I'm Getting Myself In A Tiswas!

[thelewisgang]

I have had awful LOW buttock pain since last October. It started in my left buttock but then also went to the right side a few weeks later. The first GP I saw diagnosed Piriformis. When it didn't improve (actually got worse) after exercises he told me to do, I went back & was sent for physio. First one said it was Bursitis, then another one said a Hamstring problem. I was eventually sent to see a consultant at the hospital (in February this year) & she ordered an urgent MRI scan. This showed a slight hamstring problem in the left leg but no problem in the right. It also showed arthritis in my left hip area & the consultant feels that the low buttock pain I am experiencing is actually referred pain from my hip. I have now seen a radiologist who is going to do a CT guided facet joint injection using marcain polyamp steripack & although I have always thought my pain threshold was good, I am not relishing to thought of having this done as I had a steroid injection 3 years ago for a trochanteric bursa on my left thigh which did not help & subsequently had it surgically removed at a later date & the pain was excruciating. The pain I have now is so intense especially after I have been sitting for a while & then get up but I have the pain when walking, bending too. I know I am being silly for worrying but I can't help it! Are all steroid injections really so unbearable?

[thelewisgang]

I would add I am a fit, late 60's woman & walk daily

[Flonska]

Since I suffer badly from osteo-arthritis, I empathise. Over the years, I have had several steroid injections into my joints and had to "grin and bare them." Eventually the right shoulder was repaired surgically and the left one will be sorted this year. As for the pain in my hips - I had both of them replaced in 2011. Your procedure can be done under local anaesthesia but only the skin area is affected so it may be a bit uncomfortable. If you have concerns - talk it through with your clinician. Hopefully, though, you will become pain free soon.

[thelewisgang]

thank you Flonska for your reply. I really do think I had a bad experience when I had the steroid injected 3 years ago & hope this time I won't experience the same pain. I know it won't be pain-free & will let the caring staff know of my worries when I go on the 27th April. I too hope the injection(s) help as the pain (like any pain) has really dragged me down in recent months. I appreciate you taking the time to post your reply x