Guest guest Posted February 10, 2000 Report Share Posted February 10, 2000 Well you know, getting those injections speeds up destruction of cartilage. I personally would avoid them if at all possible. rheumatic Steroid injections > From: Joe Graff <joegraff@...> > > I have a question I hope someone can answer. > > With the exception of my knees I am feeling so great that I am taking a > trip to Europe next week. Just a few days before this I see my rheumy > and am considering having him inject my knees with Kenalog or some other > similar steroid. I have only EVER had 2 injections in one knee and 1 > injection in the other. The last time I was injected was over 8 months > ago. > > I seem to respond to steroids quite dramatically and I know injections > will free my knees of most all pain if done. The question is how > dangerous are these injections (especially in light of the fact that I > have had very few and do not use oral steroids either)? > > I guess I am also looking for opinions on this type of very limited use > also, so please speak your minds! > > > Thanks in advance! > > > j. > > ------------------------------------ > ph A. Graff > Director of Digital Prepress > Graphic Communications, Inc. > (301) 599-2020 > " The truth will set you free, but > first it will make you miserable " > > --------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2000 Report Share Posted February 10, 2000 Hi, Joe. The steroid injections are quite a mixed blessing, aren't they. I, like you, have used them only sparingly, over 12 years of this gunk. I make my decision based upon my general misery index. I do know the injections I get, celestone, don't reach their maximal effectiveness for two weeks. They help sooner, but need a while to reach their full benefit. I think of the knees as being one of the more likely places to have trouble from cartilage deterioration, because of their weight-bearing nature. I have had injections in my shoulder bursae when the pain was so bad I knew I would be in complete misery for a trip or special occasion. I get major-league muscle spasms in my shoulders and neck with shoulder flares, and when these get so bad my life grinds to a halt, I go for it, and get a great deal of relief. I am going to Europe this fall, and I know I will have injections if there is any sign that I am in bad shape. I am going to talk to my doctor a few times about it before hand, though, so I will have a plan as the time approaches. I have traveled very little in the last 12 years, and this is the trip of at least half a lifetime for me, and I want to be able to enjoy it. I wonder if a short course of oral prednisone would help? This might knock down the inflammation long enough to enjoy the trip, without subjecting your knees to more local cortisone. These are just my own musings, based upon my own upcoming trip. Maybe you could call your doctor's office ahead of time to get his preliminary opinion, and then have a few days to think about it. Good luck! Jean --------------------------- >From: Joe Graff <joegraff@...> >AP Support <rheumaticonelist> >Subject: rheumatic Steroid injections >Date: Thu, Feb 10, 2000, 3:59 PM > > From: Joe Graff <joegraff@...> > > I have a question I hope someone can answer. > > With the exception of my knees I am feeling so great that I am taking a > trip to Europe next week. Just a few days before this I see my rheumy > and am considering having him inject my knees with Kenalog or some other > similar steroid. I have only EVER had 2 injections in one knee and 1 > injection in the other. The last time I was injected was over 8 months > ago. > > I seem to respond to steroids quite dramatically and I know injections > will free my knees of most all pain if done. The question is how > dangerous are these injections (especially in light of the fact that I > have had very few and do not use oral steroids either)? > > I guess I am also looking for opinions on this type of very limited use > also, so please speak your minds! > > > Thanks in advance! > > > j. > > ------------------------------------ > ph A. Graff > Director of Digital Prepress > Graphic Communications, Inc. > (301) 599-2020 > " The truth will set you free, but > first it will make you miserable " > > --------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2000 Report Share Posted February 10, 2000 A " systemic " shot just means into the blood stream, going everywhere in your body. This is in contrast to a local/joint injection, where the steroid goes into the joint fluid and only calms that joint. Hope you can avoid all steroids! -Mike- rheumatic Steriod Injections From: Babs56p@... In reading comments about steroid injections, I have a question I've been meaning to ask: when I was in the middle of trying to get diagnosed and was in one of my worst flares, my GP gave me a " systemic " cortizone shot to take me out of my misery. I haven't heard anyone here mention such a thing.....? My experience with it was tremendous relief - for about 24 hrs - followed by a worse, more horrible flare. It was then I was put on my first doses of prednisone and shipped back to local rheumy (who had previously said, for all intents and purposes.... " Duh " ). Anyway, anyone here ever had that " systemic " shot? (curious) Babs RA 8/98, DX 4/99, AP 11/99 200 mg. Minocin 2.5 mg. Methotrexate 112 mcg. Synthroid 2 mg. Hytrin 10 mg. Lipitor Mestinon Vits. & Misc. Suplmts. --------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2000 Report Share Posted February 11, 2000 Hi Joe! Geoff Crenshaw here. > Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 16:59:48 -0500 > From: Joe Graff <joegraff@...> > Subject: Steroid injections > > With the exception of my knees I am feeling so great that I am taking a > trip to Europe next week. Just a few days before this I see my rheumy Tough work. Glad " you're " doing it! (ha, ha!) > and am considering having him inject my knees with Kenalog or some other > similar steroid. I have only EVER had 2 injections in one knee and 1 I've only had this done maybe, 10 or 12 times or more -- lost count. Hold the " county record " for the most fluid taken off a knee in one drain. What an honor.(NOT!) I am hoping that by some miracle I don't join the bionic crowd. Don't do it as a preventative, Joe. If you get into a fix and need it done over there, then do it on site at that time; It's not that big a deal getting it done on site, but don't do it as a preventative. Enjoy your trip! Regards, Geoff Crenshaw, ACC ----------------------- Captain Cook's Cruise Center ** Usual Disclaimers ** ----------------------- Religion: Man's attempt to discover God Christianity: God's offer to save mankind ICQ 60333388 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2000 Report Share Posted February 11, 2000 ---------- From: Sharon.Ali-Mohamed@... elbows@... Subject: RE: rheumatic Steroid injections Date: Fri, Feb 11, 2000, 8:17 AM My elbow is inflammed. I can no longer bring it all the way to touch my shoulder. Is it common practice to inject the elbow? Has anyone ever had cortisone injections in the elbows? Also, I am seeing a new Rheumy next Wednesday at Mt. Sinai Hospital. He is going to prescribe a new anti-inflam. for me since the Ultradol is no longer working (used it for the past 7 years). Are there any anti-inflams. that I should say " No " to? Since I have had arthritis (1992), none of my doctors have ever checked my kidneys liver stomach, enzymes etc. What should I tell him to check? Joe, please forward this to the group, as I have been having numerous troubles posting to the group. Thank you so much!!! Sharon rheumatic Steroid injections >Date: Thu, Feb 10, 2000, 3:59 PM > > From: Joe Graff <joegraff@...> > > I have a question I hope someone can answer. > > With the exception of my knees I am feeling so great that I am taking a > trip to Europe next week. Just a few days before this I see my rheumy > and am considering having him inject my knees with Kenalog or some other > similar steroid. I have only EVER had 2 injections in one knee and 1 > injection in the other. The last time I was injected was over 8 months > ago. > > I seem to respond to steroids quite dramatically and I know injections > will free my knees of most all pain if done. The question is how > dangerous are these injections (especially in light of the fact that I > have had very few and do not use oral steroids either)? > > I guess I am also looking for opinions on this type of very limited use > also, so please speak your minds! > > > Thanks in advance! > > > j. > > ------------------------------------ > ph A. Graff > Director of Digital Prepress > Graphic Communications, Inc. > (301) 599-2020 > " The truth will set you free, but > first it will make you miserable " > > --------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2000 Report Share Posted February 11, 2000 I would certainly think your doctor would want to do some kidney/liver checks. Simple tests and if you've been on drugs a long time, well worth it, imho. I have noticed that my local doc does liver panel tests (because I'm also on metho), but I've noticed he isn't doing any kidney tests and since I'm also on Lodine (anti-inflammatory) for the long term, he should be waking up to do this - so I shall remind him, as you should remind your doctor. Mark rheumatic Steroid injections > >Date: Thu, Feb 10, 2000, 3:59 PM > > > > > From: Joe Graff <joegraff@...> > > > > I have a question I hope someone can answer. > > > > With the exception of my knees I am feeling so great that I am taking a > > trip to Europe next week. Just a few days before this I see my rheumy > > and am considering having him inject my knees with Kenalog or some other > > similar steroid. I have only EVER had 2 injections in one knee and 1 > > injection in the other. The last time I was injected was over 8 months > > ago. > > > > I seem to respond to steroids quite dramatically and I know injections > > will free my knees of most all pain if done. The question is how > > dangerous are these injections (especially in light of the fact that I > > have had very few and do not use oral steroids either)? > > > > I guess I am also looking for opinions on this type of very limited use > > also, so please speak your minds! > > > > > > Thanks in advance! > > > > > > j. > > > > ------------------------------------ > > ph A. Graff > > Director of Digital Prepress > > Graphic Communications, Inc. > > (301) 599-2020 > > " The truth will set you free, but > > first it will make you miserable " > > > > --------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2000 Report Share Posted May 9, 2000 --- Howie Milstein <howiem@...> wrote: > Hi, everybody! > > A few questions for those of you with some > experience with intra- > articular injections. I've been getting them for > years (a veritable > pin cushion) and I'm wondering: > > 1. How often do you get them in the same joint? > > 2. Have you had detrimental changes in a joint that > you thought were > the result of the injections? > > 3. What steroid does your doctor use? (I've been > getting Aristospan > and, occasionally, Decadron). > > 4. After time, do you think the shots become less > effective? > > 5. Does your doctor aspirate the joint before > injecting, and do you > think that is beneficial? > > 6. What other thoughts do you have on steroid > injections? > > > Lastly, is anyone using Enbrel? I haven't seen its > mention on the > postings, and I thought it was a hot new treatment. > > Thanks for your responses! > > Howie Milstein > > Howie, i have been using Embrel since December 1998 and the results have been excellent. I found relief almost as soon as 2 weeks after starting, and I've continued the treatment with a small weekly dose of mtx since. The injections are given twice a week, but the drug has had no effect on the psoriasis. The best results have been on the PA...Jay Moderator note: I use Enbrel without meth as a combo and have the same results. It does nothing for the psoriasis. When I did take metho it took up to 30mg per week before my scalp psoriasis cleared up. I have only have a couple spots of p elsewhere on the body to date. The scalp drives me crazy as it is... If you think you have an infection it is wise to skip the Enbrel until the infection is cleared up. You will feel the difference of skipping just a couple shots when the hurting comes back to remind you of how bad your pa is but when you restart the shots they work immediately. Pat B _______________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 19, 2005 Report Share Posted May 19, 2005 I want to point that there CAN be harmful results from steroid injections. I had a series of three injections in my wrist for carpal tunnel syndrome. The injections worked marvelously to ease the pain. However, because I had the injections, they triggered a response in my autoimmune system and I ended up having surgery to excise a mass in my hand/wrist. It was determined that I had a type of TB (not the pulmonary kind) that probably had laid dormant for a long time and would never have become active without the steroids. I am not saying that steroids are bad or harmful usually, just that there are some issues to be wary of. Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 12, 2010 Report Share Posted November 12, 2010 Hi Mandy, I haven't had any injections in the upper body, but I do get regular steroid injections in hips & lower back and they are simply wonderful. To me, the steroids are miracle drugs for my degenerating joints/discs and irritated spinal nerve roots. The medication is injected into a specific site, but then gets absorbed into the body within about three days. By the third day, my whole body feels relief. There can be side effects, but for my situation the anti-inflammatory effect far surpasses any risk. The steroids can affect blood chemistry, especially blood sugar. So if a diabetic, be careful. http://www.medicinenet.com/cortisone_injection/article.htm Gretchen and Elinor, So sorry to just now be getting a thank you out for your responses, but thanks! I will ask for the Voltaren when I go back to the doc next week. I am going early as the pain is getting worse and increasing in both wrists too. I believe the doctor is going to want to give me cortisone injections, and I am concerned about ANYTHING done to my hands. Are there folks who have had injections and/or hand surgeries with CMT? I am concerned, of course, of losing strength and function. But don't know how much to worry about the cortisone. Seems like the cortisone injections will just keep me from knowing how badly I am damaging my joints, however! And, well, with the surgery, I will be casted for 3-4 weeks -- can't be good for preventing atrophy. . . Maybe injections and cutting back on work hours to see it that is the problem. Mandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 12, 2010 Report Share Posted November 12, 2010 So if a diabetic, be careful. You got that right ......I hate steroid shots. Geri Hi Mandy, I haven't had any injections in the upper body, but I do get regular steroid injections in hips & lower back and they are simply wonderful.� To me, the steroids are miracle drugs for my degenerating joints/discs and irritated spinal nerve roots.� The medication is injected into a specific site, but then gets absorbed into the body within about three days.� By the third day, my whole body feels relief.� There can be side effects, but for my situation the anti-inflammatory effect far surpasses any risk. The steroids can affect blood chemistry, especially blood sugar.� So if a diabetic, be careful. http://www.medicinenet.com/cortisone_injection/article.htm Gretchen and Elinor, So sorry to just now be getting a thank you out for your responses, but thanks! I will ask for the Voltaren when I go back to the doc next week. I am going early as the pain is getting worse and increasing in both wrists too. I believe the doctor is going to want to give me cortisone injections, and I am concerned about ANYTHING done to my hands. Are there folks who have had injections and/or hand surgeries with CMT? I am concerned, of course, of losing strength and function. But don't know how much to worry about the cortisone. Seems like the cortisone injections will just keep me from knowing how badly I am damaging my joints, however! And, well, with the surgery, I will be casted for 3-4 weeks -- can't be good for preventing atrophy. .. . Maybe injections and cutting back on work hours to see it that is the problem. Mandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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