steroid injections

[Dexter1414]

steroid injections are they ok never had them and are they safe no side effects and how long do they last and is it painful when being done who does this your doctor surgery or hospital

[medway-lady]

Don’t hurt if you bend knee on the side of the jab, no one knows how long they work as they don’t work for everyone but for others it’s 3/4 months. It’s a bit like how long is a bit of string. I found they worked well when I did my foot on a cruise but best thing is they wear off so no sharp stop. I hope that helps. Hospital does them here as I think GP might prescribe only tablets as used for a lot of things.

[Neonkittie17]

Wot Medway said! 🩷

A bit more info that might be useful from my personal experiences: They’ve usually lasted a lot longer for me .. around 6-8 months but as a rule around 3-4. Nothing is really without side effects and they limit the amount you can have in the same joint over a 12 month period. Mine were usually for my knees, but I’ve had them in my hands and my elbows. If your knee is full of fluid they’ll often want to try drain it prior the steroid shot . (However, not all swollen knees are full of fluid and it can be puffy tissue they can’t draw fluid from.) They usually give you deep freeze spray on the joint prior to doing the steroid shot. You don’t feel much at all re the injection if they do the freeze first. It’s all over so fast anyhow.

Very important not to drive home after and keep your knee elevated if you’ve had them done there. Keep as still as possible for the following 24 hours. I did and feel that was why I got more mileage out of the shots I had to my knees.

[PonyGirl13]

I just had my 2nd one to my elbow today. First did well for six months but may have gone longer if we weren't in dead of winter. Mine was ultrasound guided, which luckily the only doc in town works out of the orthopedic practice I go to. Since, I'm in the US, I can't advise to who will do it or refer you. My PCP referred me to an arm specialist who suggest getting the steroid injection and referred me the first time.

They add lidocaine to the injection so there isn't much pain during the injection and results are pretty immediate then wear off in about 24 hrs. , but suggest avoiding exercise since may over do it. They put on topical lidocaine with the disinfectant so the needle felt no more than a vaccine. Results seem to be in full affect in a couple weeks. Three days after I had physical therapy so they could really disperse through the joint.

I've never had side effects but of course there's always a chance of allergic reaction or infection, particularly if any of your meds suppress.I didn't take ibuprofen for three days prior to reduce chance of bruising.

I wish I tried this sooner because it really helped make progress in PT. Best of Luck to you.

[Cat-E]

I had one in my butt which worked well to reduce inflamation generally before i started on med and then I had one in my knee, fluid removed and then steroid injected, it worked really well and so far, around a year later still no major issues with my knees. The only side effect I had was that I had a hugely increased appetite and put a few lbs on very quickly 🤔

[helixhelix]

sometimes you get a hot flush after having one, but it doesn’t last long.

I’ve had lots of general one in my backside, which help if in a flare or between drugs. Totally painless and done by doctor or nurse.

Have also had ones into hands, feet, knees and shoulders. My rheumy did the hands, feet knees and were slightly ouchy, but no more than that. The shoulders were done in a clinic with ultrasound guided injections and were painless.

[cathie]

My (Scottish) GP once described steroids as a sticking plaster and I've always thought like that - a temporary thing. The injections I've had over the years varied in their impact and nowhere in UK will they prescribe anything regular. I have a biologic infusion every 6 months or so and they give a steroid infusion prior to the main medication. That nearly always gives me a red flushed face and sky high blood sugar levels. Hope it helps you.

[OSTEOARTHRITISRA]

Hi i got mine in knees ee and shoulder ,the knees where sore a it and the shoulder, elbow And for first 24 hours hours ,some a couple days and some less ,everyone is different, they can last for months if they help ,again everyone is different,

Do take it easy after getting done first couple days for them to work better etc ,and don't drive etc after it ,got done by rumatologist and rumatology nurse ,and doctor as well

[Jacojudy303]

I’ve had the them in my bottom a couple of times to reduce general inflammation whilst I was still waiting for the methotrexate to kick in. Completely painless apart from the last time I had a little dent at the injection site! Fortunately it has resolved itself and I no longer have asymmetrical cheeks.😉 I’ve also had two knee ones too in the hospital and at the GP. I think it varies depending where you live. Lasted about nine months for me. Walked home after each one and worked straight away. As you can see from all the replies everyone’s experience is a little different.

[ilovemyhubby]

I actually just got one yesterday in rheumy office (US). I’ve had too many to count and they are a Godsend! I’ve had so much pain lately! Cold, wet weather and new insurance at the first of the year, meaning a lapse in my biologic due to dermatologist office negligence, has really caused a flare up from hades! What I’ve learned over the years is to turn your leg inward and also your foot inward. It relaxes that muscle they’re putting the shot into and I generally don’t even feel it going in, and it’s typically not sore afterwards. Funny (now) story: hubby and I went on vacation in august where there was a lot of walking, hills and everything. I made it like a champ! A few weeks after we’d gotten home I was hurting again so hubs attributed it to stress, since I was so much better on vacation…I had to remind him I had gotten a shot prior to that. He doesn’t want to face the fact that I have something that isn’t going away, and does his best to make it about something else. Makes it harder for me, but I do my best to be patient with him. My dermatologist says it’s because I don’t look like I’m in the amount of pain I’m in. I try very hard not to. I have rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and have positive HLA-B27 gene. Also just diagnosed with eosinophilic asthma. He told me I was short of breath because I was out of shape and needed to exercise more. I was getting out of breath folding laundry! How could i exercise??? Sorry, I guess this more than answered your question and then some…

[Rainyda in reply to ilovemyhubby]

I'm in Canada, yes, this winter weather always plays on my R/A & Osteo. I hope you feel better soon. 😊

[Angels54]

Hi , Steroid injection can sting but soon wears off , they usually give a quick pain relief, depends on your pain how long they last. 👍

[cindiPindi]

I got one in butt a week after 9 days on prednisone for skin rash and hives that don't want to go away. Did help itching but having terrible night sweats with both. Gosh I need sleep.

[Lolabridge]

I’ve had several of them into my backside whilst waiting to get onto an RA medication that worked properly for me. Years ago had one into my knee which helped a lot. Also had ultrasound guided injections into my ankle which worked very well.