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Original poster

Extreme hip pain-help!

53 replies

Aurignacian · 20/03/2023 10:59

I’ve had occasional hip pain for a few years, usually when i’ve been out walking for a long time or sometimes when sleeping on my side. Yesterday i woke up with extreme pain in both hips and across my lower back. It’s not got any better and it’s hard to do anything at all. Moving, sitting even rolling over in bed are very difficult and painful. I’ve referred myself to physio this morning and am taking painkillers but what can I do to help and what has caused this? It’s really awful!

OP posts:
Eyesopenwideawake · 20/03/2023 11:01

How old are you? The menopause can cause extreme joint pain.

Original poster
Aurignacian · 20/03/2023 11:03

@Eyesopenwideawake I’m late 50’s so post menopausal. Generally healthy except for high blood pressure.

OP posts:
Original poster
Aurignacian · 20/03/2023 13:31

Bumping because I’m absolutely desperate. Can anyone help?

OP posts:
HappyHamsters · 20/03/2023 13:37

You need to seek medical advice, it could be a number of things and the physio may not see you unless you have seen a doctor. Call 111 for advice, can you pass urine OK.

Original poster
Aurignacian · 20/03/2023 13:55

Urine fine. I can self refer to physio in my area but I’m not sure how soon I will be seen. I’m pretty sure they don’t do emergency appointments. Nhs 24 will point me in the direction of my GP and I won’t be able to get an appointment today. I will phone them tomorrow though to try and get seen if it’s not any better.

OP posts:
Mollyplop999 · 20/03/2023 13:58

Have you been doing anything different? Is the pain worse in your hips or back?

Moleinacoma · 20/03/2023 13:59

Have you had COVID recently? I ask because about 2 weeks after I had it my knees, which had only ever slightly bothered me, suddenly became agonising and I could barely move. Doc diagnosed reactive arthritis and I've had a month of strong anti inflammatories and feel much improved!

Original poster
Aurignacian · 20/03/2023 14:31

@Mollyplop999 the only thing different is that I slept in a different bed on Saturday night. Woke up in the middle of the night with severe pain and it’s been ongoing since. The pain is worse in my hips but radiates across my lower back.
@Moleinacoma i’ve not had covid (that I know of) but that sounds horrible.

OP posts:
Rhondaa · 20/03/2023 14:58

If you've had occasional hip pain for years then something simple like sleeping on a different mattress could well escalate the problem. As your post meno that will be linked too.

If you're actually able to mobilise then you don't need a emergency appointment but definitely get a GP to have a look at you as soon as poss.

Babysharkdoodoodood · 20/03/2023 15:01

Ask your hip to refer you for an MRI. I have had pain like yours for a year and mine is tendinitis of the gluteas media. Currently seeing a physio and it's helping.

Babysharkdoodoodood · 20/03/2023 15:02

GP not hip

WoofWoofBeachLife · 20/03/2023 15:32

Try and get a GP app asap, meantime get some anti inflammatory gel and get a hot water bottle on your back. What painkillers do you have?

LindyLou2020 · 20/03/2023 15:40

@Aurignacian

My immediate reaction to your post is that it's possible you may need hip replacement surgery - sorry if that sounds a bit extreme.
I say that because you say you've had hip pain for a few years, and it's worsened quite suddenly. This happened to me, and I needed a right hip repacement.
A friend of mine needed both hips replacing.
In order to explore this possibility further, you need to see your GP and be referred for an x-ray.
I'm not trying to scare you, but I was totally shocked when I was told I needed a hip replacement, and left things quite a while before seeing my GP - never imagining what the diagnosis would be.
And it was a physio who suspected what the problem was and urged me to see a GP!
I'm only raising this as a possibility, and I hope I'm wrong.
Please keep us updated!

SootspriteSearcher · 20/03/2023 15:56

I've had hip pain on and off for years since having SPD whilst pregnant with dd2.

Some things that ease it for me, hot water bottle (or those stick on heat pads if I have to go out). Deep heat. I have a handheld massager that I run along it. Or a warm bath. I have taken ibroprofen with co codemal when It was really bad and I had to go to work but I've only done that a handful of times as co codemal can be addictive.

But the best thing is moving/changing position regularly, I know it's instinct to want to rest but laying/sitting in one position is the worst thing for me and takes longer to ease up. You could be different though.

dizzydizzydizzy · 20/03/2023 15:58

Could be all sorts of things, as PPs have suggested . Even tight muscles around tbt hips and lower back, in which case stretching and a sports massage would help.

physio is good shout though.

Mabelface · 20/03/2023 16:02

My hip pain was caused by the hip moving slightly from its normal place. I'm hypermobile. Physio helped enormously, and doing strength training at the gym too. I'd definitely advise seeing the gp as they will refer you for an x- Ray. Would also be worth asking for a bone scan too.

user1748339345 · 20/03/2023 16:02

Babysharkdoodoodood · 20/03/2023 15:01

Ask your hip to refer you for an MRI. I have had pain like yours for a year and mine is tendinitis of the gluteas media. Currently seeing a physio and it's helping.

Same here cause here. Yoga has helped me. There are some decent videos on youtube for stretches (lunges? don't know what they are called) and sitting in a chair with one foot up on my other thigh like sitting half cross legged was quite helpful - not instant relief but over a few days it improved things. I'm currently waiting on xrays coming back.

Radiatorvalves · 20/03/2023 16:03

As a PP said, you might need a hip replacement. I had one at 41. Thought I had groin strain, went to physio and he said I needed to see Dr. The op and recovery went well and 10 years on I’m so glad I had it - despite being shocked at the time. I was on max paracetamol and ibroprofen coming to op. All good since then.

Original poster
Aurignacian · 20/03/2023 16:58

Babysharkdoodoodood · 20/03/2023 15:01

Ask your hip to refer you for an MRI. I have had pain like yours for a year and mine is tendinitis of the gluteas media. Currently seeing a physio and it's helping.

A year! That is awful. Glad you are now getting a bit of relief

OP posts:
Original poster
Aurignacian · 20/03/2023 17:03

WoofWoofBeachLife · 20/03/2023 15:32

Try and get a GP app asap, meantime get some anti inflammatory gel and get a hot water bottle on your back. What painkillers do you have?

I’ve been mixing paracetamol and ibuprofen. It’s helped a little. Dh is getting some voltarol gel on the way home-i’ve actually got some in the house somewhere but I’m not able to go looking for it. I’m going to go for a bath just now.

OP posts:
Original poster
Aurignacian · 20/03/2023 17:06

SootspriteSearcher · 20/03/2023 15:56

I've had hip pain on and off for years since having SPD whilst pregnant with dd2.

Some things that ease it for me, hot water bottle (or those stick on heat pads if I have to go out). Deep heat. I have a handheld massager that I run along it. Or a warm bath. I have taken ibroprofen with co codemal when It was really bad and I had to go to work but I've only done that a handful of times as co codemal can be addictive.

But the best thing is moving/changing position regularly, I know it's instinct to want to rest but laying/sitting in one position is the worst thing for me and takes longer to ease up. You could be different though.

Moving is definitely helping a bit and I’ve tried a little stretching but it’s really difficult

OP posts:
Eyesopenwideawake · 20/03/2023 17:07

Find a good sports masseuse - preferably one that specialises in fascia work - they can work wonders.

Original poster
Aurignacian · 20/03/2023 17:07

user1748339345 · 20/03/2023 16:02

Same here cause here. Yoga has helped me. There are some decent videos on youtube for stretches (lunges? don't know what they are called) and sitting in a chair with one foot up on my other thigh like sitting half cross legged was quite helpful - not instant relief but over a few days it improved things. I'm currently waiting on xrays coming back.

Show quote history

Thank you, I’ll have a look and give some exercises a try

OP posts:
Original poster
Aurignacian · 20/03/2023 17:11

LindyLou2020 · 20/03/2023 15:40

@Aurignacian

My immediate reaction to your post is that it's possible you may need hip replacement surgery - sorry if that sounds a bit extreme.
I say that because you say you've had hip pain for a few years, and it's worsened quite suddenly. This happened to me, and I needed a right hip repacement.
A friend of mine needed both hips replacing.
In order to explore this possibility further, you need to see your GP and be referred for an x-ray.
I'm not trying to scare you, but I was totally shocked when I was told I needed a hip replacement, and left things quite a while before seeing my GP - never imagining what the diagnosis would be.
And it was a physio who suspected what the problem was and urged me to see a GP!
I'm only raising this as a possibility, and I hope I'm wrong.
Please keep us updated!

Eek! I really hope not but when thinking about it today I have been experiencing more symptoms like finding it very difficult to reach down to the floor, tie shoe laces etc. How well has the operation worked for you?

OP posts:
SummerWillow · 20/03/2023 17:16

My hip pain was not due to my hips but referred pain from disc issues in my lower back. Hard to know but a different mattress can easily throw things out. My GP prescribed naproxen (anti inflammatory) which does help if you can stomach it. Also maybe try either hot or cold packs to see if they help. An X-ray eventually confirmed my disc problems. Just thought I'd mention it in case it's not your hips!