Question about steriod injections per the hand

[Bummer Knees]

I do not do well with steriod injections but the doctor wants to do one next week on the left hand.

Needles do not bother me but any time a needle goes in a joint with as much swelling as I have there is a lot of pain. I have a high pain tolerance but this is beyond my limit.

So I am going to try something different, I will have a driver to the appointment and will take a Loratab before the appointment.

Sure hope this works.

As I earlier posted I need to delay surgery until fall.

Anyone else have any tricks that they use when having a steriod injection.

[bronco54501]

I have had 2 to the hip, and countless ones for asthma which is a total different feeling.. As per the hip on the first one I just doubled up on pain meds, second one I iced before and after pluss took my meds as before... It helped but still hurt like a bugger, I believe the hand would be worse because not as much give...

[Bummer Knees]

Bronco when I had carpal tunnel the surgeon attempted to do an injection.

The surgeon decided to stop and not do the injection because the needle inserted into the hand was causing extreme pain.

That is why agreeing to another injection is a big step and why I decided to take a Loratab 7.5 before the injection.

[sonny1]

Is loratab a pain pill? If so then good idea! I usually just took advil and my anxiety meds!! Needed the anxiety stuff more than the pain stuff...can't deal with needles, not that I like pain either, but the anxiety gets me all in a major work up. But a driver, companion going with you also makes good sense...just in case! Good luck! See if they can numb the area first with topical numbing agent!

[sonny1]

Is loratab a pain pill? If so then good idea! I usually just took advil and my anxiety meds!! Needed the anxiety stuff more than the pain stuff...can't deal with needles, not that I like pain either, but the anxiety gets me all in a major work up. But a driver, companion going with you also makes good sense...just in case! Good luck! See if they can numb the area first with topical numbing agent!

[Bummer Knees]

Hi Sonny

Yes, Loratab is what I use for pain meds.

I've had the injections to the knees, and injections in the back, i did okay with both but the hand was a different animal.

[Bummer Knees]

Had the appointment today for the injection, did not go as expected. The doctor came in did an exam of the hand and said an injection would not work for me.

He said in order for an injection to work in the hand one needs to have some joint left, which I do not have. I am bone on bone with both hands. He said there are no choices I have to have surgery.

So instead of the injection the doctor reviewed what will happen with surgery and recovery.

July 24th is the date surgery is scheduled for the left hand, we are looking at an October date for the right/dominant hand.

The doctor told me to return to the neurosurgeon as testing & symptoms show I have issues with C-6. The burning in the hand/arm I thought was related to the arm is the fro the C-6.