Help - Swollen Hip???

[MontanaGurl]

Just a quick question.  I have noticed that my right hip has been swollen since last thursday, so on friday i placed a call to my doc's office and i have not gotten a call back.  It is definately not something i need to go to the emergency room over but, i am worried that something has gone wrong somewhere in my body.  My right hip is noticibly swollen and i cannot roll onto my right side because pressure causes it to hurt.  I am walking with a limp because putting full pressure on the right side when i step down causes immense pain.  I have never dealth with a swollen hip before, many swollen knees and fingers and elbows but this is totally new to me.  Are there any other R.A. sufferers out there or just anyone that can explain this and give me some piece of mind because, i am thinking that i won't get a call back until tomorrow sometime.

thanks for any feedback
montanagurl

[MontanaGurl]

I have placed a 2nd call into my doc this morning right at 8am and it is now 3:46pm and no call yet.  the skin itself looks totally normal but, my hip just sticks out in the most ugly fashion and still not being able to put full weight bearing on it.  I will let you know what she say's when she finally calls.

I took some of my pain med's and slept for a couple of hours in the chair which was really nice, so hopefully she calls soon.  If she does not call by the end of the day than tomorrow i will make the trek to the doc's office without an appt and ask to be seen or drive across the street to the ER, either way by the end of tomorrow i will have seen a doctor.

I know that this is serious but, i look back and still have to laugh at everything that has gone wrong and went well since my accident.  I do well, than my butt hurts, do well than my shoulder hurts, now do well and my hip sticks out.  geez, this is just crazy - oh well, at least i have med help, you guys are the only ones who don't look away at the tv and just keep nodding your head "yes"  :-)  thank you, thank you!!

i will keep you updated
montanagurl

[Tuckamore]

Thank you for providing more information. As I said in the initial post it could be an infection. It could be internal or external in the form of cellulitis as Mollyrae suggested.

In cellulitis there are noticeable skin changes. You could not miss the redness, often change in the texture look of the skin and often "hot"  as it progresses.

Even in cellulitis often IV anitibiotics (ATB) are required, depending on the severity. An internal infection will most likely require ATB's also. It may be an internal absess. There are so many things it could be I hate to guess. Please let us know how you are doing.

Take Care,
Tuck

[Mollyrae]

Hi Montana:

After reading your story, I feel that you may be suffering from Cellulitis. I had the very same symptoms that you are suffering from and this was my diagnosis. You were right to put a call into your Doctor. He may want to see you.

I'm not sure about this but I think the remedy for Cellulitis are Antibiotics as it's an infection of the skin. Please don't quote me on that though...I'm not a Doctor.

I hope that you can resolve your issue soon. Please take care,
Molly

[MontanaGurl]

Hi there Tuck, well, it is warm to the touch but, my right side has been numb since my accident so I did not notice any warmth until I actually pull my trunks down and put my hand right on the skin and it has a slight warmth feeling.  My R.A. has affected me a few times since the accident but, this type of warmth and swelling is not the "norm" for my R.A. flares.  I just am confused as to what the heck this could be.  I definately will be talking to my doc tomorrow and/or making an office visit.  I have no flu like symptoms at all, I have been chilled lately but, I am always chilled but nothing else out of the ordinary.  Me and ice have been buddies since Friday.   I feel kinda silly at time, like when things happen for no rhyme or reason - such as my hip.  I just think I am getting somewhere and than something goofy happens and I was laughing telling my mom that I think there is a health fairy somewhere who is getting a big kick out this, so she asked me if I took my pain medicine recently!!  I know she was just joking but it is kinda silly that I am doing pretty well and than am putting lotion on and notice a hard bump and investigate further and than by the end of thursday I am limping and the lump gets bigger and more sore as time goes on. But, I guess I will just have to  grin and bare it - I mean what else can I do.  But, I do thank you so much for answering me, I feel like whenever I post it is always a complaint of mine but, I have never found support like this anywhere else, so thanks on my part are in order here.  One of these days I do intend on adding a helping hand to someone!!  

One thing that I think all individuals with chronic pain can relate to, is how pain paves the road in our life.  I missed out on a lot this weekend.  My husband is on the last day of his vacation and we had planned on going on a picnic and a nice ride this weekend but, since I cannot sit up in a chair or car seat than I am doomed to lay in my bed until tomorrow and, if i have to make the trek to the doc's office well, I might have to make a bed in the backseat cause it is a 2 hour ride.

I will keep everyone informed on what the doc says tomorrow, and at the very least when I am all healed I may beable to write my own medical journal on my life!!  It will be a best seller on the shelf :-)

til next time
montanagurl

[Tuckamore]

Bursitis of the hip comes to mind but it usually produces just a bit of swelling...or no swelling. It is very painful, often warm to touch. Arthritis can swell a bit also and be warm to touch also.

Do you have a temp or flu like symptoms? It could be a infection. with your history I wouldn't dismiss anything. Please get it evaluated tomorrow and let us know. If you have a temp and you should consider going to ER in case it is an infection.

Try some ice to the site and keep weight off from it.