Hi Gem,

You can have steroid injections into individual joints and you can also have what we call a depo injection ,which is steroid injected intramuscularly, usually into the bum! I have always steered well clear of oral steroids but have had the injections without worrying about them, and have never put weight on with them, although I do find they increase the appetite a bit!
The intramuscular injections help to bring down inflammation generally and in doing so usually give a lot of pain relief. When you have one it is best to rest for 48hours to get the maximum benefit and the effect can last up to 3 months, I usually find it lasts about 10 weeks. So go for it on Thursday, you should get some good pain relief from it, but remember when you start feeling better not to overdo things because the steroid only brings down the inflammation and doesn't protect against joint damage.

Love, Doreen xx

Hi Gem,

I`ve had the intramuscular one several times into the bum, and the joint ones too. Like Doreen says, it`s best to rest for 48hours to give it a chance to work. I`ve been quite lucky in that mostly they`ve given me some real benefit - the joint ones are better if done under ultra-sound, as they are more accurate.

The injections do increase my appetite - willpower needed there. I try to stay well clear of oral steroids.

Take care,

Kathleen x

PS They`re not hugely painful.

Hello Gem

I have had the depo in my bottom lots of times as they cannot sort my medication out. The last one 3 weeks
ago tomorrow. I have found them to be excellent with the inflam . No pain No weight increase etc. just relief
certainly in the state which you are in it is def worth a try if offerred.

Congrats on losing all that weight Well done you.

Rose

Gemma

I have had several depot injections over the last year. The last one was last week. It is not painful. I complained to my nurse that it was not going to help my weight and she said that you do not gain weight with the steriod injections, only the tablets.

If you do have one, remember to rest as much as possible afterwards to give it chance to work.

Jackie
xx

hi Gemma,

i've had two steroid injections and the first worked wonders when newly diagnosed ...unfortunately the second didn't help.

but i asked the same question about weight gain as i also have lost a lot of weight and no way want to put any on and Rheumy Nurse said no it doesn't make you gain weight.

i think you'll benefit from it as you are so newly diagnosed,

Suzanne x

Hi Gem, I've had the steroid injections and tablets and was woried about the weight gain too! Injections don't seem to cause any weight gain, but the tablets can make you feel hungry.
Some good advice my rheumy doc gave me was....." it's only what goes into your mouth that can make you gain the weight"..... very true! Kathleen xx

Hi thanks for all the steroid stories! That's sorted then, I'll ask for one at my appointment next Thursday and hopefully they'll be able to give me one there and then. I'll try not to get my hopes up about it working though then I'll not be disappointed if it doesn't work.

Gem x