I want to cry.. Hip Pain with no answers.

The hip pain is likely referred pain from the SI joint and/or the lower lumbar. It could be sacroillitis - sometimes that shows on a scan as an area of inflammation, or sacroilliac joint dysfunction. Are you losing any sort of feeling or ability to move/lift your leg? What does the pain feel like - stabbing/burning or more of a soreness? Any radiating pain to the lower leg? Did you start doing any exercise when it started (after a long layoff for treatment) or did you perhaps step wrong off of a curb that could have jammed the joint? Finally, who is doing the imaging - oncology?

I agree with Alice that if you aren't getting answers from oncology to seek out an orthopedist. The scanning they do for cancer they know what they are looking for but won't be as aware about joint issues. If they say they haven't found anything yet - thats a good thing! Suggests it could be more mechanical and you need someone who knows more about how the joints work to take a different look/view. To oncology everything looks peachy as in no mets, but to orthopedics they may see something that needs fixing (you may just need steroid shot into the joint to calm inflammation).

Ive been dealing with a bad lower back and bad SI joint my whole life and it doesn't take much to jam up an SI joint - hence the question about stepping badly. When cancer set up shop down there it became evident through the fact I was slowly losing the ability to lift the leg to take a step forward and it felt like there was a 'rock' in the joint. PT made it worse, chiro made it better (who knows why!). I also had considerable pain from when I wrenched it doing an exercise class after a long period of no exercise - the muscles in my back weren't strong enough to support and protect the joint. Now my left SI is messed up and while I keep complaining about the pain, oncology keep telling me 'well, you don't have cancer there'. I know I don't but can you help me out a little more here?

jesnort5, this is a very interesting thread. I, too, developed hip pain after a sort of vacation I took with my sister. I did a lot of knitting during that time and was sitting a lot. I still got my 10,000 steps each day, but I definitely was sitting more than I usually do. It almost felt like my hip was fractured - although I've never had a hip fx, so I can't say how that feels. I finally went to my doctor and she ordered an x-ray. The x-ray showed only some arthritis in my hip and some scoliosis (which I already knew about).

I still have the hip pain 8 months later. Sometimes it goes down my leg, sometimes it's in my lower back. The first few steps I take are always quite uncomfortable, but then it gets a little better. Sleeping is hard, because it hurts to move in bed. What did help was when a PT friend gave me some stretching exercises for my very tight hamstrings.

I have an appointment with my MO this week and will ask her. I just find it interesting that we both experienced our symptoms after being more sedentary than usual. I'll be curious to see what comes of your pain and if you are able to get it resolved.

All the best to you,

Carol

Serenity: GREAT stretches. Thanks for posting.

The hip crossover is one of the best moves.

Im seeing a PT now for all this and the best, absolutely best exercises she has assigned me have been the Monster Walk and Skater using a light band around my ankles. Helps with strengthening the outer hips. Since we started those (and the lovely massage I got around my sacrum and piriformis last week) Ive been able to get off all painkillers (finally!) and it feels like everything is a lot stronger and moving in one direction. A tight piriformis can also make a hip hurt, so that pigeon pose can help with that. Always do a little warming up first!

I too used to be really active and then a lot of stressful work and too much sitting then cancer and here we are. About two years ago I was working with a trainer weekly and that was the best my body every felt because we were working on my glutes, hips, quads, and some light chest and arm work. One of my PT goals is to get strong enough to get back to working with a trainer again. It really is use it or lose it!

thanks for the stretches serenity. I just did them. Horrible low back and hip pain. Got called back for a biopsy next week after a suspicious mri and ultrasound in the other breast and so now every ache and pain is cancer in my mind. Ugh

Low Country, I'm so sorry for your pain. I think we all, or at least most of us, know what it's like to assume a pain is cancer. I had a sharp sudden pain a few days ago. I can't even remember where it was right now. Maybe in my hand. Had that thought - CANCER! Ugh is right. It's fine right now, Have also dealt with hip and back pain that keep me from sleeping. Hopefully you will get some answers after your biopsy next (I guess it's "this" week now) week.

Hugs to you...

SondraF...so sorry you are in pain. It might be neuropathy pain from the chemo. I know the hip is not a common place but it is possible. You might want to ask your doc about Neurontin. It might be worth a try if all else fails. I have chronic pain and I know it no joke to live that way. Good luck and keep us posted

Biopsy Back. Benign Papilloma. I'll take it!

The onco still wants it out of there so a lumpectomy is forthcoming. I've been second guessing myself for three years for not getting a mastectomy the first time around. Wondering if I should do it now. I understand it doesn't improve my chances but it might reduce my stress.

Lowcountry, benign! YES!! That's such good news!

Obviously this is an opportinity for a redo (to mastectomy) IF you choose. Only YOU know what the right choice is. What would be the bigger trauma; the loss of your natural breast, (with or without reconstruction), or the maybe potential of a recurrence that you could've prevented? Only you can decide. I don't see radiation in your stats- I'm assuming you DID get rads since you had a lumpectomy? If you didn't, I might "vote" that a mastectomy wouldn't be a bad idea, if you could live with it.