Does anyone else have S I joint pain? About a year ago, I had several steroid injections and I had a terrible reaction. The pain is coming back and I have an appointment Monday with my orthopedic doctor. Are there any other treatments that I should consider?
Hi Andy,
Have you thought of seeing a Rheumatologist also? With my SI pain... none of the injections helped..
There may be more to it.... thinking of you..
gentle hugggs
Karen
Hi, SI pain really saps my good cheer, I’ve never found anything that helps it besides using my TENS machine when I’m on my feet. I’ve learnt to avoid what triggers it off ( for me its standing for too long) so I will do anything I can to avoid that, and be gentle with myself until it subsides…I usually avoid, sitting, standing, laying for too long, double up on my NSAIDs and amitriptyline (suggested by my doc) until the worst is past. Hope you feel better soon x
Karen,
I see a rhuematologist and I take Enbrel, Methetrexate, and Celebrex. The S I pain gets to be too much. The injections really help but the side effects were horrible. I went to PT at the same time, but it just comes back. I am not willing to get the injections again, my BP was high, I had anxiety, and my face was swollen for 3 months. I would like to know if there are other treatments, that I am not aware of.
I've found light stretching(hurts at the time but when released eases the pain), light yoga, bath or hot tub when I can get in and foam rolling to be helpful. I've had cortisone injections in both hips and found it really helped, however the injections weaken the tendons and have been told that I can only have so many.
In the past I have been diagnosed with priformis syndrome and bursitis in both hips, saw a sports therapist and worked with a physical therapist. It would act up and I would use celebrex along with stretching and rest until it settled, however now it's a daily thing. Both buttocks and lower back burn with any activity.
I just had a flare (increased inflammation to the point of not being able to use the joint) last week in my right buttock and found Celebrex to help with the inflammation. I'm taking MTX weekly and sulfa daily and find that when the pain and inflammation increases I need more.
I also find massage oils and creams to be helpful. A couple I currently use are Welda's Arnica massage oil, Gardenr's Dream Cream from Aroma Crystals and one that also helps however can cause the skin to burn is tiger balm. Hope you find some relief soon!
Thought I would share this picture. As you see the piritormis muscle runs along the sciatic nerve. Some times the sciatic nerve can also run through the piriformis muscle. Any increased inflammation in the area could also increase pain levels as the sciatic nerve also is in that area. Sitting, lying down, and getting up after resting all can cause increased pain. I found the best relief just standing in one area. Going to the bathroom, getting into bed and walking all required assistance when the inflammation was bad. The key is to stop the inflammation. Hope this helps anyone suffering with SI pain understand.
Great info. I have had injections for piriformis too, and they help...just don't last forever. At work, I stood on cement for 10 years. I've had one hip replacement, but they say the other one is ok, except for the SI joint dysfunction, bursitis, and piriformis! lol I can't sit, drive, or stand for very long. If I accidentally sleep on the wrong side, it hurts for days.
It's really a literal pain in the butt and one of the worst areas of for pain for me. I hear you in regards to sleeping. I find I have to sleep in the same position every night with a pillow between my knees. If I try to change sides I pay and also spend the night tossing and turning to find a position that is comfortable, only to end up in the one and only position that works.
hallo Andy,
My si joints became so inflamed and tight my left leg was about 1/2inch shorter than the right. Physio and daily strengthening and stretching exercises combined with Enbrel, celebrex and a small dose of prednosine keeping the inflammation down are keeping it at bay now but I'm always aware of it after standing for long or walking on smooth hard surfaces.
I hope you find a solution soon.
has anyone found a muscle relaxer that helps?
Yes Laura, I do get sciatic pain along with the pain of inflammation from the pirifomis muscle. The reason being, the sciatic nerve runs along side(sometimes through) the pirifomis muscle. I would think any inflammation in that area would cause sciatic pain. The pain varies depending on the inflammation level. It can radiate in the groin area, lower back and legs. I'm including a picture of the sciatic nerve...
Laura E D said:
Hi TaraLynn,
Thanks for the excellent illustrations! Do you get your pain in the piriformis along with sciatica? On me it hurts where the sacrum attaches to the ilium as well as deep in the anterior joint capsule of the hip joint...sans sciatica but definitely unsteady on my feet.
Well...my pain is getting worse by the minute. I have 3 different muscle relaxers, Flexeril, Robaxin, Baclofen and I have neurotin...all from various injuries and joint problems. I've looked online to find out which is best for SI joint pain, but I couldn't find anything specific. Does anyone have experience with these muscle relaxers?
Andy said:
has anyone found a muscle relaxer that helps?
I had terrible si pain. Tried everything but my rheumatologist injected my sciatic nerve in piriformis and it has helped. I did prolotherapy and all kinds of stuff. My meds have helped also.
Andy, I haven't tried muscle relaxers for SI pain. I did take a Tylenol 3 for pain during this past flare, along with Celebrex. It took a few days for the inflammation to go down, but I feel the Celebrex made the biggest difference after suffering a few days. You may want to contact your doctor in regards and see what he/she recommends. I contemplated taking to Celebrex daily 200mg morning and 200mg in the evening, but managed with one daily.
Andy said:
has anyone found a muscle relaxer that helps?
I don't think a muscle relaxer will work on this kind of pain. Muscle relaxers work when muscles are so tight they spasm. In piriformis pain it tends to be inflammation that causes pain. So an anti inflammatory every day helps. Sciatic pain is nerve pain. Something like gabapentin or neuronotin works on nerve pain but again you can't just take it once or twice. This is something you will need to work with your doctor on. PT, heat, rest and esercises help it from happening along with medication as directed by the physician, most likely daily anti inflammatory or nerve pain med. depending on the origin of pain which a physician can help identify.
Good luck with it. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
I have a S I belt that helps when I am suffering. It is worn low on the hips and supports enough to reduce the load on the joint.
I bought it online and I use it along with the other basic treatments. I also mentioned in another post that I have Lidocaine patches I use to numb certain areas.
hope you feel better.
I have dealt with the trio of pain SI,piriformis & hip bursitis,I got immediate relief from having 3 injections into the 3 areas. I also had PT & he recommended a SI joint belt which is pretty good.
I was fortunate enough to see a neurologist for my migraine issues and he put me on Gabapentin for nerve pain in my neck. It has helped,especially on bad days when the hip or neck is so intense I can't sleep.This was before my diagnosis and the first question I will ask when I see him in two weeks is .. Is this good for people with PsA or should I be avoiding this type of meds. Who KNows? I do know I can feel the difference as soon as the eight hour dose wears down, after about seven hours. In the meantime stick with whatever you found that relieves it a little. I find it best not to resort to the medicine cabinet but to come here to the site and let it take my mind off of me for a little while. Hope this message finds you feeling a little better.:)
I have SI pain and inflammation I have to be honest I have suffered in pain and went to a chiro but since being diagnosed with osteoporosis ans possible fractures I am afraid to go back. I a currently having a lot if pain in my tail bone. I resist going to dr for pai issues because a lot of them act as if you are looking for drugs so I just suffer with it. I hope you get relief from your pain.