Hip bursitis keeping me from sleeping through night.
Posted , 7 users are following.
It's 3AM and I cannot fall back to sleep because of the bilateral hip bursitis. . This is the worst it has been since last year before I was diagnosed. The longer I stay at 10.25mg the worse this becomes. Because of the holiday I must wait until next week to visit my rheumy.. Any temporary fixes? No pain anywhere else to speak of.
I took an Epsom salts bath, tried an anti- inflammatory essential oil called helichrysm. This actually works for local tendinitis but I guess it doesn't penetrate the prednisone fattened hips. I have 3 sore soft tissue spots. No position in bed lasts for long. I just applied a roll on linamint.
Any ideas for temporary fix?
0 likes, 12 replies
EileenH karenjaninaz
Posted
Other than steroid shots there isn't one really. Unless a bit more oral pred in the meantime eases the inflammation - although oral pred isn't ideal as the bursae don't have a good blood supply for it to be delivered.
debbie68552 EileenH
Posted
EileenH debbie68552
Posted
Theoretically physio is supposed to help: "A doctor may prescribe physical therapy to stretch or strengthen hip muscles, which may help treat the current bursitis and ward off future cases of bursitis." says arthritis-health. You note it says "may"!!!!!
Rest and avoiding the activities that aggravate it is the primary approach - but if it is worst while in bed, what can you do?
If it is due to injury or overuse then that makes sense - but when it is partly due to PMR there isn't anything that will cut the inflammation but local pred really. Once you cut that inflammation you will get a good period until it builds up again - it's a few years since I needed a steroid shot now and no return of the pain.
Mind you - I do wonder how much is due to walking badly with PMR (and most of us do) or due to other back muscle problems. Since my myofascial pain syndrome back problems are pretty much resolved AND I'm on high enough an oral dose of pred it doesn't seem to start up. I do keep saying there is no virtue in "managing" on a slightly too low dose of pred - it can let other things through the cracks!
karenjaninaz debbie68552
Posted
My case might be a little more complex because I have a corrective spinal fusion for scoliosis involving fusion to the sacrum. My pelvis is somewhat fixated for that reason and perhaps I am more vulnerable. Come to think of it the last steroid shots I had before diagnosis lasted a whole year. Fortunately my back never hurts.
holly28923 karenjaninaz
Posted
I had a prednisone injection in both hips. It immediately relieved the pain and I could walk like a normal person. I had it 6 months ago. I'm overdue for a second shot, but the pain is not as bad as it was prior to the shot. I will probably schedule another in January or February. They say it lasts 3-4 months.
nick67069 karenjaninaz
Posted
Have you tried to apply hot/cold to the area? Cold will numb the pain and hot will increase the blood circulation, (although there isn't much vascularization in the bursa). It still might help, but like Eileen said, you need steroid injection directly into the area.
karenjaninaz nick67069
Posted
Thanks, everyone for your replies. I ended up getting some relief from the liniment which has a salicylate ingredient. I was able to go back to sleep for a couple of hours and just got up. Fortunately they don't hurt while walking or after sitting. My last hips bursitis steroid shots were last year before I was diagnosed. This was by my pain doc a former colleague. Once my shoulders started he suspected a inflammatory disease. We injected those too.
Anhaga karenjaninaz
Posted
I agree with Nick, as the first line before you can get medical help, try applying heat. I found a really hot hot water bottle (wrapped up so I didn't hurt my skin) helped some sort of pain I was having in my hip and buttock before diagnosis and for some months afterwards. My muscles seemed to have gone into a sort of spasmed condition and the heat helped release the spasm. Also, check that your various body parts are properly supported when you lie down - may need a few extra pillows of various sizes!
karenjaninaz Anhaga
Posted
Anhaga karenjaninaz
Posted
I found it actually worked quite quickly for me. And as Nick pointed out some people respond well to cold or to alternating hot and cold. I tend not to. Do what works for you.
FlipDover_Aust karenjaninaz
Posted
Sounds like you need steroid injections. I had one in each hip in November, and it was a blessed relief. I could walk properly for the first time in years and sleep through the night. I wouldn't be waiting or putting it off!
karenjaninaz FlipDover_Aust
Posted
I have an appt. next week.