Painful hips - what should I do?

[charlesdb]

I've just come across this thread and I cannot believe there isn't a Physio or osteo who cannot help you. There is a product on the market called Backchamp,
which helps adjust pelvic dislocation and it may be that it could help you too. You need to ring them up - but it is rather expensive unfortunately. Maybe they would offer money back if it doesn't work for you.
http://www.backchamp.com/
In any case, you should get professional help as it's an absolute disgrace that you have to struggle on your own with this problem.

[SAMMY]

Hey sweet. I and many others would love to get the help but we can't as the NHS don't offer it. We would love to pay but we can't. I hope it does help some and very grateful to receive your message and I never know, one day, I might be able to do it. Let me know if it was what you needed and worked. xxxx

[charlesdb]

Well, this raises a really sore point with me. The question of money. To answer you question about the Backchamp, yes it does help and is a useful tool to have when I get a problem, which is frequently. I have had to use private treatment for years and years, because the NHS is so useless. It's been a sacrifice but has kept me going. Without the treatment I would be crippled by now and at least I'm fucntioning. I had a run in with a Doctor 6 months ago, when I was seriously disabled. He examined me and said "I know you're hypermobile but you haven't got cancer" and that was it. I hobbled out in amazement wondering how many people out there are crippled and in pain because they cannot afford private treatment. Our "wonderful " NHS isn't that great if you ask me, unless you're about to die. Sorry, but it makes me that angry!!!!

[serenity79]

My right hip subluxed out of place yesterday, and I'm not sure if it's gone back in properly or not. It's still pretty painful, although I've had worse pain, but I'm finding it hard to put any weight on it and when I move it up and down or around there's a sickening 'thunk' and it feels odd for those couple off seconds until I straighten it again. My DH says if it's not better in a day or so he wants to take me to A&E, but I'm not really sure what that can achieve, especially as the docs over there don't even seem to know anything about HEDS/HMS.

[paw]

Personally, I don't go to Emergency when I hurt my hip. It makes me hurt too much (I am understanding Grandma much better these days when she used to say she could not go to the doctor because she was too sick! ) and I withdraw into myself and do all I can by moving in the ways that normally get things back in place.

If it comes out to the front and outside, I can eventually get it back in place. If it comes out to the back and inside that means a lot of pain and I have to wait till it works it's way back in. It can take weeks of not being in quite right even if I can get it closer to where it should be.

If you can't get it in it makes sense to go to A & E for some help. For now, if you have something like crutches or a walker to keep the weight off the hip, use them. I have to do that at times and though I hate them, it is not smart to walk on a hip that is out of place. Not just the pain but I worry that I will damage it more by walking on it even for going to the loo or walking in the house. I also use my muscle relaxers, cyclobenzaprine which my doctor agrees I need.

I hope you are feeling better soon Serenity.

[serenity79]

Thanks

I tried everything I could think of, lying on the floor and rocking, gentle stretches... nothing. Then I was turning over in bed and there was a huge *crunch* and it had popped back in It's still pretty sore and there's still the odd 'thunk' from it but it feels a lot more normal... well, as normal as it gets.

[Stone]

I'm glad you got it back in

Should point out you do need to go to A&E if your leg circulation stops or goes numb/tingly, you may have trapped a blood vessel / nerve and they can go nasty surprisingly quickly (don't just suffer through it, get it sorted!). They may want to x-ray you as well to check it's fully back in so you don't just go home and do it again

Stone

[serenity79]

Great advice, thanks Stone. I'll remember that for the future

[Stone]

No problem. I've only done it once (cross-legged stretches after a martial arts class - not very sensible) and it was agonising so I feel for you!

Stone

[SAMMY]

I dislocated my right hip before Christmas but it still doesn't feel right?? I am off work again due to the pain and now my left hip is playing up. The back pain has been stupid. Physio exercises are out of the question. I saw a doctor and she gave me lorazepam but as soon as I move everything just kicks back in. I'm going nowhere!! Rest and fine but move I hurt! Everything is just really going wobbly!! I really don't know what to do as I am supposed to go back to work next week and it is just going to happen all over again. Suggestions please??

[Georgie149]

Hi i was wondering if anyone could offer any advice or ideas.... Over the last few days my hips have got really really bad. They're partially dislocating when i walk, basically whenever i take a step i can feel them go. Now they are so painful and feel so bruised that i basically cant lie on my side, i cant stand, walk or anything that would put any weight on them at all. I feel incredibly stuck! Im seeing the ot on tuesday- would there be anything she can do? Or would i have to wait until i see physio on 10th aug? Thanks so much g x

[AnnaH]

Georgie,
in my case its my Achilles tendons that cause me terrible pain walking/standing. Not so bad at the moment (thanks to medication), but when I read your post I really felt for you. I've been there. Do make sure your OT knows just how much pain and mobility difficulties you're having.

What I'd do in your situation, in the meantime, is get a mobility scooter (you can get them second hand quite easily) if you haven't got one already, as at least that means you can get about. It is important to get out of the house. Speak to your GP about pain relief - he may be able to do something in the meantime and you shouldn't have to suffer untreated pain like this. And lastly, consider getting a memory foam mattress topper. Made a huge difference to me - I couldn't bear the feel of anything on my feet, not even an ordinary mattress.

I have also found an electric heating pad a tremendous help for my pain - I crank it up to the top setting as I need it practically burning to get any relief (it's safe though - it can't actually burn).

But I know if you have intractable pain and can't stand or move properly, it is just so horrible. I hope your doctors know how bad it is - my experience has been that they totally underestimate how painful it is. I hope you get some relief soon.

[everhopeful]

My hips have really started letting me down lately. Been given Amitriptyline but hasn't helped yet and makes me really tired. My left knee is already shocking. MRI revealed that my knee cap sits higher on the base of my femur than it should. I have an extremely wobbly knee cap and now I can't trust my hips. They have started locking when I'm trying to walk which is already really painful. I have to use the fabric of my PJ's to try to pull my leg about when I wake up in the night in agony with my hip in the wrong place. Does any one know if Amitryptiline takes a while to start working as a muscle relatant? My doc has left it open for me to double what I am taking but it makes me feel drowsy so not sure if it will knock me out too much.

[Stone]

Have a look in the Medication Specific subforum - there's a huge amitriptyline thread in there. I wouldn't say it was normally prescribed as a muscle relaxant - it's more of a pain modifier and to help you sleep and escape the pain/fatigue spiral

Stone

[everhopeful]

Thanks Stone
Had a look at that thread. It's seems I'm not alone in the "feeling drowsy" category. My Doc definately said that the Ami would relax my muscles but then I guess everyone gets given different advice from what I have read. When my OH comes home for summer leave I will see if the dose x2 works better. At least he is there to drive etc if it really knocks me out. I really need my hips to behave themselves as my knee is soooo bad, otherwise I will be back on crutches and they are terrible for my hands, wrists and elbows. The whole "knock on effect". Want to feel better before my family holiday at the end of August and get all he balances right. (excuse the pun) Will have to take the Wheelchair otherwise we won't be able to visit anywhere. But don't really want to be on crutches on holiday.