Cortisone Shots for Fibromyalgia

Cortisone (corticosteroid) injections used for Fibromyalgia are injections of a steroid into the body. This steroid mimics a substance made by the adrenal glands and can be very helpful in reducing inflammation and any inflammation-associated pain. Typically, these injections are made in a doctor's office into either the joints or soft tissue.

Cortisone injections are not to be used lightly, since, as with other medications, they can have damaging side-effects. Repeated cortisone injections into a single joint are considered especially risky, since over time this may weaken the structure of the joint.

Even an individual cortisone injection could potentially cause problems; dependent, in some cases, upon the exact location of the injection and the preexisting state of the soft tissue structures located therein. A single shot could damage or even rupture a tendon, could lead to an infection, or could temporarily increase pain at the site of injection, due to a reaction to the cortisone.

Cortisone shots are not recommended for people who are currently ill, and diabetic patients could have problems due to cortisone's effect on blood sugar levels.

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Positive aspects of injected corticosteroid include its minimal side effects when compared to oral corticosteroid use. Also, a large dose is directed to the specific site of pain, instead of being spread throughout the body. It also tends to have a very rapid, dependable effect upon inflammation, which makes it the drug of choice for inflammatory disease. You can however, reduce inflammation with natural methods, to learn more click here.

Fibromyalgia is a disease characterized by widespread soft-tissue pain and chronic debilitating fatigue. The pain experienced can range from a mild aching to severe stabbing pain. It is commonly experienced in muscles, tendons, and other soft tissue.

"Tender points" in fibromyalgia refer to a specific set of body parts in which fibromyalgia patients typically feel pain with applied pressure. Pain in tender points, as experienced when gently pressed upon, has been likened to the sensation of someone pressing on a bruise.

Using Cortisone Shots for Fibromyalgia

The long-term pain associated with fibromyalgia makes dependable, non-opioid drugs that are known to decrease pain, such as cortesoids, a very attractive option.

However, it is important to remember that the pain relief caused by cortisone, whether in shot or pill form, is solely due to its effect upon inflammation. Hence, non-inflammatory pain cannot be helped by cortisone shots.

So the real question here is whether or not the pain associated with fibromyalgia is due to inflammation. Although in the past this was believed to be the case, the current belief is that fibromyalgia is not an inflammatory disease.

Of course, an important factor to take under consideration is the fact that fibromyalgia is considered more of a grouping of symptoms than one single disease. So what is true for one patient with fibromyalgia may not be true for another.

Many fibromyalgia patients swear by cortisone shots, while others experience no decrease in symptoms. There is currently no medical proof that cortisone shots have any impact on fibromyalgia pain. In the end, the decision to use cortisone shots is up the patient and her doctor.

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