Help, I can't stand living with SI joint pain anymore
I'm 23 and have had SI joint pain for around 5 years (got officially diagnosed 2 years ago via MRI and steroid infiltration to the joint) I used to carry a lot of weight when i was younger (14-18) and that seems to have messed up the hip area. I can't sleep, or sit down for long because I get a flare up, it's like a dull pain on my left side and sometimes it gets better with exercise but lately (since December 2024) I have not been able to make it go away. I depend on medication (I take lysine clonixinate) to sleep a full night and it doesn't even completely take away the pain it just makes it tolerable. It makes me incredibly depressed because I used to be very athletic and now I feel ancient.
I did a round of PT and it improved a bit (I no longer get hip locked when I move suddenly or at least haven't for around 6 months) and have electrodes at home. I usually also try to use heat when it flares but it's not always effective.
I have a routine that the PT recommended but I honestly don't stick to it anymore because I never saw much improvement and haven't gone back because it is expensive.
I was also recently diagnosed with depression and anxiety and I'm struggling a lot more with keeping a consistent routine.
I just want to sleep 8 hours without having to wake up in the middle of the night (currently I van only sleep 3 to 4 hours before the pain wakes me up). It's also worse a week before and during my period.
Does anyone have any advise? Will I ever be pain free?