Gluteal tendinopathy - endless pain - losing my mind

Shucks, this sounds like my situation. PRP did nothing. Shock wave seemed to aggravate, and epidurals too. I moved state and started with new doctors, but nothing changes other than here it is harder to get appointments with specialists.
I feel sorry for myself too, I think we all need the chance to vent.
I don't use hydrocodone, I took a tramadol a few days ago and the side effects were awful without helping much. Anyone have suggestions of other drugs that target nerves?

Absolutely, the pain from this is totally mind blowing. I have had this for close to 3 yrs. I don’t know how to get rid of this. I have done significant physical therapy, done the gabapenton, the brain fog was horrible. Had injections, little to no relief. Had the spinal ablation relief for just a few months. What more can be done???

@lkayhoff I have the same questions and I get no answers. I'm in pain most of the time. I've attempted to make an appointment at Mayo and was refused three times. It just keeps getting worse. I gave up my cane and went to a walker about a year ago. Next will be a wheelchair. A week ago I had a PRP injection as a last resort and so far have noticed no improvement. I first had pain after I fell in the army in 1975. They gave me a 0% disability rating. I gave up on trying to get compensation. If you read "The Women" you will understand this better. From the time I fell, my left hip has been higher than the right. I doubt any of this will ever be favorably resolved. Meanwhile, I'll just keep going to physical therapy like I've been told for decades.

@bunstuffer wow, I have chronic lumbar pain from 3 lumbar surgeries, but you sound much worse than I am. Where is your pain? Have you tried going to a fee-based pain mgmt doctor? I'm thinking about that so I don't have to deal with insurance delays. Best of luck to you!

It can take several weeks to experience results from PRP, so don't give up yet. Be sure not to take any anti-inflammatory meds after PRP; that can diminish its effects. If after 6 or 8 weeks you have no improvement, consider "shock therapy" like EPAT.
Good luck!

I am like you in that I used to keep up with friends and social activities. My husband and I used to go to national parks and do small hikes. I loved it and miss it. It's weird that mine comes and goes and moves to different areas. My Gluteal Tendinopathy diagnosis came after 2 years of thinking it was just bursitis. Collagen depletion in tendons is real and what can be done. Softwave or Shockwave seems to stimulate and regenerate the cells in the areas you need help. I notice my upper outside glutes will all of a sudden just pull and spasm when doing light yardwork or housework. It will pull all along lower back and spasm so bad on just certain movements, I have to stay in bed with ice and heat and NSAIDs. It takes a good week of resting and slow movements to feel better. It stays tender for a long time. I had also just started up my Repatha again, so now I wonder if it was that. I also found out my adrenals are fatigued and does that have issues with muscles. My Ferritin was borderline low. Would taking Estrogen help? So many questions and no answers. I was doing the main glute loading exercises like Bridge, adductor leg lifts, sitting clamshells (not laying on side). I found a Facebook group under Gluteal Tendonopathy groups with a Physical Therapist as the moderator that listens to our issues. I do feel building glutes back up helps and maybe doing Softwave. Some collagen support is recommended but I am on the fence on those.

@bunstuffer Having the hip higher than the other is definitely an issue. Compensating muscles on one side for the other can definitely cause pain. Physical Therapy is only so good when they really know what they are doing. I have been to 3 different ones and some just herd you in like cattle and do the same protocol. So much going on with tightened Piriformis, hip flexors and Ileacus. I even went to a Myofascial Trigger Massage therapist as your fascia over all of your muscles can become tight and form knots. Estrogen decline can cause tendonopathy. There needs to be more research on this. Women are just being "hand patted" from doctors just saying it is just something we have to deal with.

@bunstuffer
I understand completely. I am in so much pain. I can't go anywhere or do anything because of the pain in my right buttock. It hurts to sit . 2 weeks ago I feel and broke my femur . So now I can't walk for 8 weeks. I feel like I'm losing my mind. I hope you will get well. I pray that helps
Marlie

🙏🕊️🦋🌈🌹

Hi all

I have too many things wrong with my gluten and my lower back. I did have a shot to break up my calcified tendon ( for those that do not understand it was 'frozen' it did not want to move along with bursitis., piriformis syndrome, thoughts that it was bone cancer in my hips, and muscle spasms so hard in my upper legs I could not walk.
What has worked for me: myofascial release, massage, cranial sacral massage (a real practioner not a pt or mt that says they know it) exercise, and a therapy pool (or bathtub). I aggressively fight the cause of pain. I have used the Shockwave treatment for other issues and it has worked. I hope that everyone wins their battles with pain.

JFN