Intramuscular Depo Injection resulting in Flare From Hell 3 days later…..

[CallMeSunny]

…..anyone else? Excruciating pain from actual injection site after 3 days accompanied by worse flare I’ve ever had. Maybe tomorrow will be better? PS…first couple of days my awful spinal pain lessened, also inflammation in hands. This is just completely debilitating…..and after so many many months of never ending pain (not necessarily RA….I have other issues), it’s becoming harder to always appear “Sunny”……quite honestly, like many of us, I don’t know how I keep going! Bless my beloved lively happy dog for the fact that I do….plus I will not let myself down. Stubborn 😂

[nomoreheels]

What you describe sounds like a steroid flare. Usually there's pain around the injection site for one or 2 days after. The cause is due to the steroid being made up of slow release crystals to give extended relief. Sometimes they can irritate the area of a general injection (or joint in a targeted injection). It should be easing off by now though if it continues definitely report it to whoever administered. If you have pain relief that's what's advised until the flare subsides.

Meantime snuggle that doggy of yours, I hope some liveliness rubs off on you.

[CallMeSunny in reply to nomoreheels]

Thank you so much for your explanation….and reassurance NMH…. Really good of you. Sue

[Karen12 in reply to nomoreheels]

Yes I thought the same. I had a steroid injection for carpal tunnel once and the pain was so bad I almost passed out. I couldn’t move my arm, luckily it only lasted a few hours but they were a rough few hours. I had a steroid into the other wrist and it was fine.

[Downtime]

Yes it sounds like a steroid flare which happens sometimes and often the pain is far worse than the original pain. It should settle and start to work after a few days. 🤞

[Vonnie10]

I feel your pain im.actually in hell right now isn't it's draining and miserable. Sorry your going through it.you have my full sympathy.

[CallMeSunny in reply to Vonnie10]

and you mind, Vonnie 🤗

[Evie3]

it is so hard isnt it😭. Hope u can contact physio or Dr tomorrow. 🤞

[CallMeSunny in reply to Evie3]

Thanks Evie…..worst of the excruciating pain has passed now…just left feeling wiped out and we all know that feeling 😂

[Evie3 in reply to CallMeSunny]

🤨

[ageddancer]

Life just isnt fair sometimes.....I do hope you feel better shortly. Hugs

[CallMeSunny in reply to ageddancer]

however, I still count my blessings as I know others have so many more problems. It’s so reassuring to come on this lovely supportive forum where those who know what it’s like to have RA offer their wisdom and help. Thanks Tom all who have kindly replied.

[Leics]

I think sometimes it depends on the gauge of needle they use and who does it. I had one in my thigh once and the needle would have been better for knitting lol. I had a complete dead leg for days and days and then a flare from hell as the actual injection didn’t work at all. I feel for you there is nothing worse than awaiting some relief and it doesn’t come. I’ve been flaring for a couple of months so know the pain and you have my sympathy because chronic pain like that can add to the fatigue and be so draining. Hope you feel better soon and the injection does the intended job.

[CallMeSunny in reply to Leics]

Thanks Leics……it’s gradually reducing 🤞

[Garnacha]

Aaw I really feel for you, my very first steroid injection in my elbow was the most horrendous pain I've had, it just got worse & worse for at least 24 hours but very, very slowly subsided, I took some of my friend's prescription cocodamol it was so bad (I'd never normally touch anyone else's but this.....) I didn't realise its a known occurrence, its made me so wary of steroid injections but haven't had that level of pain after further injections ever since 🙏Hope it eases asap for you x

[CallMeSunny in reply to Garnacha]

Thanks Garnacha….I didn’t know about ‘steroid flares’ either and wasn’t warned….at least I had our wonderful forum to turn to….it is easing a little, thankfully.