Hi all, quick question, hoping for some guidance, I have been having periods of high pain levels and stiffness, phoned the helpline and the nurse has responded with a systemic steroid injection, but when I research this, it looks like intravenous injections can work systemically, but an injection into a muscle (bottom) would only work locally, any help gratefully received.
Many thanks
Steroid in bum never work for me. Joint injection much better for me, gives me overall help.
A steroid intramuscular injection (depo medrone) into the bottom works systemically for many people at reducing overall inflammation, but unfortunately not for me. It works throughout the body, not locally.
Local steroid injections are given directly into the joint, the thumb, or shoulder joint for example, they work only in the joint which has been injected. But they sometimes do not work, as for me again !
Intravenous steroids are not routinely given for rheumatoid disease, very rare in fact. I doubt this would be offered to you as a first line treatment.
Oral steroids in the form of prednisilone tablets are used too. This works best for me. The the prednisolone tablets work systemically too, they reduce inflammation throughout the body.
Best wishes.
An intramuscular injection of steroid will be absorbed more slowly and have general body effects. For most people it takes 24-48 hours to have a noticeable effect, be effective for perhaps one or two weeks and then will gradually reduce. But people do vary a lot in their response partly due to different rates of absorption from muscle in individuals and how much the muscle is used. And, of course, it does also depend on the dose used.
Injections into joints usually only have localised effects, although there may be a little general absorption.
Intravenous injections of steroids are usually only given in emergency situations, but can be used in a drip over a longer period to suppress the inflammatory response more quickly and effectively.
I used to have injections about three times a year, but now I monitor my condition and take varying doses of oral steroids as needed.
Works all over for me at least 4 times over the years of RA. Almost instant relief.
Ditto - I have 3/4 shots in the bum to keep things under control...very occasionally I get a 'duff' on that doesn't seem to do anything but generally the relief is almost immediate and can last several weeks.
I've had two and they worked both times, we're all different though and what works for one isn't force to work for another. xx
The ones in your bum have worked for me in varying degrees from 10 days relief to 6 weeks then tapering off (I’ve had 5 in the last 18 months). They do work systemically. The ones in your joints are a fraction of the strength and only work on the joint injected.
They work for me. All the best
Back in the good old days when I could have steroid jabs, I had one in my thigh for overall inflamation which worked a treat and lasted a couple of weeks. I've also had one directly into a shoulder joint for localised pain, which was also effective.
A systemic steroid injection is usually called a general steroid injection if that helps. If you think general pain... you have a general steroid injection (or oral steroids) whereas localised pain... you have a targeted or local(ised) steroid injection into a specific joint, that may help.
IV steroids are intended to bring really bad, severe, inflammation under control very quickly. Hopefully you'll not need to have IV ones ever.
I've had both types and they work well for me.
My consultant gave me an injection into each shoulder joint when I could hardly move at all. I passed out initially 🥴 because my blood pressure plummeted but I soon recovered. These worked on my arms and hands but also had an effect systemically. The intramuscular injections, which a nurse can give, also work well and I've had several; they work systematically for up to about 4/6 weeks for me. I've also been on oral steroids (10mg Prednisolone) for months but hoping to start a taper programme soon now the biologic drug I'm on seems to be working well. I've only had an intravenous infusion (not injection) of steroid prior to having my biologic drug infusion and I think that's given in order to reduce the chance of an adverse reaction to the drug infusion which follows.
Hi Lolabridge. What is an infusion and why give instead of an injection?🙂
My drug Truxima (a biosimilar to Rituximab) is delivered by a drip intravenously through a cannula in my hand or arm. There is 1000mg of the active drug in 500ml of saline and the infusion process takes several hours to complete. It has to be done at the hospital and the process is supervised by highly trained nurses who take obs at regular intervals. Two infusions are given two weeks apart. The process is repeated after a minimum of six months.
As far as I am aware this drug is never given by injection.
Thank you. Are all biologics given in that way?
I’m no expert but there’s plenty of information on drugs on the NRAS website.
No some biological and biosimilars are injected. The newer JAK inhibitors are tablets.
Thank you 🙂
Find others with similar diagnosis as yourself and hear what has worked for them then decide which method for cure also don’t worry relax smile and change your diet also pray for healing with Faith ok Best Wishes💐❤️🌲🎼🌝❄️🍒
Always work for me, you must take the advice of the professionals, they know more about your case. I’m sure that they would not waste valuable resources if they felt there wouldn’t be any gain for you. Stay positive and you’re half way there!
Worked for me.. 2-3 months relief .. but I always had a flare after the jab which lasted about 4-5days. People vary in their response( obviously!) good luck and hope it works for u as can be a little bit of magic🤞
Steroid intramuscular, i.e. into the bottom, is generally systemic. I have had a few and they did work for me, but they are short term, only lasting a couple of weeks. It is definitely worth a try. The alternative is a targeted steroid injection into the affected joints, I have not had these.
I've had several into my elbows and feet and I won't ever have them again as the joints are so painful afterwards and then they clear up for a short while and then pain comes back worse than ever.
I have found the systemic ones are better and tackle all the aches and pains. Obviously it's only temporary but great to have relief when in pain.
I've had several into muscle in bottom for pain and stiffness and they work brilliantly. Definitely don't need it in your vein in fact never heard of it. If you have so much pain go for injection. It works quickly as well. By end of day most of pain in my feet was gone.
I had got both sides injected during my very first visit before any medication. So far okay to me but I am not sure if it worked as the pain was still very bad and the stiffness was very bad too for many months.
I’ve had several injections to the bottom over the last two years that have helped to get general inflammation down to a level where meds can kick in and take charge. I have also had direct injections to my ankles, knees and shoulders which I’ve had fantastic results from.
I was given one of these recently on the advice of my consultant. It was recorded as Depo-Medrone 120 mg intramuscularly. The area at the front of my right foot had become incredibly swollen and often very painful. The injection in the bum was painless and quick and I have seen a massive reduction in swelling and pain so I would recommend it. I think the effects only last for a limited period though ...
When i have it into the hip i hardly notice any difference but if pain is for a joint that i am having a bad time with and given straight into that joint it works wonders for me
I always get a intramuscular injection of steroids and it works very well get about 6 weeks
I've had three - first one didn't work, the second one was fantastic and gave me almost three months relief but the third one had no effect. The one that worked improved all my symptoms massively, throughout my body. I'd definitely give it a try and see if it's effective for you. Even a temporary fix is better than constant pain. I hope you have good results!
Steroid injection in the bum works brilliant for me. When I have a bad flare my nurse gives me one a week for 3 weeks and I feel like a new woman, all my swelling goes down and I can walk normal for about 8 weeks and then it wears off.
Thank you everyone foe sharing your experiences, it a great help when mulling over the pros and cons. 
Hi I have had Steroid injections because I can not take Steroid in tablet form. The Tablets cause Ulcerated food pipe and ulcers in my Stomach too. Many people have said this too we are all different and RA proves that many times over. We are all Guinea pigs until they find the right treatment. You just have to be a patient. Good luck
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Steroid injection didn’t work :( 
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