By JH on Tuesday, August 29, 2000 - 03:32 pm:

I have been having pain for almost 2 yrs, actually around 3, but it wasn't this bad then. I went to different doctors, neuroligsts, internists, and gynocologists. No one knew what was wrong because my pain started in my pelvis on the left side, graduating rapidly to my left lower back, then down my hip/buttock, down my thigh to my ankle. They all said that my pelvic and back/leg pain wasn't related. Then a gynocologist I went to a few weeks ago said she was pretty sure it was my SI joint. Referred me to a PT, who confirmed it. But, I've been reading this board, and my pain isn't constant and doesn't happen often. Maybe a few times a month. And at those times it starts out as a menstrual cramp would, left pelvis, then around to my back, down my leg -- I can't move during this episode, its excruciating and all I can do is lie still and and cry through the whole thing. Sometimes it last 15 minutes, sometimes an hour or more. Is this common with you guys, or do you think maybe its not my SI joint at all?????? Thanks. JH

By Eppie on Wednesday, August 30, 2000 - 10:09 am:

JH:

Sounds like classic SI-sciatic nerve stuff. Most likely, the ligaments in your sacroiliac joint are lax causing the joint to move more than it should (it's supposed to be "immobile"...shouldn't move more than 2 mm)with subsequent impingement on the sciatic nerve, which runs the length of your leg.

I'm curious...my SI acts up during ovulation (mid-mentrual cycle) and right before my period (days 24-28). I know hormones are involved b/c for me, that is how it all started. Let me know if this sounds familiar.

Take care, Eppie

p.s. Prolotherapy to the SI joint has helped significantly.

By Jen on Friday, September 29, 2000 - 09:07 pm:

Can I be dreaming? I have been to so many doctors
over the last year and a half and no one has had
any clue about how to treat my pain. What you are
describing is exactly what I have been going
through. Do you have any information on
treatments or who to see or where I can get more
information on the subject??? Thanks! JG

By Miranda on Monday, October 02, 2000 - 12:19 pm:

JH
Your description of pain in your SI joints is exactly how mine began years ago, but then worsened which I feel was through my work which involved lifting and twisting motions.
Sometimes I would sit with my legs crossed for a couple of minutes then I couldn't lift my right leg off my left because of the pain in my hip. I'm sure that people thought I was making it up as one day I could walk and the next it was extremely difficult.
Miranda

By michellet on Monday, October 02, 2000 - 04:11 pm:

I have had SI problems, which my physio discovered were caused by a loose hip joint. Apparently, my back tries to compensate for the loose hip and then the pain in my SI starts. I am presently wearing a strong hip brace, and it works beautifully. No more back pain!(of course except at certain times of the month)
I've tried going a day without the brace, and by the end of the day, my hip feels like it's going to fall off(with pain) and my back starts hurting.
The way my physio found out it was my hip was that he had me lay on my back with my leg bent at a 90 degree angle, raised in the air. He then pushed on my knee and found that my leg went through my pelvis into the table. It sounds gross, but it was a very good test. Maybe your hip is causing all of the trouble.

By Emma on Tuesday, October 03, 2000 - 01:12 am:

Michelle, where did u get your hip brace from. I have suffered for 5 years with my SI, and to no avail have got no where. What u are saying sounds similar to my problems, though mine are not as severe. I never thought they could do much for the hip (except a false one)

By michellet on Tuesday, October 03, 2000 - 10:01 am:

My physiotherapist actually found mine. First, he had me go to one of those pharmaceutical stores where they sell braces, crutches etc, and I tried a couple of the hip braces that they sell. They didn't work--it felt like I was wearing a big piece of cardboard around my hips, and they slid off every time I sat down (those braces are cream coloured- I recommend against them)

The one my physio got for me is grey in colour. It has rubber grippers on the inside so it won't slide off when I sit and move around. It's about 4 inches wide and is tightened around my hips with the use of velcro and elastic material. The brand is called SEROLA Biomechanics, and it's made in the US (it also says CE 2 on it, which may be the model number) I don't know where he found it, but I'll check out the company to see if there's a website.

Because of the rubber grippers, I have found the brace causes skin problems. What I do is wear a pair of short tights underneath, and that problem is solved.I'll get back to you on finding the website, Emma.

By Emma on Tuesday, October 03, 2000 - 11:21 pm:

Thankyou Michelle

By michellet on Saturday, October 07, 2000 - 05:25 pm:

Hey Emma, I found the website address for the brace. This is exactly what I wear, and the site describes how it works (it specifically states that the belt is for SI and hypermobility). The site is at
http://www.bodybridge.com/access.html

Sorry I took awhile to get back to you.

By Emma on Monday, October 09, 2000 - 10:38 pm:

Thanks ever so much Michelle, I don't know how I am going to get it over to this country, but it shouldn't be too hard!!!! I may try and get my GP/Physio to help me.

By Linda on Friday, February 02, 2001 - 02:30 pm:

Several years ago, a couple of PT's said I might have a hypermobile SI joint. I have tried Feldenkrais, belts, rolfing, and traditional PT. The only thing that seems to work long-term is doing leg and back, as well as abdominal exercises, using weight machines. The hip flexor machines, the abductors and adductors, seem to work the best. Stretching and strengthening my glutes also seems to do some good.

By MichelleT on Saturday, February 03, 2001 - 09:24 am:

Linda, I admit that lately I've neglected strengthening exercises for my hips and butt. I will start actively pursuing strengthening that area again.

By Betty on Saturday, March 17, 2001 - 08:13 pm:

Not sure where to add this question. I have so much of the pain and symptoms of everyone else, but also have choking problems. It's like my esophagus doesn't work about 3/4 of the time and when I swallow I get choked and sometimes it is so bad I throw up, which finally relieves the choking. This is really scary...not to mention very embarassing when I am eating out. Anyone else have this problem? I am wondering if it is related to HMS?

By cocoa on Thursday, January 10, 2002 - 09:26 pm:

michellet-
Just wondering if you still use the SI belt and how you like it. I am thinkiong about ordering one. Just looking for something maybe with a little more hardware.

By Rosie on Tuesday, November 26, 2002 - 03:00 pm:

Betty i have something similar, when I am just taking a drink ro something I start choking or coughing really pain fully and cant breathe, or sometimes I will take a drink and end up wioth it going everywhere because when I tried to swallow it went wrong.

Have you tried using straws for drinks, since you get less in one go than just drinjkonig from a cup they help me a lot.

Rosie

By LauraLyn on Thursday, March 20, 2003 - 07:54 am:

Betti
I was just diagnosed with HMS, and it was like a lightbulb went on...all the joint injuries and severe pain I've had in my knees, hip and back are now coming together! It all makes sense! Recently, I've started having this problem where it feels like a piece of food gets stuck in my esophagus! Sometimes it will go away in an hour, sometimews I'll have thatfeeling for a day or two before it finally goes away!(happens when I'm eating salad (croutons?) and sausage or burgers most often. I never thought thay could possibly be related!

By Az on Thursday, March 20, 2003 - 08:31 pm:

Two of the most common reasons for the throat feeling restricted like that are Catarrh and stress. You will usually find once you have had a problem with swallowing your body will automatically cease up when you try to swallow again. As far as I know there isnt any specific treatment for this except to learn how to relax maybe using breathing exercises and not swallowing to much air while eating. Isnt the body an oddity?