Yet another newb. :-)

Hello there, all. I am a 22 year old female, and I was diagnosed with Lupus 4 months ago. I had really bad hand pain and recurring bursitis prior to that which led my doctor to do the ANA testing and it was as high as it could get. He put me on a strong anti-inflammatory (Relafen) and that worked wonders for my hands, but it hasn't been doing much for my shoulder joints, and now lately my hips have been killing me. I have another doctor's appointment scheduled for Wednesday to talk about the recent hip pain.

I joined this forum looking for ideas for pain relief mainly, as most days are pretty uncomfortable (especially at work). I've tried heating pads, Icy Hot, massages, and I had a cortisone shot in my back/shoulder area last week. Does anyone know of ways to relieve hip pain specifically? It even hurts to sit down, and I have to do that for 7 hours a day, and then it hurts worse to get up and walk haha. It seems like I'm doomed no matter what, and I'm tired of taking Vicodin every other day. I would appreciate any responses. Thank you!

-Misty

---

22/F/FL

Hi Misty,

Welcome! This is a great place filled with wonderful, caring people! I hope you like it here!

I too have hip pain from lupus. As you can see by the info in my signature I am on just a couple of meds I think the plaquenil, piroxicam, flexeril and Mtx all help my joint pain in general but I think MTX works better on my hip and lower back pain as they both improved some after starting it almost 2 years ago. It sometimes takes time to get the right "cocktail" of meds and sometimes they still need to be adjusted from time to time. I sure hope you find some relief soon! Take care and keep us posted on how you are doing.

---

Stacie
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding ~ Proverbs 3:5 ~

DX: Lupus, Sjogrens, Raynaud's, Hashimoto's and Celiac Disease
RX: Imuran, Plaquenil, Methotrexate, Flexeril, Piroxicam, Levoxyl, Folic Acid and Tramadol (as needed) and magic mouthwash ( as needed for mouth sores)

Misty,

Welcome to the forum,

Is your doctor a lupus-aware rheumatologist? They are the doctors that are aware of the options in treating lupus --

One way to find the right dr is to check out www.lupus.org. Search for the local group in your area, then contact that group and ask which local docotrs are on their advisory boards or are otherwise working for them. Often this info is on the local groups' website.

Hope you get the right treatment soon,

---

Lynnwood, Lupus & Sjogren's Moderator
"Life is far too important to be taken seriously" - Oscar Wilde

I felt like I was doing fine on the anti-inflammatory when I first started taking it, so I didn't pursue going to the doctor again to see about getting medication to suppress my immune system (because I'm silly like that). I'm also fairly nervous about taking such a medication since it might limit my ability to fight off infections, but I guess it's come to that, so I'll talk to the doctor about that tomorrow. I had to leave work early today after being there for only 3 hours... I sure hope I can find some medication that really works for me so I don't have to get on disability!

---

22/F/FL

Hey Misty! Welcome to HW! Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Have you seen a rhuematologist? With the lupus diagnosis, its kind of odd they didnt put you on a immunosuppressent or plaquenil. I would seriously ask your doctor about it, you don't want to fool around with Lupus and let it get out of hand. Sorry you are having to deal with this at your age, I complelty understand how hard it is and pray you will get some answers and relief you are looking for!!!

Went to the doctor this morning for the joint pain in my hip and shoulders. He said my shoulders have been inflamed for so long (from Lupus) that the muscles and tendons around the joint have become weakened and can't support the joint properly, which is why it now wiggles around so much and sorta dislocates on its own. He said if I don't get treated for it, soon my shoulder will just totally dislocate and I'll have to go to the hospital. So I have to go to an orthopedic doctor. I also have to go to a rheumatologist to see about getting on meds to suppress my immune system. Hooray! He also gave me an EKG when I said I have pain when I breathe in (to check for a pulmonary embolism), and that turned out normal, so I had to have a chest x-ray and bloodwork done. I hope it's something simple, and that my lungs aren't inflamed. It's been hurting to breathe for about 2 months now, 50% of the day, every day. It's like a sharp stabbing pain and it prevents me from being able to take a deep breath sometimes.

---

22/F/FL

Hello Misty,

I feel for you... hang in there. I have Shoulder pain so bad sometimes that I can't even reach up to get a cup for coffee. I also experience bad Hip pain at times and when that is the case my Rheumy up's the Prednisone for a few day's.and that seems to do the trick.

Best Regards
Christine