What is best?

It's possible no one can advise with this, but an opinion will be appreciated.

I've got a steroid jab booked for my bursitis inflamed shoulder - Nov 15th. But also want blood test for any sign of auto-immune disease or infection/inflammation .

So, will the steroid jab affect the blood result? Should I cancel jab and get bloods done first? Really need to find out what is going on in there as pain in neck & shoulders is agonising & miserable. (Bear in mind my GP thinks I'm faking it) .

Any guidance appreciated. Thanks.

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From experience hun - NO- the injections is straight into the affected area of pain ( I had shoulders, cocyx , elbows and knees done this way) IF you had a one off injection into your big muscle then that WOULD go into your blood stream and affect any tests you might need, so I say have the bursitis treated and book blood tests with GP. BUT dont be surprised if GP refuses they are being slated with massive cut backs at present and if your steroid injection takes away the pain and movement problems like mine did; then he might say no. Have you got a Rheumatologist?? If so he would take these bloods for you and report them back to your gp but you might wait a while for that appt.. I do hope your steroid works, it has done for me, they last around 6-9 months depending on how you use each area I repeated elbow because i did some wallpaper hanging and pushing the paper into pattern needed a lot of "elbow grease"

[CarolineC57]

Hi Melza-t - I'd say get your blood tests done first, before the steroid injection. Any steroid injection, even direct into the specific area, will have some anti-inflammatory effect all over the body, so if you are having inflammation markers tested you'll definitely get a truer reading if you have this done before the steroid injection.

I've had a couple of steroid injections (ultrasound-guided) into my shoulder, where I have calcified tendons, and they've helped tremendously for a few months. Good luck with it!

[bantam12]

Yes bloods first as steroids will affect results. Injections never worked for my shoulder pain.

[Rose54]

Hi

I personally would have blood test done first

However not everyone shows inflammation with Autoimmune illness

I have PMR and my blood markers never showed inflammation

[Usandthem]

Hi I think I would get bloods first, just an idea I had bloods to get done (was about 15 months ago mind you 😳 seemed sooner inside my head) then had steriod/lidocane injection into spine. Got advised bloods first just as a precaution 😞so maybe just be on safe side but talk to your GP if you're worried. Sorry hope this was helpful. Good luck, Peace and love 💕✌

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Thanks for advice, appt with different doc & wrote to request blood tests from previous doc, (hoped results arrived the same time as new doc appt - they won't ) blood tests granted but GP added they'd be a waste of time ....😣

Just can't understand why there's so much muscle pain, that's never eased. Do physio, walking, Tens, pills, relaxation exercises - it's dominating my entire life!

Thanks for your opinions - they helped. x