Hi Barbara

Just a note to say I m sorry you are having so much continual pain, it really is awful for you when there is no let up especially at night when you need restful sleep.

Just hope it does subside a little and you have much needed relief, roll on the 13th !

Thinking of you, Julia xx

Hi Barbara

Sorry to hear you are in such a bad way at the moment ... I am in a similar boat just now and hence I am posting in the middle of the night!

I have in the past suffered greatly with trochanteric busitis of the right hip and this sounds very similar to what you are describing. The pain in the hip and down the leg can be totally immobilising. I had several non-effective joint injections into the hip before finally being referred for injection by ultrasound. The inflamed bursa can be easily spotted on the scan meaning the needle could be targeted to the precise are of inflammation; the result was very fast relief and a long lasting outcome. The rheumatologist should be able to identify whether this is the problem and refer you for treatment. The best way I can describe it is if you lay flat on your back and then try to raise the affected leg from the hip across your body, if it is the greater trochanter you will feel it pulling across the hip joint and down through the leg. In fact it is possible that pain will stop you from doing this. Have you tried a hot water bottle on the hip, as a temporary measure?

As regards ulcers, I used to get a preparation called Adcortyl in Orabase, a thick paste which you apply as necessary; it always worked well because it actually adhered to the ulcers unlike water based products that quickly dissolve. I believe this has now been discontinued in the UK but might be worth asking a pharmacist if a similar product is available.

Hope things improve for you soon Barbara, it's no joke being in continual pain. Pecker up chuck, don't let the b****r get you down.

Lyn xx