Steroid Tablets or Steroid Injection?
breane
Member Posts: 392
Can anyone tell me if steroid pain relief is better given in tablet form or as an injection?My Gp said if the Naproxen doesn't help with the arm/shoulder pain,he will give me a steroid injection in a weeks time.Last year he put me on a short course of steroid tablets which worked almost immediately but said the injection will be the next option not tablets, which I can't understand as the tablets helped so much last time.The past few weeks the pain has been so bad at night that I can't remember when I last had more than 20 mins sleep at any one time.
I've even moved into the spare room so O/H can can a good nights sleep as he has to get up for work at 5.30am and my restlessness has been keeping him awake too.At the moment I'm on one Hydroxy a day,2 Naproxen and a stomach protector.Co-codamol has no effect on the pain and Tramadol makes me feel spaced out :shock: so I won't take those now.Has steroid injections worked for you and how long do they give relief? Breane.

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Comments
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Steroid injections have less side-effects linked to them and can target a specific joint, like your shoulder. The tablets work systemically and the chances of adverse side-effects are greater.
Personally I'd take the injection over tablets any day. I've been on steroid tablets for over 3 years and they are not nice. I want off but my RA isn't controlled enough. I've had injections and the relief tends to last for between 3 and 6 weeks, allowing time for other meds to gget to work. In some cases relief can last for up to 3 months.0 -
I've never had steroid tablets but have plenty experience of the injections. I've found them great - vast improvement in flexibilty and virtually instant pain reduction.
How long the effects last varies but if you are good and rest for a day or two after the injection, then return to normal activity you should feel the benefits for around a month.
There are no side-effects as such but you can't be injected in the same sight more than a few times as it can cause muscle loss and bone softening over time.
Lois x0 -
Hi Breane
Think jab will be best as it's a specific area that's causing you problems Breane.
Hope you feel a bit better soon.
Only had oral seroids once myself when I had a bad allergic reaction, but I think they are effective too.
Love
Toni x0 -
Hello, i have been on steriods for over 2 years now, and they control my RA very well, but on the odd occasion i have also had a steriod injection. The injection has less side effects and lasts for about a month BUT be careful, my first injection was given by my GP and he only gave me half a dose, which did not work , so please make sure the GP gives the correct dose???
I am on 10mg a day at the moment and hopeing to wean myself off them, but it will probably take a very long time, because you have to VERY SLOWLY reduce the dose
I think the tablets are very good because they do help with RA, BUT the downside is they take forever to get off them
Take care Gill0
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