Steroid Injections

[Tee-Cee]

When I visited my rhummy nurse, she increased my Mtx dosage, she also offered a Steroid injection. I have heard such awful things about steroids, I said I would make do at the moment. Now, the pain and swelling in my hands and wrists is starting in my elbows, have I made a mistake by refusing.

[allanah]

It's a really personal decision . Yes steroids have side effects but in general if over used for long periods , doctors are much more savy these days.

I was in so much of a flare last week I got two in my knees. With me I don't sleep well for a couple of days( but compared to the not sleeping due to pain that's nothing) and my blood sugars rise ( but I'm on insulin so I can control them) .

But these problems may not affect you.

Personally I jump at the chance to have them And call them my steroid holiday! Already my knees feel better .

You could phone them tomorrow and ask if you wanted one as you know it will be a few weeks before your mtx injections increase will show . That when I mainly use them during changes of medication and when the pain isn't being controlled by splints, hot packs, pain meds .

Whatever you decide it's got to be right for you . Good luck and I hope you get some relief from the pain soon xx

[lainee]

Hi Tee-Cee I have never had any side effects from injections just relief from pain when it gets too much or when changing meds. It is really hard to decide but you would probably never take anything if you read all the things but we all react differently. Why not discuss your fears with RN if you ring .Xxx Good luck either way xxx

[helixhelix]

I find there's a big difference between the injections and tablets. The jabs are a controlled slow release steroid so are quite gradual in the way they take effect and then wear off - and I have had them in the past and find them great. The tablets on the other hand I avoid as I find them very harsh emotionally and depending on the dose it can be hard to wean off them.

But it's a personal choice, so you have to do what feels right to you.

[Beaches2]

Hi

I had lots of steroid injections over the first year or so when things were bad. long term steroid use is not good for us at all, but over a relatively short period they can bring the inflammation right down and so help prevent joint damage.......and of course make us feel much better while we patiently wait for the meds to work!

Do you have a helpline number to phone and discuss with them?

if you go for it, you will be amazed at how all the aches and pains just disappear like magic and suddenly you have this amazing energy. Good luck

[farm123]

It is a case of weighing things up. Yes they can have their side effects but that varies depending on dose level and whether injection or oral. A steroid holiday is nice but should only be seen as a short term solution as they can mask things. Hopefully it would tide you over until the increased dose kicks in. A chat with your rheumy nurse over it would be useful as they can instruct the GP to give a larger dose, if necessary, than they would routinely give. If your GP is willing this can be a quicker route of getting the injection.

Of course there can be emotional (its a running joke that mum's had a jab/tablets watch yourself) and weight issues (I want to eat more!), a couple of disturbed nights sleep on a higher dose, depending on age spotting, and I can get a red face (if I have had a higher dose or two joints injected) the following day but these do not last very long and the relief for a while is worth it. Generally you can only have up to 4 a year. Farm

[Jhac27]

I had several steroid injections over the time my arthritis was not controlled well and never noticed any side effects other than the magical relief of pain and swelling :).

[determined56]

Hello as a lifelong steroid user (59yrs) the benefit of injections strongly outweighs the burdens.

Ask for a dexa scan which checks bone density ...

Waiting for my next deep injection into my sacroiliac joint...Roll on....

All the scaremongering about steroids is unnecessary GO by your own gut feelings am I in so much pain that I will give anything a shot!! to get relief albeit it be temporary.

Talk to your GP + Rheumy....they see steroid use everyday.

The above is only my personal opinion and my personal experiences....

Good luck hugs to all

[ladybird930]

Hi TC...like you I had heard such bad things about steroids, but at the time I would have accepted anything to stop the pain. I was given an injection at my first ever visit to a Rheumy and about 6 months later I started with regular doses every 2 months to go with my sulph. My pain gets much better after a couple of days but I can always tell when my next injection is due. My hair has gone very curly and thin and I have some red marks on my skin but all I care about is the lessening of the pain. After a couple of years I am now about to start on biologics so hopefully the steroids can be discontinued. I don't know how I would have coped without them and if it turns out I need them in the future I would have them. Pain is so debilitating as we all know.

We are all so different, but best of luck Wx