has anyone ever recieved kenalog injections for the inflammations? i did and they helped but i didnt know if others did this as well.
This is very common for arthritis sufferers. It's a short-acting cortisone. I had a huge flare-up over the past year and had a number of them.
BTW, my rheumatologist tells me that 3 injections per joint per year is the limit. I don't ask for it unless I am really hurting very badly.
Do they work for me - oh YES, YES, YES! For me it takes about 48 hours to kick in. In fact, they generally make me feel SO good that I end up doing physical stuff I shouldn't.
When they don't work it's often because the problem is due to another type of injury. Example: We tried two injections in my knee - neither worked. Then I had an MRI and turned out I had a torn meniscus requiring surgery.
Lee
I've never heard them called that....but I've had numerous "cortisone" injections. I'm sure it's the same thing.
I've had them in my knees, hips, shoulders....and they do make a huge difference. My doctor told me the same thing Lee; he'd only inject one particular joint 3 times in a year. I use them and predisone as a last resort type of thing; but oh they do bring great relief when nessesary.
Yes, Lovie, Kenalog is cortisone [or one of the many types of cortisone]. Definitely it is a "last resort" thing. And since it is generally a short-acting cortisone, it doesn't have the harmful effects on vital organs that other types of cortisones do.
To everyone I would mention that if you opt to have these injections, please have it done by your Rheumatologist or an Orthopedic Surgeon. These injections are very difficult to do and only these types of specialists are well-trained in administering them. Internists, family physicians, etc., seldom, if ever, have that type of training. Without the training and day in and day out experience, significant damage to the joint can occur.
Early on I allowed an internist to administer the injection; he obviously didn't know how. The pain was excruciating. And further permanent joint damage was caused. [You wouldn't want your CPA perform an appendectomy, would you?
Lee I've been the "Kenalog Queen" this past year. I checked with my orth surgeon as recently as last week and according to him it's still 3 shots/year/joint max. Lee
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