Hip pain

[wkmmum]

I've had pain in my hip since November. Saw GP who thought it was bursitis. Got sent for X-ray and ultrasound which both came back clear so got referred to the hospital.

The consultant was sure it is bursitis based on the symptoms BUT...by the time I saw him I'd found out I was pregnant. He wanted to try a steroid injection but didn't want to do it until I've had the baby. So he referred me for physio in the meantime. Physio said there's basically nothing she could do.

I'm now 30 weeks pregnant and really struggling to sleep as I can't lie on that side, can't lay on my back and am now finding that laying on my other side is starting to hurt that hip as well.

I've tried using pillows in all sorts of ways but nothing's helped and the bigger I get the worse it seems to be getting. During the day I have no problems but any pressure on the hip causes pain. Does anyone have any ideas what I can do? Thank-you xx

Hi I had hip bursitis from carrying my bundle of joy about 6mths after he was born so not quite the same as you, but I do also have rheumatoid arthritis (in my hips & everywhere else) whilst pregnant so you have my sympathy as I can still recall the pain & discomfort, which is no fun when pregnant.
Steroid injection and aspiration was the only way to shift my bursitis but I did get some relief from rest (the little I could get with a baby), ice packs & paraceatamol (which is fine in pregnancy), I also had anti-inflammitories but i know you shouldn't have these in pregnancy (esp towards the end as the can cause a problem with the baby's heart) but could you ask your dr if oral steroids may give some relief, they work in reducing inflammation and are considered safe in pregnancy (I took them throughout pregnancy to control RA). If you do take them for more than a short course make sure they put it in your notes & they know that you will need adrenalin drip when you give birth (steroids reduce the amount of adrenalin you body produces & you need it in labour)

Also see if your hospital has a pregnancy physio (usually based in obstetrics rather than physio) as she will be less reluctant to work with you when pregnant.
There is usually some treatment options when pregnant but many Drs shy away from them as pregnancy and it's risks seem to scare them.