My doc told me to adjust my crutches to where they are not touching my armpit when I am using them, in order to prevent this irritation.
Of course, he is then expecting my triceps to do most of the work.
Even though my bagwork has taken a definite nosedive in the past few months (still haven't re-developed decent exercise habits after having my forearm fractured ... ), my triceps and shoulder muscles are still OK, but they won't stay OK if I don't get back into my habit of bagwork for a few minutes every day.
Mine adjust to my height to the nearest inch and the rubber pads don't touch my armpits, but the rash has developed where they touch my inner upper arms, a bit less than a hand's width away from my armpits. I tried making them an inch longer to give the irritated skin a break after covering the rubber pads with cotton socks didn't help but that didn't help either.
I have tried various creams as suggested by the doctor, but almost all of them sting like ants biting. The only one that doesn't sting is a special diaper cream I used to use on my daughter when she was younger, so that's what I'm currently using.
You don't remember injuring it?
This is something I first noticed about two or three years ago, I think, but it wasn't something I really thought about until more recently. I know it's relatively easy to provoke the pain but I don't know what's causing it.
Have you gone to the doctor for it yet?
No, not yet.
You seem very young for arthritis, but I think sometimes it can happen even to younger people.
Well, I'm not exactly young, but yes, I thought I'd bee too young for arthritis.
Me too.
What kinds of things provoke the pain?
Does walking provoke it? Does it continue to hurt while you are resting?
Have you tried NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxyn for the pain? Does ice or heat help?
Arthritis is only one possible reason your hip could be hurting. It could also be a muscle strain, tendonitis, bursitis, or several other things. It would be good for you and your doctor to figure out the actual reason, so you know what to do for it besides taking pain medicine and walking with a cane.
By the way, did you notice that House uses the cane on his wrong side? His right thigh is injured and he uses the cane in his right hand, but it's better if you use the cane in the opposite hand to the affected side, so you can shift more weight to your good side as opposed to your injured side. Of course, I use it in either hand, especially on stairs, so I can hold onto the handrail while I say in my mind, "up with the good," or "down with the bad," to remind myself to step up with the good side first and to step down with the bad side and the cane first.
Must be awful to be allergic to the pads.
As if having to use the crutches wasn't bad enough.