At night I suffer from painful hips and shoulders. I was regularly given a shot with corticosteroids, but the new GP no longer wanted to give me this and referred me to the orthopedic surgeon. A photo of the hips and an MRI scan of the soft tissues were inconclusive. What now?
Joris Bartstra, journalist with a medical degree.
Our musculoskeletal system is protected with pain signals when you do something unwise, such as applying too much force. When you get older, that system sometimes seems to be very sharp: you experience much more pain in daily life than is necessary to keep everything ‘whole’. Corticosteroids push the limit. They are miracle cures for pain and inflammation, but with long-term use they are destroyers. It gives you diabetes, weak muscles, fragile bones, increases the risk of stomach bleeding and infections, and can make you manic. So I would start by seeing a physical therapist. Is there anything to change the sleeping position or the bed? Are there specific exercises? Keeping moving is always very important. It promotes blood flow to the irritated area and often reduces pain stimuli. If it all doesn’t work, then you have to go back to the doctor. You may want to discuss the risks you are willing to take for a better night’s sleep; maybe with control of blood sugars and bone density? And: what is the effect of a sleeping tablet every now and then?
Would you also like to ask doctor Joris Bartstra a question?
Then click here. Don’t forget to include your name, age and gender. If your question is also interesting for others, Joris will answer it and publish it in Plus Magazine.
