posted
I realize there is danger for those of us with Lyme to use steroids that anre an immune suppressant. Has anyone heard of successful results with cortisone shots into the neck facet joints???
I'd appreciate any feedback!
Anneke
Posts: 364 | From California | Registered: Sep 2005
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robi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5547
posted
First, this is a recollection from my lyme brain. Please don't base your decision on this info. Someone on here said that is when their symptoms started .... when they had a "local" cortison injection. Maybe that person will come along.
I have heard and been told that local shots to the tendon are not absorbed elsewhere. I have a hard time believing that. They wanted to inject my foot and I decided to try other ways to heal.. It is slow but there has been improvment.
Good luck with your decision.
robi
-------------------- Now, since I put reality on the back burner, my days are jam-packed and fun-filled. ..........lily tomlin as 'trudy' Posts: 2503 | From here | Registered: Apr 2004
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stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
local injections of steroids should stay local. it is not enough ,even if went systemic to hurt immune system.
you are talking about maybe 1cc the rest is lidocaine or marcaine. my orthopod uses kenolog which seems to be on of the weaker ones.
it does feel good an hour after its done,zero pain.
so you have to assess the risk to the amount of comfort and make you own decision.
docdave
Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
I have had two injections into my shoulder for rotator cuff tear and frozen shoulder.
I asked my LLMD about these prior to doing them. He assured me they would remain local and were not a danger to me.
The first shot was in November and most recently, about a week ago.
There has been no exacerbation of lyme symptoms or decline in health.
I would still avoid them if I could, but sometimes they are warranted for relief of severe pain.
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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Foggy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1584
posted
BE CAREFUL & Ask your LLMD to be safe.
1 epidural injection was a disaster, a band aid, transient relief, caused adrenal insufficiency, and destroyed most of my progress from abx treatment.
I had Lidocaine for facet blocks with no problems and insisted they be done under fluoroscopy.
Posts: 2451 | From Lyme Central | Registered: Aug 2001
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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The 2005 Guide's LYME BORRELIOSIS heading excerpt:
"More evidence has accumulated indicating the severe detrimental effects of the concurrent use of immunosuppressants including steroids in the patient with active B. burgdorferi infection.
Never give steroids or any other immunosuppressant to any patient who may even remotely be suffering from Lyme, or serious, permanent damage may result, especially if given for anything greater than a short course.
If immunosuppressive therapy is absolutely necessary, then potent antibiotic treatment should begin potent antibiotic treatment should begin at least 48 hours prior to the immunosuppressants.
posted
I had them but they didn't last for long. My wife also had botox injections in her jaw muscles to help with pain. It was just before botox got real big; she said it was the most painful proceduer ever; and her face basically went numb and paralyzed for four months. No pain thought@
-------------------- Positive 10 bands WB IGG & IGM + Babesia + Bartonolla and NOW RMSF 3/5/09 all at Quest
posted
I know you are talking about humans here, but when my dog had Lyme and had a hard time with her back end, our Vet unknowningly gave her cortisone shots. It helped her for a few days then she lost total use of her back end. We had to have her put to sleep..........poor baby.
I am sure had he known she had Lyme or been educated about Lyme and steroids he wouldn't have given them to her. He was a good guy.
Hope this helps. Everything I Have read says NO STEROIDS for Lymies.
Hugs,
-------------------- ICEY Posts: 468 | From Las Vegas NV | Registered: Jun 2005
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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I've had several steroid shots in many joints, some before dx of lyme, some after (but still not being treated).
I asked about the later ones as I knew it was not suggested but, again, I had no doctor treating the lyme, so when my doctor said it would stay "local" I trusted. I just wanted the pain gone.
Really bad idea and I had all sorts of flair ups that no one could do a thing about. The total set back was unbelievable.
Funny how the steroid shots used to help before lyme, but after they seemed to never work for me.
One time, a doctor actually tricked me into taking a puff of a steroid inhaler in his office - AFTER I said they usually really wired me.
Just one inhalation and not a day, not a night, went by in the next six months when I didn't want to crawl to the ER and get the antidote. I felt like my heart was on speed and my body had crashed.
I just had to wait it out - for months and months. Nothing helped. I had no doctor, though, to whom I could turn for proper care.
I also was given predisone for a few days a week just so I could stay upright to teach a few night classes - and an all day Saturday class. I managed through the classes (with many guest speakers and student reports) but cried every bathroom break as I could barely function.
I had no clue the prednisone might have been making it worse in the long run. The doctor said he was just giving me a modest amount to help with fatigue. I haven't been able to work since then - 15 years ago.
Had I had a clue about lyme, or the contraindication I would NOT have risk any steroid treatment, even some topical creams.
Now my dentist is even careful to get the lidocaine without the epinephrine in it. It took her to figure out why getting a (no-metal) filling set me back months. It was the steroid in the numbing shot.
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That said, in a life threatening emergency (or with certain vision conditions) steroids might be required - but with proper precautions according to the guidelines.
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