Bursitis & Fibromyalgia

[maelyn]

Since I've had Fibromyalgia, I have constant bursitis in my greater trocanter (hip bursa) as well as a constant inflammation of my SI joints.

I receive shots in my hips every few months, sometimes monthly.  I do the exercises given to me by my DO, however, I have only short term relief from the shots.  I apply ice.  I still have the bursitis and it won't go away.

I never had any hip injuries prior or since to cause bursitis.

Does anyone else have recurrent bursitis with their Fibromyalgia?

[Sally555]

You bet.  I had bursitis or tendinitis or whatever in both my greater trocanter (all over the place) and SI joints. I treated it with ultrasound and got about 80% improvement with pain at rest and more function.  You can buy a machine off the internet for less that $250.

[LLWB]

Yes, I have hipo and both shoulder bursitis along with the fibro. Making it very painful to do about anything. I got home from work tonight, and feel like I'm starting another flair. My feet are tingeling and hurting, my legs hurt, and the fatigue is overwhelming. It was the first rally nice day we have had 68*. I enjoyed it so much, but tonight I'm in misery.
Bursitis is an inflammation of the joint. It seems to come in conjunction with arthritis and fibro, but it is a seperate condition. You shouldn't have over 3 shots of cortisone in a year, according to most specialists.Sometimes they can drain the bursa joints, I've never had that done. Getting old sucks.

[Melissa70817]

I have the exact same thing.  It is very painful.  I have not received the shots, I am scared to death of needles and if it is something I would have to do over and over I will not take them.  I find no relief.  I've tried hot/cold compress, that worked a little but it is a chore to go from cold to heat and back to cold and back to heat every 15 minutes.  My hips are so bad sometimes I can't walk and if I move just right, the pain will take my breath away.  The bursitis in my hips was one of my first symptoms with FM.  

[bensmommy2000]

In fact I am in pain right now. I have had SI shots but the hip and trochanter bpain is getting old. I can barely get sleep at night.

[goofyfoster]

I am so miserable right now I can hardly stand it.  I have had Fibro for over 11 years and this bursitis is not allowing me to get any sleep.  I have had one trigger point injection before and it helped a little, but I can't lay on either side for more than 10 min at a time.  Any suggestions?

[MomJenn]

Dear all of you.  I have fibromyalgia.  I was born with a hip defect had surgery as a baby to fix it.  I have been bothered by Trochanteric Bursitis for years at different degrees.  I am encouraged to find out that I am not alone.  I have all 18 tender points.  The fatigue drives me crazy at times.  I take Elavil which really helps me sleep deeper.  I am taking Neurontin for the jumpy nerves, headaches and pain.  I use two body pillow to sleep around my body.  They help to keep the pain from the bursitis down.  I have had the injections and my doctor does not recommend the draining.  The reading I have done suggests the draining never works.  I also have osteoarthritis.  I have had it since I was 20.  Good luck everyone.

[FurballsMom]

Definitely.  Bursitis and I seem to be constant companions.

[Solstice27]

I hope I am doing this right, I am commenting on the Fibro and Brusitis.

I was supposed to have surgery for Brusitis and bone spurs 4 years ago.  I chose not to do it because I am young and use mostly naturapathic/alternative medicine.  Now my shoulders are in constant pain though some days (like today) are far worse than others. Today I cannot reach across my body.  I am still not sure that I would have been a lot better off with the surgery, but am almost to the point that I would do anything to make this pain stop.  I don't sleep much, my arms go numb if I stay in one spot long.  
I train service dogs as a volunteer and one good tug on the leash and I am useless for days.  My hips are starting to degrade too. My left hip joint sticks and does not want to move at times. Knees are so swollen all of the time that kneeling is a really bad idea.  Unfortunately now I don't have health insurance and could not get help from an allopath.  Over the counter nsaids are the only medicine I can use.

However I can say that for natural relief, Epsom salt bathes are fantastic. Ginger root is a nice systemic ani-inflammatory.  Reiki and Tai chi and Yoga are all good for pain management. When you can move of course.  Even Acupuncture has shown good benefits.  

It is snowing in PDX today and I cannot go outside with my kids, the bad weather has caused my Fibro to flair and I am on the couch with a blanket.
I really only come to these boards when I need to commune with people that understand being this sick even though we don't look sick.  
Though I wish none of us had to go through this, it is nice to know we are not alone in our battle.  

Good luck everyone.  

[godaisntdonefingwme]

Yes Fibro and Bursitis are taking their toll. The cortisone injections have given me some great relief for shoulders, arms, neck and hips. They are not working for the ankle achille tendon area, Can barely walk without vicadon and yet still pain. The injections are always worth a try and I am terrified of needles. The pain from injections last 30 sec most it's worth it for the relief. Provigil has helped me with fatigue for many years but even that is waning. Good luck. Chris

[sweetddd73]

WOW I read your complaints and I see and feel your pain.I sleep with pellowa all around me for the same reason.they are just finding out I have bursitis along with my fibro.I did not know about people with fibro have great chance on having bursistis.you sound like me.I am having pt now for shoulder but after treatment I feel like a truck hit me and all I want to do is sleep.but its hard to sleep when I hurt.nights and when weather chanhges I have hard times.I don't like to go out in snow or cold it mmakes my body worse.I use epsin salt bath icy hot and cold packs and heat all the time.I started having all these problems after auto accident and after my son was born 2001 I was about 28 and I have never been my self scence.I always wonder if any one else has the same things I complain about. There is so much more areas that I have pain and sometimes pain will be weeks and then sometimes I end a few days then will be in anotherr area. Sleep is not good I don't sleep that much because I toss and turn all night after this happening for couple weeks then I pass out and u can't get me up. Then I tend to sleep sometimes in the day pain is there but less then night comes and watch out starts all over again.

[rdemain]

I have it really bad in my shoulders, and effects my arms and hands so bad that I can't move.  I use to not be able to lay on my hips at all, I mean horrific pain not more than 2 minutes and I would have to move.  I got this matters that is like the one with the wine won't spill when jumping on it.  Well I just got the one at walmart that is 2 inchs thick or so.  And now I can lay on my side its great live by it.  It doesn't help my back pain at all but I can lay on my side.  

[onomatopeya]

This week the cool weather gave me an horrible bursitis pain in my hip and also increased the pain all around my body caused by fibromyalgia. Had to have cortisone shot in my hip..couldn't take the pain anymore and not a single pill was able to give me any relief. Hoping the cortisone shot starts working ASAP.

[boxerbabs]

this site has really started 2 open my eyes 2 alot of dishopes & hopes threw God!! But with this being my first post on this site & understanding everyones pain with fibro not sure if i have the bursitis yet! I do know im 47 yrs old i have lost my job 3 yrs ago was told i am 18 for 18 points which i know is the worse. but my main question is does any of you all on this forum also have the wonderful experience of having Chronic Hepatitis C which i am in stage 2 & grade 2. found out i had both back in 2008.Was told by a rheumatoid arthritis dr that I had both smyptoms & basicly im living a double edge sword life style now in regaurds 2 pain. waiting 2 go threw treatments for hepc & the side effects of the smyptoms of my treatments compare to the same pain level of my fibromyalgia & this will go on for up to 42 weeks.Is there anybody with any ideas or the same smyptoms? Thank you all for any help you may have ahead of time!! God Bless u all! Thanks Boxerbabs  

[facingit]

I've had fibro for many years and went undiagnosed until two years ago. Now it seems that every new pain or sign I get is somehow connected to it. I have hip bursitis right now and am suffering along with the rest of you. I'm also getting arthritis in my hands and have found that Osteo Bi-Flex helps with that. I've just ordered an ultrasound/infra red unit to try for further relief.

Good luck everyone with your fight against this painful affliction.

[franandpete]

This is my first time on this site.  I was just recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia last spring.  In the fall, I was at the gym (we all know how important exercise is), and I went on the elipticle trainer, thinking it would be much better than walking on the treadmill...wrong!!! (at least for me)  Both of my hips started hurting significantly.  I started with a new doctor last week to treat my fibromyalgia, and he immediately diagnosed my hip pain as bursitis.  He gave me a shot which had very little effect.  I am glad I found this site, because I didn't know what to think as far as bursitis and fibro.  I was assuming they were two different problems, but it looks like it's all related to the fibro.  Thanks for listening.

[painprincess]

I too have Fibromyalgia and I have had recurring flare-ups of hip bursitis for the past 6 years. I also have had shoulder issues and I dont think there is enough Cortisone out there to stop the pain! :(

[mypain6]

I just had my bursa sac removed in my hip on Wedneday and can already tell a difference.  Will have the right one removed in a few weeks....

Shots did not work for me....I wanted return every three days and that was not an option.

I was getting to where I could not walk...so painful...

Good Luck
Jennifer

[hawaii-2]

Today I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and hip bursitis and tendonnitus in my elbow area. I've had pain in my forearm muscles and joint near my eblow for a few months. It started on the left elbow area and then after about  month it suddenly quit hurting and being sure and started up in the right upper are and joint near my elbow. Yesterday when it suddenly started up in my thigh, I thought enough, get to the Dr. get this diagnosed, but I didn't expect to hear that I have Fibromyalgia and bursitis and tendentious. I can tell you that for the muscle pain in the forearm and upper arm, Biofreeze worked wonders. A few days ago I sent some of the Biofreeze to a friend who has carpel tunnel and some other things and she is trilled at how well it works for her. She said she had cut her pain meds in half. My Dr. told me to spray it illiberally on my hip and that would help and also to take to take Tylenol because Advil's (Ibuprofen can cause serious kidney problems), but I've also just read on another site that Tylenol can cause sever liver damage, so guess I'll stick with what the heath food store told me to take for pain....TART CHERRY JUICE (with nothing else added.Also, the bottle must say tart on the label). This site was my 1st stop in my reach to see what would help. If I find anything that looks like it has real potential, I'll be back and tell all of you.

[hawaii-2]

I just wanted to say, that I do not have anything to do with the Biofreeze co, other than I used the product and it's cold thearpy worked on my skin, muscles, tendons, etc.I found it on eBay and on Amazon.You can only get it online. It's not available in stores that I've ever found.

A few years ago, a pharmacist told me that it has natural menthol in it and at the time it was stronger than anything you could buy OTC.  Also for those of you interested, there is a large difference in how natural menthol and just menthol work. They work on different receptors in the skin. So not all products that say menthol are natural.They may be synthetic. Goggle natural menthol for a full explanation and the differences. This product uses cold therapy that makes your muscles (beneath your skin) feel cool to you, it does not give a hot feeling. On my skin, muscles, etc, with the 4% Biofreeze natural menthol roll on I use, it will last about 3 hrs, but if I put on a second application right after the 1st application dries, then it will last over 4 hours and many times the pain did not come back (in my arms) All these topical products work different, so if you've not had success with other topical treatments for muscle (etc) pain, I'd suggest you get a little sample of Biofreeze and try it.  Biofreeze does have it's own web site you can find it by goggling Biofreeze As I said I have no connection with the co....but I do know the pain many of you are in and I really think it could help you, as it did me...mind you..it doesn't work on my joins.I gather from reading, it does work on some people's joints, but not on my joints, but it does work great on my skin, muscles, tendons, etc Hope that helps a few of you.

[tangle2]

Does nothing for me. I take melatonin at night to get some sleep.

[kerrip72]

I also have fibro and hip bursitis. Have had bursitis for over a year. Cortisone increased my pain. Will try physical therapy next.

[supersick85]

HELLO ALL! AS I READ THIS I'M IN THE SAME CHRONIC PAIN ALL OF YOU ARE DESCRIBING. THE BURSA ALL OVER MY HIPS :(  JUST BY TOUCHING A LITTLE BIT OF MY HIPS IT HURTS, MY BUTTOCKS (BOTH SIDES) HURT ME I'VE BEEN IN PAIN SINCE 2010. FOR 2 YEARS NOW. I HAVE SPEND A LOT OF MONEY SEEING ORTHOPEDICS, Chiropractor and more.
I'm in a lot of pain. I had like 5 - 6 cortisone shots which didn't do nothing to me but increase more bills. I still went to the same doctor and he avoids me and wants me to do a "Bone scan" and told me to see another doctor. He doesn't need to do surgery on me so I think he rather's not have me as a patient.

I don't know what else to do with the HIPS! they kill me.... I sit down at work. I even sign up to a gym and go 2 -3 times a week at work or if not. I do Yoga and Pilates at home and try to stretch as much as I can. I don't know what else to do.

I have a pinched nerve on my back, my neck hurts, and my spine in the top as well.

:( I'm sad... and depress.... I have so much to offer in this world but the pain is killing me.

I'm a female and I'm 27 years old.

My email is ***@**** If anyone has any suggestions please email me. Thanks so much! I hope everyone feels better.

[aheart]

Hi there, chronic pain is not very much fun is it =(  I have it also and now especially because of all the abuse of pain meds in this country, doctors are being pressured to stop taking on pain patience and stop writting pain prescriptions. One thing I can suggest to you to try, no make that three things. You may already have tryied them I don't know but we will go over them anyway.
#1-ssri- the anti-depressants that are well tolerated by most people, they can also help with pain, especially all over pain. Lyrica is one of them, Ultram is another,
#2-This one is for nerve pain which fibro is, Neurontin or Gabapentin, its not a narcotic and is well tolerated by most.
#3-This one is excellent for two ways-excercise and water therapy. Swimming, ask your doctor before starting any new regimen.
Narcotics work the best but they are hard to get, dangerous to your health and life, and they stop working after awhile and that's when the potential for abuse starts in, I know because I have been there. Better to try other avenues first. We are in this for life, not until something heals. So I would also like to suggest you go to the top of the page and find the forums-find user groups inside forums and then Chronic Pain Couch, for people/fellow sufferers! And if you want to talk, anyone of us would be happy to help. Good Luck- Exercise is HUGE also! =) Good Luck!

[Kellery]

Hi Jan,
I've been going down-hill since about the same time that you have.  I think that the ellipticle is good because it is low impact and can still give you a good hard workout.  

Don't give up on your exercise.  It will slow the progression of the disease.   We all have good days and bad days.  Change is something that our bodies don't like.  Maybe once you make the exercise and stretching a part of your routine, your body will do better with it.  Don't think that I'm not in pain, because I am.  Right now, I can hardly sit because my butt and hips hurt so badly.  But, I have gone months where it has been down to a dull roar.  

Also, I have started taking Creatine HCL twice a day on non-workout days and adding another dose right after workouts.  I read that biopsies of the muscles of FM patients have low ATP, hence weakness and muscle pain.  Body builders take Creatine HCL to increase their ATP.  It has really helped me.  Ask your rhumatologist about it.  I'll be that he/she will endorse it.  I think that it may be a little hard on your liver or kidneys.  So, they may need to watch that or you may need to cycle off of it from time to time to give your organs a break.

I've also started adding Branch Chain Amino Acids to my diet.  Body builders also use these to help their muscles recover quicker from work outs.  I'm not sure if it's helping me or not but I'm sure it's not hurting.  My doctors are OK with it.

Have you read Dr. Paul St. Amand's book called "What your doctor may NOT tell you about Fibromyalgia"?  If not, I recommend it.  His guifenisin protocol didn't help me but it was very educational.  We have two different kinds of muscles in our bodies and FM only affects one.  You can learn to exercise the muscles that are not affected by FM, stay in shape, and slow the progression of the disease.

Best of luck to you.  If you have anything to share that has helped, you please let me know.

Kind regards,
Kelly

[cjback49]

Where can I find Dr. Paul St. Amand's book called 'What your doctor may NOT tell you about Fibromyalgia?