Steroid Injections in Shoulder (AC) Joint - Osteoarthritis

hayleymm18
hayleymm18 Member Posts: 3
edited 26. May 2025, 13:09 in Living with arthritis

Hi everybody I’d like some advice please. I have had 3 steroid injections in my left shoulder over the past 2 years (diagnosed in March 2023).
My first one took nearly 12 months to wear off but took 2 months to really notice, the second one took 8 months to wear off and now the last one seems to have only taken 3 months to wear off. I’ve been taking paracetamols in between times and sometimes paracetamol and codeine but has anybody carried on for more years with the steroid injections to avoid surgery? I am able to move my arm but pain has returned all in the shoulder/collar bone area and up the left side of my neck. I’m due to go to Orlando to Disney/Universal theme parks with my 2 grown up kids and husband soon and I am also worried about my pain management whilst I’m there. I also have arthritis in my toes and fingers. Thanks in advance

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  • annabanana
    annabanana Moderator Posts: 153

    hi @hayleymm18 , it is important to note that everyone is different however I had a similar experience with steroid injections. I received my first one in 2020 and a month later it had completely wore off, luckily, my rheumatologist then started me on methotrexate barely a month after I called to say I was no longer feeling the positive effects of the steroids. Funnily enough, I also went to Disney/Universal Orlando the summer after that! I had RA in my toes/elbows/hands at this point and on days where I felt as though I couldn’t face the park, we hired a wheelchair and it was a God-send. We also went to disability services at Disney and got (I believe) “Rider Switch” privileges after showing proof of an RA diagnosis - all the staff members we interacted with were extremely kind and understanding. I also brought up my pain/sleeping concerns to my GP and got prescribed some stronger co-codamol and also learned that you shouldn’t take melatonin if you have RA (who knew!), so I would definitely recommend talking to your GP/rheumatologist about your concerns.

    I hope you find a treatment which provides you with more long-term relief and you have a great time on your trip to Orlando!

    Need more help? - call our Helpline on 0800 5200 520 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm

  • Arthuritis
    Arthuritis Member Posts: 567
    edited 26. May 2025, 13:08

    @annabanana Ahhh melatonin the magic deep sleep agent that triggers the body’s maintenance cycle while we sleep… except now it wakes up the marauding misguided immune system while you think you are having a deep sleep only to wake up with bad RA flaring! Unfortunately our brain produces this anyway, and anytime we have that delightful snooze… even without the melatonin gummies, the T-eff cell marauders are trashing our joints like badly behaved party goers!

    Good to know about carrying proof of RA Dx & Disney ride privileges!

    Worrying about the steroid injection wearing off, I have 2 in the middle finger of each hand, for about 9 months now. I hope it does not wear off too soon.

    The rheumy’s thoughts were these isolated RA spots were actually created by my nerves, emitting inflammatory cytokines, under orders from some misguided part of my brain!

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,370
    edited 26. May 2025, 15:12

    Hello @hayleymm18

    I have a shoulder issue too atm had it for well over a year. Did the physio, had one injection took over 10 days to work and lasted maybe 2 weeks😕 They haven't worked for me in other joints although the depo one which 'goes everywhere' did work at least for a while for my inflammatory arthritis. We are all different my ex MIL used to get a year at least - once even two from an injection into a joint.

    Seems like you are getting diminishing returns with each successive one and might be wondering whether it's worth another try.

    I think you need a good chat with your (hopefully nice GP) about your next steps particularly your holiday and pain management there.

    Very best of luck

    Toni x

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