieved with steroid injection!