posted
Hi, I am having a lot of pain in my upper arm.
Would a steroid shot have the same negative affects that oral steroids have?
Thanks BJG
Posts: 468 | From IL | Registered: Oct 2003
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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Creams, shots, pills - all steroids are to be avoided, according the the guidelines.
==================================
I had several shots in various limbs over the years. Before I knew I had lyme (but was very ill with it) steroid shots caused me MONTHS of worsened health and super charged nervous system and more exhausted adrenal stuff.
Even after the lyme dx, I had one in my foot. The doctor said that type of steroid would stay in my foot. By the end of the day I was a wreck. Big mistake. I don't think the medicine stayed in my foot at all but played tag all over my body for months.
However if you have a LLMD, perhaps you could ask him if there would be any method to lessen the risk.
Amanda
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14107
posted
I had a shot in my neck a few weeks ago. I'm sorry to say that within 20 minutes, all my symptoms were worse, all over my body, including my feet. I feel like I am just now getting back to where I was before.
According to Dr. B's guidelines, you can get a shot, but you are supposed to up your antibiotic dose a few days before and after. (I didn't do that). But even with that he doesn't recommend any kind of cortizone, and after my experinence, I'd have to agree.
-------------------- "few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example" - Mark Twain Posts: 1008 | From US | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
I had two cortizone epidurals in June and it was by far the worst thing I have ever done! I had never been in so much pain in my life!!! I would say DON'T DO IT!!!!
Posts: 215 | From Student | Registered: Oct 2007
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timaca
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6911
posted
I believe it was a steroid shot to my knee that set off latent lyme in my body. I fell apart 3 weeks later with horrible symptoms. No one knew what was going on....
Timaca
Posts: 2872 | From above 7,000 ft in a pine forest | Registered: Feb 2005
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lymebytes
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11830
posted
Dr. Joseph Burrascano has coined the expression, ' Steroid Disasters, ' to describe patients who have had steroid administered.
He wasn't kidding...Steroid shots destroyed me, nearly killed me! Symptoms spread over the next month to every cell in my body.
Read my story link at very bottom of this page, also read thread I wrote regarding this subject.
I didn't know any better, I am sure you didn't either, since this is a common "pain reliever". But mixed with a bacterial infection, it can be extremely dangerous.
NEVER, ever get steroids with LD, never! It unleashed LD body wide and reactivated at least 4 viruses, I was in so much pain (and still am almost 2 years later) it has been a nightmare.
If you ever do any shots to relieve pain, tell the Md to leave out the steroid and use lidocaine only. Many Md's do that now anyway, knowing that steroids can often do more harm than good. But make sure lidocaine only!
I'll pray you don't experience anything close to what I did.
Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
I had a steroid injection into my right rotator cuff.
It's been a couple months ago.
It eased the pain dramatically for about 24 hours. (I have a full thickness cuff tear.) This was likely due to the local (Lidocaine or whatever) contained in the shot, rather than the cortisone itself.
After a day or two, no noticeable benefit.
However, at least I don't notice anything getting worse. My LLMD did approve it beforehand provided it was local (a shot) vs. oral steroids.
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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lymebytes
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11830
posted
Michelle, I'd be willing to bet one reason it didn't effect you badly is because you have been on antibiotics awhile now? Am guessing, but am I right? If so, this can protect you somewhat, but not entirely. You might be one of the lucky ones.
I will do lidocaine shots only - they break the pain cycle and work better than w/cortisone, there is a high possibility your Md used only lidocaine, many doctor's now use only lidocaine and still call it a cortisone shot.
A mainstream Md told me he never uses cortisone in his injections, just in case.....in case what I wondered, he didn't know squat about lyme. But apparently bad things are occurring more and more with steroids.
Most of us who had serious complications from steroids did not yet know we had Lyme, therefore no abx to shield us at all.
Abx or not, I would never take this gamble, I can't impress enough to anyone reading this - do not take a chance, it can ruin your life and if viruses are unleashed, you will experience pain you never knew existed.
XYLOCAINE Parenteral Solutions 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2% contain lidocaine hydrochloride 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg/mL, respectively. Solutions with epinephrine contain 0.010 mg/mL (1:100,000) or 0.005 mg/mL (1:200,000) epinephrine.
Non-medicinal Ingredients
Plain Solutions: Sodium chloride (for isotonicity), water for injection, sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid to adjust pH 5.0-7.0.
Solutions with Epinephrine: Sodium chloride (for isotonicity), sodium metabisulfite (as an antioxidant), water for injection, sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid to adjust pH 3.3-5.5.
Certain vial presentations may contain citric acid which acts as a stabilizer for epinephrine. Please refer to the product label. Multidose Vials: As above and methylparaben (as a preservative) 1 mg/mL.
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[ 13. January 2008, 11:12 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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I value you opinions, you don't jsut know it, you live it.
I will look into Prolotherapy or something else. {Long Island Iced Tea} LOL
Thanks
Peace, B
Posts: 468 | From IL | Registered: Oct 2003
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David95928
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3521
posted
My precipitous decline before being diagnosed and starting treatment came shortly after getting several steroid shots for bronchitis. Over a period of a couple of months I got two of dexamethozone (short acting) and one of prednizone. Several years later, almost two years ago, I developed systemic poison oak. I had scratched my hand with it and it emerged on my chest, ankles, legs, and arms. This occurred over about six weeks and was continually worsening. Knowing what I know, I still accepted a shot of prednizone which cleared it up really fast and I suffered no ill effects. I'm not sure what this means but it is what happened. I would say it depends on the urgency, the available alternatives, how long one has been treated, and how well contained the bB is.
-------------------- Dave Posts: 2034 | From CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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Ultrasound with a P.T. has helped many a problem for me.
Massage, too. Myofascial work - find the source of the problem
Many P.T.s don't do hands on work (except for ultrasound). LMT (massage therapists) do much more, but usually are self-pay.
Acupuncture might help, but ask that the needles be put in the related meridian points rather than at the painful places. I've had some pretty fancy turn-a-rounds for
posted
I had a steroid shot ifrom ortheo in rotator cuff just prior to a major relapse last year. Lyme was the furthest thing from my mind when I got the shot. Later on another ortho rx'd oral steroids for disc pain "or possible MS"...I quickly stopped that when I suspected lyme relapse and did some research...I think it was on this forum. Went to my local Dr in a panic but he was no help. LM
Posts: 212 | From Eastern CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
i haven't had active tbd/lyme symptoms for some time now, but going through lots of stress with my son's problems..so have to watch it.
yesterday i went to the er and follow up with ortho for my knee, swelling and sharp pain (had prior surgery on it "pre-lyme", meniscus repair about 9 years ago).
turns out i may have new meniscus damage/tear in that knee, and i am getting an mri tomorrow, wearing a brace, yada-yada...
anywho --
the doc offered a cortisone shot on the spot, said it could help with pain and swelling. i'm glad i didn't take him up on it.
if i do need surgery, are there any "hidden" uses of steroids or other i should avoid that are surgery related?
also - is prolotherapy covered by insurance or in anyway mainstreamed at this time?
mo
Posts: 8337 | From the other shore | Registered: Jul 2002
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