Hello, first time on here!

MrsF

I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my neck and lower spine about 5 years ago but just muddled on as best I could. Then just over a year ago, the pains got worse and worse, I couldn't get out of bed, couldn't turn my head, couldn't lift my arms. Blood tests revealed high levels of inflammation and eventually was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica so been on steroids now over a year. They have helped tremendously but I have gained over two stone in weight due to increased appetite and lower activity. Currently trying my best to halt the weight gain and increase activity but some days it is so hard! My hands have been playing up with osetoarthritis too and last week, had a steroid injection in my right thumb as could do nothing with it. My other thumb's being done today but I'm a bit concerned that the right one isn't perfect by any means, just slightly less sore and swollen than it was. Anyone else had thumb injections and did they work?

Brynmor

Hi @MrsF welcome to the Online Community.

I understand that you have a diagnosis of osteoarthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica. You have been given an ongoing course of steroids but these have resulted in problems of gaining weight and reduced activity.

We have some great resources on our web site on exercising with arthritis:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/

This includes a series of really good videos called "Let's Move with Leon" (and his mum!)

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/lets-move-with-leon/

There is also information available on steroid injections that you might find useful. How has the injection on your other thumb gone today? What was the response when you asked about the right one not turning out as well as you had hoped so far?

Do join in across the Community, give advice and support, and call in to say how you are getting on. All best wishes.

Brynmor

AndyT

Hi,

I’ve had steroid injection in a couple of fingers, due to inflammation that caused trigger finger type pain around the tendons and some loss of flex. Everyone is different, but for me the steroid (cortisone) took weeks/months to take effect and the swelling to subside, In the end a physio gave me exercises to do to help shift the inflammation and get the range of movement back. Hope this helps a bit.

MrsF

Hello AndyT, that's very useful to know. The rheumatologist asked me about the improvement in my right thumb and I was honest, said about 40-50% improvement but he wasn't discouraged with that at this stage. He said that it could take a few more weeks to get the full benefit so I went ahead with the left thumb yesterday evening. It wasn't as sore getting it done even though it was more inflamed and swollen that the right. Fingers crossed it helps!