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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to know about steroid injections

43 replies

FuzzyPuffling · 14/02/2019 09:44

(Sorry about the AIBU; I posted this in General Health and got no responses so I'm hoping the greater traffic here might help.)

I am due to have a steroid injection in my hip next week, for a soft tissue problem.

Has anyone had one and can offer any advice?

The information I have read says not to drive home afterwards, rest for 2 days and no strenuous activity of 5 days. Or maybe 2 weeks, depending on what you read!

And how painful is it?

OP posts:
SnowyAlpsandPeaks · 14/02/2019 09:47

I haven’t had them in the hip but had them in the lower spine, with the same advice. For what it’s worth mine didn’t hurt just a little scratch. Maybe totally different for a hip 🤷🏻‍♀️Good luck.

Original poster
FuzzyPuffling · 14/02/2019 09:59

Thank you snowy

OP posts:
thesnapandfartisinfallible · 14/02/2019 10:03

You won't be driving trust me. Not unless you have an automatic. I had them into my cervical spine and my god they hurt. I cried through the whole thing. They don't take 2 weeks to feel better though, more like 2 or 3 days.

domton · 14/02/2019 10:08

I have.

I had the choice of sedation or not, I chose not to, to get of there earlier.

The process itself was very painful, I'm not going to lie, but was only about 10-15 minutes. Obviously would have been less painful with sedation ;)

The immediate after-effects was like having a dead leg, but not painful unless actually bending hip...that hurts.

About 1 hour after I think the local from the injection began to kick in, and 3 hours later I felt amazing, walked a mile and a half to tesco and back just because I could.

The next day, tender, stairs one step at a time, and remained like this for maybe 2 days them back to normal, but no pain :)

For me it didn't last that long, maybe 3 weeks, but I have lupus so that complicates things because of meds and inflammation etc. Best 3 weeks ever, and is to it tomorrow if I hadn't maxed out on steroids in the last 12 months.

Original poster
FuzzyPuffling · 14/02/2019 18:15

Thank you for letting me know your experiences. I'd far rather know the truth than the sanitised, dumbed down version!

Also, I have an (as yet un-named) auto-immune condition...domton, was your lupus in any way connected to your need for the steroid injection? (I am seeing the rheumatologist very soon and want to know what might be relevant)

OP posts:
hollytom · 14/02/2019 18:19

I have had a few in my shoulder it can be hit and miss sometimes they work and are great other times don’t do much if they are not in the right place. It’s a bit sore afterwards but not too bad

dontcallmelen · 14/02/2019 18:19

Fuzzy my dd has steroid injections, to help alleviate joint pain when she is having a bad flare up with her lupus, she said she they usually kick in after a couple of days gives her some much needed relief for a few months.

dontcallmelen · 14/02/2019 18:20

Oops meant to say, hope it goes well.

lotusbell · 14/02/2019 18:33

I had one in the palm of my hand and thought it was Ok, but then fainted in the car before we left the hospital car park ( i wasn't driving). Think it was shock but I do have a low pain threshold! Was fine the next time I had it. It's not totally awful but as you are having it in your hip, it may be a more painful area. Hope it goes well and works!

Floralnomad · 14/02/2019 18:35

I’ve had 4/5 in my shoulders over the years and I didn’t find them too painful , the first one worked really well , the others were never likely to as the condition needed surgery .

Original poster
FuzzyPuffling · 14/02/2019 19:06

How long does the injection take? Is it a quick stab and out, or does it go on a bit? (Planning my pain management techniques here)

OP posts:
dontcallmelen · 14/02/2019 19:12

With dd it’s a quick stab, she has it top of thigh/bum.

Original poster
FuzzyPuffling · 14/02/2019 19:13

I can probably do a quick stab!
(Can you tell I'm not looking forward to this? But oh...not to be in pain...My fingers are crossed it works.)

OP posts:
Heratnumber7 · 14/02/2019 19:14

The information I have read says not to drive home afterwards, rest for 2 days and no strenuous activity of 5 days. Or maybe 2 weeks, depending on what you read!

I think that's ridiculous.
I walked out, drove home, and carried on as usual after mine, in a similar area. The pain disappeared almost immediately, and the actual injection didn't hurt nearly as much as everyone said it would.

Original poster
FuzzyPuffling · 14/02/2019 19:16

Mmmm...interesting, Herat. Thank you.

OP posts:
Natsku · 14/02/2019 19:19

I had one in my foot, the injection itself was quite painful and then a few hours later I was in much more pain that I had been to begin with (so more painful than the reason I needed the steroid injection), bad enough that I went to A&E for strong painkillers but it was much better the next day. But it was enough to put me off going back to the doctor with the same foot issue again (it comes and goes) but the foot pain is bearable and I know it'll go - would be a different case if it was a pain that was worse and wasn't going to go away

Floralnomad · 14/02/2019 19:20

I drove after all of mine .

dontcallmelen · 14/02/2019 19:20

Dd says it feels a bit tender, but has never really rested after it.
Don’t know if,as you are having it in the hip advice may be different as dd has them due to her lupus.

Bananasandchocolatecustard · 14/02/2019 19:21

I had the exact injection 2 weeks ago. Had a “freezing “ spray first, then the doctor found the most painful place by pressing her finger on my hip.
The injection hurt, but was quick. I hobbled to a taxi after. Took cocodimol that night. Took 3 days for the steroids to become effective. Now the pain has decreased a lot and I can sleep better at night.

Original poster
FuzzyPuffling · 14/02/2019 19:26

So pleased many of you have much reduced pain afterwards. That would be a terrific outcome for me.

OP posts:
Heratnumber7 · 14/02/2019 19:36

The night of the day I had my injection I slept through the night for the first time in ages

thesnapandfartisinfallible · 14/02/2019 19:38

Mine took ages. 4 needles and each one was in about 30 seconds.

BigGreenOlives · 14/02/2019 19:39

I’ve had two in my hip, the first time I didn’t rest, the second time I did & it worked. I could feel the injected liquid inside my body as it went in both times.

Weetabixandshreddies · 14/02/2019 19:42

Not had it in the hip but multiple in spine, foot, knee and shoulder - spine took the longest but other joints the whole appointment was less than 10 minutes. Actual injection was less than 1 minute (with USS guidance). Pain for me is reduced immediately due to the local anaesthetic but sore for a day or so afterwards. I'm usually told to rest for a day or so to let things settle.

threeicklepickles · 14/02/2019 19:43

I had one today in my foot. Lasted about 10 seconds I think. Asked about rest, exercise etc as mine is an injury from running and the GP just said to take it easy for a few days, but as everyone us different didn't give me an exact timescale to start running again. I'm going to wait for at least a fortnight and go from there.

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