Back at work for 2 days - Steroid injection conclusion

JuliaHod12

Hi Guys

Just a little update - 1 week post Steroid Injection

well, went back to the mines yesterday, managed the whole day (7.30 - 4pm)
knackered when i got home so OH made dinner :-) ..........expected to sleep fairly well.......dear old arthur had other ideas!
went in again today and to be honest it's been just the same except i have been even more fatigued.

sad therefore to report that i don't believe the injection has worked for me.

back to see consultant on 10th May :-(

Julia x

dreamdaisy

Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. I have never had much more than three easier days pain-wise but the one I had in my OA affected ankle last year lasted for a good deal longer - just over a month. They are not a permanent remedy, alas. You did some very long hours there so I hope you can get as much rest as you can over Easter, yes? DD

JuliaHod12

yes DD, I shall be resting :-)

I was keeping an open mind on the effectiveness of the injection and had hopes of relief.
I needed to get back to work ("the mines" lol) to assess the effect on a normal working day as opposed to being at home and "pottering".
work have been fine and my boss has even collected me in the morning to get me there safely (fluffy picks me up) so i have had great support :-)

The guys I work with have been great too, fetching me Tea & Sandwiches, couldnt ask for kinder colleagues.

I am however waiting for work to calculate and confirm the sick pay entitlement as it is apparently complicated............. ;-)

take care
Julia x

Folara

Oh Julia it's rotten when you have your hopes up and they don't work but give it just a little longer as I was told 2 weeks for mine to be sure, so I MIGHT just be a late starter.

Try to take it easy and not overdo things.

Hugs, Fols x

phoenixoxo

Hi Julia,

Sorry you don't feel that the injection's worked. I've had a few myself over the years and it's been a bit hit and miss at times.

Great that you've got kind colleagues though, as there's nothing worse than work stress adding to the pain. Hope they can sort out the sick pay entitlement soon!

Best wishes,
Phoebe

Dazztee

i didnt find the injection to be very strong, predisilone tablets were tho, i could run upstairs after 2 days on them, but again sleeping wasnt too easy lol, but they really do work better

Moller841

I have had 2 injections of steroids and both had no effect and now have been on Pred for over a month on 15mg a day and still had no effect.

So who do i speak to about morphine! Anyone?

I think for some they work others they don't... I guess life is like that...

Im hoping my Rheumy will have some answers! Ha wishful thinking i think...

JuliaHod12

well now 2 and a half weeks on it is still no better :-(

I am in a quandary now........OH wants me to have another injection when i see consultant again on 10th May............whereas i think this is just putting off the inevitable and i'd rather go ahead with the TKR asap.......to me having another injection would be just prolonging the agony (it's not him or anyone else who has to function on very little sleep,and incidentally his snoring does not help in this regard either!)

If I am honest i think i am feeling a bit pressured :-(

Julia x

elnafinn

Hi Julie

When you see the consultant in May perhaps you could ask for another injection to tide you over, as it may work next time, but emphasise that you really would like to go ahead with a TKR and your name be put on the list. In that way you are killing two birds with one stone, if you see what I mean.

Functioning for any length of time without sleeping well is not good, as we know on here and if others have not had this problem they probably cannot envisage how awful and debilitating it can be.

Elna x

Folara

Hi Julia,

Sadly it does sound like yours haven't worked. Neither have mine. It seems to be a bit hit and miss with these injections. Tbh I didn't hold out much hope as any previous ones hadn't worked either.

You really need to let your husband know you are feeling pressurised about everything and it's not helping. Speak to your consultant and ask if there are other injections you can have as I have had several different sorts, I couldn't tell you what tho I'm afraid. I would go ahead with the tkr if I could persuade my surgeon that I am not too young! I think you know when you are ready for it and by the sounds of it, you are.

As for him snoring, stick a pillow on his head

Fols x

stickywicket

I'm with Elna, Julia. Is it an either/or? Can't it be a both/and?

JuliaHod12

thanks for the input guys, it helps enormously..........i'm so confused most of the time......

having another stab at the injection doesnt bother me, the only issue i have with that is the fact it hasnt worked the first time, do i really want to persevere in pain any longer than i need to?
and yes i guess it can be a both/ and .........i am fortunate enough to have BUPA cover via work.......... so the TKR can be done pretty much whenever i give the nod.

OH says have more injections............
Daughter says what if the TKR doesnt work......there's no going back you know.........

oh dammit............. :-(

dreamdaisy

It's far from easy, Julia. I am now so used to pain that it doesn't really bother me and when it does I know it's bad. I think I am right in saying that steroid injections are rationed because even if they don't help the affected joints they may have a ghastly effect on the rest of you. Your daughter may well have a valid point but she is not you, and I suspect that neither is she trying to cope with that which is affecting you. I feel that TKRs are helped (as are THRs) by the general fitness of the person who is having it done. For that reason I am doing my exercises as it has been hinted that I may receive at least one new knee (I need two) when I am 55, so I am trying to lose weight (not over this week-end!) and keep my leg muscles as strong as I can. It's not easy and neither is it a light-hearted decision. I wish you well, this is indeed a tough time for you. DD