I had cortisone injections in both knees today and now I am having

[Minimus]

the "flare" - pain so bad you wonder why you got the injections. I keep reminding myself that once the steroid kicks in my knees will feel better and the pain flare is worth it.

I am coping by using ice packs on the knees and taking hydrocodone.

I also had an ultrasound that showed fluid on my right hip so my doctor diagnosed bursitis. Ice and an anti-inflammatory drug prescribed for that.

Damn I'm in bad shape.

[Moondog]

1. It hurts just thinking about it.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

2. Oh, honey .........

I feel for ya, I really do. I've had shots in my knee - three different times - and got a handout with all kinds of warnings if swelling and/or pain occurred, but I had absolute no reaction.

And the stuff does help. At least for a short time.

This machine we call our body is gonna break down no matter how good we are to it, the ungrateful bastard.

Take the hydrocodone, and make sure you have something in your stomach when you do. Otherwise, you'll have a whole world of new problems.

I hope you feel better very, very soon............................

[Minimus]

3. This is my third time for the shots. First time I had a flare, second time

I had a very minor flare - but this time the flare is a just wicked.

Thanks for the well wishes!

[Tangerine LaBamba]

4. Be careful -

three is about the maximum with cortisone shots, my orthopedist told me. The damage it does to the bones is pretty bad, so the doctors don't do it.

Might be time for a knee replacement. Jane Fonda just had TWO done!

Good luck, friend.............

[Minimus]

6. Yes - my doctor said these may be my last - depending on how long

I get relief. The next step will be injecting the stuff that acts as a lubricant - Synvisc - and then we will start talking about knee replacement.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. I got cortisone shots in my knee last year (twice) and never got the "flare."

It just stopped hurting, at least for awhile. Then my knee got really sore again and I didn't want to get more cortisone shots so with some skepticism I tried acupuncture. It worked. Haven't had any problems since. Might want to try it; it doesn't work for everything but sometimes it does.