Cortisone not worked

Rallymad

I'm going off my head with the pain!!!! Had cortisone injection into left shoulder, this is new area of pain for me, thought it would work as had previous into my hips.......now after two weeks, I am still suffering trouble is got to wait three to four months before I can get another one, I'm normally outgoing person but people are noticing that I'm not myself and don't kno what else to do, have left message with my rheumy nurse, physio wasn't so interested, taking tramadol, co-codamol and diclofenac during the day, amytriptiline at night but still waking. Even ranting about it doesn't seem to be helping


Arlene x

dreamdaisy

Oh rallymad, oh dear. Shoulder pain is in a league of its own, it's the very devil. I have no bright ideas, no thoughts: I use distraction, breathing techniques and visualisation stuff to get me through but they don't work for everyone. I have never had much success with steroid jabs but if they have worked in the past this must be a bitter blow. This must be so miserable for you, I am so sorry. DD

stickywicket

I'm sorry too, Rallymad. Shoulders are hard to rest when they hurt. Have you had steroid jabs before and, if so, did they work for you? I ask because I seem to remember that there are two places they can inject in the shoulder & it may be that they need to get the right one for it to work properly.

valval

sorry to hear this had one in sternum ad took three weeks but great now go back and check they might be able to do different area next time val

barbara12

Im so sorry to hear you are in such pain...shoulders are awful to say the least....I am hoping that the injection will start to work very soon...if not you must go back to your GP.....I do hope you get some relief very soon

tjt6768

I'm really sorry that the injection doesn't seem to be working for you.
I really hope that you can get some relief from it soon. Can you get to see your GP? Get them to give some stronger pain relief? Even if it's a temporary thing..

Best wishes..
Keep us up to date.

bighair

Hi Arlene,
I've had similar problems with my shoulder and eventually stumped up £48 for accupuncture and deep tissue massage which helped tremendously. I found at night the shoulder pain seemed to be positional and there was only one position I could lie in that gve me relief but finding and keeping that position was a nightmare, a millimetre either way would set it off again.
If you are in a position to get accupuncture then its worth a try. Good luck and I hope it eases off soon.
Lorna

julie47

Hi Arlene

Sorry to read this and that you are suffering so much. I can't give any advice as it is so very long ago since I had one in my shoulders that I can not remember.
I just want to wish you well and hope they settle ddown soon

Juliepf x

frogmorton

Dear Arlene

I think you are right tis 3 months usually between steroid jabs, but they may make an exception???

As for the pain and sleeplessness....can your GP help? Maybe he/she can increase your amitrip short-term? or prescribe some stronger painkiller short-term/oral steroids etc???

Love

Toni xx

Rallymad

Thanks for your replies folks, the physio did say that maybe a second one would be needed for it to work properly but there is so much conflicting evidence around, some say if one has not worked then no point getting another one??? I have tramadol and co-codamol and these don't seem to be touching it, my GP is reluctant to give me anything stronger as have had morphine, he wanted me to reduce all pain meds and to gradually use only paracetamol!!!! (obv he has never suffered severe pain before) I have contacted my rheumy nurse to let her know and am awaiting her reply. It is so debilatating as there is not much you can do without moving your shoulders, even typing this is agony. I cannot bow down to it as need to be at work due to attendance not being too good. I have also increased my amytriptiline but makes no diff, still wake with the pain :sad:

stickywicket

I'm sorry, Rallymad, but I can't remember if you only have the shoulder pain or if it is more generalised. If, indeed, it is just the shoulder and, as you say, the painkillers aren't touching it, I'd be inclined to drop the painkillers, even very briefly. You'd soon find out if they are making a difference and, if not, what's the point in taking them? If, however, they do work for other joints and if you have been told a second injection might be needed then I'd just go for it. What have you to lose?

tjt6768

my pain specialist told me that it's not actually the time limit with the steroid injections more the amount per year, I think he said four, hence the three month average.. He was quite happy to do mine again the month after I'd had the previous lot..
Best of luck with it