Pain relief?

[zingrid]

Hello!

I'm new to the forum, and am thrilled to have discovered this fountain of knowledge! I'm currently awaiting the results of my second MRI (with contrast) as my doctor believes I have a detached labrum. I'm hoping to find some relief via holistic therapies. At present, I'm using ice during the day and muscle relaxants at night so I can sleep (they ward off the "spasms") I have an acupuncture appointment next week, and am keeping my fingers crossed that it helps. Any pain relief advice would be greatly appreciated!

[oscarsmum]

Hi,
Welcome to the group. I am sure you will get lots of support from everyone on here. We all know what you are going through. I haven't tried Acupuncture, but would be interested to hear how you find it. I used a TENS machine which helped a little but mostly relied on pain meds and heat and ice. Do you have a date for a follow up appointment ? Do you know if your injury was caused by an accident or some underlying bony problem?
Kate

[zingrid]

Hi Kate,

Good to hear from you! I'm sure I will be on here frequently, as I live alone and am receiving little support from family and friends. They seem to think it's like a pulled muscle, that it will simply heal on it's own (I wish!) I see the doctor for a follow up in about 10 days, but hope he'll be decent enough to call me this week with results. He said I will most definitely need surgery if it's detached. So I've made appointments with the only two hip specialists/surgeons in Chicago that deal with this issue (one on August 20th and the other on September 14th).
The spasms (catching?) which I attributed to a pulled groin muscle, started a few months ago but have progressively worsened in intensity and frequency. I can't walk more than a few feet without limping now, and sitting for any length of time is challenging. I think it's due to an underlying problem, though the doctor said he didn't see anything grossly deformed. When I suffered a herniated disc about 15 years ago, the doctor told me I had very limited rotation in my left hip. Guess it was just bound to happen!
Thanks for your response, and I'll let you know how the acupuncture goes!

[Lambda]

i,
I had a torn labrum, possibly linked to hip dysplasia I was born with. I tried to avoid surgery as I am very physically active but eventually the cartilage became too damaged and had to be operated on. I had pain almost everyday for 1.5 years (that's how long it takes to get into Orthopedics here). In the meantime, I tried the following to help with the pain:
1. Extra Strength Tylenol (BUT shouldn't take it chronically, it hurts your stomach and is not good for you).
2. phsyio --> to strengthen the muscles surrounding the hip. It helps because you rely less on the damaged hip and more on the surrounding muscle. Really helped.
3. Cortisone/steroid injections--> painful for the first few days and cannot be used often because it harms cartilage. It didn't help me much but others swear by it.
4. TENS electrostimulation and ultrasound with anti-inflammatory cream --> AWESOME. They do it at physio.
5. Acupuncture--> Helped a bit but relief didn't last long (day or so). It doesn't really hurt, kinda more like pressure. I'd do it again.

Other than that, if you sleep on your side, it helps to put a pillow between your knees.

I'm 2.5 weeks out of surgery now and can really notice the difference...most relief I've had in a while
Good luck!

[oscarsmum]

Zingrid,

Try and find out the cause of the tear/detachment. If it is due to dysplasia or FAI that needs to be treated as well (unless the dysplasia is very mild) otherwise you are at a higher risk or retearing. I had an Arthroscopy for dysplasia, and it made my joint more unstable and I subsequently needed a PAO. I don't want to scare you, just want you to explore all the options so you can make an informed decision.
Keep in touch
Kate

[Rayray]

Zingrid,

I had symptoms very similar to you and the only things that really helped were heat, I used a hot water bottle back wrap that you could heat in the microwave, and painkillers. I have to say though that when I had the severe catching which was every other step and very painful I resorted to crutches as no painkiller touched it at all. Painkillers helped the aching but the catching was so extreme nothing touched it, not even the strong opiates I was taking for severe back, hip and sciatic pain. The crutches helped hugely because they prevented me swinging my leg back and causing the catch.

I hope you find something that helps. By the way I had profound Cam and Pincer hip impingements with torn labrums.

[missiongirl]

Hi Zingrid,

I also did the accupuncture route and it gave me minor relief. I decided it was not worth my $ in the end as I could not claim the $ with insurance and there is many sessions involved to start getting the benefits. The whole pain relief thing is a whole thing...sorry to hear you have to go there too. I also took XS Ty:enol, Tram*dol,...& a drug store brand of painrelief with codiene in it..like a Tylen*ol 1 they keep behind the counter..I can't manage the stronger ones as the codiene knocks me into sleeping for 24 hrs. I also found heat at nite very helpful and a nice hot bath. Moist heat is really good for you...have a hot tub? I suggest also trying to go swimming or a water activity as it a low-impact activity to remain active...and they have hot tubs there - so bonus. I had difficulty walking up-hill..my tear was anterior at 12 o'clock and often wondered if that is why I had difficulty with this.. a topical & oral anti-inflam is helpful as well...very hard on the tummy if you find yourself eating them like candy as I have. The doctor gave me another drug to coat my tummy to help out with that. Good luck with your appt's how exciting & sure hope you get good news!!

[Hekate01]

I need new pain relief as i've been taking mine now for 4 years solidly everyday! So 8 Tram, 8 Para 2 dicol But only works by third dose, which is tea time?? What else is there to try? I'm seeing the GP tomorrow? Gotta get another sick note as ESA don't accept a non dated one? WTF not on the first sick note, stupid system.This was to help my partner look after me and the children without the job centre constantly being on his case, but by claiming this you get less money (as disabled people obviously need less money!!! LOL) and all this hassle of constant sick notes and we both have to go into the job centre on workshops to say why we can't work!!! How is this less hassle than my partner saying he can work but only part time??

Anyways sorry for the off tangent rant, and hijacking the thread guys!!!
Loved acupuncture myself but it didn't really help with hip pains, but all other pains it did and it's so relaxing, i'd definitely do that again and again!!

[Rayray]

Sorry about the sick note problems - they do like bits of paper in the UK don't they!

Ask your GP about a pain patch. I know I go on about Butrans but it was great and I think there are others. The first few days are challenging as your body adjusts to it and I had to stay on the lowest dose otherwise I couldn't function at all but, once I was used to it, it was great. It constantly gives you a low dose of strong painkiller and none of the stomach side effects of anti imflamms or codeine. There is no pain catch up as you are always on a constant dose. As I said if you can get through the first few days it is good - well it was for me. Coming off it is a challenge as well and requires determination. In the six months before surgery I am not quite sure if I could have managed without it.

[Hekate01]

Cheers Rayray i will ask about the patches, as i'm scared of ulcers and other tablet related problems. The uk seems to only function on bits of paper that authorities can't pass on to each other, oh no they need it fresh each time even if that means having 10 copies of the same thing!!