Anyone get improvement after a cortisone joint injection?
My shoulder has been killing me for a long time now. It was at the point where I was in tears and needed some relief. I bit the bullet and took the cortisone shot. Now just waiting for the results.
How long after the cortisone shot did you feel better and how long does this shot last? We would like to hear from you. Diane (Team Member)
, I've had several steroid injections - some directly into a joint as well as a few systemic kenalog injections that I get in my rump.
I've had shoulders, an ankle, mid foot, and an exray guided hip injection.
The ankle injection was awful. Just awful.
I have had good relief from shoulder injections. My injections tend to work fairly quickly although I have had a few cortisone flares after a shot. Those are also awful. I seem to have a theme of awful going here 😀
I think its safe to say that when and how well an injection will work varies for all of us. Its a good pain relief strategy if it works but alas, it is temporary. And they carry risks.
I really am sorry you are in this pain. I hope you'll get some relief from the injection very soon!Hello
, it's hard trying to explain to people the kind of pain we have. Most think we are exaggerating. It's so nice to have you here in the community. We always say that we are not alone, but it's always so nice to find someone that understands. I hate that you are in pain, but we all feel your pain. Diane (Team Member) 
it's the same here in Louisiana. 85 yesterday to 50 today. Crazy winter but mild just the same. Be careful of Thursday. There has been tornadoes and such in other parts of the country. We just had high winds. Thanks for asking about me as well. Vickie W., Team Member
I've had to have cortisone injections into multiple joints over the years, mostly due to injuries. I can tell you that they do lose efficacy over time, so they should be done sparingly. When I used to lift weights, my AC joints would get really bad due to previous separations, and I would get cortisone injections. The injections worked great the first few times, but on about the third shot over a year and a half, I only got a couple of weeks of relief out of it, so just discontinued all together. I've had to have them in my shoulders, one knee, one elbow, and back (not doing that one again). Even when the effects wore off quickly, though, it was usually enough relief that I was able to get some physical therapy done for long term relief. I've got one shoulder that has been injured so badly so often that everything is basically a mass of scar tissue. Surgeons say there's nothing that can be done at this point, except to avoid further injury.
Hello
Thanks for sharing some great pieces of information with us. I tell you one thing, I feel older than my father and he will be 90 next month. I had this shot about 10 years ago. I took it again because I was crying in my sleep. This shoulder would not allow me to rest. I have another appointment next week to see what relief I can get for the hands. I wear these gloves which helps, but they are so bulky. We definitely have an illness that keeps on giving. I used to do physical therapy, but these people would hurt me so badly, that I just couldn't continue. It's so good to hear from you as always. Diane (Team Member)
I also was having unbearable shoulder pain - it would prevent me from falling asleep or wake me up from deep sleep. It eventually became constant and more intense, so I was given a cortisone injection into the joint. Within 24 hours I was completely pain free - and not just my shoulder! My whole body, every joint was completely pain free for an entire month - I could hardly believe it I actually caught myself running up the stairs - something I haven't done in years. I took the opportunity to talk with a friend who is an OT and specializes in hand therapy and lymphedema - she gave me gentle shoulder exercises and stretches to do while I was happily enjoying being pain free. After the joint pain (mostly hand, feet and ankle) returned to their pre-injection levels I noticed that the shoulder pain was barely noticeable and then only if I did activities which aggravated it.
I've only had a few steroid injections and they were spread out over many years, so I've been very fortunate in not needing to have them frequently or regularly and I realize that I'm probably in the minority to have had such prolonged and impactful relief.
My PsA was diagnosed just 3 years ago and this is the first time I've had a cortisone injection since being diagnosed - I must say, it was heavenly for that month while it lasted.
I think that is the thing, while finding acceptance in the space we find ourselves in. Yet we continue to find ways to better and improve our lives and how we are living. The line for me was knowing that this is now my life. I remain careful not to push myself too far on days when I am insistent of doing more
Weather is a hard one to control and believe me, I wish I could too.
How are you managing today?
- Clair ( Team Member)Hello
, When you figure out what's normal, please let me know. It is a hard road to travel, but we can do it. No one understands the fatigue and pain that we go through. I was in a meeting recently. Some asked, can you tell us something that no one else knows about you. I said, I am in pain everyday. There was a "look" on peoples faces. Just because I don't talked about it, doesn't mean it's not there.
I have been on 8 biologics in over 20 years and maybe 1 or 2 helped, but eventually stopped working. I have a good healthcare team who is looking into adding in a 2nd biologic with Skyrizi that I take now.
The pain is not unbearable, but it's all over my body. You are so right, this is definitely not a one-size-fits-all condition or treatment plan. I hope that we both find something that gives us a pain free life. Your reply was not lengthy at all. We like knowing that we are not alone. Thanks for sharing so much of it with us.
I had a severely inflamed knee and got a series of steroid injections into it over several months. When I first started, I also took a short course of oral steroids and had the joint aspirated. It turned out it wasn't just my joint that was inflamed, it was also my entheses, so I had injections into my joint and into my entheses. It took quite a while to go away, and the pain/swelling in my entheses was quite stubborn, but it FINALLY did get better. I've also had injections into an ankle and into my spine.
However, I now have a problem with Sacroiliitis, which has gotten somewhat better after two steroid injections. and just yesterday, I woke up with a little swelling right above the radius bone on my wrist. I may have to get injections in that area as well if it doesn't go away before I see my doc again. I definitely didn't injure it, soHello
, I am so sorry you are going through this. We have an illness that keeps on giving. Let us know if the injections help. How long have you had PsA, if you don't mind sharing? I have had psoriatic disease for 61 years and this disease has put people in wheelchairs. Please stay in touch and let us know how you are getting along, We would like to hear more from you. Diane (Team Member)
