I was found to have a lot of fluid and inflammation in the hip joint. For this was recommended the above injection. I was told the post injection agony could last 2-3 weeks! It is now a week and a half and the pain is not much better, if at all. I am posting this because 2-3 weeks seems a really long time for an injection to work. I hope I am wrong and this is normal. I get extremely tired quite early in the day too.
Also, have been told that relief would last for 8 weeks but if/or when pain returns it would be diminished and it is not uncommon for them to last a year. Does anyone have experience of this type of injection?
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Fizzy12
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Fluid and retention my most recently cause of visits along with infection due to having X Ray plate dropped on left foot as after X ray from hip replacement. had been on fluid pills on and off for years - then read on internet that inflammation could be cause and asked latest GP could I get something for this and he prescribed Solone which is a steroid. Worked a treat. Infection finally went after 6 months too when he gave me a script to go order the real tested on humans IV antibiotic and when it arrived week later, he gave me the injection. Anyway worked in 7 hours weeping in right leg stopped.
Steroid started then week before IV, and it got the swelling down within 2 weeks and when he gradually stopped it, 5 days on full 25g and rest on 12 half a tab.
Now 12 days or so later swelling has come back and I have put myself of 1/2 tab til Friday next when can get into to see him.
Hip was left leg, swelling right leg and always wondered why if fluid retention - not in both.
Steroid worked on inflammation. Pain diminished from that and infection - both bad strong pain. Hip itself no real pain just twinges now and then thankfully infection didn't spread into it.
Hope it helps but steroid did take around 2 weeks or so to be so noticeable and now have 2 legs that look like a pair except for feet, right toes still a bit too fat, but getting there.
Thank you very much. Am glad you have had some relief....something’s working. I had the injection into my hip without improvement except for last Friday and Saturday which were comparatively so good. Then all fell apart on Sunday and, since then, am in really bad pain. Do you think its normal to have a flare-up ten days after injection of this sort? Hope am not being too fussy or over sensitive about it, but am getting so frustrated and disappointed in myself. Just to add, have had years of useless spine surgery.......😢
You have to be very careful for first 6 weeks after hip replaced. Cant drive or cross legs when sitting anything that puts a strain on the new hip. Getting into bed for me was painful as he said get in with other leg - right when always got in with left new hip - so rang and surgeon said go for right then. You will be going back to see your surgeon at end of 6 weeks after having a new X ray - or that is what mine said and then I have to go again on anniversary pf the op with another new X Ray just to make sure it is still a happy hip. Sept 18 for me.
Look its bound to be making you feel so scared it will all go wrong - I did - we all do. Pain itself should diminish gradually as it settles unless you are putting some sort of a strain on it. 6 weeks of really treating it as precious is the answer. I was still taking my pain meds right up to 30th March - now take 2 codeine tabs 30mg at night as knee is bad not hip and the cellulitis I got from XRay plate dropped on big right toe on Xray to see if could go home - was very painful - worse than hip pain. So not a judge on pain med use.
Having this injection could have set something off - I wonder why inject when steroids by mouth can deal with inflammation maybe because ability for stronger dose, which maybe why upset you. - done now but maybe need a bit more of the steroid. Can have it by mouth which is more controllable. If you get reaction can stop. I was on an oral steroid for inflammation and it worked a treat after months of diuretic pills for fluid retention and not much joy. Go see surgeon or GP for peace of mind or ring etc.
I researched inflammation and asked my GP if this could be cause - he then gave me the steroid saying lets try. Voila legs now a pair instead of one normal and the other - well an elephant would weep. Cellulitis didnt help and generic IV's - avoid these as weaker than those tested on humans. Google although lots seem to have disappeared.
BTW GP asked me to show my legs to his patients waiting for dressing for cellulitis and then he will use a steroid on them too. He is a good bloke listens and isnt "I'm the doctor!" Not often these days to find one. We have a bit of an epidemic of Cellulitis in older folk right now - and all go through same IV's generic and not working. Even private hospitals - like one I had hip done in - stock only generics for cost saving. DUH when will they learn. I've had it 3 time since Jun 2016 first 2 from scans on legs for fluid and veins blocked etc. Cracked skin when this goes on a long time and bacteria gets in. Although had one scan privately without that problem at vascular surgeon private hospital.
No further news re injection ‘cos after two weeks of total agony, doc discivered that cortisone injection didn’t hit age exact place! Admittedly, it is difficult and a bit of a touch and go area so am not blaming anyone. However, yesterday my consultant himself did the injection and inserted the max.
He said will not work for a few days, so will not be seeing him again for two weeks. In the neanwhile to take it easy (!). Here’s hoping. 🤞🏼Otherwise, a hip replacement possibly.......😬
Don't sweat over a having hip replacement - I just had one last September and I only wish could have had it sooner, as no pain since just twinges to start with mainly trying to get into bed using right leg in - new hip left leg - and lifetime of left leg in first. Only have to be careful for the first 6 weeks no driving no crossing legs bed as above and no twisting hip around then back to normal.
Stretching daily is the secret keeps on supple and able to easily put hands on floor flat even not just tips of fingers.
Very many thanks for writing. Am pretty sure things are going in that direction, partcularly as the anaesthetic doc inserted (for 48 hours relief) with the cortisone has had no positive effect at all, in fact pain is worse! Your kind words have really reassured me. Thanks again.
Re pain - There are OTC pain meds - like the one with 8 mg of Codeine and also a pharmacy only one with 15 mg of Codeine both have paracetamol 500 mg or can get a script for 30 mg Codeine only Tabs. As long as you can tolerate codeine - most of these pain on offer are derivatives of the poppy anyway.
There also is Panadeine Forte 30 mg Codeine needing script but it has paracetamol in it which is far more dangerous than people realize. Take more than 4000 mg or 8 tabs in any one 24 hours and can damage your liver so I avoid it now I know and go for the 30 mg tabs Straight Codeine. Works well. Been on all sorts Lyrica and too many to name but Codeine best for me and I found no side effects.
i also had transdermal patches also with poppy derivative. 18 mths with Panadeine Forte and skin said NO itchy so had to leave the patches off but they do work for 7 days. GP script needed Buprenorphine is name of active ingredient different name in UK , here called Norspan patches and made in UK. Look GP'S never had the pain and its hard to describe I know, can be in the groin as well as thigh and even heel or lower tummy.
But you do need relief. If not gets you down and why let it? Go buy OTC and then back to GP for script - either 30 mg tabs if tolerate or stronger if pain that bad - these alone wont do real strong pain I found but for after do the trick. And can take one and then a second later if the pain doesn't recede to bearable. But have to make sure not to take more than 2 or 60 mg in any 4 hour period to be safe. If doesn't do the trick that's proof need stronger etc.
Hope this helps and that you get to feeling better as much as possible til resolved and sounds like replacement may be solution as you say. But dont worry its a relief and not to be scared stiff about.
BTW big shock to me was no longer have female and male wards. I was lucky I had a private room but if not available would have had to share with males. Not sure when they altered that - but where ware the feminine Nazi's - surely this is not on - particularly sharing the bathroom off each ward with a strange man not your husband - and him too - being hips most older folk and none were happy with that bit of leftie nonsense.
Lots of luck and good health round the corner for you
MarsBarKid, you are wonderful. A real breath of optimistic fresh air. Thank you so very much for taking the time to send me such detailed email, you have a very kind heart. You’ve given me optimism - which is beyond value - and I shall be taking lotsa time fully digesting all your kind advice. And keeping and using it.
I take co-codamol but more than two of these things are ineffective. Must be very weird! Am also maxing out on cbd oil but the combination makes me 100% drowsy and dopey (though no-one’s noticed any diff!).
Rotten luck being on a ward with blokes.....bathroom sharing etc., ugh.....but ultimately it seems like it was all worth it. Hope your life is now so much easier and happier.
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