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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Notageek · 14/02/2019 20:58

I had one in my knee 2 weeks ago ! Actual process took about 10 minutes, but most of that was going through a form etc. The injection was a bit painful, but not for longer than a second so bearable, then the anaesthetic kicked in and it was fine. I had to wait in the receptionfor 20 minutes just to check I didn’t have a reaction.

I would have driven home as it wasn’t painful, but apparently the fact that you’ve had a local means you’re not insured. I also ended up with a blushing face for a few hours ..known side effect.

I rested completely the first weekend and after 48 hrs the pain I had been feeling had gone . I was told don’t do active exercise ie gym/sport for up to 10 days to 2 weeks but I was fine to do day to day activity. I’ve just done my first light gym session and it feels a bit exercise achy but otherwise fine.

Notageek · 14/02/2019 21:00

threeicklepickles ...snap. I’ve been told to build running back up gradually, but have been given knee strengthening exercises as a priority. I might try some short intervals over the weekend .Good luck to you and OP.

longearedbat · 14/02/2019 21:06

I have had two - hip and knee. The hip one was incredibly painful, I can't lie about it. However the pain was probably only for seconds, although it felt longer. It was a burning stabbing sensation. I rested for 5 days after, and it cured the problem totally, so worth the pain really.
The knee one didn't hurt. The steroid only worked for about ten days then I was back to square one, so I ended up having surgery in the end, which fixed it.

domton · 14/02/2019 21:30

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).
Indirectly yes. I suspect there is a family weakness there to begin with (father and two sisters also right hip problems).

The lupus caused inflammation, that had not been treated as effectively by baseline meds as my other joints, because it is such a deep joint. So my muscles and ligaments had all inflamed, as well as the soft tissue in the joint. The hip joint works by two opposing muscles pulling the ball and socket apart when you walk. Because they were inflamed for so long, they had in effect, less space to move in, so couldn't pull the two sections apart enough, so they were rubbing together. The (bloody painful) steroid injection (which took about 15 minutes in total, guided in theatre), allowed the inflammation to settle enough for the muscles to strengthen again.

So yes, it was certain caused by lupus because it's badly controlled, but I think it exploited a weakness.

Feel free to pm me if you want any more info. X

Rosered341 · 14/02/2019 22:03

I had one into a herniated disc and it was the most horribly painful experience of my life. It made my issue worse - which was one of the risks.
My dad has one into his ankle though and barely felt it.

Original poster

FuzzyPuffling · 15/02/2019 09:48

Once again, thank you all for sharing your experiences.

OP posts:

WeBuiltCisCityOnSexistRoles · 15/02/2019 11:27

Who is doing the injection? I have had a number of them including my hip. The main thing I have found is that the results seem to vary from who performed it. My consultant (rather than GP) does the most painful ones but these actually have the best results.

One of the most painful bits, for me, is when they press all over the joint first to determine where the most pain is (right location helps the effectiveness of the injection apparently). The injections themselves actually aren't that bad.

The hip one takes about a week to recover but the effects are good, and range from about 8-12 weeks. I think you are only allowed three a year from memory.

I've also had them in my lower back like PP and these really are more painful, the feeling of pressure is awful but I don't seem to get these with the hip ones.

The anticipation is probably worse, especially for your first one! I hope it isn't too painful and you see good results from it. I take the view that if it hurts but you are willing to go through it again then it's worth it!

Let us know how you get on?

Original poster

FuzzyPuffling · 15/02/2019 11:46

Cheers...my GP is doing it. (I live rurally and it's along way to the nearest hospital, so GPs here tend to train in lots of extras).

It's not til next week (early planner, me!) but I will update you all then!

OP posts:

TheTitOfTheIceberg · 15/02/2019 11:52

I had one in my hip at the GP's surgery; the injection itself was briefly painful, I walked home and then it became steadily more painful over the course of the next 24-48 hours before settling down again. Didn't help with the original pain, unfortunately.

I've since had two cervical spine and one SI injection as a day patient in hospital, and the hip injection was a walk in the park in comparison - no way I'd have been able to walk or drive home from those!

StarbucksSmarterSister · 15/02/2019 11:58

I had one in each shoulder, not at the same time obviously.

Neither had any effect on my condition (but 18 months of physio has). One resulted in me being in absolute agony for 3 days but I think I was unlucky. The other one didn't give me any problems at all. I had them done by different people, no idea if that had anything to do with it.

The actual procedures were pretty painless.

WeBuiltCisCityOnSexistRoles · 15/02/2019 12:02

Ooops sorry about the GP thing I hope I've not put you off To be fair, I don't like this GP anyway (unlike my usual GP who is fabulous) and he didn't take as much as care as my consultant to locate the best place. I'm sure yours will be better!

Original poster

FuzzyPuffling · 15/02/2019 12:08

Not put off at all! It is very interesting to hear such a variety of experiences - it all seems a bit hit and miss in many ways. I am hoping to get some physio to back it up as well. Apparently the results are the same but there's a 10 week wait for a physio.

OP posts:

littlewhitething · 15/02/2019 12:11

Please, please, tell me how you managed to get a steroid injection SnOwyAlpsandPeaks for your back? I had them in France and they were fantastic, but my doctor will not listen to anything I say and the pain Clinic have thrown me out because I told them I'd tried bloody Pilates and passed out from the pain! I am truly desperate for some relief

PookieDo · 15/02/2019 12:12

Lower back/spine 1 year ago
LIFE CHANGING
avoided an op completely
Didn’t hurt a bit!
I had CT guided and it was a piece of cake!

PookieDo · 15/02/2019 12:14

I got one for my Lower back as my sciatic nerve was very compressed due to L4/5 rupture

I was on crutches and the leg was numb/immobile/completely stiff and 4000mg gabapentin didn’t even touch the nerve pain

sprot · 15/02/2019 12:59

I’ve to have them in my knees using a ultrasound at same time is this what normally happens

StarbucksSmarterSister · 16/02/2019 23:59

sprot when I had my shoulders done, they did them with an ultrasound

BigGreenOlives · 17/02/2019 08:47

@littlewhitething Try a private referral to a rheumatologist, my physio referred me. It wasn’t that expensive (for a hip injection) and worked a miracle.

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