Prednisolone and steroid injections

[Floridafan]

I’m currently on 10mg prednisolone for PMR and have bursitis in my upper arm also. My rheumy wants to give me a steroid injection for the pain in my arm, has anyone else had this injection whilst already taking prednisolone and how did you get on? Thanks for any advice

[suzy1959]

I have had lots of steroid injections in my knees where I have OA. I also had a guided injection in my hip for the same reason. They don't always work, but when they do they are wonderful! They don't seem to affect me in terms of having an extra dose, although occasionally I have felt a little "boost" but it hasn't lasted long.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Not for my shoulder but for hip bursitis. It gives a higher level of pred locally where it is required without having to increase the oral dose. Mostly the local inflammation is due to a mechanical cause in addition to the systemic PMR and taking out a dollop of the inflammation with the injection usually means the oral dose manages everything much better afterwards.

If it is for bursitis it may not be into the joint - mine have always been intramuscular and work minor miracles quite quickly. Sometimes it takes a day or two.

[Lochy]

I’ve had them in my knees and they have really helped. Reduces the pain a lot but typically have only lasted a couple of months before symptoms return.

Didn’t feel any different having them along with my pred.

Definitely worth trying.

[stellafmdm]

Yes, for both shoulder and knee. No problem at all!

[Chihuahua1]

I had one recently and it settled the pain right down. Well worth doing

[PMRCanada]

I’ve had two injections in my knee and got about 2.5 months of relief and mobility. It didn’t affect my oral dose of pred at all.

[piglette]

I had one in my shoulder, hurt like hell and did not make a blind bit of difference. Six months on it is still tender if I press where the injection was made. Some people think they are great though.

[Floridafan in reply to piglette]

Hi Piglette, mine would be in the shoulder at the top of my arm, I’m think into the inflamed bursae, but I’m not sure. Was your injection into the muscle or the joint?

[piglette in reply to Floridafan]

I am not sure, it was at the top of the arm on the corner bit. So probably where the joint is. It was done privately and I did feel I was being treated a bit like a cash cow.

[Mikb]

I had one in a lump on the top of my foot. It hurt but a day later pain in toes and the lump itself was gone.

[Hidden]

I’ve had a steroid injection in my shoulder as the joint was impinged, it didn’t hurt & the difference by the following day was incredible. It was an Orthopaedic Surgeon that did it for me & he said it had NO impact on oral Prednisolone.