Steroid injection

I had a steroid injection into my spine to treat a slipped disc in the thoracic region. It was done in theatre under a local anaesthetic and was effective for a year- so well worth having.

Linda, I had been having steroid injections in my right hand to help with my combined tensonivitis, carpal tunnel and rheumatoid arthritis for a considerable time. Initially the injections did give some relief for a few months, but as my osteoporosis was becoming worse they were stopped. So you have to consider the possible side effects of the injections into the bargain.
I then had the carpal tunnel op and initially had relief for the first time in years. The op was worth having to be pain free and at last get a decent night's sleep. I couldn't have a general anaesthetic or sedation, but had a local instead, it actually wasn't too bad at all.
I remember it well, because the consultant said to me, "This is the day the world will change for ever." It was the day Trump became president.
However, the pain has become excruciating again, the reason given was perhaps they had left it too long to operate, preferring to first try splints and down the steroid injections route.
It now looks like I have ulnar tunnel syndrome on my left hand into the bargain.
My advice would be don't delay making a decision one way or another. The longer you leave it, the less successful the outcome.
Most people I know have had a good deal of success with the op, without any future problems, but with every procedure there is of course always a chance it won't help.
I was in so much pain and unable to use my hands much, that I decided the op couldn't be any worse than my current situation.
Good luck with whatever you choose.

I have been having steroid injections into my thumb joints which usually last about 4 months. However, the last one I had just before Christmas did not work as well and the pain is back to being very bad. I cannot hold a pen, unscrew a jar etc. I am thinking of having an operation on the worse thumb joint- there appear to be several alternative operations. Has anyone had experience of an op. Advice would be very welcome. I have tried creams, vitamins and am now trying Turmeric tea.

Thanks Mary and Sue, it actually feels better today so perhaps it has just taken a bit longer to kick in. Fingers crossed !
The surgeon who did it talked about possibly removing the affected bone at some time in the future. Sounds a bit alarming, anyone have any views or experience of this ?

That is disappointing. I thought of you this morning because my hands were really painful upon waking and I wondered how you were getting on.

Sometimes mine work, sometimes the don't. No rhyme or reason for it.
I could do with one right now, I've been up all night with the pain in my hands and knee. It's excruciating in this cold weather.
I hope you get some improvement soon.

A week on and I'm a bit disappointed. It is possibly a little better but not much !

Bathsheba, I think I should have had 2 steroid injections, but my GP managed get away with giving me only one.

In principle I quite agree with problems being treated conservatively and starting with simple surgery based treatments, but in my case, I had had CTS for 30 years with it causing me little problem until is suddenly got incredibly painful and there were very obvious signs of muscle wastage on my thumb. Both GP and surgeon said that surgery was the only answer.

I just think that the choice and order of treatment should be left to their discretion, although a Guidance document may suggest GPs and surgeons follow a certain course. In my case it was clear what the necessary treatment was and it would have saved the NHS money if I hadn't been made to jump through all the hoops just to prove the obvious.

M0nica I'll be interested to hear how your surgery goes, and how your carpal tunnel problem is afterwards. I have suffered with CTS for a couple of years and spoke to my GP about surgery. At the time he was more concerned about other pain I was suffering in both hands, and wanted that checked out first - I was referred to a rheumatologist who confirmed it was just common or garden osteoarthritis. I now take Naproxen for this and have exercises recommended by an occupational therapist. Which leaves the carpal tunnel syndrome
Unfortunately, at least in my area, patients aren't referred for surgery until and unless they have had two failed steroid injections. I have just heard that the GP in my practice who has had the training to administer these injections is due to leave the practice in a couple of months, so I must make an appointment to see him before then!
Good luck for Friday

An injection in my shoulder for persistent pain kept me going for two years. It's quite sore again, so I'm thinking of asking the GP to repeat the dose. A shot in my left knee has done it a world of good recently. I also had an injection in my hand under x-ray, about 12 years ago, but it didn't work well and I had to have surgery which was a complete success. I've never found it a painful procedure, though, come to think of it, the specialist nurse who did my knee also used a local anaesthetic.

4 years ago DD had steroid injections in both hands.
Fingers crossed all ok
she does have some minimal pain.

I had 2 lots of steroid injections in my ankle,
Unfortunately I still required an operation.

Singlegranny, I hope you an improvement very soon!

Mine was done under ultrasound the second time, so it could be precisely targeted. Otherwise it can be a bit of a stab in the dark!

Monica, how strange that you had just the same experience as me, by the third day.

"I think with hands and fingers it needs to be more precise, and that's why they need xrays."
Good point grannyticktock.
I had one in my foot, and it wasn't really painful at all, and has lasted for ages TG.
My GP has does some training in giving this injection, not all GPs here can do it, it usually has to be referred to a specialist.

I think with hands and fingers it needs to be more precise, and that's why they need xrays.

That's good to hear. I'm in two minds about having mine now. Why is it necessary for some to have it under x-ray and others not? I wasn't offered an x-ray-will they just guess where to stick the needle?

Waited nearly 2 hours and the procedure was done in less than 5 mins. I was injected twice, close together from different angles. It did hurt, but not as much as I remembered from last time. Took a couple of ibuprofen and slept well. Today it seemed the same as ever this morning, but it seems to be gradually getting better ! Was expecting to wait a few days for an improvement, so happy at the moment and hope it lasts .

DH had the steroid injections in his neck under xray about three years ago and has been pain free ever since

I had a steroid injection into my wrist when I had tendonitis. The injection was bad enough, but for the next two days I was in excruciating pain and then on the third morning, I woke up and realised I had had my first uninterrupted night's sleep for months and I have been pain free ever since (5 years plus)

A few months ago I had an injection in the other wrist for carpal tunnel syndrome. The injection was uncomfortable, but after that nothing; no pain and no remedy. I am having the op for carpal tunnel syndrome on Friday.

Well I will keep optimistic, I would love a "spring chicken" effect ! !

Why is it that although I check my posts, they always appear with an incorrect auto correction ?

Even *more painful.

The first injection had no effect whatsoever, good or bad.

The second, done with ultrasound, was miraculous! For the first couple of days my shoulder felt even painful but on the third day, wow, it was so much better. It wasn't just my shoulder, all of me felt less creaky and achey, I felt 20 years younger.

The 'spring chicken' effect lasted for two to three months while the shoulder has gone on improving so much that I've regained full use and have no pain in it, after 10 months.

Thanks Sue, glad you're weren't painful ! Did the effects last long ?

You have it on an operating theatre whilst your hand is being xrayed so that the doctor can see exactly where he is inserting the needle. It is supposed to be better targeted that way, but I don't know how much difference it makes. I have been waiting since October.

I've had two in my shoulder, one under ultrasound, and was astonished how relatively painless they were. I had expected a gigantic needle but it was tiny, and soon over.

Try taking some painkillers before you go, Singlegrannie, and good luck!

Snap Singlegrannie I too am having steroid injections in both hands.But earliest appointment at doctors surgery is not for 4 weeks!
Never had them before but the pain is keeping me awake most of the night.
What do you mean by under x-ray?