Cortisone Injection and Flying?????

[jemmouse]

Ok so today I was supposed to receive cortisone injections in each knee...NOT happening..I cam down with an upper respiratory cold/cough/stuffy head. The doctor said to wait, that the shots would lower my immunity even more.

Fast forward, we leave for Florida on Monday via airplane. The doctor told me to come in that morning at 9 and he will inject me. Our plane takes off at 1pm need to be at airport by 11. It would be very rushed.

Also from Monday - Thursday morning we are staying at the beach, and Thursday afternoon is when we roll into Disney for 6 days...

So i could rest them if needed be...

Should I do this? Any nurses out there or others who had shots can you tell me how you felt. And I know every case is individual but wanted to hear from you all...

Lastly I do have meds that will help with my knees if I don't get the shots, BUT they still hurt...and then I know I could always rent a scooter BUT I hate when people stare and for myself I just get so darn mad at my knees and feel defeated, YET I know I would feel a hundred times better...

Any thoughts or suggestions would be great...

With doing the cortisone in the morning then flying I would be resting them but am nervous about side effects, but then again if I am at home and have side effects they say just to ice...

Signed,
SO CONFUSED

 

[kim929]

I have had them in my hip. It hurts a little afterwards, not much. Each time I had one, I did my normal routine afterwards, it's really nothing. If this is the first injection, it might not take all the pain away. I have had 3 in my hip and it is finally taken most of the edge off the pain.

 

[anniemae]

I was told that some people feel relief immediately from a cortisone shot and others get worse before getting better.

I had a cortisone shot in my foot once and in my knee another time. Both times I felt relief immedately. It felt a bit strange and I just iced it and rested for a while, but it was really no big deal. I can't remember, but I think they said to take it easy for a day or two. If it were me, I would probably get the shot as long as the doctor felt it was okay. I assume he is aware that you will be heading out for vacation, doing lots of walking (if you decide against the scooter) and flying etc? (I would also ask what he thinks about walking vs. using the scooter.)

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

I am one of the rare ones who has side effects to cortisone shots. I had one about 2 months ago in my knee. The shot itself didn't hurt at all. Several hours later I had a LOT of pain that lasted for 2 days. I would not choose to do a cortisone shot again. Later, I found out my mom has the same reaction to them. When I went back to the doctor for my follow up, he knew exactly the reaction. Fooey! Although, like I said I guess it's not a common reaction.

OP, if you're ready with ibuprofen and can rest a day when you arrive, I'd take the chance. Good luck!

 

[Duckfan]

both times I have had shots in my knees they hurt the day of the shot and the next day as well. This is just me but I think warning is fair. The last time, I had an okay time at disney one week after the shot. Not perfect, the knees still didn't like a lot of inclines and stairs but not the bad pain they were before. plan on putting ice on your knees when you can the first day or so and keeping them up when you can and hopefully you won't need to or at least you will be prepared. I would probably do it if I were you although they recommend a week before.

 

[chell]

Make sure the doctor giving the injections does them very frequently! That is one huge thing I learned. For me it took about 2 weeks to have the full effect of the injection. Every time I've had them it has taken 2 weeks for the swelling and irritation to go away. After that they feel great.

Last year I got injections shortly before leaving for WDW and ended up sick a few days into the trip. Like your doctor said, it wears down your immune system and makes it easier for you to get sick. You may want to ask about antibiotics as a precaution if you do the injections before the trip.

My suggestion is to wait until you get back.

I know exactly what you are saying about the scooter! I'm going through the same thing! This time I decided to get one and I just have to not worry about what others think. At the end of the day I'm going to feel better and my feet/legs won't be in such extreme pain.

My other suggestion is for you to get a scooter and have fun!

 

[chell]

IF you do get the injections Monday you will need to get a seat on the plane with extra leg room. You don't want to be cramped up on the flight because the knees will ache.

 

[Minnie_Moo]

I would suggest that you make sure that they use the freeze spray before your injections. For me, that seems to help a LOT! Also, I have had insomnia issues following cortisone injections before, but this may not be very common. I would agree that your immunity may be compromised, which is definitely not a good thing while vacationing at WDW.

 

[jemmouse]

After I wrote this my doctor called me and had suggested as long as no fever os present to come in and get the injections. So I went...

It hurt a little but not nearly as bad as I had anticipated! he had me lay down. Love the nurses at the office and ome came in and we all talked Dismey, my happy place. The doctor first gave ke a shot of Lidocaine, and then the cortisone. It was all over in both knees within 10 minutes.

I felt Better right away. Came home had some chicken noodle soup, that ky dear mom made me. And was still feeling better. The doctor told me it would take a full 3 days for the cortisone to take effect, anyone else hear that?

But I am so glad I did it today and not the morning of the trip! The doctor was fine with it though also. He also prescribed me Celebrex in case I have a flare up. I am praying this should be fine and I am good to go...

And you know what I have come to the conclusion about the scooter, I DOMT CARE WHAT OTHERS THINK WHEN THEY SEE ME!!!! I am in pain well hopefully no more for a while at least. And until that person walks in my shoes who cares. Any snotty looks and. I will run them down, JUST KIDDING!!!

To all my fellow knee sufferers, I wish us all good health and more better days than worse....

Right now my knee at the injection site is sort of raised, feels funny, and my Bakers Cyst is still a little achy...but so PRAYING this shot holds me over for a few weeks at least...

To those of you who had them and it worked did it take a few days to kick in? And about how long did you get relief for?

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

To those of you who had them and it worked did it take a few days to kick in? And about how long did you get relief for?

You know how mine went!

Sorry it had to come down that route.

Don't worry about getting the ECV. You need this trip and need to not be in pain the whole time!

As per the Celebrex, that stuff didn't work for me. High doses of ibuprofen did better.

Sorry the other stuff didn't work either.

 

[jemmouse]

Hi you I was thinking about you...they feel a little weird this morning, I suppose a little better so we will see, just keeping my fingers crossed, heck crossing everything I can

I know about the ECV, you are right. If I did need it, it would probably be for only Epcot...so we will see...

I am hearing from so many people that the NSAID drugs can take a long time until you finally find one that works for you. I have my big ol bottle of Advil...I have heard from some that Tylenol Arthritis works so I might try that..

You know actually the cortisone injection wasn't so horrible. I thought it wad gonna hurt like crazy. When I have had my ingrown toe nail and they put the shots in my big toe, now that was PAINFUL and I did see stars. The feet injections weren't that bad as either..

But it would be so nice if now I am on a new road to better health, hopefully that would be great. just positive thoughts!

Tons to do today and of course it's raining...enjoy your day and GOOD to hear from you


QUOTE=kwitcherkicken99;40830047]You know how mine went!

Sorry it had to come down that route.

Don't worry about getting the ECV. You need this trip and need to not be in pain the whole time!

As per the Celebrex, that stuff didn't work for me. High doses of ibuprofen did better.

Sorry the other stuff didn't work either. [/QUOTE]

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I know about the ECV, you are right. If I did need it, it would probably be for only Epcot...so we will see...

Put AK in that equation... there are a lot of hills that we don't realize we cross!

I am hearing from so many people that the NSAID drugs can take a long time until you finally find one that works for you. I have my big ol bottle of Advil...I have heard from some that Tylenol Arthritis works so I might try that..

Doses of 800mg or higher will kick in after 3-5 days. My podiatrist would always put me on 2400mg/day (800mg x 3 doses) right after my surgery. The script would run for about 12 days and I was done.

You know actually the cortisone injection wasn't so horrible. I thought it wad gonna hurt like crazy. When I have had my ingrown toe nail and they put the shots in my big toe, now that was PAINFUL and I did see stars.

Feet, especially around the toes, have a higher concentration of nerve endings in a small spot (as do hands). That's why they hurt more!

Tons to do today and of course it's raining...enjoy your day and GOOD to hear from you

You too! Get rid of those nose goblins!!!!

 

[chell]

Glad you got them and it went well.

Like another poster said, I had issues with insomnia as I always do when I have steroids.

Hope you have complete relief soon!

 

[jemmouse]

Insomnia has DEFINATELY hit me....I can't sleep and am so tired....anyone who has had this how long did yours last? And of course we leave in 2 days and I am also cooking dinner for Easter and I am still not feeling 100%. my knees overall feel ok but one of them just feels different don't really know how to explain. The doctor said 3 days for cortisone to kick in, so here's hoping by Sunday, Monday I feel better. Plus I can sleep!!!!

I also have the red cheeks and nose, and I did get real sweaty...I am looking good...