steroid injection in the joint

[Nextoneplease]

hi all

It’s good to be back 😊I do look in here from time to time but have been too busy tone really active on the forum …

I now have a quick query which I feel sure people on here can help me with. I have been referred to the MSK service for severe shoulder arthritis and they want to give me a steroid injection into the joint before starting physio therapy. I am now down to 6mg daily of pred and I’m wondering whether a bigger one off dose in the joint will hinder my ability to taper down? The GP says it should be fine but I don’t think he’s taking the adrenals into account. He just wanted to talk about pain, whereas my main PMR / pred symptom currently is utter fatigue.

I’ve searched this site but no luck so far. Does anyone have any experience of this or can offer any suggestions?

Many thanks as ever 😊xx

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

No it won’t hamper your tapering… it’s a local injection and very little gets into the bloodstream as such and although it might make your PMR feel a little better for a few days, it’s minimal.

I had a few for knee and shoulder when I had GCA and can’t say it made any difference to tapering plan…

There are related posts to view now you have asked the question

[Nextoneplease in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you DL for your quick and clear reply as ever 😊xx

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If you had an injection every day for a few weeks it might but a one-off shouldn't. It fades out of the body all on its own anyway - tapers itself.

[Nextoneplease in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks PMRpro that makes a lot of sense - a bit like sick day rules or flare protocol! But if it fades so quickly, I wonder whether it will be much use? I’ve had increasing OA in my shoulder since I broke it badly over 20 years ago. Still, I’ll give it a go.

In fact I’m due to have physio with MSK and have also registered for the Nuffield Joint Programme.

Other health problems too, it’s all I can do to manage it all 😉

Thanks again xx

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Nextoneplease]

Yes - but it is a large amount targeted at the trouble spot. Targeted pred does a lot for a small area - your oral pred is aiming at the entire body.

[Grammy80]

Hi, I've had them in my hip and it didn't affect my pred a bit. Take the relief~!💞

[Nextoneplease in reply to Grammy80]

Thank you Grammy 😊I will !

In fact the pain is getting worse by the day, to the point I’m starting to wonder whether my slow reduction from 7mg to 6 mg over the last couple of months isn’t helping…..Feeling pretty worn out today 🙂

Hope you’re well Grammy xx

[Grammy80]

Thanks, I'm headed in the right direction though still get tired....before I'm ready!! Getting some relief in that shoulder may help. When I got into single digits, I found there was 'an adjustment period' and then I'd feel a bit better. If such pain continues, maybe you should stay put a bit longer at each dosage. Listen to your body...💞