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Hip pain in middle of the night; dull ache that wakes me up. What could it be?

By Anonymous April 28, 2009 - 1:11pm
 
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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?

Add a Comment225 Comments

(reply to NormaSolaon)

Have you ever been to a chiropractor? We think of them as bone manipulators, but they really realign our bones to relieve pressure on the nervous system. A good chiropractor will be able to assess whether you have an alignment issue contributing to your pain, or if you need other medical attention.

My chiropractor is awesome and I won't go into a distance event without seeing her, and always have a session with her after my events. She has done wonders for my chronic hip and back pain.

I hope you get proper treatment soon. Please let us know how you're doing.

July 21, 2009 - 7:53pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to alysiak)

I have been going through all of the same symptoms and have found also that my chiro has helped to a very great extent. I now wear orthopedic inersoles and go once a month for a realignment. I have no extra weight am 61 years old still active but this pain was getting me down. Pain killers mask the problem you fell no pain foe a while so you go on your merry way but never do any thing about the pain so it keeps coming back. Check out if your back hip and neck are aligned and its never too late to start. Im sorry only for the people who cant afford to be helped . because yes it costs money to keep healthy as you get older. good shoes regular chiro and personal trainer to keep the muscels and bones strong. I never excercised after leaving school and now I ave to as I feel all my body getting weak. Hope I have helped someone. Cheers Jackie

May 13, 2010 - 1:16pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to alysiak)

As a Legal assistant who sees many claims with respect to chiropractors and mistakes that can happen with them, I strongly suggest that you try other avenues first and if you feel you still need to see a chiropractor, very carefully pick your doctor. I personally will not ever see one and this is after seeing reports from other doctors and other medical professionals. Good luck

August 21, 2009 - 6:56am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Chiropractors have the lowest rate of being sued of all the healthcare professionals, including physicians and PTs. What "mistakes" are you referring to? Chiropractic is a godsend for me and many others who are in pain. And they don't rip you off like the drs.

August 14, 2010 - 5:46am
(reply to Anonymous)

I DON'T WANT TO SCARE ANYONE BUT I FEEL THE NEED TO SHARE WITH YOU WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. It all started w/annoying pain the left hip and groin area AND ONLY while I slept. It would wake me up every night and was more annoying than painful.
I went to my GYN because I thought it was a pelvic problem which was radiating to my hip and at the same time I went to see my family doctor. A transvaginal sonogram and x-ray of left hip were ordered.

They did find a cyst in my left ovary but my dr. assured me that this was not the cause of my pain.
The X-Ray showed a density (spot) in one of the bones of my hip and an MRI of the hip was ordered.
Had the MRI of the hip which came back clean - however another density was found in one of the bones in my sacrum for which a cat scan of the sacral area was ordered.
CAT scan came back clean.
By this time (a month or two had gone by during all this and the pain had gone to annoying waking me up to VERY PAINFUL waking me up.)
My dr. referred me to an orthopedist who diagnosed me as having greater trochanteric BURSITIS. He prescribed anti-inflammatories and stretches which were absolutely ineffective. The pain was growing in intensity and was starting to last way into the morning. I was VERY uncomfortable at this point. I went back in for a cortisone shot and expected this to be the end of my problems. NOT. It got so much worse to the point where I couldn't put on my shoes or socks in the morning, I couldn't go to sleep w/o something to knock me out as well as ice, icy hot patches and every other pain killer I could find and that STILL was not giving me any relief. I wasn't sleeping and I was miserable. I MUST ADD THAT THROUGH THIS ENTIRE ORDEAL I could still work out during the day vigorously w/o a problem. The pain was STRICTLY AT NIGHT OR WHEN I LIED DOWN. ACTIVITY DID NOT CAUSE THIS PAIN, LYING DOWN DID. I was so miserable however, that after a time, I could not even work out so I took a month off and it did not help one bit. I scheduled another appt. with my orthopedist but he was on vacation so they gave me another appt with his partner, a surgeon, but I had to wait about a week during which time I started to notice numbness in my leg between my knee and ankle, the pain was well into my entire leg at this point shooting down from my hip and when I'd walk, my left foot wasn't bending like my right - it was just slapping the floor. I went back a week later and was thoroughly examined by the orthopedic surgeon who told me that what I was experiencing was called foot drop and that combined w/my numbing leg was a sign that this had something to do with my nerves and not a bursitis at all. He ordered an immediate (next day) MRI of my entire spine and a consultation with the neurologist upon the results of the MRI. The MRI showed a HERNIATED DISK and this combined with the numbing and the foot drop meant that there was nerve damage. They admitted me into the ER immediately and scheduled surgery for the next morning. Upon opening me up - guess what they found???????????????? A CYST in the joint of my vertebrae. There are all kinds of fancy terms for this but I'm at a loss for these terms right now. Had they not operated, the nerve damage could've been so much worse, I could've gone paralyzed. I now am 100% PAIN FREE thank goodness. I do, however, still have the numb feelings and the footdrop b/c the damage is done. The neurologist prescribed physical therapy which would get me back only 80%.
SO LADIES; I hope I didn't panic anyone. I just must tell you to be careful, listen to your body and don't always take the doctor's word for it. If it hurts, keep probing until you get to the bottom of it!!!! If you have any questions or comments, don't hesitate to contact me at [email protected]

April 28, 2010 - 7:46am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I have a similiar condition, but not much at night yet, I'm 34. I get a dull ache in my right leg when I sit one way too long. At the end of the day it tends to get worse and I can't get in a comfortable position. I rarely sit all day, I'm a teacher. I am also a runner and have been for 19 years, I am not overweight. I eat fairly healthy. I have two young children, but have alway had issues with my hips hurting and leg pain when I sit. I don't know why its my right side or why I can't seem to get comfortable. My grandfather and mother have RLS, and I really hope I don't get that.

July 15, 2009 - 9:14pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I 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 - 5:38pm
(reply to Anonymous)

I have the same symptoms and wonder what the doctor said to you.
I exercise etc and am not overweight - and cant relate my symptoms to any activity.
would like some ideas!

February 20, 2011 - 12:22pm
(reply to Anonymous)

I would like to know what the doctor said to you.
I am older and have the same symptoms and have had a negative hip Xray. I am active - walk and swim and am not overweight - so am really puzzled as to what is going on. I cant seem to connect the symptoms with any activity.
would like some more ideas please!

February 20, 2011 - 12:20pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I 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
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