Steroid injection didnt work 😔

[Haylonico]

Hi everyone. Im new to this group, but basically I am having a flare up after 6 years of no issues on Sulfasalazine. This is about 6 weeks after having Covid.

My biggest issues are my knees and normally a steroid injection and aspiration sorts me right out....only this time my knee has swollen straight back up after a few days...im so depressed with it...I hate being out of action and I cant have another steroid for 3 months. Has anyone had experience of this and know what I could try next?

Thanks so much 🙏

Written by

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Haylonico, welcome to us here at NRAS. It sounds as though you're in a proper mess, such a shame after being controlled so long & now especially with the steroid injection having such short effect. I wonder, have you been told definitively you can't have another steroid injection within 3 months? If so I take it you've been in contact with your Rheumy nurse. If it's not the case then it's best you do, they’ll not want you to be in the pain you're experiencing & the debilitating position you're now in not only physical but mentally. It isn't always the case that 3 months is the limit before another steroid can be injected in the same area, unless that is there is a reason specific to you & your situation such as regular repeated injections in the same area.

I respond well to targeted local steroid injections, it's general ones I don't receive any relief from, so I can sort of understand your frustration that an otherwise normal procedure for you hasn’t worked this time, or for a very limited time.

I hope something can be arranged for you. Meantime RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression & Elevation) might bring some temporary relief until your nurse is able to see you or otherwise advise. I also hope you find being here helpful too, new members always welcome! 😊

[ruth_p]

When this happened to me it was because my medication had stopped working and I had to change my biologic. Make sure you tell your rheumatologist that the fluid has come back so quickly. Have you had a recent blood test? It sounds like you might need to add a second dmard to your sulpha.

[ATSF]

I had steroid injections for many years and they worked superbly. In the last three years they have ceased to have any effect at all, including a month ago. I also take 5mg. Prednisone that also is now infective. I go back on Methotrexate on Monday by self injection and are hoping it will be effective this time. Previously I have tried the oral pills that cause many side effects.

[rab1874]

Can sympathise with your post as I was on mtx and Toxilimunumb for years but had to come off them last October due to high liver and kidney levels,now I’m starting to suffer pain in knees fatigue so I think will have to bite the bullet and get in touch with my rheumatologist,she did warm me that it would creep back and it has with a vengeance

[Haylonico]

Thank you all so much. If anything I feel less alone now. I am in a right mess (as someone commented). I have a job, 2 primary school aged children, I cant ne immobile and im so depressed having g booked time off work for Easter, just to be stuck in the house in pain....

[Leics]

If the steroid injection didn’t work for you have you asked your rheumatologist or even GP if you could have some prednisone for a few weeks ? Even a tapering dose may help you for a while. I’ve had a steroid injection and then had to have oral steroids soon afterwards because it hasn’t worked. Hope you find a solution but might be worth asking ? Whatever the short term fix sounds like you need a medication review. You’re never alone we’ve all been where you are mostly and we are all here for each other. The RICE method may work but that’s going to be difficult with small children in the house but sounds like you need a treat as well.

[Lolabridge]

I'm sorry to hear you are suffering so much and I do wonder whether your medication needs to be changed, as others have suggested above. I wonder whether having had Covid has caused the problem? Do let your consultant know you are struggling and that the knee is so swollen again and ask for a medication review.

[Haylonico]

Hi all. I have at last manged to get an appt with the RA nurse tomw. I did manage to spend a day or two resting (mostly) and that has helped bring my knee right down. However the RA has gotten a grip all over, so I have that horrible awkward uncomfortable pain throughout the body, which makes it hard to be positive. I dont want to go back on MTX due to the side effects. Any suggestion on what can I try please? Many thanks 😊

[Haylonico]

I saw the Rheumo nurse on Monday. She gave me a steroid injection again, but in the bum. This helped a bit but my knee just keeps on swelling back up when I use it properly. It sounds weird, but it feels out of joint and just uncomfortable and so I click it, and thats when it starts to swell again. I feel there is some physical damage to the joint now.

They have ordered xrays, im just waiting for an appt to have them done. Its just so debilitating. A few weeks ago I was fit and healthy, walking everywhere and getting on with life. Now, once again, life has stopped and I'm waiting for it to be able to start. This is no good, only just got over the whole pandemic amd its finally getting warmer with longer days....I feel quite depressed and sad for my children as I cant tale them out over Easter now. Sorry to moan. 😔