Bursitis & Fibromyalgia

[maelyn]

Since I've had Fibromyalgia, I have constant bursitis in my greater trocanter (hip bursa) as well as a constant inflammation of my SI joints.

I receive shots in my hips every few months, sometimes monthly.  I do the exercises given to me by my DO, however, I have only short term relief from the shots.  I apply ice.  I still have the bursitis and it won't go away.

I never had any hip injuries prior or since to cause bursitis.

Does anyone else have recurrent bursitis with their Fibromyalgia?

[night0wl13]

Terrible hip pain from bursitis. Have had fibromyalgia for over 20 years, diagnosed and my Dr. said you’re going to have a hard time convincing other Drs. and friends this is real. Wow was he right! I must have cried 45 minutes in his office that day just to have a name for all my pain. The relief of someone believing I wasn’t making all my symptoms up or being told it was all in my head again. Do I need an anti depressant yes, but my depression is caused by the fibromyalgia. I also have myasthenia gravis and gastro paresis (oral medications are a real problem). Even now more than 20 years after naming my pain there are very few Drs. that seem to believe this condition is real. I had a Dr. tell me the only reason he believed was because his own wife also a Dr. had been diagnosed. Until his wife was diagnosed he said he would often got irritated at patients when he examined them and they would complain of terrible pain when touched with firmness (his description) in certain areas. He couldn’t believe it caused that much pain until his own wife complained he wasn’t gentle enough. I can’t imagine how many patients he accused of hunting for pain meds. I’m stunned how many of us have this.

[hundkhat]

Yes! I have had hip bursitis for MONTHS- on top of chronic pain syndrome, degenerative disc disease, arthritis, and a slew of other issues. I was getting trigger point injections @ my pain management doctor (sometimes up to 20 a visit), and the next day would be rolling around in bed in so much body pain as if I had the flu. I had to go back to see her because the hip bursitis was worsening- and that is when I got the diagnosis OF fibromyalgia. She told me that the actual hip bursitis could be causing a massive flare-up of the fibromyalgia and the pain from that alone could be affecting/inflaming all types of joints. I told her since the bursitis had worsened since about January-February, I had become totally fatigued, exhausted, and completely depressed at times to the point where I would see a picture of my 9 and 1/2 year old son when he was a baby and bawl and bawl- completely unlike me. I am now just starting to learn about what fibromyalgia is, but I do know my own hip bursitis is related to it. I don't know if that answer helps at all- but hope you get some relief

[cjback49]

So what do you do for your hip bursitis?

[aranhaqg]

" being this sick even though we don't look sick"
I really identified with that statement.

My family pressure me to do things (go to the shopping mal) that I just can't because of the pain and the fatigue. They think i'm lasy.

[aranhaqg]

I had the same problem over years. What works for me was exercise with a personal trainner specialized in trauma. But, i'm not gonna lie to you... I still have a lot of pain, but less than before tks to that personal trainner.

[Donray12]

I'd like for you to try AminoActiv capsules and topical cream. Both are true anti-inflammatories with no side effects. Regarding Creatine HCl, our company invented that creatine molecule and just this week we announced something special under a new brand name, Celly Creatine. Check it out online. If you would like some free samples of AminoActiv go to the contact us page and send us our address.

Don

[PamRickman]

I have these same things. Although, I am not afraid of needles. Got a steroid shot today and can't believe the difference! I am no longer limping and last night I had to crawl to get around. It is worth a try.

[KC_Oma]

I have NOT been diagnosed by a Rheumatologist with RA (as testing came back negative for it) but with Chronic Inflammation to include Bursitis in my hips that have been going on now for over a year; progressively getting worse each month.  I have had cortisone shots in my hips that only last about 3-weeks and then the pain comes back.  I was told that I could not have any more cortisone shots as only 3 are recommended a year and I had 3 in a 4 month duration; however when I get the shot in my hips ALL OF MY PAIN GOES AWAY to include my arms, neck, back, hips, and groin pain. I have found that sitting for long periods of time flare up my symptoms and by having a standing desk at work, it has helped me cope at work.  I go to the chiropractor for physical therapy on my neck and lower back areas with the tense unit and ice, then my chiropractor works on my neck and back which helps me. When I have bad mornings of stiffness I either take a very hot bath or shower and do rotating motions with my arms and neck which helps.  My Rheumatologist put me on a drug called Plaquenil 2x a day which I have been taking for only a month and I have found NO RELIEF yet; Dr says it can take up to 3-months to obtain relief from this drug.  I just wanted to give my two-cents worth of information.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed as my co-workers think I seriously am making up my pain most of the time and don't understand at all.

[angelarpen]

I visited my first rheumatologist who is also a sleep therapist, and he just wanted to sell me a CPAP with an out of pocket cost of $500.  The next step was his own therapy which Aetna teacher insurance also didn't cover. At 43, I'm not sure where to go from here. Summer vacation ends in 3 weeks, but I'm taking my first caribbean cruise in a week and a half, but can't walk down a hill or long strides right now. I'm doing cold packs, pain meds, ibuprofin and rest. I am determined to enjoy myself on this trip. Ideas?

[bonnie6754]

What saved me and FINALLY got my strength back was aqua therapy.  Land therapy made the bursitis worse....but a pool at 85° +  saved me from having no strength at all.  Just a suggestion. ..can't hurt.
good luck to all!

[Luvmygkids]

Bursitis is not an inflamation of a joint - it's the inflamation of the Bursae which are in most joints, but it is not the inflamation of the joint

[truredhead]

I too have so much hand pain, It is a new symptom this year! My Fibro has been rough this season and the worse one since I was dx 7yrs ago. I have the osteoarthritis, degenerative disc, and also bursitis, worse in right hip. My fibro came along with the hep c diagnosis they found when looking around for what was going on and found all this good stuff. I had a MRI and I was getting cortisone shots in hip at first. I too am afraid that it can ruin the joint in time so I haven't done that this year. So yes just like all of us, it can get darn rough at times. My hand pain is debilitating and my body is so stiff in the mornings. I have not tried the Osteo Bi Flex, I was thinking it takes so long to take effect and then sometimes it does not work so I have not got it to even try. It is good to hear from everyone and see I am not a whiner, this stuff is tough..... on all of us!

[Boston83]

Does anyone here get severe head pain on a dailey basis? and dizzy?

[cjback49]

Yes and yes. I'm at my wit's end...…

[Kellery]

Hi there,
I'm sorry that you are feeling so badly.  My experience is that many specialists, like orthopedists, don't have experience or knowledge base to deal with FM.  They tend to just focus on their area of expertise and may even misdiagnose you in their attempt to help you.

Have you seen a Rheumatologist?  I think that a Rheumatologist is best equipped to diagnose and treat the various painful conditions that arise from the disease.  

Hang in there buddy, your quality of life has got to get better.  It will never be perfect again but it can get better.  You just need to find the right doctor or treatment center.

Kelly

[Kellery]

Hi Jan,
I've been going down-hill since about the same time that you have.  I think that the ellipticle is good because it is low impact and can still give you a good hard workout.  

Don't give up on your exercise.  It will slow the progression of the disease.   We all have good days and bad days.  Change is something that our bodies don't like.  Maybe once you make the exercise and stretching a part of your routine, your body will do better with it.  Don't think that I'm not in pain, because I am.  Right now, I can hardly sit because my butt and hips hurt so badly.  But, I have gone months where it has been down to a dull roar.  

Also, I have started taking Creatine HCL twice a day on non-workout days and adding another dose right after workouts.  I read that biopsies of the muscles of FM patients have low ATP, hence weakness and muscle pain.  Body builders take Creatine HCL to increase their ATP.  It has really helped me.  Ask your rhumatologist about it.  I'll be that he/she will endorse it.  I think that it may be a little hard on your liver or kidneys.  So, they may need to watch that or you may need to cycle off of it from time to time to give your organs a break.

I've also started adding Branch Chain Amino Acids to my diet.  Body builders also use these to help their muscles recover quicker from work outs.  I'm not sure if it's helping me or not but I'm sure it's not hurting.  My doctors are OK with it.

Have you read Dr. Paul St. Amand's book called "What your doctor may NOT tell you about Fibromyalgia"?  If not, I recommend it.  His guifenisin protocol didn't help me but it was very educational.  We have two different kinds of muscles in our bodies and FM only affects one.  You can learn to exercise the muscles that are not affected by FM, stay in shape, and slow the progression of the disease.

Best of luck to you.  If you have anything to share that has helped, you please let me know.

Kind regards,
Kelly

[cjback49]

Where can I find Dr. Paul St. Amand's book called 'What your doctor may NOT tell you about Fibromyalgia?

[aheart]

Hi there, chronic pain is not very much fun is it =(  I have it also and now especially because of all the abuse of pain meds in this country, doctors are being pressured to stop taking on pain patience and stop writting pain prescriptions. One thing I can suggest to you to try, no make that three things. You may already have tryied them I don't know but we will go over them anyway.
#1-ssri- the anti-depressants that are well tolerated by most people, they can also help with pain, especially all over pain. Lyrica is one of them, Ultram is another,
#2-This one is for nerve pain which fibro is, Neurontin or Gabapentin, its not a narcotic and is well tolerated by most.
#3-This one is excellent for two ways-excercise and water therapy. Swimming, ask your doctor before starting any new regimen.
Narcotics work the best but they are hard to get, dangerous to your health and life, and they stop working after awhile and that's when the potential for abuse starts in, I know because I have been there. Better to try other avenues first. We are in this for life, not until something heals. So I would also like to suggest you go to the top of the page and find the forums-find user groups inside forums and then Chronic Pain Couch, for people/fellow sufferers! And if you want to talk, anyone of us would be happy to help. Good Luck- Exercise is HUGE also! =) Good Luck!

[supersick85]

HELLO ALL! AS I READ THIS I'M IN THE SAME CHRONIC PAIN ALL OF YOU ARE DESCRIBING. THE BURSA ALL OVER MY HIPS :(  JUST BY TOUCHING A LITTLE BIT OF MY HIPS IT HURTS, MY BUTTOCKS (BOTH SIDES) HURT ME I'VE BEEN IN PAIN SINCE 2010. FOR 2 YEARS NOW. I HAVE SPEND A LOT OF MONEY SEEING ORTHOPEDICS, Chiropractor and more.
I'm in a lot of pain. I had like 5 - 6 cortisone shots which didn't do nothing to me but increase more bills. I still went to the same doctor and he avoids me and wants me to do a "Bone scan" and told me to see another doctor. He doesn't need to do surgery on me so I think he rather's not have me as a patient.

I don't know what else to do with the HIPS! they kill me.... I sit down at work. I even sign up to a gym and go 2 -3 times a week at work or if not. I do Yoga and Pilates at home and try to stretch as much as I can. I don't know what else to do.

I have a pinched nerve on my back, my neck hurts, and my spine in the top as well.

:( I'm sad... and depress.... I have so much to offer in this world but the pain is killing me.

I'm a female and I'm 27 years old.

My email is ***@**** If anyone has any suggestions please email me. Thanks so much! I hope everyone feels better.

[kerrip72]

I also have fibro and hip bursitis. Have had bursitis for over a year. Cortisone increased my pain. Will try physical therapy next.

[tangle2]

Does nothing for me. I take melatonin at night to get some sleep.

[hawaii-2]

I just wanted to say, that I do not have anything to do with the Biofreeze co, other than I used the product and it's cold thearpy worked on my skin, muscles, tendons, etc.I found it on eBay and on Amazon.You can only get it online. It's not available in stores that I've ever found.

A few years ago, a pharmacist told me that it has natural menthol in it and at the time it was stronger than anything you could buy OTC.  Also for those of you interested, there is a large difference in how natural menthol and just menthol work. They work on different receptors in the skin. So not all products that say menthol are natural.They may be synthetic. Goggle natural menthol for a full explanation and the differences. This product uses cold therapy that makes your muscles (beneath your skin) feel cool to you, it does not give a hot feeling. On my skin, muscles, etc, with the 4% Biofreeze natural menthol roll on I use, it will last about 3 hrs, but if I put on a second application right after the 1st application dries, then it will last over 4 hours and many times the pain did not come back (in my arms) All these topical products work different, so if you've not had success with other topical treatments for muscle (etc) pain, I'd suggest you get a little sample of Biofreeze and try it.  Biofreeze does have it's own web site you can find it by goggling Biofreeze As I said I have no connection with the co....but I do know the pain many of you are in and I really think it could help you, as it did me...mind you..it doesn't work on my joins.I gather from reading, it does work on some people's joints, but not on my joints, but it does work great on my skin, muscles, tendons, etc Hope that helps a few of you.

[hawaii-2]

Today I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and hip bursitis and tendonnitus in my elbow area. I've had pain in my forearm muscles and joint near my eblow for a few months. It started on the left elbow area and then after about  month it suddenly quit hurting and being sure and started up in the right upper are and joint near my elbow. Yesterday when it suddenly started up in my thigh, I thought enough, get to the Dr. get this diagnosed, but I didn't expect to hear that I have Fibromyalgia and bursitis and tendentious. I can tell you that for the muscle pain in the forearm and upper arm, Biofreeze worked wonders. A few days ago I sent some of the Biofreeze to a friend who has carpel tunnel and some other things and she is trilled at how well it works for her. She said she had cut her pain meds in half. My Dr. told me to spray it illiberally on my hip and that would help and also to take to take Tylenol because Advil's (Ibuprofen can cause serious kidney problems), but I've also just read on another site that Tylenol can cause sever liver damage, so guess I'll stick with what the heath food store told me to take for pain....TART CHERRY JUICE (with nothing else added.Also, the bottle must say tart on the label). This site was my 1st stop in my reach to see what would help. If I find anything that looks like it has real potential, I'll be back and tell all of you.

[mypain6]

I just had my bursa sac removed in my hip on Wedneday and can already tell a difference.  Will have the right one removed in a few weeks....

Shots did not work for me....I wanted return every three days and that was not an option.

I was getting to where I could not walk...so painful...

Good Luck
Jennifer

[painprincess]

I too have Fibromyalgia and I have had recurring flare-ups of hip bursitis for the past 6 years. I also have had shoulder issues and I dont think there is enough Cortisone out there to stop the pain! :(

[franandpete]

This is my first time on this site.  I was just recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia last spring.  In the fall, I was at the gym (we all know how important exercise is), and I went on the elipticle trainer, thinking it would be much better than walking on the treadmill...wrong!!! (at least for me)  Both of my hips started hurting significantly.  I started with a new doctor last week to treat my fibromyalgia, and he immediately diagnosed my hip pain as bursitis.  He gave me a shot which had very little effect.  I am glad I found this site, because I didn't know what to think as far as bursitis and fibro.  I was assuming they were two different problems, but it looks like it's all related to the fibro.  Thanks for listening.

[facingit]

I've had fibro for many years and went undiagnosed until two years ago. Now it seems that every new pain or sign I get is somehow connected to it. I have hip bursitis right now and am suffering along with the rest of you. I'm also getting arthritis in my hands and have found that Osteo Bi-Flex helps with that. I've just ordered an ultrasound/infra red unit to try for further relief.

Good luck everyone with your fight against this painful affliction.