I'm having great relief from an IM steroid injection the rheumy nurse gave me 9 days ago, it's like a wee holiday from the usual pain and struggle. Not quite bounding along like a gazelle, but it feels like it to me in comparison to my 'normal'.
Anyone have any idea how long this can last, or is it such an individual thing?
Hi I was given my 1st steroid coming up for 2 weeks ago. And feel like you on it. I was told they last a out 2 months by consultant. Andrea
smiling - i remember what it felt like to have that holiday. I think you will find the length of that holiday is very individual.. think it should be about 8-12 weeks. I found it varied for me depending on how active my disease is
So an IM only gave me a few weeks, whereas, IV, gave me two months. I have to say though my RA is in every possible joint, with the exception of my spine............
Enjoy your holiday and do not overdo---pacing is the key
Katie
I keep telling myself to pace but the temptation to catch up on all the stuff I haven't been able to do is great. I'm trying tho. 
Moifoi PLEASE pace yourself! I have had them last six months before (coincidence maybe) but the norm for me is about 4 months. However, I had one six weeks ago that didn't work at all, I think it just depends on how the RA is acting up at the time. Enjoy the holiday 
Thanks darlin, I know you're right. Trouble is what does it mean to pace yourself? I was so active before this, well, not like running or jogging or any of those ludicrous pursuits but in my own way. Full time work, 13 hour shifts, all my own gardening and housework, decorating etc .... To nothing! Off work sick with a 3 month line from the Doctor, unable to do much at all.. And now I feel normal again (nearly) and there's so much to catch up on...does pace yourself mean do things gently or not very many things ? Serious question. How do people pace themselves?
Moira x
Definitely pace yourself. Its incredibly easy to push through and end up doing loads more, but in as much pain as you were before. If you really want the relief, then you need to resist the temptation of increasing your activity too much.
I was a bit disappointed in my steroid injection (after having had short oral steroid courses that gave dramatic relief), and thought it was starting to wear off after only a couple of weeks. in hindsight, I was doing just what I warned against - trying to do too much, but also the effect was a bit more subtle than the oral tablets. In the end I think I got a good 6-8 weeks out of one injection, and it would have been a full three months before I was feeling bad again.
How do you pace yourself? just try and limit what you do to what you were trying to do before the injection, but recognising that its a lot easier and less painful. Keep on asking for help. Keep on doing things in short bursts a little at a time, and allowing enough time to be able to feel what impact it has had on you before you do something else that is physical. You know the areas of your body that are likely to flare, so just don't push those areas too hard.
Excellent advice thank you, I will try that..x
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