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Tips to ease hip and back pain?

Hello, wondering if anyone can offer any tips to ease hip and back pain. My hip is particularly bad at the moment and I am struggling to sleep.

I am taking Tramadol at the moment but it only seems to touch the top layer. A hot water bottle helps a little but the pain feels "further in" if that makes sense. I've tried sleeping on my back and with pillow between knees but just can't get comfortable. I had a psoas abscess 6 years before being diagnosed with Crohn's and it's been painful on and off, but definitely worse since Crohn's has entered my life!

I'm waiting for a referral to rheumatologist (could be months) so would like to try things in between times to get a little more comfortable. Thanks!
 

Maya142

Moderator
Staff member
My daughters and husband have Ankylosing Spondylitis. I assume you will be worked up for Spondyloarthritis or Ankylosing Spondylitis once you see the rheumatologist (back pain and hip pain are characteristic of SpA).

They use ice and heat. We use ice packs and a heating pad. Sometimes alternating every 20 minutes help. Swimming or even just being in a warm pool can help. Stretching and physical therapy can also help.

Voltaren gel might be a good option. It's an NSAID but since it's topical, not much is absorbed, so it shouldn't bother your gut too much. You may want to check with your GI first though. I think it is OTC in the UK, but not sure.

A TENS unit may also help.

My girls also do use pain medications when necessary. One has particular severe arthritis in her hips and back and needs stronger pain medication than Tramadol. She sees a pain management specialist.

My other daughter has less severe AS, thankfully. She manages with Humira and MTX and an occasional Tramadol.

Hang in there!
 

Maya142

Moderator
Staff member
My younger daughter has particularly bad back pain (SI joint pain) and finds that sleeping on her stomach is most comfortable. If you are used to sleeping on your back, you could try a pillow under your knees.

Spondylitis.org has a lot of good info.
 
My younger daughter has particularly bad back pain (SI joint pain) and finds that sleeping on her stomach is most comfortable. If you are used to sleeping on your back, you could try a pillow under your knees.

Spondylitis.org has a lot of good info.
Thanks very much for all the info! I have a heat pad actually, will dig that out and didn't even think to use an ice pack tbh. Yes volterol is otc, will grab some tomorrow. I'll have a look on that website too.

Many thanks
 

Maya142

Moderator
Staff member
I'll tag my little penguin - her son also has hip and back pain. She might be able to come up with something else.
 
I only sleep about an hour or two a night because of the pain in my lower back,hips & knees (bone on bone).
I take very powerful pain medication (I see a pain management doctor) but my doctor cut my dosage that was really helping me in half about a year ago because of some new DEA regulations, supposedly. She can only prescribe a certain # of mg in a 24 hour period of the meds I take; she said her hands were tied because of all the overdose deaths & DEA regulations.
Between having a hemoglobin of 8, even after 7 iron infusions, abdominal pain from Crohn 's, & the back, knee & hip pain, I'm a walking zombie. I have to wear a C P A P mask to sleep, so can't sleep on stomach.
I can't find co-pay help for starting biologic treatment for the Crohn 's, so I've given up hope of ever feeling better. I don't know how long I can continue to bear the pain and not sleep. I feel like I'm losing my mind.
Feeling hopeless & sad, & in pain.

Dana B
Lufkin TX

Diagnosed w/Crohn 's 2012 after all tests were "normal"; swallowed camera capsule that showed blisters & strictures at terminal Ileum; had bowel resection
Take 9 mg Entocort daily
My inflammation level is always "off the charts" when they test my blood (sed rate)
 

Bufford

Well-known member
I only sleep about an hour or two a night because of the pain in my lower back,hips & knees (bone on bone).
I take very powerful pain medication (I see a pain management doctor) but my doctor cut my dosage that was really helping me in half about a year ago because of some new DEA regulations, supposedly. She can only prescribe a certain # of mg in a 24 hour period of the meds I take; she said her hands were tied because of all the overdose deaths & DEA regulations.
Between having a hemoglobin of 8, even after 7 iron infusions, abdominal pain from Crohn 's, & the back, knee & hip pain, I'm a walking zombie. I have to wear a C P A P mask to sleep, so can't sleep on stomach.
I can't find co-pay help for starting biologic treatment for the Crohn 's, so I've given up hope of ever feeling better. I don't know how long I can continue to bear the pain and not sleep. I feel like I'm losing my mind.
Feeling hopeless & sad, & in pain.

Dana B
Lufkin TX

Diagnosed w/Crohn 's 2012 after all tests were "normal"; swallowed camera capsule that showed blisters & strictures at terminal Ileum; had bowel resection
Take 9 mg Entocort daily
My inflammation level is always "off the charts" when they test my blood (sed rate)
The real victims of the opiate regulation programs are the patients who now cannot access the pain meds we use as tools to manage our condition.
 
Hello, wondering if anyone can offer any tips to ease hip and back pain. My hip is particularly bad at the moment and I am struggling to sleep.
It is not a medication.

But to help you sleep or sit more comfortably, I would suggest:

A soft quilt foam latex underlay topper (you use it between your bed mattress and bottom sheet), to help take pressure off your body and ease the pain in your joints.

Also a body pillow. I have a CuddleUp Body Pillow

In Australia, I use the brand "Thera-med" for mattress toppers and pillows, which is excellent quality.

I find a good nights sleep helps to lessen pain during the day.
 
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