Hi Everyone,
I haven't posted in a while, but I hope everyone is doing well. I had a quick question. I am meeting with my rheumatologist on Thursday and am going to ask if he can give me cortisone shots in my hands and feet. If he does that, will I be able to drive home from the appointment or should I bring my husband with me to drive me home?
Also, for those of you who have had the shots done, how long has the relief lasted?
Thanks in advance!
Cindy
Good to see ya Willow~
I've never had the shots in my hands or ankles before....but I've had them on numerous occations my hips, knees and shoulders. Once when I had one in my knee I ended up calling my sister to come pick me up. I also drove a straight drive at the time and I was worried about having enough strength for the clutch. I'll admit it was a little sensative for a little while. I think if I was getting my hands done I might take a driver...you'd probable be ok; but if he doesn't mind going and it's not a problem with work or anything I say why not bring him along. (Let him watch....he'll appreciate how strong you are
Relief for me usually last a long time. Everytime I've gotten them we've ended up tweeking my meds to avoid a continuous problem. For me it was the relief I've needed to get me through until the new medication dosage takes affect.
Hope you get the relief you need.
Lovie
Assuming he's very adept at giving them, and assuming he uses a topical anesthesia beforehand, my experience has been such that I walk out of there without any help whatsoever and drive wherever just fine.
I've been getting these for a long time in hands, fingers, feet, knees...... I have my orthopedic surgeon give them to me rather than my RD since Orth's seem to be much more experienced than RD's with these injections. Hands/fingers have very tight space with which to get the needle in, so I definitely want someone well experienced.
Also, you should allow 72 hours for it to kick in. For me the magical hour is the 48th. Heaven. My biggest problem is to refrain from overusing the joint since it feels so good.
Good luck.
Hi Lovie and Lee,
Thanks so much for your input. I talked my RD today and he's referring me to an orthopedic surgeon to get the injections done in my hands and feet. So, I didn't get the shots today, but hopefully soon! I'm looking forward to feeling better.
Thanks,
Cindy
Atta girl, Cindy, that's great news. And what a great RD for giving you the referral to an orth surg. Smart man.
BTW - the "guideline" is no more than 3 cortisone shots per year per joint. My orth surg uses Kenalog and it lasts about two months. Always remember to ration yourself on these injections. Choose wisely. If you get a shot now, another one [in the same joint] two months later......that leaves you one more shot for the entire balance of the year. So you may want to space the shots.
Something worth mentioning; my orth surg tells me this EVERY time I walk out the door: "Take it easy the next 48 hours and do NOT start acting as though you're twenty years younger." [Lots of people do because they feel so much better.]
Let us know your experience.
Lee,
I got the injections yesterday and feel a million times better!! The shot itself really hurt, but only for about 30 seconds. Actually, the stick was fine, but the pumping in of the kenalog hurt, but luckily the local anesthetic soon took over.
Last night was the first night in months that I slept without having to baby my hands, and this morning I got right out of bed and could do anything I wanted. I am trying to take it easy and not do too much though, per your suggestion.
I'll probably do one more round of injections in April/May assuming the current shot wears off. My baby is due in June, and so I'll only need to do this for a limited amount of time before I can go back on Enbrel.
Cindy
I told you so! I told you so! I told you so!
Can't help but say it.....sorry. Isn't it wonderful? And you've got future shots spaced out so that all will meet your needs. Yeah, so it hurts a little for 30 seconds - I get the same feeling, but I never mind it because I know how great I will feel. This is all really good news, Cindy, and I am so glad you did it.
Now remember - don't act like a twenty year old for 48 hours after the shot.
Howdy! I actually saw my RA doc today and he gave me an injection in my knuckle (the 3rd one I've had in 2 years). It was very swollen and tender...probably from using a computer all day.
Anyway, the shot is a piece of cake. He numbed the area with some spray before the injection and it wasn't bad at all. It already feels better and the swelling has gone down a little. I expect it to feel even better tomorrow. My last shot latest about 3 months.
As for driving, etc immediately after the shot, I wouldn't see that being a problem even if they gave it to you in the foot.
Good luck!