What Causes Severe Body Pain While On Ibuprofen?

Posted on Mon, 18 Jul 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 18 Jul 2016 Answered on

Tue, 16 Aug 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a hard immovable lump near my left hip flexor, about the size of a kidney bean. I just noticed the lump today but I have also been feeling a bit lethargic with body aches for the last few days (and thus have been taking ibuprofen). It's also been a stressful time with lots of travel and not enough sleep so that what I though the body aches were coming from but now I've noticed the lump (which I've never had before) and am concerned. What do you think may be the cause and what do you suggest I do? Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Rishi (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It could be an Abscess

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your question.
Best would be to get the lump examined by a Surgeon. Or you could send us a photo.
If it red and warm and painful then it is most probably an Abscess which will require a weeks course of antibiotics like Ampicillin and/or Surgical drainage of pus. If it is an Abscess then you might also be getting fever intermittently.
Other possibilities are a lymph node enlargement or a hernia.
Do let me know more details or get examined.
Take care and feel free to ask any queries on this issue.
Dr Rishi, New XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Rishi (19 minutes later)

I should have mentioned that it occurred while I was taking a walk. I felt a little sharp pain and went to feel it and that's when I felt the lump. Now it hurts a bit when I walk, while moving my left leg from back to front. Is it possible I just pulled something? And the body aches are unrelated and concidental? Thanks

Answered by Dr. Rishi (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Unlikely to be due to injury though possible.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your reply.
It is possible that the pain could be due to a muscle pull. But these don't usually lead to formation of a lump. An Abscess or a Hernia would be able to explain the entire picture better.
Therefore getting examined would be the best option. You could start a course of antibiotics like Tab Augmentin 625mg thrice a day for 5 days and then see. But nothing better than getting examined or a picture of the lump if it is visible.
Take care and do let me know any other queries.
Dr Rishi, XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Rishi (1 hour later)

The lump is normal skin color and is not warm. It's not visible when looking at it. I can only feel it by touch and it only hurts when pressed on or slightly hurts by walking. I wonder if could be a pulled tendon forming a knot? Either way, I should probably get it looked at. Let me know what you think.

Answered by Dr. Rishi (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It could be a blood clot due to muscle injury. Not an Abscess.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for our answer.
Then it is unlikely to be an Abscess and then don't take the antibiotics.
It is more likely to be a hernia or a Lymph node swelling. Is there any wound in the leg or foot?
Pulled tendon forming a knot would be unlikely but it could definitely be a blood clot due to muscle pull.
So take adequate pain killers as you are taking and warm compresses over it like a hot water bottle and some rest to the area.
And please get it checked to rule out a hernia or a Lymph node swelling.
Take care.
Dr Rishi, XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Priyanka G Raj