Steroid injection - Update

TheLordFlasheart

Well, its been just short of 4 months since I had my steroid injection, and the bad news in the last few days it has started to wear off.

So im back to square one, with my constant pain/inflamation recurring with a vengeance. I was not really prepared for the return of my symptoms, and to be honest have struggled to cope over the last 3 days. Im back on the co-codamol to help me sleep at night (take 1 about a hour before bed), but I know that this will not be enough.

Even with all the technique I have learnt, such as raising my knee/ice pack/relaxing etc, I will ahve to wave the white flag and go for the medication.

Im off to my GP tomorrow to discuss my next options, mainly to see if another steroid injection is worth it, or i'll be back on the co-codamol/Ibuprofen (or Naproxen) for the forseeable future.

Alastair x:(

stickywicket

I'm sorry it's worn off but, in my book, just short of 4 months is pretty good going. Steroid jabs are limited because they thin not just inflammation but also the good tissues. I can't remember how often we can have them.

[Deleted User]

Hi Alistair,
sorry to hear that the steroid injections have worn off, but actually as stickywicket mentioned four months is actually quite a good amount of time for them to last. The number of injections you can have in a year varies from doctor to doctor, however I think the fact that it has worn off is an opportunity for you to ask about alternative treatments for the future. You might find booklet on managing pain useful, here's a link https://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/do-i-have-arthritis/publications/217-managing-pain
keep us up-to-date with how you getting on, and I hope you find a more satisfactory treatment for the future.
Best Wishes
Sharon

dreamdaisy

No wonder you are feeling disappointed, that was a very good run by anyone's money but of course it wasn't long enough. Like everything we inject, swallow or apply the effects are time-limited which is so on the wrong side of unfair that unfair cannot even be seen on the horizon. DD

TheLordFlasheart

Went to my GP surgery and spoke to the Pratice Nurse (my normal GP wasn't available, but the its hard to get an appointment), and its a case of back on the Naproxen for 2 weeks with a supply of co-codamol to help when its bad.

To be honest I was expecting the steroid injection wearing off, but wasn't really prepared for the sudden onset of my symptoms returning.

Hopefully the Naproxen will tide me over and I'll grumble through till winters end.

Thanks for all the support

Alastair

TheLordFlasheart

Well, im off the naproxen as I felt really nauseous over night and my legs felt heavy. Never had any issue with naproxen before, but im off to see my GP this morning and discuss what my now limited options are.

Talk about a kick in the teeth.

dreamdaisy

Arthritis is a disease that specialises in kicking our teeth; I'm surprised that, after twenty years of this malarkey, I have any left. x:) DD

frogmorton

Found your teeth DD



x

Are you going to get regular steroid injections now Alastair? I have a friend who is on regular ones for her back, another for her neck. I think 6-monthly.

I hope you have an apt with GP to discuss. Along with a change in anti-inflammatory.

Love

Toni xxx

TheLordFlasheart

Went to see my GP yesterday and mentioned the reaction I had, was not put on list for allegic reations (for naproxen), as this was a one off as I fel fine once I stopped taking it.

Im now on ibuprofen based gel for the inflamation, am keeping off the naproxen for now.

barbara12

Alastair I am sorry the steroids have worn off, and now the reaction to naproxen..I had to come off the,m to to kidney problems..I do hope you can find something to help..glad the mods have given you some advice..

stickywicket

I hope the gel helps. At least there should be no side effects,

HipHipReplacement

I'd like to echo the well wishes from the other members. I hope you can find something.

I'll also be going for steroid injections. Had two lots in my right hip previously, but this time I'll be having them in each. First one in 2013 helped for a couple of months, but the second time did nothing. I think this set is a 'last chance saloon' deal before I have to bite the bullet and get the replacement/resurfacing done, hoping to drag it out a few more months. Hopefully I get something similar to the four months you've experienced!

ouchpotato

I've had several steroid injections. The first one I had was in my right elbow - fantastic, I had over a year of pain-free arm bending. Then I had 6 in my spine, also good although they took longer to work and lasted maybe 6 months. Then I had one in my left elbow, followed by my right a week later. Neither lasted more than 6 weeks and I'm now in more pain than before. I don;t know if the body builds up a resistance in some way - in total that is 9 I have had.

Brutha

Four months is longer then I have ever managed with a steroid injection. I tend to get around 8 weeks out of them. The first injection I had lasted 3 months. I reckon I have had about 9 or ten in the last two years. I am right on the limit of what they can give me apparantly, I never have asked for one, and I have only ever declined one. Diagnosed RA two years now.

I know what you mean about it being depressing when it wears off. Back down to earth with a bump. Best of luck, there's many meds out there, all work better then others for different people. I hope they get your cocktail perfect as soon as they can.