Sorry I don't know the answer to your question, but wanted to let you know that I feel your pain, literally! Was up at 3 am because of my hips this morning! I am interested in the answer as I see my rheumatologist again in 2 weeks.

It's funny because it ( or at least I thought) has been my back bothering me, but after my Humira shot yesterday things calmed down some and I think the back pain is more referred pain from the hip!
Good luck, hope you get some relief soon!

Sorry Steph, I don't have the answer either. Looking back, my hip was my first indicator something was wrong. I got X-rays and mri. It showed some ligament tears and inflammation. I was a long distance runner in those days, so I blew it off. The last 2 years, it's been my hands, wrists and elbows giving me the most pain and swelling. My meth/enbrel cocktail is not working as well as I would like.
I hope your meds work better this time.
I'm so enjoying the holidays. I have a 2 week break from work. Definitely trying to "refresh"!

I'm sure the doctor will know the best imaging but you can start with an xray right off.

My hips give me trouble and the pain, as it turns out is bursitis, a result of the RA. I've taken 4 Enbrel shots and although it worked super fast 3 years ago, I seem to be slowly getting better this round. I wake up in pain in my hips. By that, I mean I wake up several times at night hurting plus hurt as the day goes on. I've started putting a heating pad on the bed and laying on it (which hurts to) until I wake and switch to the other hip. This really helps. It makes the morning much better.

Hope you get relief by getting back on the biologic!

I have had some bad hip pain at first suspected it was RA related (since our lives revolve around RA I think we always go there first). But, the doctor sent me for physical therapy and the therapist determined that my hips were out of alignment with one hip about an inch higher than the other. He said this is quite common. When I told my rheumy she sent me right off for an x-ray which confirmed what the physical therapist had determined. I've gone to him on and off for a year. He does some gentle realignment and puts my on a neuro-stimulator. I always feel better after the visits. And, I have excercises to do at home which helps.

So sorry you are having to deal with this especially during the holidays. Hoping it all passes without too much more stress

Peace
Bluedogs2

hi steph

i have trochanteric bursitis (MRI of pelvis and hips) of both hips

the rheumatologist did shallow injections in office. nothing. the anesthesiologist at the pain clinic did guided injections under x ray deep into the bursa. nothing. i have taken about 9 different NSAIDS. nothing. when the RA is better controlled i feel better overall but it does not improve my gait or stairs or sleeping or the bursa issues.

i can't keep up with anyone on foot. i am waiting on PT slip and a lumbar MRI since I have severe degenerative issues.

it's all up to my quads and abs and calves now to make me motor. no cane lately due to wrist surgery.

your pain might not be from bursa. it could be from referred s/1 Lumbar stuff. or it could be a fix like others posted already.

when do you see the rheumatologist again? mine was more than happy to do initial hip cortisone hips injections in her office. no referrals no hassle. it might work for you. worth asking.

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_conditions/hic_Bursitis/hic_Trochanteric_Bursitis

thanks y'all. nothings too easy with RA, huh?

i don't have my next appointment with my rheumy because i haven't been on the xeljanz. i'll probably see her in the end of january. i have to schedule a physical with my GP as well and might ask him for some input.

like many of you, my hips bother me throughout the day. for some reason, the stairs at work are not horrible for me - getting up and down from chairs is the hardest part. any time i wake up during the night my hips are noticeably painful. i usually wake up a few times because of cats or because i need to get more comfortable - rolling over is really hard.

I have only had a little pain in my hips due to RA. But after I had my son, I had a condition called pubic symphasis disfunction (spelling?) The condition was extremely painful. I went to an ortho surgeon at month 2 who said some people he had as patients were able to avoid surgery by going to this PT. He did an xray to diagnose. The PT did this technique called interfacial release. Cannot believe the instinct pain relief.

I really hope you find relief and feel better soon.