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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/5/2009
Posts: 103
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Hi,A month ago I had a steroid injection in my shoulder to try and get some relief from severe shoulder/arm pain.Needless to say it didn't work so the rheumy nurse arrange for me to have a systemic steroid jab in the buttock which was done just over a week ago but that hasn't helped either.  At the moment I've bad pain in neck,shoulders,arms,hands,wrists and knees and even Tramadol isn't helping with the pain.My rheumy nurse is on holiday until next Monday and I feel as if I'm in limbo,not knowing what to do next.Has anyone else had the steroid jabs and found they didn't work for them?Last year I took steroid tablets for a month,starting on 40mg a day and tapering them down till I was off them completely,all done in just the four weeks and they worked wonders.I don't know why I can't be put back on them for a 'quick fix'.I have read others on here can get them prescribed and some people have been on them for long peroids of time.My GP won't prescribe them for me now that I have rheumy consultant.It's been a bad day today,took me almost an hour to get out of bed and dressed and I couldn't even lift the kettle to make a cuppa!! Almost three months without proper sleep and it's now starting to take it's toll as I'm getting very grumpy through lack of sleep. Sorry for the moan but feeling a bit low today. Brenda.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi Brenda Sorry to hear that you are feeling down and not well. Hope you get some relief soon. The steroid injections I've had have been very hit and miss, mainly miss I have to say! The only really successful ones have been those done by ultrasound into the hip area. Quite often GPs hand over responsibility for prescribing once you are in the care of a rheumatologist, others are happy to prescribe short term pain relief, anti inflammatories etc. Sounds like you are in line for a return visit to your GP. I don't know what medication you are on at present but perhaps an anti inflammatory or stronger pain killer might be in order? At night I take 2 x Dihydrocodeine + Paracetamol 30/500 mg, they work a treat and I actually get some sleep!! Hope you are able to get something to help soon. Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/5/2009
Posts: 103
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Hello Lyn,At the moment I take two Hydroxy,two Naproxen and Omeprazole plus Tramadol from time to time.Unfortunately my Gp is in hospital having an op and won't be back in surgery for 2/3 weeks and other doctors in the practise don't like to prescribe anything knowing you are under a consultant.I was diagnosed about 14 months ago with OA and then two weeks later was told I also had RA so a double whammy!  I've left a message on the rheumy nurse's answer phone so hope she will give me a ring when she gets back next Mon.I will definately ask about going back on the steroid tablets because they worked so well last year.Just off to take another Tramadol!! Brenda. 
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/5/2009
Posts: 90
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I am having a depo injection tomorrow. I am not quite sure, what it is? Is it a steroid injection? I am very confused!!
I am having it, as I am going through a hard time at the moment. My brother has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer (never smoked a cigaret in his life), and I have a very elderly mum(101 years old). They both live in Denmark, and my brother was a carer for my mother, who still lives in her own home.
I am going to Denmark next week with my husband to see my poor brother and also trying to sort out my mother. We just don`t know, what is going to happen to her. She lives quite a long way from my brother, but he used to go and see her every 4 weeks.
It will be a tremendous physical and emotional stress for me, and my RA is playing havoc with my body at the moment. I am sure all the stress I have had, since my brother was diagnosed 2 months ago, has made me flare up. I explained it all to my rheumy consultant, and she told me to come in tomorrow for an injection. I just pray, it will give me some relief and make me walk better. I have a lot of pain in my ankles, knees and shoulders. I will be doing a lot of running around, arranging more carers for my mum, seing a solicitor and the bank. Meanwhile my brother has very little time left, there is absolutely nothing to be done for him. I dread seing him, he was always so well, very active and sporty, slim and fit, cycling and swimming every week, and then suddenly out of the blue being diagnosed on jan.9th, that he has a cancer, that has spread all over the body without having had any symptoms other than being unusually tired.
Sorry, friends to go on about it all. I just hope, God will give me strength to bring a little comfort to my brother and mum by going to see them
Love to you all. Life is so precious, live it to the full if you can
Merete
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/7/2010 Posts: 441 Location: Bristol
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Hi Brenda,
I'm sorry you're feeling so awful and that the steroids haven't helped.
I had a steroid jab in the bum once a few years back and, to be honest, it had no effect on me either. I had much more success with the steroids that they give via infusion.
Hope you have a better day tomorrow.
Joanna
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Hi Merete,
A depo injection is a steroid injection into the muscle, usually the bum.
I'm so sorry to hear about your brother, that is so sad.
I hope the injection helps and you feel able to tackle all the problems when you got to Denmark next week.
I'll be thinking of you.
Love, Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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Hi Merete, I`m so very sorry to hear the news of your brother - it must have been an awful shock. Things will be so hard for you in Denmark, so I hope and pray that the depo injection gives you some relief from the flare you are having. Try and rest for the couple of days after the depo, to give it a better chance to work for you. Take care, I`ll be thinking of you, Kathleen x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi Merete Seems such a long time since we 'spoke' (I did disappear for a while though!). So sorry to hear of your family problems and the flare of the RA. The coming weeks are going to be difficult for you but hope you will be able to sort things out to everyone's benefit without heading into meltdown yourself. What a marvellous lady your mum is at 101 ... wow! But your brother, how very sad. As you say life is precious and it's all to easy to forget that when we are busy struggling on with our daily routines. Whatever our disabilities we do have hope and on days like today we get to see the lovely sunshine. My thoughts are with you Merete, hope you remain strong throughout your visit and you get to spend quality time with your brother and mum. Take care Merete, Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/5/2009
Posts: 90
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Dear friends, Thank you so much for all your kind replies. I really appreciate that. I have just been to the hospital for my depo injection and will make sure, I rest for the remainder of the day. In fact I am trying to get as much rest as possible till we leave sunday week.
My family in Denmark is not really aware, how debilitating RA can be with all the aches and the fatigue, we experience, because I look normal apart from not walking so well. I want to be strong for them all, especially for my mum, who can`t understand her son is not getting better. She has some dementia (short time memory loss), so whatever you tell her, it is quickly forgotten.
Merete
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/10/2009 Posts: 653 Location: Notts
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Dear merete
I'm so sorry to hear the news about your brother. You certainly have a lot on your plate at the moment, it sounds as if you have a lot to do in Denmark.
I hope the depo injection works for you, and gives you the strength to do all you need to while there.
Lyn
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
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Dear Merete
Although it's always nice to see you on the forum, you must be feeling sad and despairing - and trying to cope with the pain as well.
We will be thinking about you when you are over in Finland and I really pray that the depo will give you the strength to cope.
Take care, dear Merete
Much love
Jeanxxxx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,081
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Hi Brenda - sorry to hear you are going through such a bad flare. The lack of sleep alone is soul destroying. I have had mixed results with the depo injections . Thee first one was great as they told me to rest as much as I could for a couple of days and within 3 days the relief was bliss. After the second one, I went straight back to work from the hospital, picked my son up from school and carried on my day as normal. I was shocked when it didn't work at all. Third, rested and it was a sucess. I think your best bet would be to ask your rheumy nurse about the possibility of another short course of oral steroid but I bet Monday seems a million miles away. Maybe your GP could call your rheumatology department if it gets unbearable?
Merete - Am so sorry to hear about your brother - what a shock. I hope you can get plenty of rest to reserve your strength for your trip to see your mum and brother. I will be thinking of you.
Julie
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