ask: Hip pain in middle of the night; dull ache that wakes me up. What could it be?
I am in my mid-30s, and have recently been having pain in my hips in the middle of the night. It reminds me of the RLS (restless leg syndrome) commercials, although I do not have any of these symptoms (no needle-sensation, no crawling-sensation). It is a dull ache, and I try to move my hips and legs around to get rid of the pain (it feels like it is deep inside, not a muscle or bone), but moving it seems to irritate it a little more. It is actually not on my hip bone, but closer to the middle of my "gluteus maximus" on each side. It's been happening the past few weeks, always around 2am or 3am and wakes me up.
I've been taking some ibuprofen, and eventually falling back asleep, but would rather not have to keep taking medication.
When I was pregnant with my child 3 years ago, I had a real problem with my sciatic (spelling?) nerve in my hips. Feels similar, but not the same.
Any suggestions?
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Hi,
There was another recent question about leg pain, does this sound familiar to what you are experiencing: Right Leg Pain End of Day?
Do you exercise or are you physically active much during the day?
Are you on your feet, or sitting, most of the day?
What is your diet like?
You may try using a pillow between your knees when you sleep, to see if that helps. A heating pad may also help, if you'd like to stop taking pain medication this evening.
Also, make sure you are drinking enough water during the day; if is pain in a hip joint, that can help.
If you are not physically active, you may want to try exercise gently. Perhaps a pool would be a good choice? Soaking in a hot tub can help sore muscles (although you said it doesn't feel like a muscle ache).
If you are sitting most of the day, make sure your chair is comfortable, at a good distance from the floor (feet should be flat on the floor, or get a foot stool for under the desk), and good posture can help with your pelvic muscles.
Let us know if any of this helps!
April 28, 2009 - 1:17pmThis Comment
I have a few other questions for you:
How much time do you spend sitting every day?
Do you sleep on your side?
How physically fit and active are you?
How old is your mattress, and is it a spring-coiled mattress?
Any of these issues could contribute to joint pain.
April 28, 2009 - 5:29pmosteoarthritis
May 17, 2009 - 1:03amI have the exact symptoms as you. I have had RLS for many years, and you're right, this feeling is very simular. However, this only started over the past couple years, but has progressively worsened. I don't know what it is , and nothing really helps except heavy pain pills, which I don't want to use. Anti-inflamatories have not worked at all. I don't think it's sciatica. It's not a sharp pain, and no position helps or worsens it. It's just a deep dull ache that you can't get away from. Mine tends to happen at night, and keeps me up most of the night. Don't give up searching. I'm not going to. I have an appointment with an orthopedic doctor coming up.
July 3, 2009 - 5:38pmOh my goodness! I am excited to know that other females are haveing the same symptoms! You have exactly the what I've been describing to my PCP. He suggested that I see a back doctor. This pain happens at night and it's in my right leg and hip. It is getting worst. I can't sleep at all with it. I have tried the heating pad and also Tylenol Arthritis. The heating pad did help but the Tylenol only ease it a little. Please if any of you have discovered what this is, let me know. I am going to make an appointment with an orthopedic doctor very soon today!
January 25, 2010 - 9:27amI also have this problem and have been searching for answers. The pain seems to only come at night around my hip and pelvis. I remember it starting when I was carrying my third child and thought maybe the baby was on a nerve or something. Eight years later and it's still a problem. Any help with this would be so appreciated.
February 10, 2010 - 5:50pmI had a similiar problem and was recommended to take magnesium. It worked amazingly.
November 28, 2011 - 11:11amSame story here for almost 2 yrs, went to doc ..only to learn had blockages in arteries causes pain in hips and across bum, legs felt so restless,,i just angioplasty in both legs and in aorta..plz see doc asap this is very dangerous and can kill you. I am only 41 very very active..must admit im not the same now at all..get blood pressure in legs checked..my legs were and are dieing,,could lose my legs..im so bummed and since stints put in i do not feel good ever and hips still ache right now sitting up in bed hips aching so bad..sitting is a problem too..
January 20, 2011 - 11:49pmHi i have been getting the same pain for last two years and neurologist / pain specialist told me i have L4-L5 damage where the sciatic nerve is getting pinched in this area which runs downthrough my buttocks and down my legs making my feet numb i get 3 monthly facet joint steroidal injectionals in the L4L5 area which helps alot but weight loss helps too. I was on oxycontin, gabapentin, endone,and many other muscle relaxants for two years which i am slowly reducing . The pain at night was unbelievable the worst ever i was getting no sleep and begging my hubby to help me end it all but it may take a good doctor to find your problem area hope they do. I also had hip bursitis both hip which makes it impossible to sleep on your side good luck
November 10, 2011 - 3:05amI have the EXACT same thing!! it is terrible at night... I am a 39 yr old woman and this has been happening for the past 2 yrs and getting worse. I am physically fit. I exercise. I'm a perfect size 10. What IS this?!?! I'm using Soma & Tramadol to cope (although they say taking them together may cause seizures... excellent! cannot WAIT for that to happen) WTF is plaguing us?!?!
September 5, 2010 - 12:55pm