MRI of lower back for hip pain

[Micliaphi]

I am a 28 year old female diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I have had busitis, tendonitis and muscle cramps in my left hip area since I was 17 years old. I have had physical therapy, injections, chiropractic and still have this issue with my hip. My Dr. is now ordering an MRI of my lumbar spine (L-7?) to see if there is a problem that would be causing hip pain. I have experienced back and neck pain as well so it is feasable. I have had terrible pain occasionally where there is what seems to be nerve pain that goes from my hip down the side of my leg to my ankle, could it be sciatica?

This isn't the only area that has had tendonitis or signs of inflammation- my right ankle, right elbow, costochondritis, and others. Does Fibromalgia cause inflammation? If not, what could be the actual cause? Is there an L-7 and which one of these vertabrae could cause hip pain and/or sciatica?

Thank you, I visited my doctor today but I always have more questions that he doesn't have time to answer.

[Micliaphi]

I have considered lately going back on Neurontin to see if there is a change in the pain caused from a bulging disc at L-4, L-5. Even though it is still bulging it is most likely the source of the left hip pain (coincidental) that I've had for 12 years and the increasing lower back and tailbone pain, which does make me wonder if the S vertabrae should have been scanned, and along with clearly sciatic pain. I have Fibro as well and I am curious to know you're age Jordaine and how your bone scan turns out. I have alot of bone, muscle , nerve pain from my pain in my feet up to just below the knee, I have not been told if this is due to a bulging disc or if it is another result of Fibro, or my Myofascial Pain diagnososis. I am very petite but only 29 however because of my mother's sliightly larger size and the fact that she had tratment from bone loss, particularly bad in her neck parts of the spine, pelvis, and some parts of the legs I believe. I wonder if I need a bone scan as well. I look forward to hearing about the bone scan and I wanted know, is that like an MRI and have you already been checked with the test where they measure you feet to check for pain loss. My mother has been asking me to have the foot measuring done to check for bone loss because of the pain I experience but I have not done so because I assumed it would not show up yet at my age.

Looking forward to hearing back and I will ask for Neurontin again to see if it may help me, I tried it many years ago and I did not see difference but I will ask since it has helped you and we have similiar situations with Fibro and the disc issue.
Thanks!

[BAK70]

I too suffer from hip pain and wonder all the time if it is my herniated L4-5. Since I haven't had an MRI for 4 years I am having one next week along with a bone scan. My fibromyalgia has been so bad of late with awful weather but the hip pain only since last November. I can barely walk and it is terrible at night ; both legs ache and nothing seems to relieve them except Neurontin. My left hip hurts all the time now:-(
Terrible at night when we begin to think of all the bad things it could be!

[jordaine]

I also have fibromyalgia as well as lower back/hip problems (L7).  They are separate (and the pains feel different), although I notice that when my hip "locks", the fibro pain is worse.
     I saw a rheumatologist for the fibromyalgia who put me on a mega dose of vitamin D3 (150,000 mg - one time only).  The fibro pain is now gone.  Completely.  
     My chiropractor gave me a few hip stretches that I do in the morning and whenever I've been at the computer for too long.  My suggestion would be to get a chiropractic adjustment, then do some stretches to stay in alignment.

[LLWB]

I don't think the hip pain would be from myofascial pain. I think it's usually in the big muscle groups.legs, chest, arms, etc. MPS and TMJ go hand in hand (drat them) with fibro.  Ever since I was injured in 1981, I have had dr's refer to my pain as Myofascial Spasm Syndrome, (by a worker's comp examiner), fibro, chronic fatigue syndrome, etc. I don't care what they call it, just would like to be pain free, A physical therapist can work with myofascial spasms by doing a deep massage, and breaking up the knots that form in the tissues over the muscles. It can be very painful. It left bruises on me. You can actually feel the lumps under your skin The fascia solidifies around the muscle, and doesn't let you move freely. I had 3 times weekly massage for the 12 weeks allowed by my insurance company, but couldn't afford to continue it on my own. Relief lasted for several years, but I can feel the knots re-forming. Massages in general can help with fibro pain, and also your hip pain. Please let me know how you are doing.......Maggie

[Micliaphi]

I will take your advice, thank you.

I was also diagnosed this past week with Myofascial Pain Syndrome and TMJ Syndrome by my dentist. I am wondering if the hip pain is part pinched nerve from the back/part myofascial pain. Is this possible?

[LLWB]

Get some help moving the plant! If you try to move something too heavy, your bulging discs may turn into herniated discs! That's when they rupture.   Depending on the degree of bulge, they may try injections of cortisone to help reduce the swelling. Recommended that this be done under (I think) mri so they can see the exact placement of the shots. Also physical therapy can help to strengthen your lower back. Don't be moving or lifting heavy stuff!  I moed my entire house , herniated disc in neck, had it removed and neck fused, and also bulging in thoracic and lumbar....Not fun. Good luck, and take it easy! (I know, should have listened to my own advice. LOL)

[Micliaphi]

I got a phone call from the doctors office, I have two bulging discs L-4 and L-5. I was told that it was not serious and that he would talk to me about at my appt in Feb. I am not too well read on spinal issues, so I don't know what treatment I will need or if there is anything that I should or shouldn't be doing in the meantime. I assume that I would be scheduled to a sooner appt if this was significant.
I will have a chiropractor appt for the first exam this Monday, I am looking forward to adjustments.
What are the treatments for bulging discs? I need to move this big potted shrub (maybe 50 lbs or so so) to another spot in the house, Is this safe?

[LLWB]

Call and ask for his nurse. She should be able to give you your results. February is definately too long to wait! Also wherever you had dthe imaging done can provide you with a copy of your report. It is your right to have those results..Good luck, and let us know the results! Sorry about your brother,  I never could see any reason to jump out of an airplane that was flying along nicely.LOL. I'm sure that aggravated his disc problems.  

[Micliaphi]

My brother was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia after years of ignoring symptoms and joining the Airborne Division where parachuting from airplanes obviously worsened his problems. He is now considered 100% disabled by the military and has significant disc damage, cannot have surgery, and will probably be in a wheelchair not too far from now. I don't wish to be in his situation, I did work standing long hours for some time which I hope did not contribute to the problem. However I have the same back and hip pain even if I have a sedentary job, as I do now.

This particular doctor that ordered the test is wonderful and I would recommend him, but his office staff seem to drop the ball frequently. Is there someone generally in a doctors office that is reachable AND has access to the results? My follow up isn't until February but I would prefer to know information now. Thanks for the inside info.

[patsy10]

They usually call if there is a problem but not always.  I have found that they usually make you wait for the follow up.  I would call on Friday.  They usually get read the day they are done or the next morning.  I know they always say wait a week but I work in healthcare and I can tell you things are read quickly.  I think regarding degenerative results, you can get worse and worse but testing still would come out normal if it's true fibro and not some other more devastating disease.

[Micliaphi]

I had the MRI, when should I have my results- next visit if nothing shows on the MRI or will the Dr. call me if the images show a problem..?

[Micliaphi]

My sed rate, CRP and blood work overall is usually normal. Thank you for confirming that the leg pain that I mentioned is sciatic pain. I will have the MRI this Wednesday and will be going to a chiropractor for the preliminary exam on the 12th. I have been to a chiropractor years ago and had some relief so I am trying it again. I was told that my 'pelvis was out of alignment' whenever I came into his office with hip pain whether I mentioned the hip pain or not.  I would like for something to show up on the MRI just because it would be a more clear cut cause and effect and, therefore, might be easier to treat. I seem to have the hip pain every minute of everyday and it does not disappear in between flares. I know that Fibromyalgia itself is not degenerative but can it's effects (ex. nerve pain, muscle spasm) have a degenerative results?

[patsy10]

Fibro does NOT cause actual inflammation.  It just feels like the areas are inflammed.  This is why tests for inflammation like sed rate and CRP are normal in fibro.  If true inflammation is found then it isn't fibro.  You can get secondary fibro realted to an inflammatory condition like lupus or RA or other auto immune problem. It does cause nerve pain.  I have it all over. I have the exact same sciatic pain you describe  and my back is normal on MRI.  You could have a bulging or degenerative disk causing the problem.  It is usually L4, L5 in most cases.