I started having problems with my right thumb becoming stiff about six years ago and was referred to a rheumatologist who injected the area with cortisone at the side of my wrist. The relief was instantaneous and lasted almost a year. Meanwhile, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, but I have an injection every year, which means I can get on with my life. My consultant retired last year and the new one has put me on a new treatment, which has done nothing to ease the pain and inflammation of my hands, though I've only been on the drug for six weeks. It has been 12 months since my last cortisone injection, and I am going to ask for my injection next week, as I do not believe that a person should grin and bear pain when there is something that has been proven to help it. I don't want to hurt all the time.

I had a cortisone injection in my heel yesterday for plantar fasciitis (which I've been suffering from for about 2 months). It was a bit painful, but short. My foot feels great and I can walk comfortably for the first time since I injured it hiking in boots that were too compressed. It's also helping my opposite hip, which developed pain from my weird way of walking to protect my injured foot. I feel like I'm on speed though and I had trouble sleeping last night. I am very alert, focused and productive (not a bad thing, really). Have to wait and see whether I crash later.

Cortisone injections were extremely helpful in completely reducing the swelling in my knee for three months, up to a year. The only problem is once it wears off you're back to square one and will have to get another injection. Most doctors I've seen are not willing to do it because they know the risk of frequent injections: the cartilage and bones in the joint will deteriorate over time. So it's not a long term solution. Some people are lucky though, one injection might solve the problem altogether.

I suffer from chronic lower back pain, and also have severe arthritis of the entire spine. In addition, I have problems with my left hip (arthritis and no cartilage between bones). I have found immense relief from all this pain in these areas by having the cortisone injections off and on for the past 5 years. The doctor used a combination of cortisone and lidocaine in these injections. I have suffered no side-effects whatsoever and with these injections, I am able to go about my routine with hardly any pain in these areas. I had an injection last October in my left hip and as of today, it still is effective. I can strongly recommend injections for anyone who is in constant pain.

I had a "ganglion cyst" in my left wrist, and after the doctor drained it, I got a cortisone shot. It was extremely painful and it felt like 6 bee stings in one! The pain almost immediately subsided and hasn't returned to date. What concerns me is the skin discoloration around the injection area as well as the fact that my tendon seems thinner! I just hope the "look" of my wrist will soon return to normal. I do recommend cortisone for anyone in extreme pain.

Recently diagnosed with arthritis in joint at base of thumb. Was given option of cortisone injection into joint. Injection was painful for few seconds during injection, but no adverse side affects following. Took about 36 hours but can now move/use thumb normally without pain.

I suffered some severe impacts while in the army 30+ years ago. Over the years my pain in my muscles and joints had gotten to where frankly I no longer wanted to live. After years of pain and sleep deprivation I could hardly think or work. I continue to struggle. I lost 80% mobility in my right arm. After years of being unable to get help in the civilian world I went to the VA. It has taken several more years to get the help I need from them and finally I went to the VA in Albuquerque New Mexico and thank God they gave me cortisone shots. I am not 100% but I can sleep better, think better, read, remember better and I have 90% use of my right arm.