I am still here my friends x

[Margaret1951]

I have really struggled this last few months, got down to 4mg then yes mighty flare up of PMR ! Was very depressed because of it, so I upped to 7mg, fantastic I felt again, I am now down to 4.5mg after a long struggle but still have an tinge. Well 7 + years on preds has taking its toll on my joints , shoulder joints bad, knees, hips, now 5th October I go in hospital to have the injection in my left hip joint which is bad with osteoarthritis 😭😭 I did hav a choice of full hip replacement or try injection, the coward I am opted for injection. Surgeon did tell me it might not work but I will take my chances, I don’t like hospitals I told him, yes I am frightened so I am having light anesthesia and local in hip first. Wish me luck as I am petrified 😭😭😭 anyone else had the needle in hip joint and did it work ? Trouble with me I just can’t sit still for long, I am not a person who likes resting as I get bored and go in the garden, yes I shouldn’t but I just don’t want to let this PMR and GCA ( which has been good) beat me !! Funny thing is I am supposed to be having another Dexa scan day after which I am going to phone and see if it’s got to be put off, then cardiologist next month, old age is terrible ! Love to you all, margaret

[suzy1959]

Hi Margaret, I have had 2 hip joint injections in 2 different hips! Both times it only lasted 6 weeks but helped me out for special occasions like my son's wedding. I have had both replaced now, with no problems.

Just to reassure you, the first time, they gave me a local anaesthetic before doing it , but I didn't have that the second time and quite honestly, it was less painful not having the local as the local hurt more than the procedure! Once its done, there is no pain and it is pretty quick.I presume they are using ultrasound to locate the joint? It really doesn't take long, but I do hope that yours lasts longer than mine did!

[Margaret1951 in reply to suzy1959]

Thank you Suzy , only 6 weeks 😬😬😬 even that long will be good for me as everyday it kills me, but I still take my 2 chihuahuas round the back of me 2 or 3 times a day at a slow pace, I have even took them out on my crutches! I have to go on lockdown 4 days before and have virus test 72hours before also. I had my assessment Tuesday and by gum never seen a clinic so clean ! Thank you again and I will let you know how it goes x

[SheffieldJane]

Good luck Margaret, you are not a coward.

[Margaret1951 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you but I am a coward 🤪🤪🤪

[Maisiek]

Wishing you all the best xx

[Margaret1951 in reply to Maisiek]

Thank you hope it works !

[Jackoh]

Hello again Margaret! Lovely to hear from you. Obviously a very difficult, painful time you have been trying to traverse. Nothing

cowardly about the way you have approached this - you have just taken what you think is the right decision for this point in time. Do hope the injections really help. Keep in touch. Xx💐

[Margaret1951 in reply to Jackoh]

Thank you, I try and keep my feelings to myself and have suffered a lot it was only because my doctor phoned me that all this is going to happen. Yes I got told off by her also because of my suffering not getting in touch with her, she even got my nurse to come to my house to do a blood test 😱😱 I do often come on here but keep quiet and think others are worse than me, when I had that bad flare up of PMR I did go in a depression as 7+ years is a long time and I was doing so good. Then same as everyone on here who has had this horrible condition for a long time you think, why me, What have I done to deserve this. thank you again xx

[Jackoh in reply to Margaret1951]

Will pm you later x💐

[123-go]

You're not a coward, you're anxious and that's perfectly natural. I hope all goes well for you.

[Margaret1951 in reply to 123-go]

Thank you, me to, one concern is I have to be there for 6.45 in morning, no idea how I can get up that early, but they told me I can take my preds before 6 in morning with sip water. Being diabetic I can’t take my tablets and if my glucose is down they will give me something,but if low when I wake up I shall take a glucose tablet or I will never last till I get there ! 🤞🤞🤞

[123-go in reply to Margaret1951]

I have confidence in you. I'm sure you'll get yourself organised and have everything ready the night before- what you're going to wear and Pred and water at hand, etc. You still have a couple of weeks to go so try to put it at the back of your mind for now (easier said than done, you'll be thinking) and give your lovely chihuahuas a stroke and a cuddle every time it does pop into your mind.

[Margaret1951 in reply to 123-go]

Thank you I have thought everyday about it since I knew, still have to have virus test yet and hope it’s ok, but I am masked up wherever I go so should’ve ok. 🙏

[123-go in reply to Margaret1951]

You'll be fine. I've had blood tests, scans, X-ray and optometrist appointments at different stages since April and everywhere I've been has been very and extremely well - organised.

[Margaret1951 in reply to 123-go]

I did just write and it wouldn’t send 🤬🤬🤬🤬 nothing going right. You also have been to lot of appointments. Hope the lockdown doesn’t come before mine !!

[123-go in reply to Margaret1951]

I should have said very 'safe' in my previous reply.

I wish I could ease your anxiety, Margaret. It's the uncertainty that can get to us all but fingers crossed you'll get your appointment.

[Tawnyowl1]

I hope injection goes well and you get the relief from pain that you need.. I think your reaction is the same as we all would have and not cowardly at all. So hard to take it easy when there is so much we want / need to do. Take care xx

[Margaret1951 in reply to Tawnyowl1]

Thank you, I know my hip joint has got worse since I saw the surgeon but you can’t fool them 🤪🤪 in the form he put may not give relief so further surgery will have to be an option 😟 then I will be a nervous wreck 😭😭 xx

[S4ndy]

I've had a few joint injections in my shoulder. I am a bit of a coward but I can honestly say that once my GP located the correct bit and put the needle in which does briefly hurt after that the anaesthetic in the injection works really quickly and I felt nothing further.

I have had varying results from the injections over the years. One actually lasted for a couple of years! The last one didn't last for very long at all about 4 weeks. It's definitely worth a try though as it is great when they work.

Good luck, hope it works out for you as living in pain is so draining xxx

[Margaret1951 in reply to S4ndy]

Thank you so much for that, the hospital said they won’t give me the full anasthetic then do the local in hip before the big one 😱😱 I watched it on utube and glad I did ! Naughty me lol xx

[pegpowell]

Margaret, I have had a painful hip since 2015, just before PMR diagnosis which took precedence. I also had a right knee replacement 2017. Before the operation, I was given steroid shots in both knees and the left hip. All went well and the hip not painful enough for another shot until now, several years later. I had just dropped down to 3 mgs pred when the hip really started hurting when walking the dog. And the pain affected the entire leg all the way down to the bottom of my foot. I upped the pred to 4 mgs, added Tylenol once a day for a while, and now I am able to walk the dog again. I am scheduled for a hip shot in November, but maybe I won't need it if I stay on 4 mgs. I am 82 and don't know if I can manage a hip replacement so am worried, just as you are. But I don't fear the steroid shot. I notice you will be given anesthesia. I had nothing like that for my shots, which were not painful other than like getting a flue shot. For my knees, I averaged about two shots a year for a couple of years. The hip, twice also for one year. Hope this helps.

[Margaret1951 in reply to pegpowell]

Wow you have been through the wars bless you, I understand also about your age and having a hip replacement, a doctor told me his 87 mother had one hip done and she feels so much better. I have just realised something you said about worse since coming down off the preds, mine has been worse for last 3 weeks since I come down to 4.5 mg, perhaps the preds hide it ! I am not upping them now again till after the procedure so will bare the pain as usual 🙏🙏🙏 you take care and thank you x

[pegpowell]

I was on 6 mgs with knee replacement and had to up to 7 after. I forgot to tell you that for the last few years I have used a cane with my right hand to relieve the pressure on the left hip. It has served me well. I have about four canes in case I can't find the first one. It is also useful for getting things far away and for brandishing it at unleashed dogs. I highly recommend a cane. Also, another person on the forum told me of this exercise which he did in a hot tub. I lie down in my regular tub for heat and then sit up straight, breathe in for as long as possible while clenching my hips down to my toes. This strengthens the core muscles and can have immediate results. The first time I did it, I could walk for a while without the cane. You might get the same results outside the tub in a plank position.

[Margaret1951 in reply to pegpowell]

Hi again, I can’t have baths only showers, couldn’t get out last time I had a bath ! Something is wrong with me as yesterday I couldn’t stop shaking, was frozen all day. Went bed 10.30 which I never do and put thermal vest on also but awake most of the night shivering, every joint was in agony my hips worse, had heating on all night but made no difference. Last time I was like this they rushed me into hospital with septicemia/ phnumonia as I just collapsed and in there 11 days. If no better tomorrow will ring my surgery and get someone to come see me. I am hoping it’s also not a big flare up of PMR ,have to go now and lay down, take care x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Margaret1951]

Don't wait until tomorrow - you have a history and the sooner they catch an infection the less likely it is to make you really sick. You don't mess with septicaemia. The paramedics will make the call as to whether they think you need treatment.

[Margaret1951 in reply to PMRpro]

Hi, my friend found me collapsed on my kitchen floor this morning, my little dog woke me up slobbering all round my face, wondered where I was. She rang my surgery and my doctor told her to ring for an ambulance right away, they were here within 5 mins as hospital only up the road to me. My heart a bit fast and had a temperature so they gave me 2 zapain to take my temperature down and all the aching in my joints, I feel a tad better now , my doctor is sending through to my chemist some antibiotics as I have a UTI infection they said, wanted to take me hospital but I said no as don’t like hospitals or doctors, they left a copy of my notes here just Incase my friend has to call 999 again. I hope not ,

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Margaret1951]

What did I say yesterday??????? And however much you dislike hospitals, finding where the infection really is is far more important than that. Personally I like life too much!!

Get well soon

[Margaret1951 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes you were right 😇 I was wrong, hope once I start taking the antibiotics I will feel a lot better. They did say I can still go for the injection in my hip Monday 😟😟 not looking forward to that either but have the virus test 72 hrs before. Thank you again x