An update and a 'pondering'.

Megrose489

My Vitamin D levels are now 68 nmol/l from 22.5 nmol/l, so that is good. I'm taking Vitamin D supplements I bought myself - I was told to do this by my surgery - and should have another blood test in three months.
I had a barium swallow for the laryngopharyngeal reflux which showed that I am normal. Or "normal" as my son stated! So that's good too. Although I still have the problem, conservative treatment should be enough and I don't want to take any more drugs - which didn't work anyway!
I've started physiotherapy for the hip bursitis and although it hurts - a lot :shock: - I'm doing the exercises every day and will see the orthopaedic consultant again on 26 November.

Now for the pondering bit. I've had three steroid injections over the years into the basal joint in my left hand - due to OA - which is now hurting again. My GP did them and the last one was a year ago. The basal joint in my right hand has now decided to join in and is very painful. I'm trying to sew together a soft toy for my granddaughter and am finding it quite difficult. (It's not just the OA. I enjoy the knitting, but hate the sewing together!) So, I'm now wondering whether to see my GP for more steroid injections or wait until I see the consultant who, the last time I saw him, informed me that he was much more experienced in giving steroid injections than my GP. As I've written this, I'm thinking it's only a few weeks before I see the consultant, so I'm probably better waiting. If he'll do them, of course, as I was referred to him with the hip bursitis only. Any thoughts, please?

Can I also add another question? Has anybody else had a steroid injection into their foot, specifically on the top? I believe it's midfoot arthritis. I have OA on the top of my foot and my GP has suggested an injection, if I want one. My foot is painful, but not sure about the injection. Just wondering how effective they are.

Meg

stickywicket

It's good that your Vit D levels have increased, Megrose. I don't know what's a good level (although I am prescribed them myself :oops: ) but, if they get too high, I'm sure your surgery will let you know.

Good, too, that the barium swallow proved OK. I think I mentioned before that I have swallowing / oesophageal problems partly due to the hiatus hernia and partly due to nothing being quite where it should be (as my specialist, so-technically, put it :roll: ) Sons - don't you just love 'em? Masters of the whole truth

I honestly don't know what I'd do re the injection. I'm sure your consultant is right that he's 'better at it' but whether he'd treat a hand when you've gone for a hip...... :? Does he even deal with hands? I saw a different consultant when it was for my hands. Besides, I'd have thought a thumb joint was an easier proposition than a hip so maybe your GP would, after all, be the best bet for that. So, after all that, I've no idea :roll: Sorry.

barbara12

Hello Meg
I have the thumb injections and always had them done under xray in the theater..they have lasted very well had two a year..but now one is not behaving so they want to operate , so I would try the consultant..sorry I cant help with your foot..but glad to see you vit D leavels are good..

Vdonn

I have OA midfoot after a bad fall several years ago when I most probably broke a bone. Have a large lump midfoot & now very painful & my foot kept locking. Had a steroid injection 4 weeks ago done by the Consultant who s first words to me were its so bad only an operation will help. I asked if we could try a injection which he did, but it has helped in the severe area but now the rest of my foot is very painful where the OA was not so severe. Go back to see him next week so know what he will say is the only way forward. Walked just over 1 mile today & in pain. as we all know everyone has OA differently so it may work better for you, which I hope it does

dreamdaisy

This is not quite in the same league as you but it has triggered the memory of the only steroid jab which worked for me: it eased the pain in my right ankle (OA-affected) for at least three months but I've not been offered another. I think Sticky made some good points, I was fortunate in that my rheumatologist did my ankle but I have no experience of hand injections. Mr DD has had his elbow done by his GP and is hoping to have it done again soon. Haven't helped much, have I? :oops:

I am pleased that your Vit D has increased, I should get mine checked again but I can wait, I have other stuff to deal with first. DD

Megrose489

Thank you all very much for your replies and help. I've decided that I'll hang on until I see the consultant, when I'll mention my thumbs and my foot, and if he can't help, I can always go back to my GP. I've managed to stitch George Pig's legs and shoes on today, so it will be his arms tomorrow!

I hope you get your foot sorted out next week, Vdonn. My GP at first said it couldn't be OA at that point in my foot, until the x-ray showed that it was. I've got a bony protuberance on the top of my foot as well, which is quite painful. I suppose that's bone overgrowth, which I've also got on my thumbs.

I was in London last week for the J.M.W. Turner exhibition at Tate Britain, which was every bit as wonderful as I had hoped. However, I was pleased I had taken my walking stick along with me!

Thanks again. Meg