Steroid injection

[Gottarelax]

Sorry, it's me again! I had an IM steroid injection yesterday (I thought it was called Feno.... or something like that - forgot to make a note of it). Today I feel weird. I have different aches and pains (feels more muscular/nerve pain) as well as the normal ones and general nausea/ increased fatigue. Is this to be expected? Thank you

*Edited to add, I have felt strangely low today -like even if I get my symptoms relieved I don't feel like I can cope with the full demands of work and family etc. This isn't like me...could it be the RA or the steroids talking me down?

[Chockyuk]

Hello 👋 I normally have Depo Medrone, not sure if the spelling is correct. I’ve not ever had any side affects and I’ve had quite a few. Normally it gives me a boost and I feel full of beans!

Best phone your helpline if you experience anything untoward.

😊

[Gottarelax in reply to Chockyuk]

Thank you, I'll see how I go, it may be just exhaustion from yesterdays activity. May I ask how quickly you start to feel the benefit?

[Chockyuk in reply to Gottarelax]

The first one I had was like magic, felt completely normal, or as normal as we can feel, within a few days.But since then it’s taken a while, my last one took a few weeks to really kick in.

I think it all depends 🤔

[AgedCrone]

Steroids affect different people in many different ways……I dealt with them OK for a while..but my rheumy says no more.If your general malaise doesn’t pass..ask your rheumy nurse her opinion.

[Gottarelax in reply to AgedCrone]

I'm feeling a little better now thank you...maybe that's because I've got through the working day! Hopefully, I'll start to get that spring back in my step soon - well walking without a shuffle would be a great start.😀

[nomoreheels]

You may be having what's termed as a steroid flare, inflammation which is caused by the injection. It usually goes in a couple of days so rest as much as you can. You should really have been warned this may happen. I was told to take paracetamol if I did but as I already take regular co-codamol to not to. As it happened I’ve not had success with general steroid injections (Depo-Medrone) but have with local targeted ones (Kenalog).

As with oral steroids, injections can be mood altering which probably accounts for how you're feeling about coping generally. Hopefully it will all be worth the upset & be short-lived.

[Gottarelax in reply to nomoreheels]

Thank you nomoreheels. That seems to make sense. I am continuing with Naproxen so I guess that must be keeping it under control somewhat. I'll have a more restful day tomorrow hopefully.

[Otto11]

It’s possibly Kenalog either that or Depo medrone are the usual ones at out hospital. Steroids can have different effects on our bodies. Take it easy x

[Hairbraid]

Depo injection my first really helped on a couple days later Second one a month later didn’t do a lot it’s hard as when you in pain hard to know what’s what take care ring your specialist nurse if any questions lovevjane

[Leics]

I’m hoping it’s as a result of the days activities and not a side effect of the steroid. I’ve always been told to rest as much as I possibly can after a depo to allow it to work. The one I had last week I could feel it getting to work as all the joints which are inflammed started to tingle. Having said that if your low mood and general malaise doesn’t go in a couple of days or becomes more worrying contact your consultant or rheumy nurse for advice. As others have said we are all different how these meds make us feel. My last depo just gave me a very painful dead leg and didn’t work but this time I’m probably 70% better than I was. So give it a few days stay hydrated and rest if you can hopefully you’ll be much better soon 🤞

[Gottarelax in reply to Leics]

Thank you Leics. I have called in sick today and am completely (and guiltily) relaxing. I woke up with stomachache and nausea. That’s gone now but I just feel like I need time out from struggling along through this. I work from home so I feel like I have to be totally incapable before I can call sick.

[Leics in reply to Gottarelax]

Don’t feel guilty it’s obvious to me you need to rest working from home or not. Sometimes you’ve got to put yourself first and it sounds like one of those times. Work can wait I’m sure it will still be there in a couple of days and you’ll hopefully be able to tackle it with extra vigor.