BURSITIS INJECTION AND STARVATION! - WHY??

sarahchall

Hello, just wondering if anyone on here knows why you can't eat for hours before an injection for bursitis...I have been in agony with left hip, thigh and leg pain for years, pain turning over in bed wakes me up etc etc. Have lumber osteo-arthritis and everyone thought the left leg pain was sciatica. Went to the Pain Clinic - analgesics never took away the pain so doc refered me to Pain Management - and the consultant THINKS i could have bursitis so he's got me down for an injection on June 1st. I was fine about this - just praying the injectiopn was the answer to my prayers - but the hospital phoned me today and said nothing to eat after 7am. on that morning.....My appointment's in the afternoon! Just a local anaesthetic before the main one. So I'm actually a bit worried now and just wondering why I have to go so long without food. Just clear drinks. Strange. Even the nurse who phoned me didn't know!

woodbon

Hello, sorry to hear you have so much pain, especially as it interfers so much with your sleep pattern.

I have OA too, in my spine and quite a few places, including hips. I did once, several years ago, have an injection to my left hip for bursitis and it was done by my GP, and stoped most of the pain. That was before my OA became a problem though. I'm afraid I can't help you on the injection tomorrow. I've not heard of starving someone for a steroid injection before, but they must have their reasons :roll: They should tell you before you let them do anything, exactly what the procedure is and the reason for starving.

I am sure it will be OK, maybe they have new procedures now, or use different drugs. Hope all goes well for you, do let us know as its interesting to say the least! Best wishes and love Sue

joanlawson

Hi Sarah

I have had Bursitis in my left hip on and off for several years, and have been given steroid injections for it. I just had them done by my GP at his surgery, so I am puzzled about your injection. I wonder whether it is something different from mine. I certainly didn't have to starve beforehand, but was told that I must rest for at least 24 hours afterwards to give it maximum chance of working. Sometimes it has worked well, and at other times it has been less successful.

After I had an arthroscopy on my knee last Dec. the Bursitis came back very severely, and the pain was very bad. The doctor gave me an injection into the hip, but it didn't work on that occasion. He then referred me for physio and acupuncture, and this combination worked very well. I also used a Tens machine, which helped.

It is a very painful condition, so I hope your injection works well for you. Please can you let me know how it goes, and what type of injection it is? I would be interested to know.

Joan

livinglegend

This may be the reason:

An injection of a local anesthetic into the bursa can help your doctor diagnose trochanteric bursitis. If the injection removes the pain immediately, then the diagnosis is probably trochanteric bursitis. Most physicians will also add a bit of cortisone medication to the novocaine to help treat the condition at the same time.

As the injection contains an anesthetic then starving could be a precaution in case of a reaction to the injection.


Joseph 8)

sarahchall

sarahchall wrote:

Hello, just wondering if anyone on here knows why you can't eat for hours before an injection for bursitis...I have been in agony with left hip, thigh and leg pain for years, pain turning over in bed wakes me up etc etc. Have lumber osteo-arthritis and everyone thought the left leg pain was sciatica. Went to the Pain Clinic - analgesics never took away the pain so doc refered me to Pain Management - and the consultant THINKS i could have bursitis so he's got me down for an injection on June 1st. I was fine about this - just praying the injectiopn was the answer to my prayers - but the hospital phoned me today and said nothing to eat after 7am. on that morning.....My appointment's in the afternoon! Just a local anaesthetic before the main one. So I'm actually a bit worried now and just wondering why I have to go so long without food. Just clear drinks. Strange. Even the nurse who phoned me didn't know!

Thank you will let you know x

sarahchall

livinglegend wrote:

This may be the reason:

An injection of a local anesthetic into the bursa can help your doctor diagnose trochanteric bursitis. If the injection removes the pain immediately, then the diagnosis is probably trochanteric bursitis. Most physicians will also add a bit of cortisone medication to the novocaine to help treat the condition at the same time.

As the injection contains an anesthetic then starving could be a precaution in case of a reaction to the injection.


Joseph 8)

Thank you - maybe that's why then Will let you know

sarahchall

scottishlass wrote:

interesting...ive to have the same procedure, my appointment is gonna be sent through the post so i dont know what the guidelines beforehand are..once i recieve my letter il check and see if its any different,all i know is that its gonna be done in the medical day bed unit at our hospital.
previousley had a steroid injection into my shoulder there,but didnt have to starve beforehand.

Yes mine too - so please let me know if the same - my appt is June 1st. Really nervous as no-one has heard of this!

jemima

Personally I'd ring up and make sure that they've got the starving bit right. It's normal to starve for day case surgery but not for an injection and maybe they've sent you the wrong letter?

Getting sent the wrong sort of letter has happened to me more than several times so I would check with the hospital to make sure if it was me. Phone the consultant's secretary who should know the correct procedure. No point in starving if you don't actually need to do so.

jeannie2

Haven't been on the site for a while - been feeling rubbish, big time. Now have new rheumy .... here'e hoping.

Been reading the thead. Interesting. Haven't been involved in this treatment, but felt a need to comment.

I think part of our problem in dealing with our illness is the lack of 'inclusion' - explaining the 'whats' and 'whys' of symptoms and treatments. I have a need to understand, then accept and then I can learn to cope. Sitting wondering what it going to happen and why, just increases the anxiety levels. I don't think it is intended that we are 'kept in the dark' - it's just a matter of time being available during consultations, but I wish clinicians understood a bit better.

Hope the treatment helps. Will be thinking about you - let us know how you get on.

woodbon

jeannie wrote:

Haven't been on the site for a while - been feeling rubbish, big time. Now have new rheumy .... here'e hoping.

Been reading the thead. Interesting. Haven't been involved in this treatment, but felt a need to comment.

I think part of our problem in dealing with our illness is the lack of 'inclusion' - explaining the 'whats' and 'whys' of symptoms and treatments. I have a need to understand, then accept and then I can learn to cope. Sitting wondering what it going to happen and why, just increases the anxiety levels. I don't think it is intended that we are 'kept in the dark' - it's just a matter of time being available during consultations, but I wish clinicians understood a bit better.

Hope the treatment helps. Will be thinking about you - let us know how you get on.

I know what you mean, my GPs great but even she dosn't always explain. I know its difficult when a medic has a waiting room full of patients and with long term conditions, I think sometimes they forget whats been explained and what hasn't. Knowledge does help me though, whatever the problem, otherwise I go of and look it up and discover some very strange conditions! The rheummy at the hospital was hopeless at explaining and when pressed, passed me on to Neuro, telling me I might have an awful condition, thankfully, proved wrong.

Hope all goes well with the injection. I wonder, like the previous post, if the wrong standard letter was sent. Easily done. I think phoning is a good idea. Love Sue

joyful164

You surprise me with this because I developed an extremely painful hip, which I thought was possible OA but my Rheumatologist said it was Bursitis and there and then, just gave me an injection into the hip. Oh my God. A few weeks later, when it was still hurting quite a bit, he gave me another one. Certainly no question of starvation beforehand. Anyway, now after several months, its seem better, unless of course, I overdo the stairs or walking.

Good luck

Joy

mistywillow

sarahchall wrote:

Hello, just wondering if anyone on here knows why you can't eat for hours before an injection for bursitis...I have been in agony with left hip, thigh and leg pain for years, pain turning over in bed wakes me up etc etc. Have lumber osteo-arthritis and everyone thought the left leg pain was sciatica. Went to the Pain Clinic - analgesics never took away the pain so doc refered me to Pain Management - and the consultant THINKS i could have bursitis so he's got me down for an injection on June 1st. I was fine about this - just praying the injectiopn was the answer to my prayers - but the hospital phoned me today and said nothing to eat after 7am. on that morning.....My appointment's in the afternoon! Just a local anaesthetic before the main one. So I'm actually a bit worried now and just wondering why I have to go so long without food. Just clear drinks. Strange. Even the nurse who phoned me didn't know!

Hi Sarah
It is unusual to be asked to starve before a steroid injection into a bursa. Are they planning to do another procedure as well or maybe some blood tests? Some of those have to be done on an empty stomach.
The others are right about too many doctors not expalining things well enough. Some of them you have to really make a point of firmly asking them to clarify things and making sure you get a satisfactory reply so YOU understand what is going on and actively participate in the decision makeing process. Perhaps you could either phone up the secretary or the clinic where you are being referred and ask them why.
Good luck
gillx

sarahchall

mistywillow wrote:

sarahchall wrote:

Hello, just wondering if anyone on here knows why you can't eat for hours before an injection for bursitis...I have been in agony with left hip, thigh and leg pain for years, pain turning over in bed wakes me up etc etc. Have lumber osteo-arthritis and everyone thought the left leg pain was sciatica. Went to the Pain Clinic - analgesics never took away the pain so doc refered me to Pain Management - and the consultant THINKS i could have bursitis so he's got me down for an injection on June 1st. I was fine about this - just praying the injectiopn was the answer to my prayers - but the hospital phoned me today and said nothing to eat after 7am. on that morning.....My appointment's in the afternoon! Just a local anaesthetic before the main one. So I'm actually a bit worried now and just wondering why I have to go so long without food. Just clear drinks. Strange. Even the nurse who phoned me didn't know!

Hi Sarah
It is unusual to be asked to starve before a steroid injection into a bursa. Are they planning to do another procedure as well or maybe some blood tests? Some of those have to be done on an empty stomach.
The others are right about too many doctors not expalining things well enough. Some of them you have to really make a point of firmly asking them to clarify things and making sure you get a satisfactory reply so YOU understand what is going on and actively participate in the decision makeing process. Perhaps you could either phone up the secretary or the clinic where you are being referred and ask them why. Gosh you should have been a fly on the wall to listen to the conversation I had over the phone with the nurse who booked me that appointment. There were about an hour-long breaks in the conversation while I was waiting for her to reply. I kept asking her why was it I had to starve - an hour's pause - then she said"Iam only reading the procedure as it is written here for admissions to the day hospital". So told her I wasn't having a baby, it was just an injection, another hour's pause and the same reply. Eventually, after another hour she said she would have a word with the consultant who was giving the injection - the head of pain management itself actually - and "tell him of my protestations".Then she sais she'd ring me back when he'd finished surgery. She rang back at 9pm(!!) and said"the advice I gave you remains". So I just said ok and put the phone down. What else CAN I do?? The scary part in all this is absolutely no-one on here understands the reason.....
Good luck
gillx

sarahchall

sarahchall wrote:

mistywillow wrote:

sarahchall wrote:

Hello, just wondering if anyone on here knows why you can't eat for hours before an injection for bursitis...I have been in agony with left hip, thigh and leg pain for years, pain turning over in bed wakes me up etc etc. Have lumber osteo-arthritis and everyone thought the left leg pain was sciatica. Went to the Pain Clinic - analgesics never took away the pain so doc refered me to Pain Management - and the consultant THINKS i could have bursitis so he's got me down for an injection on June 1st. I was fine about this - just praying the injectiopn was the answer to my prayers - but the hospital phoned me today and said nothing to eat after 7am. on that morning.....My appointment's in the afternoon! Just a local anaesthetic before the main one. So I'm actually a bit worried now and just wondering why I have to go so long without food. Just clear drinks. Strange. Even the nurse who phoned me didn't know!

Hi Sarah
It is unusual to be asked to starve before a steroid injection into a bursa. Are they planning to do another procedure as well or maybe some blood tests? Some of those have to be done on an empty stomach.
The others are right about too many doctors not expalining things well enough. Some of them you have to really make a point of firmly asking them to clarify things and making sure you get a satisfactory reply so YOU understand what is going on and actively participate in the decision makeing process. Perhaps you could either phone up the secretary or the clinic where you are being referred and ask them why. Gosh you should have been a fly on the wall to listen to the conversation I had over the phone with the nurse who booked me that appointment. There were about an hour-long breaks in the conversation while I was waiting for her to reply. I kept asking her why was it I had to starve - an hour's pause - then she said"Iam only reading the procedure as it is written here for admissions to the day hospital". So told her I wasn't having a baby, it was just an injection, another hour's pause and the same reply. Eventually, after another hour she said she would have a word with the consultant who was giving the injection - the head of pain management itself actually - and "tell him of my protestations".Then she sais she'd ring me back when he'd finished surgery. She rang back at 9pm(!!) and said"the advice I gave you remains". So I just said ok and put the phone down. What else CAN I do?? The scary part in all this is absolutely no-one on here understands the reason.....
Good luck
gillx

woodbon

Hi,
It sounds as if they are not that well organized on the admin side. My thoughts are maybe the wrong standard letter, but I may well be wrong. Perhaps your GP may be able to help? Maybe you could ask them? Best wishes Sue.

sarahchall

Yes it's so frustrating. I'm going to book an appointment for next week with my own GP. I'm getting really worried about all this. Thanks anyway and I will let you know what he thinks.

madwestie

I've been having some pain in my hip for quite a while the depo medrone injections seem to help for a few weeks then it is back again. It is now spreading down the outside of my leg to my knee..
I spoke to the rheumy nurse on tuesday and she said she thinks it is Burstitis. she is going to bring my next appointment forward as she wants to see it when it is bad. So no injection for me til the end of June.

Does anyone know if the injection into the hip works for longer than the systemic steriod injection.

I will be interested to read how the injections go for those waiting.