Can anyone give me any ideas on what to try for pain relief of my lower back and hips?? It feels like someone is stabbing a red hot rod through me... it HURTS so bad, and I need some ideas.

Since the RSD spread to my feet and legs, it has now spread to my hips and whole back. Pain, pain, pain!

I am wearing the lidocaine patches on my hips, and that helps a little bit with the allodynia, in that area so that wearing my clothes is a little easier.

I have tried some muscle rubs, but they all feel like they are burning me up, in addition to the burning pain from RSD.

I empathise loads - it does hurt soo bad.. I lie on top of a duvet on top of my bed (with a posh pressure matress etc) to try and soften it. Haven't really found anything else - but i have changed my underwear so it doesn't dig in to my hips, after experimenting discovered that girlie boxers are much nicer on hips etc than other types - same with trousers, I found losing the low waist band helped a bit. What else? erm... I try and change positions alot.. sorry I can't add anything - but just wanted to say I understand.. Have you tried lying on a sofa and elevating your legs? that can sometimes help me..

Take care

FRxxxxxxx

Hi have you tried anything like a moist rice blanket that you can put in the microwave for one minute, The mosit heat is like a warm bath that in barely warm but it has helped me some with my arm and shoulder. They have these in pillows, blankets, etc. But if you want to try it before you buy it. Get a mens sock and fill it half way with rice then tie it in a knot. Then put it in the microwave a 1 minute. See if that is to hot and if so try 45 seconds. Hope it helps. Gentle hugs.

Annick

You Will Hate This Reply, But It Came From My Back Doctor, And It Really Works. Do Mild Crunches ... It Strengthens The Abdominal Muscles And Thus Takes Alot Of The Strain And Work Off The Back. Also Lay On Your Back, And Bend Up Your Knees, Then Roll Just Your Legs To One Side And Then The Other, Keeping Your Back On The Flat Surface. It Feels Wonderful. I Have To Do Both Before I Get Up In The Morning And I Swear By It. I Think Back Pain Is The Worst! Good Luck. Joan

Thanks, Joan! My physical therapist is actually having me do these at therapy, and now I think I'll give them a try at home as well. It did help doing these yesterday at therapy- I, for the first time left feeling better than when I arrived! Though after several hours I was feeling pretty bad (especially my back and hips)... Maybe there is something to those excercises after all.

Thanks again.

Thanks, Frogga!

Last night I tried sleeping with my legs elevated on pillows and it did help my lower back and hips some. Yay!

A nice big hot bath with 2 cups of epsome salts put in while pouring hot water, I have a floating flat pillow (came with a cheap air matress) that I rest my lower leg on while in the water and I can switch legs too.. I find this realy helps my lower back and hips as well as seemingly draining the inflamation outa my elevated leg as I lower my torso/heart to below water level.. I also have a head pillow that cushions my head almost perfectly.. mmmm heavenly now let those arms float..

Best stress reliever and muscle relaxant the epsome salts are loaded with.. memorys blank.. begins with a M.. helps with the pain.. ??
crap can't remember..

.....magnesium????

Yes, the epsom salts are loaded with that! That is why it is a good muscle relaxant- magnesium has that effect. I supplement with magnesium as well, because it's supposed to help with the spasms some.

Hi
i do hope the exercises work ... hate it but they do help and the epson salts are wonderful. i have used them in foot baths and regular baths. i have the lavender ones which are so relaxing.
hope you feel better! joan