Wednesday I had a steriod injection ...

[Traceyanne]

Hi

Last Weds I had a steriod injection in the muscle on the left bottom cheek. It was supposed to alleviate any joint pain. Since Weds eve I have had severe pains on my right from the bottom going down my leg. Every day it has become worse and I'm really worried as it has become very hard to move ie stand up, bend etc. When I try to do these the pain is really instense.

I have been taking Ibuprofen. But it's not working.

Has anyone else experienced this and, if so, what would you recommend I do. I'm becoming quite scared as I live alone.

Thanks.

Traceyanne xx

[Hidden]

Hi traceyAnne,

Sorry to hear this. I agree this don't sound right. If I was you I would phone your rheumy team. However there probably not open till Tuesday so don't wait that long. Phone nhs direct and ask there advice, or if you have an drop in centre that's open weekend go there.

But don't leave it too get worse go now. Not trying to worry you as I've never heard or come across this it just don't sound right so get it checked and let us know how you get on.

Take care

Julie x

[Traceyanne in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Julie I will do that. Will let you all know how I get on.

Tracey x

[Beth58]

Hi Traceyanne, I'm on my own too and it can be scary especially during flares.

I've been getting steroid (Kenalog) injections every 3mth into my bottom for some time now, it usually takes 3 to 5 days to kick in. The injection site is into the fatty area of the bottom, if given incorrectly it can cause nasty side effects especially if it goes into muscle.

What you describe sounds like nerve pain which, could have been caused by a poorly given injection OR what is more likely and coincidence is that it's flared now is a bout of sciatica, which I know from experience is really painful/disabling during bad flares.

Sadly there's not much they can do about that, other than tell you to rest. I think you may need stronger anti-inflammitories and painkillers for the time being.

I suggest you ring NHS direct for advice (0845 46 47) or if you can, go to your local NHS centre for stronger painkillers. If you can't do either of these and the pain is really bad try ringing your oncall doctor and insist on a home visit.

Good luck, hope you feel better soon.

Beth xxx

[chrispe]

Injection do ache I have them every 3mnths .sounds like nerve pain. I find a little ibrophen cream helps take the edge of it rubbed in gently.rest sometimes helps otherwise call nhs direct

Xx hope it gets better

[Judi]

Hi Traceyanne, I agree with Beth it does sound like sciatica. Hope you rang NHS or GP's surgery for something to help and a diagnosis.

I have had it and was prescribed Tramadol (plus paracetamol) which did help loads. It's one of the worst pains I have experienced. Hopefully the steroid injection will kick in and be of some help.

Assuming you have had a definite diagnosis that it is sciatica I found rolling over onto my side rather than sitting up helped me when getting out of bed. Standing up from a chair I needed to stand still for a few seconds before I walked

Leaning on the kitchen units / over the bannister for a while also took away some of the pain for a minute or two.

I eventually saw a physio and tried acupuncture but that didn't help me. Another thing physio told me to do was sit on the side of the bed slowly stretch the back by putting your head between your knees with the arms resting on the floor - hold this for a few seconds and then try it again.

Hope this helps - my heart goes out to you.

Judi xxx

[Judi]

Forgot to mention a hot water bottle or a heat pack helps enormously

Judi

[Traceyanne in reply to Judi]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I'm pleased to say the pain has reduced greatly. I just have to be a bit careful how I move. It's such a great relief, as I felt it would never go away. Hope you all have a lovely Easter day. Traceyxxx

[rab333 in reply to Traceyanne]

Kenalog injections are intra-muscular injections and can be given in any of the large muscle groups but are usually too painful to be given in the arm therefore the best site is in the buttocks. The injection should be given in what is known as the " upper outer quadrant " of the chosen buttock so as to avoid hitting the sciatic nerve. It sounds like your injection may have been of target and could have hit the nerve and this would give you sciatic type symptoms for a few days or even a week or two. This happens due to poor technique from the person giving the injection, or inexperience.

[tiger]

Hi, am I right in thinking that you had your injection in the left buttock and that you have now pain in the right leg? Was the injection for pain in the left leg? You may have been that compensating for pain in the left leg and perhaps not walking correctly which has now given you pain in the right. It is best that you get it checked out as soon as you can, to be on the safe side. x

[Traceyanne in reply to tiger]

Hi you're absolutely right. It was in the left buttock and the pain is in the right buttock going down the right leg. It is starting to ease a little at last and is only niggling which I can cope with. Traceyanne xx

[Deejojo]

Awwwwww bless u Hun I'm due to have some painkilling injections into both knees I'm dreading it I must say consultant is just dragging his heels now as he won't do my knee replacement as I'm only 56