Bursitis
 

Three months ago I saw a new pain management doctor. I was basically satisfied with my previous doctor, have been stable on my meds for more than one year and was not looking for a change. First, he charged me $50 to fill out a jury summons and then refused to renew my prescriptions because he forgot we agreed to two visits a year unless otherwise needed.

My gp agreed to renew whatever I needed but strongly suggested a pm should be familiar with me, just in case. Three months ago I saw his referral and received one of the most thorough exams I’ve ever had. He spent 45 minutes with me.

Though I think that L2/3, not all that healthy at the time of my surgery but not a pain generator either has since become one, my main complaint is the nerve damage to my left leg. It’s much weaker and by day’s end, is done. The pain is endurable at mostly a 1-3, at least for me, and though I need an anti-inflam everyday, I only use pain killers or muscle relaxers on an as needed basis. My surprise came with a bursitis diagnosis, an inflammation of the bursa sacs in my hip.

He threw so much as me that first visit that I didn’t think to ask how nerve damage from my back could cause this. I saw him again last week – it seems I walk differently, mostly to protect my back but also to keep the strain off of my leg. After six months on crutches, I was happy I could walk and was/am unaware I walk stiffly. The muscles in my hip have tightened and pull on the bursa sacs with every step, thus the inflammation.

Aside from trying to walk more naturally, medicinal remedies exist. Of those I’ve tried, my favorite in half a Lidoderm patch on my hip at night. My leg seems to be less tired at the end of the day. My pain is too mild for more invasive procedures.

Loosening up my walk is proving more difficult than I thought. Walking is natural while thinking about it is not. Additionally, I can’t step normally on my left toes. However, I’ve noticed some new pains up and down my leg which is actually good news.

Never heard this mentioned on the forum before and thought I’d warn all you ladies, that shake is far more important to us than to the them! Gents, you’re on your own.

My best, Dale

loose walker
 

That sounds a bit off rather I mean I have a loose gait it seems or move my rear a fair amount per my friends. Whatever, I feel comfortable walking like this so far at least altho I still think my pain meds allow me to feel like I'm walking in the clouds sometimes (can't keep a straight path).

Walk my way... :D;)

Would some PT help this from getting any worse?

Boy, don't get me started on bursitis of the hip. Better known as trochanteric bursitis. I have had it for years and it is EXTREMELY difficult to treat. It also can pull on the back muscles making your back very stiff. ITBS (iliotibial band syndrome) can also exacerbate hip bursitis terribly. That is my main cause of the hip b. I have had injections, p.t., you name it. It's a major pain generator for me, doing the domino effect. Typically, it is very tender to the touch at the side of the hip, and you cannot sleep on the affected side. Doing so only aggravates it more. The steroid injections have diminishing returns the more you have them.

cortisone shot
 

Re hip bursitis I got one shot quite a while ago and it alleviated the pain I was experiencing which wouldn't allow for me to lie on the affected side for more than an hour or so..

My OSS had said if the pain were related to my spinal probs then the shot wouldn't help but if it were bursitis it would alleviate the pain. It did. Thankfully.

Wow, good for you Maria. Mine always comes back after the shot wears off. Count your lucky stars you have kept yours at bay. :)

CL,

Yours sounds much worse than mine. It is only painful when pushed in the right spot. Nothing seems to make it worse other than walking. My PM said my more natural gate should remedy the whole thing but I still find I walk in a protective mode, I suppose subconsciously. I start out walking trying to remember to walk naturally but loose it very quickly.

My pain level is very mild. My hip does not hurt to the touch and laying on presents no problems. My pm discovered this only when I mentioned that my leg seems to weaken as the day progesses. Though the pain in my leg can go to a 5 or 6, my hip pain is mostly 0-1 and never goes above a 3.

My diagnosis is actually sub---- bursitus. Perhaps that's different????

I just have to wonder what else is wrong with me. I'll tell you, growing older doesn't bother me all that much but aging - sucks!

Dale

Amen to that sister. This aging body thing sucks big time. :(

sub something ..bursitis
 

Sub Acute perhaps? As the hip pain isn't really the presenting factor ..

I too have to wonder what else will go wrong w/me but don't even want to think about it now as my neck is just going crazy this last year going out so often.. I get Toradol shots more for my neck than my back and use muscle relaxers almost solely for my neck!

Re my back I was going beautifully tho sitting alot lately and then of course I had to reach out in some weird way yesterday and boom the back is starting to go out and it's a nasty tiring pain.

I told my PM yesterday I wanted to get off the pain med by going on another med and that I thought surgery might help with some of the problems and he said "You think surgery will help your pain? Think again"

So ya know that's what he thinks. It's good that he feels that way since he is a PM specialist altho I think that many a good doctor in his/her specialty has been challenged by the amazing results of some very awesome surgeons and what they have to offer...

I like this guy very much and he is a big help to me tho I wonder what he would do if he were living my life.. probably hook up with the best surgeon he knew of to try and recover his life/practice.

sub something ..bursitis
 

Sub Acute perhaps? As the hip pain isn't really the presenting factor ..

I too have to wonder what else will go wrong w/me but don't even want to think about it now as my neck is just going crazy this last year going out so often.. I get Toradol shots more for my neck than my back and use muscle relaxers almost solely for my neck!

Re my back I was going beautifully tho sitting alot lately and then of course I had to reach out in some weird way yesterday and boom the back is starting to go out and it's a nasty tiring pain.

I told my PM yesterday I wanted to get off the pain med by going on another med and that I thought surgery might help with some of the problems and he said "You think surgery will help your pain? Think again"

So ya know that's what he thinks. It's good that he feels that way since he is a PM specialist altho I think that many a good doctor in his/her specialty has been challenged by the amazing results of some very awesome surgeons and what they have to offer...

I like this guy very much and he is a big help to me tho I wonder what he would do if he were living my life.. probably hook up with the best surgeon he knew of to try and recover his life/practice.

Dale, hope the leg weakness improves with your new way of walking... maybe walking on the beach/sand for strengthening?

Maria, you could not have said it better: "....I wonder what he would do if he were living my life...probably hook up with the best surgeon he knew of to try and recover his life/practice." Don't think for a minute that he isn't aware that you feed $$ his practice. That's the bottom line. Never let go of the fact that, nobody and I mean nobody, is in your body living your life. Nobody. Period. Ultimately, only you (and each one of us for ourselves) and you alone can determine what is in your best interest, and what you are willing to tolerate. God bless you my friend,

Cindylou

CL and others,

AMEN. well said, Cindylou.