Has anyone had a Cortisone injection for chronic pain.

[ihatethecold]

I have bursitis in my hip. It’s really causing me discomfort.
The painkillers my GP gave me really made my digestive system feel bad so I’ve stopped the naproxen tablets.
The Dr said the alternative is an injection in my hip.
That scares me. Can anyone tell me if it helped them with pain and was it a grim process having it done 😩

I don't want to give you a horror story but my consultant first time round was, I don't know how to describe him, ...over confident in his skills and not aware of the actual situation in my back.
However, the injection didn't work.
I had it done twice and both times were no goers.
But that was in my discs L5 and L4 which is different area.
Google the effectieness for bursitis.
Have you seen a pain management consultant?

I’ve only seen my GP. I have 3 naproxen to take a day (for a month) but I’ve had to stop due to pain and discomfort in my stomach etc.

I had one in my shoulder by the physio, did bugger all. You might be better off seeing a pain specialist, anaethesists run clinics for pain management, there are other alternatives to steroid injections.

Get onto the GP for a referal to pain management. There are other treatments for bursitis before the steroid injections.
There isn't anything to be scared of.
I got a local anasthetic so the area is numb. Its quick.
It just didn't work.

I have them in my hip and knee, have done off and on for years and they work on me. They're not the cure all I thought it would be but it is as good as taking string painkillers for a while!

What are the alternatives?
I’ve booked to see a gp tomorrow to say I can’t continue on the naproxen.
She’s not the best in terms of bedside manner but I need to do something before the pain returns to badly.

I have had them for pain form arthritis, to supplement my medication. In the past Ive had them under my knee specifically for knee pain. This summer I had one in my lower back for general joint pain.

It was very stingy at the time. It was a BIG injection.
And the couple of days or so directly after it was sore - felt very bruised, very achy. The nurse had told me it might feel like I'd been kicked very hard - it did!

However, I then have had three months of very little pain. Its only recently I have started to get some of the old twinges back.

Ask for a referral to the pain clinic, there are nerve blocks, physio, exercises, lots of help out there.

I’ve had a few in my shoulders over the years given by both a GP and a consultant , some helped and some didn’t but I didn’t find them particularly painful

Bursitis is inflammation isn't it? Steriods are anitinflammatory and should do the job for you.
My issues wasnt really inflammation more prolapsed discs which might explain why it didn't really work for me.
I would also really encourage accupunture. Though if you don't like needles that might not be an idea.

I have injections in six sites across my back and shoulders every six months. They do work for me, it's not a miracle cure but it takes the edge off, and I think if my condition was more related to inflammation and less as a result of chronic pain it would be more effective. I have no issues driving after but they always tell me to go home and rest. The actual injection stings, but includes local anaesthetic so the site goes numb soon after and that lasts about 12 hours, by which time the injection is starting to work. A bit sore the next day but nothing unbearable.

If the naproxen is making your digestive system bad, as your doctor about omeprazole, they are not ally prescribed together, the omeprazole protects your stomach as naproxen and other anti-inflammatory medicines like Ibuprofen can cause problems.

My GP injected my painful shoulder when physio didn't help - it didn't get any better, in fact shortly afterwards it became 'frozen' and I ended up having surgery to release it. When the other shoulder became painful I got a referral to the same surgeon who used x-ray to guide him as he injected. Four years on no problems at all.

I've had one in my hip for hip bursitis. It did hurt but it did start the road to recovery for the bursitis which had been otherwise not improving.
Make sure you are not over doing it too - I know it's easier said than done but it's a big part of getting better.
I also have RA so it was just another injection for me but it was nice to get some relief. It did feel quite tender and ice packs also helped.

I have had injections in a number of joints over the years and they have worked very well. The bursa you refer to is not a joint - it lies over the hip, between the bone and the muscle. I have had mine injected and is was not particularly painful (it worked).
As a previous poster said, if you are on non-steroidal anti inflammatories you should be on omeprazole or similar. BTW, diclofenac is MUCH better than naproxen.

The only thing that helped my hip bursitis was a good physio. I've had my hip injected four times, it helps briefly but the pain always comes back.
Find the right exercises to help with the pain.

I often have them in my back, knees and hands due to my RA and they absolutely work for me. I find that for 2/3 days after the initial injection it can be a tad worse but then the magic happens and its great. I'd always recommend having a go if it's offered

I've had cortisone in both knees. I think it's a bloody miraculous treatment . Went from walking like a 90 yr old and only able to go upstairs slowly when really necessary, to running up two at a time !
It's only a stop gap though. Won't last forever.. had mine 5 months ago and still not working brilliantly.

I had 2, six months apart, in my shoulder. Neither worked.

Thanks everyone.
I do seem to be fine with diclofenic so I think I will ask for them and see if I can get a referral.

Have had quite a few in different joints - some have worked better than others and lasted longer than others.

Had one in my shoulder and the pain relief lasted about 10 months. Had it repeated and only got relief for about 6 weeks.

Have had them in my back, foot and knee too all with varying effects.

I would say try it. It could work.

I’ve got bursitis in both hips and have had many steroid injections in them,, my back and pelvis. I get quite a bit of relief from the ones in my hips and they really don’t hurt at all.

Does anything else help your hips?
I’ve had it for 6 months and it’s getting worse.

Had one in the back of my knee for torn MCL and torn cartilage was bloody brilliant really helped with the pain but sadly it was short lived and only lasted around 4 weeks. Long term physio is what ultimately helped the underlying cause x

DW had one for severe shoulder pain. I just asked her what she thought. She said (I quote) "It was brilliant. It stopped the pain for about 5 years and when I go to see the Dr next time, I'm asking for another".

It did nothing for me but others have had amazing results. If they offer you a sedative though, you want it. Trust me.