Advice about steroid injections

[Mouseling]

I am on the biologic Cimzia since September 2018 for RA. The drug doesn't seem to be working very well. I had a steroid injection 3 months ago which has now worn off and I am flaring again badly. My Rheumy nurse says I can have another steroid injection. I will see the consultant at the end of July unless I get a cancellation. This is when they will look at changing my medication. A different rheumy nurse said that they like to limit steroid injections to 3 a year if they can because of side effects. I have had to have steroid injections before because I have had problems with the RA drugs not being effective enough. My question is will I start to have other problems with effects from the steroids damaging me? I have heard that your adrenal glands can stop working properly. Nervous but the steroid injection means I will be able to function again until I get reviewed in July. Any advice appreciated. Thank you

[helixhelix]

That's why they stick to around 3 injections a year. Each one is normally a 120mg dose, ie 360mg/year so about the equivalent of 1mg a day which said to be a safe dose. But if you end up with 4 a year it's also said to be ok.

[patricia1193]

Sorry to hear the drug not working for you Hopefully a change of meds to get the right combination is all that is needed.I had many steroid injections starting off monthly then 2 weekly then oral steroids for 18 months.At the time without them I was in a wheelchair as all usual drugs failed .Eventually things were sorted and I have improved.The steroids got me through a very difficult time and although I was worried they did lots of bloods scans bone density scans etc to make sure things ok.I hope this reassures you a little.Good luck.

[Mouseling]

Thanks for your replies.