I am getting Cortisone shots in my shoulder. How this can affect my general health?

Question

I had surgery in my shoulder (rigth) in 1989, and I am still feeling pain. I take pain killers everyday.

Answer 1

Cortisone injections Will make you more suceseptable to: sun burns, infections anywhere in your body, watch your sugar intake as well ( it lowers your white blood cell production which are your body's deffenses to germs). The steroid works but you need to ask, at what cost, and decide if it is worth it given the risks. It decreases the inflamatory response (this takes the swelling out of the joint after a few days... but at first it will be more swollen and more painful than before the injection). Often this relief is only temperary because you are not treating the undrelying problem. Keep in mind that the action of the steroid will erode away the conective tissues like ligiments, tendons and articular cartlidge, (articular cartlidge is the outermost surface of the bone, it is smooth and thin and quickly distroyed with these injections). Usually the MD's will not give more than 3 injections in a joint for this reason. The deterioration is microscopic pitting of the tissue over the entire surface. The cadaver I disected while in college had the cortisone injections in his hip, and his connective tissue in that area looked like a sive in that hip. If you can avoid it, I would. Have you tried DMSO? This solvent is used topically (make sure you clean the area first very well). The most common use is for race horses! It heals as it decreases inflamation and it is a wonderful pain reliver. Personally I would not take the shots, The orthopedic surgon has offered it to me for my carpel tunnel syndrone, for my buldging discs in my spine and in my knee. I will always refuse the steroid therapy. Try going back to physical therapy with the use of DMSO, it works wonders. The down side of this solvent is it smells odd The second it touches your skin you taste it in your mouth. You have probably heard of MSM Condroitin and Glucosamine. MSM is a deritive of DMSO. DMSO stands for dymethelsolfoxide. Get it from a farm supply or a Vet. Good luck, Sorry you have hurt for so long!

Has your doc done an MRI to see if there is debris inside the joint? You would be better off having is scoped than the shots.

Answer 2

They might really help. I had them, but only the first one really helped. The rest were pretty pointless. Each one helps less than the one you had before (at least for me). If you get A LOT (more than 3 a year) in one spot, you can weaken some of the tissues, which isn't good. My doctor would only give 3 per year in each area. Also, know that it can interfere with your hormones. I would definitely make sure to use an alternative birth control method, because my period was messed up for nearly a year after having the cortisone shots (2 period per month). I had to take herbs and hormones to get it straightened out again. Also, you might gain weight, as it affects your blood sugar and makes you hungry a lot, and it also causes you to retain water. Some people are more sensitive than others. It took two shots before I noticed the side effects.

Answer 3

I had Carpal - Tunal syndrome. It's effects the wrists and can be very painful. I had to wear wrist supports for a long time. I was also on pain meds. I went to the Dr, and he recommended cortisone shots. I would need one in each wrist. Presto-Bingo end of problem!! I hope you'll have the same results.

Answer 4

Cortisone and pain killers are only temporary relief. Repeated use of cortisone can destroy your shoulder! You need to find out what is causing the pain. See an orthopedist asap.

Answer 5

cortisone will make you very sun sensitive, you will burn easily even with sunscreen, so protect your skin as much as you can. It will decrease your immune system capabilities, so avoid large crowds and wash your hands at least hourly. It will cause a tendancy to retain water so minimize your salt intake and drink lots of water to flush your system. Lastly, keep moving, exercise daily.

Answer 6

It could lower your resistance (Immune System) and if not monitored by a health care person can lower white cell producing leukocyte system and leave you open to infections. You should be under a Physicians watchful eye and care!!!

Answer 7

It can cause pain itching or redness of the shot area. You can can catch a cold. But it's nothing serious.

Answer 8

Acupuncture, which involves inserting thin needles into various points on your body, may reduce peripheral neuropathy symptoms.

Answer 9

Getting cortizone shots in your shoulder must be very painful. As for taking pain medication, you may be slightly addicated to them. It happens, when the pain is intense, and we need something to alleviate that pain. Please talk to your doctor, they may start to wean you off of pain meds, and perhaps try something else, that might work better, I hope this helps, please take care.