IM steroid injection - when will it start working? - NRAS

NRAS

37,263 members46,132 posts

IM steroid injection - when will it start working?

Geb777 profile image
10 Replies

I recently got the IM depo medrone steroid injection into my left thigh to help with inflammation and pain for my possible RA. I would love to hear other people's experiences of it and the effects. It's been six days since I've had the injection, I've definitely noticed less stiffness and a bit less pain. When I touch the areas that were very painful before such as my elbow, knee hands neck etc they don't feel inflamed and I don't have pain when I push into the point (which I did before the injection). However I'm still experiencing some pain in my shoulder joints and my hands, I feel like I've lost the sensation in my hands as well. Is this normal? I read that sometimes chronic pain and inflammation can mean that the pain can take a bit longer to subside. I was just wondering when I can hope for the pain to settle down and whether the loss of sensation in hands is a normal effect? I would be grateful to hear about everyone else's experiences with the injection as I'm a bit worried that I'm still having some pain

Written by
Geb777 profile image
Geb777
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
10 Replies

It’s so individual. My first injection was marvellous kicked in straight away subsequent ones more disappointing one lasted a week but did work within 12 hours it helped with the swelling and a bit with stiffness. My last one nothing no help at all. Some people have great relief 🤷‍♀️ no reason other than disease is fickle. If your problems still continues or get worse make sure you get help oral steroids might be better. Nothing worse when things are out of control.

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone

Don’t worry....everyone seems to react differently....for some it knocks symptoms on the head for weeks....for others Depomedrone never works.

As you are getting some relief that is a hopeful sign,....I’d give it a little while yet.....try not to overdo things.

medway-lady profile image
medway-lady

Always worked for me but once I had 3 jabs in a couple of weeks but it was on holiday so a foreign doctor might not have been the real stuff. I found usually worked straight away and lasted for three months but I've no experience of numbness. Sorry. x

jell profile image
jell in reply tomedway-lady

ooo I was told can't have more than 3 per year!

medway-lady profile image
medway-lady in reply tojell

Yes same here except in exceptional circumstances and 1 was on a cruise liner in Florence, we came home and up went the ankle next day and the RA consultant saw me as an emergency and it really , really hurt and he said lets sort that out !

rounder profile image
rounder

I generally get good results, for me it takes about a week to start working well and I generally get 2 or 3 months relief from the worst of the symptoms of RA. I do get some numbness in my fingers due to swelling in my wrists, but I have Carpel tunnel syndrome too.

I hope the injections work for you too, but it's maybe worth talking to your rheumatology help line of you have concerns.

Geb777 profile image
Geb777

Thank you everyone for your advice! I'm hoping in a few days time it will start to kick in some more!

francko profile image
francko

When I've had the injections they usually took effect within 10 hours but only lasted for 10-14 days. I guess we're all very different!

I think it may be that the more you have, the less effective they are. To begin with they worked like magic for me, very quickly and lasted at least two months and took the pain away completely. Later, they still worked, but took longer to kick in and didn't last as long.

Now, they don't work at all which is very disappointing. I even had one done by guided ultrasound and even that didn't work.

I hope you soon get some relief.

Tompark profile image
Tompark

Don’t worry, I had injection last year and it took at least four weeks to start to work. I had given up on it and then it began to gradually ease.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

First steroid injection

Hello everyone I was diagnosed in August and am having my first flare after overdoing it a couple...
snotts profile image

Steroid injection

Hi. I had a steroid injection yesterday into muscle in arm as I'm having a flare. Blood showed...
Tawney profile image

Steroid injection .. How long will it last??

Hi everyone, well off to the rheumy tomorrow and have a plan in my mind for the way forward ... I...
Rosie_rabbit profile image

Steroid injection in knee - worth it?

Hello. I have inflammatory arthritis and have had knee pain for a few years, and a baker's cyst in...
rmros profile image

Steroid injection not working

I was given an injection a week ago and it hasn't helped at all is that normal. Also I've been off...
thompsonp profile image

Moderation team

See all
KateL-NRAS profile image
KateL-NRASAdministrator
Donagh-NRAS profile image
Donagh-NRASAdministrator
Nicola-NRAS profile image
Nicola-NRASAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.