Steroid injection

Paul_Evans

My mother has started to take methotrexate but I understand it can take many months to take effect. She was meant to have an appointment with a consultant yesterday but it was cancelled until 27 Feb. Even then, the possibility of an injection will be the end of March.

She is in so much pain with her hands that she finds it hard to do the simplest of tasks and is often reduced to tears. She lives alone.

is there a way she can receive an injection as soon as possible? Thank you in advance.

Anna

Hello @Paul_Evans and welcome to the online community,

I understand your Mother is due to start methotrexate injections but probably not before March and she is in a great deal of pain with her hands. You are wondering if there is any way she can receive her injection sooner. I would suggest that she ( or you on her behalf) speaks to the GP who may be able to contact the consultant about bringing her appointment forward, or at least consider prescribing some other medication for the pain. Alternatively, you could contact her consultant’s secretary to explain how much pain your Mother is in. They might be able to find a cancellation and fit in an earlier appointment.

The Versus Arthritis website has some very gentle exercises that you could suggest which can help with hand and wrist pain. Here’s the link:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/exercises-for-healthy-joints/exercises-for-the-fingers-hands-and-wrists/

There may be other members who can suggest ways to help with the pain. Do let us know how your Mum is getting on.

Anna ( Mod)

jamieA

Hi @Paul_Evans

I don't know where you live but here in the west of Scotland when I was diagnosed I was given a card with a series of contact numbers. This included the consultant's secretary and a rheumatology nurse specialist numbers. I've used the nurse specialist line a number of times when I've been in pain. They have then contacted the consultant and he has given the go ahead for the nurse to give me a steroid injection. I've had quite a few steroid injections - 13 in fact. The ones in my hands were successful but a couple they gave me into my rump didn't work. The ones in your rump are for when you have multiple joint problems - I don't think they are an exact science. In my case I got 4-6 weeks relief from the injections. I also had about 9 months of fairly heavy opiate pain killers till I was put on a drug that worked. I didn't like to take these drugs but the alternative was just too painful to go through. It's maybe worth discussing that with her GP first.

My hands cause me problems and to mitigate this I wear compression gloves. I also exercise my hands with exercise putty. Immersing them in hot water also helps me and I've recently found that an extended time in a sauna whilst doing hand exercises helps. I've also had access to both physiotherapy and occupational therapy services as well as a pain management clinic.

I don't know if these services are available where you live but if they are you'll need push to have your mum seen quickly. I've found to my cost since the onset of my PsA in 2020 if I don't push I don't get the help I need.

I hope your mum gets some relief soon.

Paul_Evans

Hi @Anna Thank you for the link.

I spoke to the consultant’s secretary today, but to no avail. Yesterday’s appointment was cancelled last Wednesday and she could not give me a reason why, which I find unacceptable. She did say that my mothers practice may be able to offer the injection and I’m crossing my fingers that they can. Do you know if an injection can be administered privately? This would no doubt be a lot sooner.

Paul_Evans

Hi @jamieA Thank you for the advice, very useful. I’ve spoken to the consultant’s secretary but don’t have a number for a nurse. My mom has previously taken methotrexate for about 7 years and that worked, but she stopped taking them for reasons only known to herself and regretted it ever since. I’m hoping just a single injection will help in the interim whilst the methotrexate she’s started to take again ’kicks in’. I’m hoping it’s not too much to ask for. The hospital is [xxxxx] Derbyshire.

Hospital name removed as not allowed to name specific hospitals under Community Guidelines, Peter (moderator)