Bursitis - how often does it bother you?

[chell]

If you have bursitis how often does it bother you? Since last August I've had it bother me in my right shoulder for several months and in both knees. I've had tendinitis in my right elbow.

My doctor loves to torture me with those long needles so I've had several shots since August, thankfully they help. Yesterday was the first time I had ever had the shots in my knees.

When I first got bursitis years ago it was always in my shoulder and would bother me for a few months then wouldn't bother me again for a few years. I've never had it bother me so much so frequently. It seems like it is hitting every major joint on the right side of my body lately.

Anyway, when you start having it hit you - how long does it usually last? How many places does it hit? What helps besides anti-inflammatory meds and/or steroid injections?

I do also have a brace for my elbow when it acts up and heat and cold packs.

 

[powellrj]

I have arthritis in my body, so I know what you are going through. I had bursitis in my hip a few years ago and had physical therapy for it and it seemed to work. I already take celebrex daily and have had the steroid shots for my arthritis so I know how much you hurt.

 

[chell]

I take Mobic every day, but it doesn't really help. I've tried tons of other medications. My body either doesn't react at all to a medication or had a bad reaction to it. Honestly the only medicine that even takes the edge off is Ibuprofen. How strange is that?

Do you have pain from the bursitis often? He took x-rays of my knees and said there is only about 10% arthritis in the knees at this point. That's good because as bad as the pain is I was afraid it would be worse.

 

[Buckalew11]

I have bursitis in my left shoulder. I also have problems with my left elbow--not sure what that is. I go to the chiropractor for both. No shots yet and hoping never!

 

[chell]

I have bursitis in my left shoulder. I also have problems with my left elbow--not sure what that is. I go to the chiropractor for both. No shots yet and hoping never!

I hope you get some relief from your chiropractor. As far as the shots go over the years I had heard how horrible they were. Honestly they aren't anywhere near as bad as I thought they would be. The ones in my shoulder did keep my shoulder sore for about 1 1/2 - 2 weeks afterwards, but once the soreness from the actual injection was gone the pain from bursitis was gone for weeks. My right shoulder has only had two injections since last August and (knock on wood) there has been no more pain.

I think the shots are so painful for people when they go to a doctor who doesn't give them on a regular basis. If you ever do need them go to a rheumatologist or someone who gives them frequently who could almost give them blindfolded. They will be over quickly and your pain and discomfort will be to a minimum! Aren't you in TN? You can come see my doctor. I'll even hold your hand if you want.

I'm just ready for a few months or even years of being pain free. Over the past year I've tried some natural medicines to see what could help me with the inflammation but I ended up being allergic to them. My chiropractor suggested ginger and turmeric. But the ginger wore down my immune system and the turmeric gave me a pretty nasty allergic reaction with the hives and everything.

 

[Buckalew11]

Michelle,
Thanks for the invitation. So far, for several years, the chiropractor helps. It only flares up once in a while. Except for now, it has been since Jan. or March. It was during a WDW trip that I noticed the pain so badly. I just can't remember which trip! (Good problem to have, huh? )

DH's best friends are both orthos. I do not know if they'd be the ones to inject or not. Not sure what type of doc does that. We're not talking cortisone are we? Well, if so, just be careful of the number of sots. I think normally they only like to do like 3 of those total but that may not be what type shot you are having. Cortisone does a number though, so, please be very careful if that is what it is. My DH has had so many in that elbow of his. His 1st surgeon said he really had no idea of terrible the damage was until he opened him up. Now they will still shoot him because there is nothing left to do but replace that elbow.

Anyway, pain is a terrible thing.
I hope you get the relief you seek!!!
Thanks again!

 

[chell]

I'm glad the chiropractor is helping you. The one I went to did nothing but shrink the size of my bank account. Yeah, that is a good problem to have.

Sadly I am getting the Cortisone injections. Luckily I haven't had more than one in the same location yet. The two I've had in the shoulder were in two different spots. One was the front and one was the back so I don't know if they were close enough to be considered 2 shots for the shoulder or not. I know most doctor's don't like for you to have more than 3.

You have pain in WDW? I have a little pain the first few days from all the walking even if I do a lot of extra walking to get ready for the trip. But I don't usually have joint pain or allergy/sinus trouble when in WDW.

The past few weeks I have been so irritable because I've been in constant pain and so uncomfortable. Even one of the joints in my big toe hurts. UGH! My poor husband just smiles and tells me how much he loves me.

Thank you, I hope you have relief from pain as well!

 

[Buckalew11]

I am very fortunate. I have a chiropractor who treats me for free.

I had pain in WDW in myshoulder and it was very faint. However, when I'd raise my left arm out to the side to point or something, I felt some pain. To move arm forward or back was painfree.

There is a book you might benefit from called Painfree 1-2-3. If I still had our copy I'd send it to you. I thought it might help DH's elbow but sadly he just needs that darned replacement. Check it out at the library or bookstore though!!

 

[wdhinn89]

chell- Have you had your vitamin D level checked by your doctor?

Mine was very low and my whole body ached, especially my right arm where I have bursitis. Rolling over in bed was very painful and I woke up all the time. I was given perscription strenght vitamin D( 50,000 iu) by my doctor and I feel like a new person.

 

[chell]

Brenda - thanks for everything and thanks for the book. I'm going to see if I can get it tomorrow.

Wdhinn89 - What made your doctor check for this? Were there other symptoms? I go back to the doctor Wednesday so I'll do my best to remember to have her check it then. I know exactly what you mean about the pain when rolling over in bed. That is a horrible feeling. I'm glad you have found some relief. Thank you for sharing!

I had a change in my medicine about 6 weeks ago and I really hope that isn't what is causing all this pain.

 

[wdhinn89]

Wdhinn89 - What made your doctor check for this? Were there other symptoms? I go back to the doctor Wednesday so I'll do my best to remember to have her check it then. I know exactly what you mean about the pain when rolling over in bed. That is a horrible feeling. I'm glad you have found some relief. Thank you for sharing!

My doctor just checked me randomly when I went for my yearly check up. Studies have found that vitamin D is alot more important to our bodies than previously thought and alot of people are deficient.

Good luck on Wednesday. Aches and pains really stink. It makes me feel old

 

[chell]

My doctor just checked me randomly when I went for my yearly check up. Studies have found that vitamin D is alot more important to our bodies than previously thought and alot of people are deficient.

Good luck on Wednesday. Aches and pains really stink. It makes me feel old

Thanks! It makes me feel old too. My body feels to be about 80 or 90 some days.