Oral steroid treatment for hip OA?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I always read with interest comments and helpful info that is put on this site.  Has anyone taken oral steroids for OA of the hip and has it helped.  I have read that injections have been used and that it helps with pain for a limited time.  Does anyone have experience of having taken steroids in tablet form and what strength? 

2

No Carole only the steroid injection.

3

Hello Carole.  I did not know oral steroids were available for arthritis.  Only had injections.  Has doctor prescribed these? 

4

Hi Carole, same here, steroid injections only. Never heard of being treated with steroid tablets for OA.

5

Thanks Matron and everyone for your replies.  It was a general question and was wondering if oral steriods could be an alternative to injections.  Thanks.

6

Yes I have taken oral steroids. My GP prescribed them during my last flare up.  They are called Prednisone in Australia and the wY you take them is 2 tablets morning and night for 7 days, 1/2 tablet morning night 7 days, 1/4 tablet morning and night 7 days. They worked really well for me, gave me lots of energy and got rid of the pain completely for about 2 months. But you can only do this maybe 2 or 3 times a year. 

7

Thank you for this information on oral steroids.  Very interesting.  I note your comment that they can only be taken 2 or 3 times a year.  Do you do this?  Any side affects ? I have OA of the hip, what about you? 

8

The last time I took them was when I had a flare up with swelling and a lot of pain and I had 3 weeks work ahead of me. My GP suggested that they would help. And they did I had no problems working the 3 weeks which would have been difficult without them. They make me sweat joe than normal and give me lots of energy but apart from that no other side effects. I don't like taking them but over the last few years have taken them for either OA or serious illness like I had pneumonia a few years ago and kept getting other illnesses because my immune system was so low. They helped at the time build me up. 

9

Thank you for this information.  I will enquire about this next time I se my doctor.