I was diagnosed in August and am having my first flare after overdoing it a couple of weeks ago. I've got increased joint pain, swelling and tenderness particularly in my knees, a low grade fever, and feel like I've been hit by a bus. I'm exhausted all the time, my mobility is limited and I'm generally feeling rough with no appetite.
I spoke to the rheumatologist today who said I am definitely having a flare, and I'm going into the hospital for a steroid injection in the muscle tomorrow. I've had pred courses before for asthma and when I was diagnosed with arthritis, but never had an IM steroid injection. Aside from this I am taking mtx 20mg a week, hydroxychloraquine and naproxen twice a day.
I don't know what to expect and would be really keen to hear your experiences.
Thanks!
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snotts
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They are not usually painful….but they vary tremendously…..Sometimes they seem to work as you walk out the door….other times it can either take a few days…or not give any relief at all.Do hope you are one of the lucky ones.
When I needed them I was one of the lucky ones & sometimes a Depomedrone jab lasted weeks…but I developed so many side effects my rheumy advised me not to have them any more….but that is apparently quite unusual. Good Luck tomorrow!
I was given one when first diagnosed to tide me over until my meds kicked in and it really helped. I had another one a year or so later when I had a flare due to a break in medication and again it helped but maybe not quite so much. As AC says, it can vary but was completely painless both times. Hope that it helps you .
Hi snotts. I've had two Depomedrone in the top of my buttock, neither of which were painful. The first one was like a magic potion and worked within two to three hours and lasted for several weeks but the second one did almost nothing at all. I hope yours works really well. 🤞
If it’s an injection to a specific joint space/ surrounding area it’s really important you immobilise the joint after and don’t walk around or stand up when you get home doing jobs etc. They have always worked superbly for me but I’ve always done a full 24 hours rest/taxi or lift home and had my feet up for 24 hours exception bathroom. Mine have tended to last 7-9 months on average in the past. A recurrent Baker cyst due to OA in the knee, means my knee stiffens up after a certain number of months. Do ask for the cryo spray prior to the injection if they don’t offer it. It does help. Good luck and hope it brings much relief. I last had one November 2019 and it worked amazingly.
Same for me first time I could hardly walk into the hospital after the steroid injection I could of run back to my car 🤣 had another flare up about 2 years later it took about 3 weeks to start feeling human so it differs with us all good luck hope it works . Also it was painless each time 👍🏻😷
Yes it may be a flare and the steroid injection will help to dampen down your symptoms and make you feel better. But it could also be that your current medication might need tweaking or perhaps supplementing. You will know if the injection relief doesn't last long and then do contact your rheumatologist for further help.
Hey snotts. I've had two now. Both left my bottom feeling a bit bruised for a couple of days. The first helped my symptoms for about 4 days, and the second seemed to last 2 months. Hope it goes well for you and you're feeling better soon.
I've only had one when I was diagnosed and experiencing a flare. It was in my bum cheek and stung just a little. It kicked in about a few days later, and I was in a really bad way. Took all my swelling down for sure! Good luck 🤞
Hi. I’ve had 3. It was really interesting to read your replies because the first 2 worked really well - I felt like a completely new person and they both lasted about 6 weeks. Had my third one just before Xmas and, well, it got me through Xmas. Feel like the bus got me afterwards!
I’ve had several and the most relief I’ve had has been for six weeks but I’ve usually been in a very bad way before I’ve had them. My rheumy injects in the thigh but as others have said if at all possible rest for a few days if you can it definitely helps. My experience is they’re like a magic wand. I hope it works well for you and you get some relief.
I had 2 Depo-Medrone jabs 12 weeks apart last year and I must say they worked a treat for me 🤞I actually prefer them to taking oral Pred, as it gives me indigestion, plus you don’t have the problem of tapering, as they get absorbed naturally into the body.
The nurse who did mine must have been super experienced as I didn’t even feel them go in, I do have a fat bum though, so plenty of cushioning!!! 🤣
I've had 2, top of the buttock, barely felt it either time. 2.5g sulfasalazine controlled my RA for about a year, then I started flaring. I had the injection to settle symptoms until added hydroxychloroquine kicked in. After three days I no longer needed painkillers. I was ok for about 3 months then started flaring again - I totally limped into my next rheumy appointment! I was prescribed methotrexate too, and had another injection. The next day my limp was practically gone and again, I no longer needed painkillers. Result! That was about 4 weeks ago, and I still feel ok. Hopefully, the added methotrexate will keep it that way.
When I was first diagnosed with RA I had injection in my buttock and it worked like magic and then I started on medication The meds have had to be adjusted a few times but for nothing drastic . Seventeen years on I can’t complain😊Possibly your meds need a little adjusting too, good luck
Hi! I’ve had steroid injections that have helped a bit but most recently I had one for my knee and felt like a million bucks for weeks. I hope yours makes you feel great and stay great! Best wishes.
It sounds as though you'll be given a general steroid injection as you're flaring, usually Depo-Medrone (methylprednisolone) is used, injected into your bum at the side above your thigh. This differs a little from a localised or targeted steroid injected, that is joint specific & most important you let that area rest to retain the steroid in the area. If it is a general just take it easy, you probably don't feel much like doing anything just now but they can fool you into being Superwoman!
I've had a couple of general ones, one didn’t have any effect & the other took me by surprise & a few days later I felt wonderful… for one day. You forget what you cope with even daily when considered generally well controlled, but for that one day I was like a teenager! It may be my response to Depo-Medrone as I’ve had 3 or 4 local injections & responded well, but they've each been Kenalog (triamcinolone), more commonly used locally. I do hope you respond well because it really helps, though they do limit the use for good reason.
The injection may also have lidocaine in it. This enters the body first with the intention of numbing the area, although I've found they aren't very ouchy without, though I thanked goodness for it when I had one injected in my hand, that bally hurt with lidocaine! Or, sometimes they use a cold spray to help make it more comfortable. There is something called a steroid flare too. It doesn’t always happen but just so you're aware… you might feel a little worse or have pain around the injection site for a day or two. If you're hypertensive you may find your BP may rise for a couple of days or so.
I've had depo-medrone in the past my only advice would be if it works well for you don't over do things, it will hopefully make you feel much better but don't start doing jobs you've been putting off instead let your joints rest and hopefully let the flare up die down, good luck.
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