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1253246 tn?1332073310

Pain medication??????

Seems I am suffering from either tendonitis or a torn rotator cuff in my left arm-just came from the orthopeidic dr and he wanted to give me a cortisone steroid shot for the pain.Liver dr says no.Now Im waiting to hear of what I can safely take for pain and inflammation .Anybody got an answer(while I patiently wait) ?????If  I have a surgery will I even be able to take pain pills again?????I cant even imagine that kind of surgery without a pain pill!!!!! cindy
6 Responses
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446474 tn?1446347682
"Liver dr says no."? Is this a hepatologist? Gastro?
Unless you have cirrhosis it surely isn't even an issue. Even with cirrhosis the impact would be minimal.

Of course you will be given pain meds! Certain ones are less harmful to the liver. The same with anesthesia. Let the anesthesiologist know if you have cirrhosis. They should know anyway. I've had 2 kidney stone surgeries, endoscopy, cancer surgery and all required some form of anesthesia. No pain meds after cancer surgery are you kidding???? My foot felt like it was on fire!!! After having various metal plumbing devices, camera, laser, and god knows what etc. inserted into my penis to blast kidney stones. I needed lots of serious pain killers when I woke up.

All this is while having decompensated cirrhosis. Yes, I was effected afterwards by the meds, but these are things that I had to do because the benefits outweighed the downside.

People with cirrhosis are advised not to have elected surgeries because of anesthesia and its impact on the liver. No face lifts, nose jobs etc. But if you need surgery there are meds that can be used. That cortisone steroids could be anyway as harmful? Doesn't seem possible. This shot goes into muscle or tendons, while anesthesia is full body, system-wide.

I had a torn rotator cuff 2x myself. My treatment was a cortisone steroid shot which really helped increase the range of motion plus physical therapy. Physical therapy is key to keep your range of motion. It took about a year to return to almost normal.

Yes, as NYgirl says watch out for NSAIDs which are used for anti-inflammation.

Good luck.
Hectorsf
Helpful - 0
1253246 tn?1332073310
I know-no inflammation,no pain thats why he wanted to give me a shot .But when liver dr office said no-he asked me what i could take for pain I wasnt really sure so he was gonna call them and call me in a script. So IDK?????I just thought Id ask my buds here.... cindy
Helpful - 0
179856 tn?1333547362
It's not going to hurt your liver like NSAIDs or too many pain pills will that is for certain. In fact I can't see how it could really hurt your liver it's not going IN to your liver really only a small amount would enter your bloodstream........an antinflammatory shouldn't really matter that much, at least as far as I have ever heard.

Question: What are the side effects of a cortisone injection?
Cortisone injections are used for the treatment of many different orthopedic problems including arthritis , tendonitis, and bursitis.

Cortisone is an anti-inflammatory medication, not a pain killer. However, by reducing inflammation, pain often subsides.


Answer: Cortisone injections are very safe to perform. Side effects tend to be rare and minor. However, there are a few potential side effects of a cortisone injection that patients should know about.

Systemic Side Effects
Systemic side effects occur as a result of a small amount of the cortisone entering the bloodstream and affecting your entire body, not just the location where the cortisone was given.
Systemic side effects of a local injection of cortisone are rare and usually minor. Unlike taking oral steroids, or having cortisone injected directly into the bloodstream, only a small amount of a local injection is absorbed by the body. And since the body actually produces cortisone naturally, most people do not experience systemic effects. Those who do may experience:


•Elevated Blood Sugar
The most common systemic reaction is seen in diabetic patients. Patients with diabetes should carefully monitor their blood sugar as cortisone can cause a temporary rise in their levels. Patients taking insulin should be especially careful, checking their blood sugar often and adjusting the insulin doses, if necessary.

•Facial Flushing
Patients may experience flushing sensation and redness of their face. This reaction is more common in women and is seen into up to 15 percent of patients. This can begin within a few hours of the injection and may last for a few days.

Local Side Effects
Local side effects are those that are only experienced in one area of the body. The local side effects of a cortisone injection are also rare.


•Pain
Some patients have discomfort after the injection and may experience an increase in pain 24 to 48 hours after being treated. This usually subsides quickly and can be aided with an ice pack and anti-inflammatory medication.

•Infection
Whenever there is a break in the skin, like when a needle is used to administer cortisone, there is a chance of infection. Your doctor will sterilize the skin to minimize the risk of infection.

•Skin Pigment Changes
Patients with darker skin should also be aware that cortisone may cause skin around the injection site to lighten. This is not harmful.

•Loss of Fatty Tissue
High doses of cortisone can have detrimental effects on some tissues in the body. When injected into fatty tissue, cortisone can lead to a problem called fat atrophy. Fat atrophy causes loss of fatty tissue, which can lead to dimpling of the skin or the thinning out of fat. Patients who get cortisone injections in the heel to treat plantar fasciitis may find walking painful as fat that usually cushions their steps may thin out.

•Tendon Rupture
Cortisone can also cause weakening of tendons. This is one reason your doctor may limit the number of cortisone injections administered. Cortisone can also lead to tendon rupture, as is the case when cortisone is injected for Achilles tendonitis.

Are Cortisone Injections Safe?
Cortisone injections are extremely safe, but they do still carry potential problems. If you are concerned about having a cortisone shot, talk with your doctor. While cortisone is a powerful treatment for many orthopedic conditions, there are usually other options that can also be tried.
Helpful - 0
1253246 tn?1332073310
Oh and the ortho knows I have hep..I guess he doesnt want to hurt my Liver ????IDK
Helpful - 0
1253246 tn?1332073310
No I am not on tx right now. I fell in a grocery store back in the summer(Dumb me wasnt lookin and tripped on the curb)Anyway pain in the forearm has gotton way worse even with  therapy a few months ago.I dont have a frozen shoulder  yet cuz I can put my arm above my head but it hurts like _ _LL!!!!! and pain has moved into my neck and shoulder.Hes got an MRI set up for me....IDK but the ortho called  liver dr and he said no to the shot and now Im waiting for liver dr to call ortho to tell him what I can take. What a MESS!!!!Someone just needs to shoot me !!!!LOL
Helpful - 0
96938 tn?1189799858
I don't get this. From what you imply, you have pain in your shoulder (may be limited mobility) and the ortho want to shoot you with cortisone?  I don't think you are on treatment right now.  Why would a liver doc even be involved?  If you have a shoulder issue with limited mobility it could morph into a frozen shoulder and greater issues.  I don't see how cortisone, as an antinflamatory, can adversely affect you.  How did the liver doc explain it?
Helpful - 0
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