I have responded fairly well to my treatment so far -- Plaquenil since my diagnosis in October. I also took steroids for several weeks and then to replace the steroids I was switched to Mobic for a few more weeks. One joint in the middle finger of my hand has persistently swelled and remains stiff and my doctor recommended possibly a steroid injection in the affected finger. (The other alternative possibly may be switching me to MTX, which I would like to hold off on unless I have an increase in my symptoms. I guess she recommended MTX because I have a positive and high RH factor, 500 I think, but rather then guess I should ask her why MTX now when I have minimal symptoms? In any event, I digress.) My question is -- has anyone had this kind of steroid injection in the hand or finger? If so, was it very painful? It's my dominant hand and I do a fair amount of writing at work. What can I expect? My mother has had two steroid injections in her wrists. She has RA for two years, I've had it for 8 mos. anyway, she said the shots were "uncomfortable" but the results were amazing. She was able to do all kinds of things she couldn't before (like pick up a coffee cup or cut her food). So I guess what I'm saying is the good outweighs the bad. The results aren't permanent, but get some relief even for a little while. Good lucknoladarling, I can speak for the shots but not in my hands for fingers yet. All my meds were changed today. Because of my allgeric reactions to meds the put me on plaquenil 200mg. x two a day. Could you please tell me if ii helped you and how long does it take to help. I am praying something helps real soon cause this is unbearable already. I can not lift me arm and in the morning my wrist are frozen and swoolen and me knees and feet. I have been in such a flare sense august. I can barley face it any more. My poor hubby what he must be going threw to see me like this. he is very surportive I hope these new drugs give me some relief soon. I can not take mtx or arava allgeric to it. I had some bad reactions to it. But it has helped alot of people on this site from the way I read. And I am happy they are getting relief. JoanStarting MTX now isn't as odd as it might seem. I suspect that the thinking goes something like this...you are doing well with Plaquenil and have gotten off the Prednisone but you are still symptomatic (and though you only see it in your finger she may see other issues as well. Which leads me to first say, call your RD and ask why she wants to start MTX (which is a very effective drug and pretty standard) I am only on MTX and Plaquenil myself and nothing else and am under good control. It is always good when you have a question like this one to go to your doc first.
To answer your other question. I have had my thumb injected and the day it was done it was tender (like I took some Motrin) but otherwise it didn't hurt when they did it at all. It wasn't a big deal.
Jeanne