Steroid injection

[Cheylann]

Had a steroid injection in buttocks this morning and already all the stiffness in my feet/ankles is gone and all the pain. What amazing stuff it is. Such a shame it is so damaging otherwise I would stay on it forever. Been in terrible pain everyday for 6 months and this is the first pain free day. I has forgotten how wonderful it feels to be pain and symptom free. However, I know it will return with a vengeance but will enjoy it for now.

[NeonkittyUK]

Yes you enjoy as the relief is immense. Hope you and get your joint problems under permanent control very soon. I had a lot of foot trouble at first. Have you seen an orthotist who could help with inner soles/orthotics/custom shoes? That can help greatly with foot pain. I agree that the general steroid injection should last longer. If only. x

[Cheylann in reply to NeonkittyUK]

Methotrexate injections been prescribed however they are not sure if my problem is an immune response or something else so still waiting for a proper diagnosis. So frustrating and painful.

[NeonkittyUK in reply to Cheylann]

I understand. It is hard. I waited 9 months before mine showed a positive rheumatoid factor.

[Cheylann in reply to NeonkittyUK]

All my blood is normal and very little joint damage and not much inflammation shown on scan so this is what is confusing to rheumy. However I have such a good response to steroids. All pain and stiffness goes for a while.

[NeonkittyUK in reply to Cheylann]

Yes it is frustrating when the bloods are good but you feel ... Not that good!

[nomoreheels]

Yes, enjoy it. The relief it brings is immeasurable, you do forget what it's like to be normal. It is unfortunate it's not something we can have too regularly but make hay. 😊

[chalky1938]

I have the same it’s ok for so long and then it’s back

[helixhelix]

I loved my steroid "holidays"...but don't do too much! Very tempting to rush about when you feel good and are pain free, but don't overdo things.

[Cheylann in reply to helixhelix]

Already done too much. Long walk with dog yesterday and can feel twinges and stiffness creeping back into my feet already and it's only been 3 days since my injection. Oh dear short lived relief.

[Fruitandnutcase]

Enjoy it while it lasts!

I took a three month course of steroids and it was absolutely amazing to be pain free I felt like. WonderWoman. Every day I used to be amazed at how good not hurting felt. It seemed quite strange that you could be aware that your body wasn’t hurting.

My very elderly aunt who used to be given steroids for her osteoporosis used to drive my mother, her sister round the bend by going out fir a round of golf when her steroids kicked in. Don’t think it did her body much good and poor mother had to pick up the pieces which was why she used to get annoyed but Auntie was determined. That was years ago,long before I developed arthritis but even then I could understand why she did it.

[Cheylann in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

I can't take the tablets as had a burst stomach ulcer but I would like a shot if I could as I have to beg and plead for these injections. Ridiculous!

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Cheylann]

It would have been an injection for me but I’m a bit needle phobic - only for injections I can give blood no problem - anyway quick as a flash I asked if pills would be an option. I said I complied well as I already take other meds daily and never forget so I got the pills.

I wrote out a daily calendar for taking them though, the dose started quite high and reduced by a certain amount every few days until three months after I started I had finished all of the pills so it was quite complicated. I’d never have managed if I hadn’t made myself a three month calendar specially for the steroids.

[Cheylann in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

I would be terrified of another stomach ulcer and also injection works immediately so for me it's a no brained.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Cheylann]

I know, I’m such a wimp. When I was young it was the start of mass polio vaccines in the Town Hall, it was all quite brutal in its way and I just developed a phobia.

[Cheylann in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

No I don't think u r a wimp at all. I feel claustrophobic often even if there is too much clutter around me or I can't have a mri scan etc so I fully understand phobias. Apparently lots of people are terrified of needles. If I was I would not be able to have steroids due to my stomach.

[Joy_1]

Enjoy enjoy enjoy!!

[jojo_71]

Hey cheylann!

Enjoy the relief! It's such an amazing feeling when you are pain free for the first time in ages!

You say above that they aren't sure if your problem is an immune response, well considering how well you have responded to the steroid, I would say that answers that question...

Enjoy it.

Its good to know there is something out there that can help us.

Jojo xx

[Cheylann in reply to jojo_71]

Yes I agree and I find it worrying that I have such a good response to steroid as that tells me it's inflammation. However all my blood tests are normal and apart fm plantar fascia and bone erosion in my feet there is no inflammation showing when I had ultra sound and MRI scans. So rheumy said my symptoms are not consistent with RA or Psa and she thinks they are mechanical. If that is the case why the excellent response to stiffness and pain? A mystery and worrying as the pain will come back.

[jojo_71 in reply to Cheylann]

Hi again Cheylann . Despite my knees been very badly damaged (now both replaced), ie mechanical pain mostly.. I still had good responses to steroids..

I think my nurse said that the steroid reduced swelling in tissues around bad joints, so reduced pain generally and even a damaged joint will work better. I think you must have some inflammation, to have had such a strong response. I would feed back the response you have had.. So they have all the facts.

Hope you are still feeling well. Xx

[Cheylann in reply to jojo_71]

Thank u so much for responding. I do have a small amount in my feet which they have seen on mri scan however she says it's not enough to give a definite immune disorder diagnosis. Said it could be mechanical. I'm hoping so as do not want to stay on methotrexate as I feel it's so damaging as well. Anyway I'm seeing podiatrists and bio mechanics and don't expect total cure but just so the pain in feet and knees is bearable.

I'm still experiencing relief fm steroid shot however a slight pain creeping back into my heels.

[iAce]

Oh the joy of normality after a SI eh! It’s a blessing and a curse knowing it’s short term and can only be a periodic reprieve but do enjoy just not too much work your way up to doing more and I hope you have many many pain free days for the foreseeable Cheylann.

I too love it and try to make the most of it while it lasts xx

[Kracker55]

Hi Cheylann wondering how your doing. I have gotten relief only to find out it’s really the lidocaine in the injection. Just wondered if your still getting relief.

[Cheylann in reply to Kracker55]

Yes still pain free!

[Kracker55 in reply to Cheylann]

Glad to hear I get jealous of those it works for lol

[Cheylann in reply to Kracker55]

I wonder why it doesn't work for everyone? I thought if u have inflammation in your body it will remove it? Obviously not!

[rab1874]

Enjoy it but don’t overdo things xx

[Wobblyone]

Enjoy it while you can. xx

[Cheylann in reply to Wobblyone]

It's wearing off already. However stiffness still.gone.

[Jaxine]

Yes agreed! My first steroid injection was amazing, I thought they must have misdiagnosed me with RA lol! however my second one 7 weeks later has not been so good but I think its due to a much smaller dose being injected. I'm just waiting for Mtx to kick in, only another 8 weeks to go!! I only started Mtx 2 weeks ago. Enjoy the feeling.