How long does a steriod injection last :) - LUPUS UK

LUPUS UK

32,241 members28,596 posts

How long does a steriod injection last :)

willowwag profile image
11 Replies

Hi all, i wounder if you can help, i had a steriod injectction at the begining of dec to try and help my lupus, serositus..all through december i had 3 attacks of my excruciating abdo pain with vomiting, which was great as i normal have around 19 in a month..come thr first of jan bang, and i had three bouts in a week its only the 11th of jan and i have flared 8 times in 11 days, serositis is the inflamation of the lining of my abdomen and organs within, its horrific im still trying to hold my job down...i wished with every bone in my body that the steriods would work, im on planquinel 400mg, anitriptaline, tramadol (which make me non coherant).

My question really is should the effect from the steriod injection worn of so quick, or do i need a higher dose, im so in the dark, will the rhumy offer another one or add more meds to my mix.....feel so down today and feel like i need some advice please. Xxx im not seeing her till april, and my doctors know nothing about lupus, they just say im not touching u talk to ur rhumy...

Written by
willowwag profile image
willowwag
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
11 Replies

Hi willow wag, sorry don't know about jab but will be having my first on the 23rd this month. I'm sure rheumy said I would have them monthly but I'm wondering if I misheard. On this site people have spoke about it and said that a dose is worked out for the year and they split it into 4 or so injections every few months. I'm on same meds as you with oral pred and co codamol for pain. Will be very interested, hope you get a good response and I hope things settle for you soon.

willowwag profile image
willowwag

Hi 61, i think the plan with my rhumy is to have them every 3/4 months im seeing her on the 7th april, yes its very interesting i would be very gratefull if u do find out how long yours should last, and i cant remember the name of the steriod she gave me lol.. The injection doesnt hurt wishing you lots of luck keep in touch.

in reply towillowwag

Yes I will, think jab is called depo medrone or similar sounding. There is methyl prednisolone too, but could all be same group of drugs. As I said I will let you know. This memory lark is a nightmare. We line ourselves up like lambs to the slaughter. Have all sorts jabbed in us and we can't remember the name let alone why we are there. !!!!

Tigerlily4 profile image
Tigerlily4

Hi Willowwag. The maximum dose is 120mls of depo-medrone every 13 weeks (or 480mls per annum) and yes it does gradually wear off or sometimes not work at all, depending how much inflammation it's trying to quell. Some rheumatologists (ie. mine) will allow patients an extra 120mls per annum, which means you can have a shot every 10 weeks, but even so that's now not enough to keep me comfortable. Be aware you ought to be taking calcium and Vit D tabs every day while having shots to avoid osteoporosis and that long term use will also thin your skin. All in all though it's my drug of choice and can be topped up with NSAIDs if any work for you. Tramadol won't help with inflammation as you probably know. Hope that helps. x

in reply toTigerlily4

Sorry to jump in but has it made you put on much weight ?

Tigerlily4 profile image
Tigerlily4 in reply to

No worries 6161. Only if I eat, lol!

in reply toTigerlily4

Yes very funny, thanks for letting me know and apologies to willowwag for taking over.

Tigerlily4 profile image
Tigerlily4 in reply toTigerlily4

No, seriously ... it does make you crave carbohydrates, as do tricyclics, so if you're also taking amitriptiyene it's a double whammy. The way I deal with it is by avoiding eating carbs for the majority of the time.

Tigerlily4 profile image
Tigerlily4 in reply toTigerlily4

Amitriptyline. Lost concentration with kitten jumping all over me and the keyboard. Sorry, that didn't make much sense. What I meant is I've avoided weight gain by cutting out carbs almost entirely. It was difficult at first but not so bad once you get used to it. You can fill up with other veg. That's not to say I don't have the odd potato or pasta dish or chow mein but only as an occasional treat. Bread is better left out altogether though.

Tigerlily4 profile image
Tigerlily4 in reply toTigerlily4

BTW, Willowwag, I forgot to say you may not have been given the full 120mls in your first injection, so how quickly it wore off and how you feel now will also depend on the dose.

willowwag profile image
willowwag

Hi all thanks for getting back to me your all great, sometimes you just need to ask a question you dont get chance to ask the rhumey, i wish i could remember the name of tge steriod, i was talking to my husband about it hes great, i asked him do u think she gave me a low dose of steriod the first time, he said on the day i was like a rabbit in headlights lol, and he remember her saying we start low and work our way upwards....as if they start high theres no where to go, i think i get it noe with your replies, so because im flaring all the time maybe that why dec was great with only a few flares but its flaring so bad the inflamation may need a stronger dose...as to 61 question have i put on weight, anitriptaline made me put on weight it used to be 8 stone im now 9 1/2 the steriod injection hasnt realy made me put weight on but i did feel hungry more offten but i stuck to my normal routine.i dont realy know alot about steriods but it did work for about a month..

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

How long to diagnose

Iv been unwell for the past 18 months. Started with haemoproteinuria then april last year had...
Howsaboutit profile image

stopping medication/How long to leave your system?

Hi everyone I have had another frustrating conversation with my rhuemy nurse. Basically none of...
LULU85 profile image

Diagnosed last month but what does my future hold.

Ive been told I have lupus, a low white blood cell count and very defficient in vitamin D, and the...

ready to give up.....

Not feeling the best at the moment, having alot of sharp dull aches in my bones very hard to...

Lupus is winning

I am a 46yr old, black woman with a long history of problems with no real diagnosis/solution. I...
Lupiesteph profile image

Moderation team

See all
Debbie_kinsey profile image
Debbie_kinseyAdministrator
chelseawong profile image
chelseawongAdministrator
michaellasmith profile image
michaellasmithAdministrator

Top community tags

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.