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Cortizone Injections and insulin

S

stani36

Member
Messages
7
Location
Woking, Surrey, UK
Hi,

I had a shoulder operation on 22nd December 2009 after suffering with dreadful pain and not much movement for 4 years. The course of it is unknown all I can remember is waking up one morning feeling like I'd slept funny!

It's 4 weeks today since I had the operation and I'm still suffering with a lot of pain and discomfort, especially at night time. This is why I'm on here at 4am and not fast asleep!!

I had a follow up with my consultant/surgeon at St Peters Hospial, Chertsey yesterday and he explained how the operation went. He talked me through the photos taken during the operation and said it was the worst he had ever seen - joy! He asked how the pain was and was it better now or before the op. I said before the op. He has suggested about having a cortizone injection under general anasthetic next Monday to see if this helps with the pain and discomfort.

I'm a bit reluctant and am hoping someone can put my mind at rest. I was advised before my op that cortizone injections are not recommended for insluin dependant diabetics as it can crystalise with the insulin and cause further complications and this is why I was offered the op instead of the injection. Now the same consultant is saying I should have the injection, I'm confused!! Looking on the internet all I can find out is that it can play havoc with your blood sugars but I can cope with that. I'm back up the hospital today for the diabetic clinic and will also ask the consultant.

Is anyone able to offer any advice please? I'm sat here in floods of tears as I'm in sooooooo much pain and just need some reassurance that all is going to be ok I guess. I don't think I can take much more of this!

Thank you very much.

Tiff
 
Hi Tiff
I hope you managed to get some sleep despite the pain, sounds absolutely hellish.
As well as asking your diabetes clinic, you would probably be better to ring the company that manufacture the insulin that you're on. They will have a department that would deal with such queries, and should be able to advise about drug interractions.
Very best of luck, let us know how you get on
Jus
 
Hi Tiff, oral corticosteroids will raise your bg levels but I was told that injected steroid does not as they are localised to the area of the injection site, I have no idea about if it can or will interact with insulin though. I would say that it would be best for you to speak with a diabetic specialist endo or diabetic nurse at your local diabetes clinic. They should be able to give you 'best advice'.

Good luck with your recovery
 
Anything Ive read doesnt seem to suggest probs in respect of dynamics between cortisone and insulin per se (as you can inject both in sites very distinct from each other) and lots of diabetics get it

The problem is that Cortisol is a steroid (naturally occuring, implicated amongst other things with Dawn Phenomenon) and all steroids do tend to play havoc with blood sugar. Its Cortisol that also makes insulin requirements go up when you are unwell as it increases insulin resistance.

However, if you are getting injections, get on to an appropriate medic who can help you manage both. Being in that amount of pain will not be doing you any good, and hopefully the problems would be transient (as the injections dont last forever!)
 
Thank you to you all for your advice, you've been a great help and your helping me make up my mind about the injection. I got myself in such a tissy during in the night and went hypo, so it took my mind off the pain for a while hehe! It's making me laugh now as I'm now realising how much of a plonka I must look.

I'm off to the diabetic clinic in a bit and will let you what they say. It will probably be during the night when I'm in pain and need to take my mind off it. I've bought so many things to try and help me sleep and combat the pain due to high doseage painkillers not working, it's mad. They include a microwaveable wheatie, a shoulder microwaveable heat pad, TENS machine, and today I've just recieved a 6ft maternity bolster pillow to cuddle upto. All I need now is to be able to wake my husband in the night for a hug and tlc which isn't working, hence the pillow!!! :evil:

Anyway, hope you all have a great day and I let you know how it goes at clinic. I only joined this forum in the night and it's been really therapeutic. Who needs fancy drugs when you can sit and chat to people all day hehe! :wink: x
 
Hi Stani36,

Pleased you are feeling much better now, hope things go well at the clinic. I have had a lot of experience myself with shoulder problems past and present, also had the cortizone injections so may offer some advice.

Please pm me later this evening to say it is ok to talk.

Regards

Nigel
 
Hi Nigel

Well clinic went ok today and the consultant put my mind at rest about the cortizone injection and my insulin, so I'll go ahead and have it done on Monday afternoon.

As I'm new to this site I wasn't too sure what you meant by PMing you, so let me know if I need to do anything as I need to learn the ropes hehe! I was sooooooooooo tired last night I fell asleep in front of the tv and now here I am up again in the middle of the night in pain. Monday won't come soon enough hehe!

What have you had done on your shoulder? My consultant said that shoulder problems are very common in diabetics, which I'd not heard before.

:idea: Think I might try a warm cup of milk to see if it helps me drift off to sleep. Not usually my sort of thing but everyone keeps telling me it works wonders.............! :| Here goes. Hopefully speak to you later. :wink:

Tiff
 
Today I had a cortisone injection for tendonitis in my shoulder.

My surgeon stated that because I am type 2 and the injection is in the muscle then no need to worry about increased BG.

My normal levels over the past month have been between 5 and 7 even after meals.
Today had my normal low carb food including a tuna salad two hours ago.

Just tested wow 10.5 hasn`t been that high since 8th October 1 week after dx.

Maybe just a glitch but lets see what tomorrow am brings.

At least the injection is working not pain free but easier.

Allan
 
Hi,

I suffer from spinal arthiritus and it is very pauinful. I had one epidural injection for the pain but ended up same day in hospital for extreme high blood sugar (>30). The effect of the injection was short as well so not worth it. I started to take Ixprim for the pain and despite having severe arthiritus in the spine it keeps me on my feet reasonably without too much pain and my glucose levels stay fine under it too
 

My Consultant told me the same thing ! :shock: My Bg levels were measurably higher than normal for about two weeks after the injection !
 
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