Bilateral Hip Pain (all the time)

[tweek29]

My problem I don't think is in my back.  I have no back pain whatsoever.  My physical therapist recently saw in an X-Ray from Feb that T11 and T12 is "fusing" (I think that's what was written on the report.  He said "I'm surprised they could see something like that."  So he decided he would put me on the traction machine 6 times over the next 2 weeks.  I have done 2 of the 6 treatments so far.  The pain and "inflammation" in the hips doesn't seem to be any better.  I do stretches and core strengthening exercises at home in hopes that will help the problem.  The worse part about all this is that I am Active Duty Air Force and I have been having these problems since last June (2007).  So it's been almost a full year.  I was deployed when it started.  I figured it was arthritis because I worked in a very cold environment (50 degrees) and then would step outside to very hot weather (usually between 100 and 120 degrees).  

I have one doctor that has run all the tests for autoimmune diseases.  She ran an RF, ANA, CBC, pregnancy (just in case), Recently I saw that there was  CCP blood test that would detect arthritis and such in it's earlier stages so I convinced them to run that test as well.  No results on the latter but everything else came up normal.  So I am told daily that there is nothing wrong with me.  The Orthopedic even told me that I was pathetic because I couldn't touch my toes and that I needed to go to Yoga.  Just to find out from the Physical Therapist that stretching is just going to cause more inflammation so it's not a good idea.  They have done 2 x-rays with neither showing anything, 2 ultrasounds, one regular and one vaginal (only thing there were two small cysts), and I received inserts from a Pediatrist that have been no help either.  

I am wondering what could be the problem.  I am taking Mobic 15mg once a day and when that wears off i'm trying to cover the rest of the pain with Tylenol.  The job I have really prevents me from taking any meds but need something that they can waive and that will make me feel better.  The pressure is unbelieveable and with no meds at all I can barely get to where I need to go.  Where I am right now you have to walk, or ride a bike everywhere.  In Oct, I could move, workout and keep up with those around me.  Since Feb I have just been getting slower and slower.  To the point that instead of 7 mins to walk to work it takes about 12-15 mins.  The whole way I am constantly focusing on moving my legs to get there.  Bringing my legs to my chest for a stretch causes sharp pain at the crest of my hips and down to the very tops of my thighs, sleeping on either side is unbareable and I'm up every night, picking up my legs for some of stretches are very hard but I make them do it.  I haven't been able to really work out for a couple of months, and although I haven't gained any weight I am still afraid I will and can't afford too.

I'm only 29 years old.  Lupus and RA run in my family with the females but most of them weren't diagnosed with anything until they were in their 40's.  I'm not sure of what other tests can be run.  The Physical Therapist is going to put me in for an MRI after my traction is done and hope that we can find something.  He's afraid there is something growing down there that they haven't been able to find because they haven't done the MRI.  Oh and I put Ice and Heat on my hips every night hoping that will send some relief.  The most recent thing my doc said was that it might be Troncheratic Bursitis.  If so, are the shots really bad?  How long will I have reliefs if I get the shots?  How long before I'll be truely mobile again.  

I am going on leave to see my husband (who I haven't seen in 7 months) and would like to be able to keep up with him.  We are both very active people and enjoy being outdoors, riding bikes, hiking and such.  Does anyone have any other ideas that might make sense?

Thanks!

[Zak_Han]

Hi,there
"Bringing my legs to my chest for a stretch causes sharp pain at the crest of my hips and down to the very tops of my thighs"
It seem that you suffer from back problem ( soft tissue injury or stenosis ,about L1-L3)
So you should go to doctor for MRI scan,after that, find a suitable treatment.
An inaccurate self-diagnosis may lead to further damage to spinal structures .
Take care!

[krndhn]

I've just recently  had  injections in both hips - no they don't hurt.  I was diagnosed with bilateral trochanteric bursitis also.   It also took awhile for them to come up with that diagnosis.  After  my orthod did xrays, then put me through physical therapy.  had me on muscle relaxes and pain killers, she finally said maybe I should try the injections.  I had relief immediately and haven't had any symptoms since.  I do however so  periformis stretches each AM before getting out of bed - Drs. orders so that the problem won't recur.

Good luck - I feel your pain!

[jtolkien]

I pretty much have the same problem. I started getting bilateral hip pain back around July or August of 2006, it is non-stop 24 hours a day, but the pain is not severe, maybe 1 on a scale of 5. I am also active duty Air Force. I don't fly, so don't know if that rules anything out. I have gotten 2 x-rays done, they found nothing. I have gone to Physical Therapy and they gave me the inserts as well, did not help whatsoever. I also went to a chiropractor for a while, no improvement, and recently they started doing accupuncture, but that has done nothing to help either. The pain spikes up to a 2 or 3 every once in a while, but usually stays at a 1. When I lay down on my side I feel pain along the outer thigh as well, so I have to lay on my stomach or back. The doctors don't believe it is arthritis because it feels like it is more towards the surface area. I am at a loss and the doctors pretty much said they have no clue.