Hi all
my next rheum appointment is 9th August so I'm keeping my posts to only when I have something useful to offer! I had physio Thursday and we discussed steroid pills versus injections. To recap I had requested injection into my shoulder (although all my arms joints hurt, the right was agony) but GP said to stick to pills.. I ended up being sent by GP to A & E as the pain became unbearable and the doctor there said an injection might have been a better idea too. However when I told this tale to the physio (I've been told to lay off all exercises because of the fluid and inflammation) she said that latest research shows that steroid injections can be really damaging to soft tissue especially muscle, even just one or two. So, in retrospect I'm glad I didn't have it.
My main concern had been that I take Topiramate for my head and GP warned me it may reduce the effect of steroids. What it's really done is just taken longer to take effect. Even now that I've tapered to 10mg of the Pred, it is giving me relief but it just took longer to get there than when I took the previous course before I started on Topiramate - but it was worth persevering.