Steroid Tablets or Steroid Injection?

breane

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.

scattered

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.

wibberley

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 x

frogmorton

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 x

jillydog61

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 Gill