I was booked for the above in my right shoulder this afternoon, the radiographer said, so you're here to see if you need a steroid injection in your shoulder, I replied that I thought that was what I was having done anyway.
Once he'd finished using the ultrasound, he said that I did have some calcium build up and inflammation but I also had a small tear in my tendon, because of this, he's writing to the rheumatologist recommending I'm referred to an orthopaedic surgeon as he didn't want to give me the injection in case it aggravated it and made it worse.
He said that the orthopaedic surgeon would be able to decide better how to proceed and whether I can have the injection.
I am disappointed as the pain in my left back, side and front of ribs has come back again so I'm unable to sleep on my left side, with my right shoulder so painful I can only sleep for a couple of hours and then have to try and sleep sat up as to lay down aggravates the pain in my side. When I told the rheumatologist about the pain in my side he said it's probably muscular, this was in January. I'd had a chest xray & CT Scan which were all normal so the GP has no idea what the pain is, when I spoke to the private rheumatologist in November, he said it sounded as if a nerve could be trapped due to inflammation, by Christmas it was so bad I rang the doctors to ask if I could have some prednisolone so I wouldn't be in agony over the Christmas period, these worked a treat, however, I tapered off them in the middle of February and on my birthday in March caught covid, I had to stop metoject & lefluminode until I tested negative and didn't have any symptoms or feel unwell, I ended up missing nearly 3 weeks of metoject & just over 2 weeks of lefluminode, it was then the pain in my side started coming back again along with the other joints.
I don't think it's muscular, I think it is something connected to the PSA.
I asked the radiographer if I could have some prednisolone for the time being or if I had it, would it affect my shoulder when I saw the orthopaedic surgeon, he said that the surgeon would go by his detailed report but I'd have to ring the rheumatologists secretary to find out if I can have prednisolone next week.
Oh well, looks like more nights with hardly any sleep, might treat myself to a large glass of wine, that should knock me out for a few hours
Written by
Garnacha
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I have had on going problems with my ankle for 5 years. A month ago I had a Doppler scan which like you showed tears but in my Achilles and lots of calcium around the tendon. He did a steroid injection there and then straight into the tendon ( never felt a thing) I have lots of physio ahead maybe 12 months.
Thank you, yes me too, I'll ring the secretary but might also ring the gp to see if they can give me prednisolone, it's awful being in pain but lack of sleep on top is a bummer.
My next rheumatology appointment isn't until September so there's no way I can wait that long.
So sorry, I'm in a similar boat and it really wears you down. There's nothing wrong with having a glass of wine but it's a pretty bad sign when we have to do that because we can't get basic pain relief. I do the same and I've been waiting over 6 months for an ultrasound guided steroid injection in my knee. I'm starting to doubt the referral was ever made. x
Oh no, have you chased it up? I didn't have to wait long in fairness for this appointment from March 17th till today, I was OK waiting as my shoulder wasn't as bad as it was last November when I had my last steroid in it & wonder if it would have shown up worse on a scan then than today. I've had a quick look at dr Google & it is possible for it to heal depending on the severity of it, perhaps mine has healed slightly, if so that's hopeful ☺ 🤞
Yes, taking to drink is not good & I'm only supposed to have 8 units a week, tonight I've already had 6 🙄 & a glass last night so technically I'm at my limit (depends on what day of the week you're going by 🤣 , could say tomorrow is the start of another week so still have 8 units to go 😉😂)
Thank you, after another sleepless night despite the el vino 🙄 I've remembered I've got a couple of prednisolone left from before, only 8 at 5mg but I'm going to take them see if they help before I get to speak to helpline or gp x
I sympathize with you! Pain like that is hard to take! Could the pain in your shoulder and side be related to a bone spur in your shoulder? I spent YEARS taking pain killers, prednisone and doing physical therapy. I finally got an MRI and they saw I had a pinched nerve. Then I finally surgery and they removed a large bone spur that had chewed up 30% of the rotator cuff. (They shaved that potion of the rotator cuff and said it would regenerate)I live in the US so I have reasonable access to tests and surgery when considered necessary. Of course I had to try multiple things before I could get the surgery but it was such a relief to get the surgery and not experience all that pain anymore. Good luck- hope you get the help you need soon.
Oh wow you must have been in agony! No the pain in my side is on the left side & it's my right shoulder, but, my left shoulder seems to be joining in now too, must have felt left out 🙄 I do have a spur & calcification on my left elbow, who knows 🙄 hopefully the orthopaedic surgeon will shed some light 🙏 x
Ouch! I feel for you. I have tears in both shoulders, although the right us much worse. I did have a guided steroid into both a good few months back. The pain in the right was so severe I thought I'd pass out from the pain during injection! It worked a treat for about two weeks until I threw a ball for a neighbours mutt. The pain was excruciating. I have long hair...it's a nightmare trying to brush it and put it up. Can't move arms above head!
So not sure how well a guided shot would work for you. I might have been ok had I not thrown a ball, but I doubt it. I need an operation really. Nevertheless, you have my sympathy. It's miserable.
Aaw you poor thing, I've had at least 2 steroid injections in my right shoulder which worked a treat but, every time I miss the meds for any reason the joint pain comes back worse so end up having another injection or prednisolone 🙄 but guess if it's a tear (only a small one apparently) it's been there for quite a while x
Hi G - my GP has given me the prednisolone in the past. I have an almost identical problem to yours. Having my scan on 22nd. I also feel it's tendons and that's what the last private rheumatologist said. this makes it more likely PsA, apparently.
Oh no, yes with PSA it's mainly the tendons/ enthesis that are affected so would make sense for you, whilst it's horrible it'll be nice for you to get a definitive answer, hope your scan goes well, let me know the outcome x
Hi sorry the Guided needle jab didn't happen, but there is a good reason, the steroid can cause the tendon to rupture! In this case it's better they doctor's erred on the side of caution, I have a problem with the tendon in the ankle, I to was looking forward to some pain relief via the steroid injection, the doctor went Oh bugger! Explained that I had in fact personal tendonitis and he was afraid that the injection would do just that!! I know this isn't any relief for you now doh. I've recently been using Voltarol 12 hour joint pain relive on my ankle and have been pleasantly surprised , yes it works and I've been happy as this had been going on since Dec21, and was crippling to say the least.
lol, thank you it wouldn't be as bad if my left side, back & front of ribs weren't so painful too, it's funny but my shoulder was 10 times worse back in November when I had my last steroid injection in it, and wonder, perhaps if I've had this small tear for much longer (I've previously had 2 other steroid injections in it), I've rung the helpline & consultants secretary this morning hoping one of them will get back sooner than later but I can't go on with both the pain in my shoulder and side any longer, my side as the day goes on gets better as long as I don't sit for any length of time but my shoulder gets worse 🙄
Need to figure out a way of sleeping standing up 😂😂😂 x
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.
Tear in Tendon
Steroid injection in knee - worth it?
Injection and tablet steroids
Steroid injections-information needed!
Is the steroid injection wearing off
