Hip pain that radiates to the knees.

[dandrew]

I am a 39 female with chronic pain in my hips, sometimes so bad (not quite as bad as labor) that it shoots into my legs. I have been to the Dr. several times for this and had an MRI. For some reason the Dr. took an MRI of my back and NOT my hips. He diagonosed me with degenerative disc disease. I take Tylenol 3 daily around 6 times a day which helps somewhat....I really don't want to take anything stronger as I need to function throughout the day. I have a terrible time falling asleep and then staying asleep because of the pain. I average aroung 5 hours total per night. I have several other issues as well but am not sure if they all tie together some how. They are as follows: MIGRAINES- (have suffered for over 20 years with these) EYESIGHT- All of a sudden (usually around 2-3 times a day) I get blurred vision and am unsteady on my feet, almost feel like I am going to pass out but never have. Sometimes my eyes feel like I have been peeling an onion they involuntarily squint and I get a strange sound in my ear. This goes away after around 1 minute, also my eyes feel like they are going cross. I do not get a migraine after this. NECK- The back of my neck is always sore and into my shoulder blades. SHOULDER/ARM- If I stretch it feels as though I have a cramp that goes into my forearm and will  not function until I move it several times. THUMB/INDEX FINGER- No pain but find it difficult to open bottles especially small ones- I just cannot twist them and the fingers do not want to work properly. LOWER BACK- Just recently started aching and is very sensitive to touch. HIPS- LOWER HIP WHERE THE LEG AND HIP ATTACH-Major pain ALL of the time in both hips that radiates into my knees. Sometimes sharp and sometimes dull. I have actually started walking differently because I try to "baby" my hips and have developed a bunion on my foot which I believe is due to the way I walk now.

I have asthma and have been off and on Prednisone for years, I had two cortisone shots injected in my hips and that helped for one day, the Dr. said that it was probably the numbing agent that they used. Now for the big question I had a child 7/08 and had a intrathecal injection for pain- the problem was it took 18 tries to get it in the correct spot. No lie I have pictures of all the bruising and you can actually see the holes in my back. Do you think that this could have anything to do with my hips? I never had these problems until after birth. This is my third child and never had any problems with the other two except had to be induced for all three.  I have searched for info on the web and have found so many things that could be the problem but I just don't know. I come from a small town and sometimes I think that the Dr. thinks I am making these things up.  I try to stay active by working in the garden or taking the kids for a walk but it is painful to walk and I am in worse pain for hours after I do these things. I am overwight by about 50 lbs and take ventolin, foradil and tylenol 3 for meds. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

[dandrew]

Thank you, I do not have a copy of the MRI and to be honest didn't know that I could. I am pretty new to all of this stuff. I will call and request this information. May I ask what you were diagoned with?  Thank you for the info I am learning so much on this site.

[chefcindy46]

Sorry to hear you are suffering with the pain. First of all you are 2 young to be "suffering" pain related to DDD. Unless the DDD is very progressed, but I am guessing it is mild.  I would certainly seek the opinion of another doctor. Take the MRI to a Neurologist. The reason he checked your back and not your hips, is because that is where the nerves are that affects that area. If there is nerve damage, it can affect your whole lower extremeties.  Do you have a copy of the MRI report or the films (you can usually get a copy of the film on CD at no cost)? If you don't have a copy, I would call and get one first and foremost. Then read what it says and do research on some of the terminology. Specifically look for anything about the L5-S1 joints. Such as transitional vertabrae or lumbarization of S1. I would be interested in what the MRI report states.
Look for bone abnormalities at the L5-S1 junction.
When it comes to our health, we have to be PROACTIVE. Doctors are not GOD and they do make mistakes and mis-diagnoses all the time. If you are not satified with your doctors explanation or FEEL there is more too it, seek another opinion.
I was 37 when I started having lots of low back pain, hip pain, etc. It took me several doctors and years of suffering before I finally got the answers as to what was causing it and it wasn't the DDD or Sacral strain they first diagnosed.
Good luck, keep asking questions and make sure you get copies of your medical records.

[sandee1818]

Tuck has given you some great advice. I agree you need to get a second opinion, I have heard of complications of this sort from epidurals I will do some research and get back to you. The vision problems could be from a pinched nerve but I would definitely ask your Dr about having a CT scan to make sure you do not have a tumor causing this. I have the hip pain you describe and it is due to sciatica and bursitis and many more things that contribute. You need a Dr who will listen and treat you instead of just reassuring you that your okay. I will get back to you soon:)

[sandee1818]

Hip Pain that radiates to knees.
by dandrew
1 hour ago
I forgot to add that I did see an eye Dr. and he could not find anything wrong with my eyes.

[Tuckamore]

First welcome if you are new to MH. You have a multitude of issues. Several things come to mind but I am no physician. Frequently during the course of pregnancy and giving birth the SI Joints have to move to allow for the pregnancy. This can causes pain in different areas, including the hips, buttocks, legs, knees and feet. Have you had your SI Joints checked by a DO or someone who specializes in SI Joints? Often this condition goes undiagnosised. I don't know how this could be caused by the epideral  but anything is possible. Eyes and HA may be related to allergies. Do you have a pinched nerve in your neck which can account for you neck, shoulder and arm pain. As far as your blurred vision and dizzines this could be anything from anxiety, exhaustion or obviously more serious matters. This should be evaluated by a medical provider.
I would recommend that you get a second opinion. Your small town doctor may be as good or better than the "Big City" pyhsician, mine is. If you feel you are not getting anwsers or pain relief you obviously need to do something else.
There are others on the site that will offer some good opinions. I wish you the best of luck. Please keep us posted. Pain is no fun, I am sorry you are having these problems. Take care,Tuck