pain on side of hips since surgery 12-2010 (diabetic)

Hi, I just want to know if anyone else had this problem. Right after my surgery on 12-2010 i've had this pain on outter side of both hips. it's a dull,burning pain. I got it right after the surgery, never had this pain before. I am diabetic.

I posted this question before. I'm trying to understand this pain. it will help if someone out there has or had the same problem??

and its not a clot.
 

so sorry you are having pain . I never heard of people having pain in the hips though.  If it was me I would be calling my doc and talk to him about it and see if he can help you out any.

I hope you feel better soon !!!

Could be a pinched nerve.

Usually when you have surgery they strap you down to the table, many times for abdominal surgeries the strap goes across your upper thighs hips.  I'm wondering if the strap may have been a bit too tight and pinched the nerves. Diabetes would make this even more probable.  I would talk to my surgeon

 I had to read this thread because I have chronic pain on the side of both hips, but it has nothing to do with my surgery, and my guess is that your hip pain coming right after your surgery is coincidental, especially because you're diabetic. I am also, and after struggling with the hip pain for six months I finally found a doctor (chiropractor) who took me seriously and ordered a nerve conduction test. The results show that I have diabetic neuropathy. I never would have guessed that myself (especially since I'm not a doctor!!) because in all the diabetes education I received, all I ever heard about neuropathy was related to burning, stinging, pins & needles, and numbness in the feet. When I had the nerve conduction test, I had none of those symptoms. About a year later, I did start having burning pain in one of my toes, unrelated to any injury. So to make a long story slightly shorter, I wonder if your hip pain is from a pinched or irritated nerve. If I were you, I'd discuss it with both my PCP and my surgeon. 

Lyrica is the drug often prescribed for this kind of nerve-related pain. I haven't tried it yet because it can have a lot of side effects (including weight gain - just what I need!).

Oh, one more comment. My chiropractor, personal trainer, and the PA at my orthopedic doc's office have all told me that my IT bands (the iliiotibial tissue that runs from the hips down the thighs to the knees) are very tight. Usually this causes knee pains in runners, but excess weight (as in the obese or in pregnant women) can also stress the IT bands. I've been doing stretching exercises that are helping a bit, so I wonder if some physical therapy might help you. A few years ago I asked my (former) PCP if years of obesity could have done long-term, permanent damage to my body (joints, muscles, spine, etc.) and my body mechanics, and he said yes. So even though I'm a normal weight now, I'm still suffering the ill effects of obesity. Hardly seems fair, does it?

In addition to the stretching exercises, I'm also trying to re-train myself to lie on my back instead of my sides when I sleep. Changing that habit is slow going but when I spend most of the night sleeping on my back, the hip pain is much more manageeable in the morning. When I sleep on my side (either side), even with pillows between my legs and against my torso, the hip pain is so bad, it wakes me up about every 30 minutes. And when I don't sleep well, everything feels worse, especially the body pain.

Jean

Thanks Jean,
what you described is just what I am feeling. I saw a neurologist and she thinks its neurothopy.
I havent"t been able to go to work because of the pain, can"t sit, can"t stand can"t sleep on my sides... and once in a while I do get the needle sticks on mybig toes and on my heel. How do you cope with this pain?? I stopped exercising because of the pain. Today i will try using my gazelle and see if I can work through the pain. I need to go back to work but I sit all day(im a Clerk) in a very stressful office.
thank you again I will read up on neurothophy....
P.S I set up an appt. w/physical therapy..

A

 I cope with the pain in several ways:
1. better sleep from taking an antidepressant called Elavil that has a sedative effect
2. exercise class 5 days a week and stretching 7 days a week
3. pain management from taking a painkiller called Ultram
4. I rarely sit down - I have rearranged my life in a big way so I don't have to sit down except when I'm in the car or for 10-15 minutes at the computer (sometimes I use a netbook instead of my desktop PC - I put it on my art table (kitchen counter height).  I have a retail job (always on my feet) and spend my spare time standing up at my art table.

Supposedly Lyrica is the best treatment for neuropathy pain, so if I were you, I'd discuss that with your doctor. I also suggest that you check out a website called dlife.com - it has tons of info and resources for diabetics, including forums where you can ask questions of other diabetics and/or medical professionals.

Jean

Thank you gals.....