Cortisone injection side effects...

Well, my marathon is in 6 days, one week from yesterday. I have an appointment today with my PT and another one on Thursday. I'm going to talk to her more about the cortisone shot. If I get it, and I can run this marathon (that I've trained diligently for!)without any permanent damage...I may just do it. i still don't like the idea of it, but I am so frustrated. Really, running is what has gotten me through most of this summer! All the drama at my summer job, all the drama about our adoption...

I've been looking up side effects, and here's what I've found so far:

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.

Doesn't seem too bad...right??

Hip, Orthopedic, Physical Therapist...run??

For the past couple of weeks I have been seeing a Physical Therapist for my hip issues. First they thought is was an issue with my IT band. Turns out my IT band is incredibly flexible! Then she was saying Bursitis, and still maybe an issue with the IT band, but not a tight IT band. Ugh. Last week she was concerned that maybe I might have a stress fracture in/on my hip. She made me do all these weird things, jump up and down...one foot...then the other. This week I got in with an orthopedic so that we could rule out a stress fracture or anything else that could be permanently damaging. Nope! However, I did find out that my pelvis is incredibley unbalanced and that if I were to ever get pregnant I would have serious complications. Geez - it's a good thing we're adopting!! Who gets a pelvis x-ray before they think about having kids???

Anyhow, so he said if I do chose to run, I won't do any real permanent damage, I'll just be really sore for a long time. He still suggested that I don't...I haven't made up my mind. I did run three miles on Tuesday and my hip was still hurting. I have not really run since my 22 mile run on August 30th. I tried three miles two weeks ago and it still hurt. A week and a half ago I got a one month membership to the gym. I was able to go twice and workout on the elliptical - problem is my access card still doesn't work! I got up early and went to the gym at 5:30 and the stupid thing doesn't work! It's a SNAP Fitness so it is rarely staffed so I could not get in! I was totally peeved.

Really sucks to train for so long for nothing! We are still planning to go to the cities and I'm going to actually take a few days off!! It's been a long time since I've had a day off and I'm really looking forward to being in the city.

Happy 6 Months!

Today our precious little boy turns 6 months old. Another month goes by without any word on when we will be able to travel and get him. Tonight I'm at work with my little votive candle burning brightly and praying for the committee to take action. This morning in bed Ryan and I were visualizing a pick-up date. We both closed our eyes for a moment and then revealed the date we were thinking of...and wouldn't you know we were both thinking of the same date!!! Our anniversary is October 13th and we both visualized that as being the day we can bring home Arsin. At this point, I'd even settle for that being a day we can travel to get him!

Hang on tight baby boy - we love you and we'll come and get you as soon as your government allows us!!

Anonymous Donation!

Long day today...worked 15 1/2 hours and just got home.

When I got here about a half hour ago (10:15 p.m.) I went went to the mailbox...and to my surprise, there was an envelope in there labeled "Anon. Donation for Arsin Scheel Adoption Fund" and there was a very generous gift of $100! I wish that we knew who it was so we knew who to thanks! If you read this....THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! It's so nice to know there are people out there who are supporting us in this long, long process. People who care and supporting us through this roller coaster of a ride.

I had a rough day today. No real reason really, but I was really sad and missing Arsin. I teared up a handful of times for the smallest things. Very strange...my adoption hormones are kicking in again!!!

I got a call from the doctors office today. They want me to set up an appointment with an orthopedic! I've been going to physical therapy for a couple of weeks for my hip. I haven't run in 17 days!!! My marathon is less than 3 weeks away and I'm really nervous. Now they are afraid it might be a stress fracture in my hip and they just want to rule it out before moving forward. I did go to the gym today and did the elliptical for 45 minutes. My hip didn't hurt at all! Problem is, I can't do the elliptical for my marathon! Stay tuned...

Dossier in Bishkek

Our dossier finally made it to Bishkek today. What a relief!! Now we can knock that off the list. Still waiting to hear what happens next...

Arsin's crib was delivered today and I am so excited to put it together! Now we just need the mattress to go with it - oh and the bedding too!

Work has been crazy and I think I've worked about 95 days straight at least 12 hour days each day. I'll be so happy when I get that phone call and they say that we need to pack up and get our boy! But until then...

On it's way to Kyrgyzstan...

We are not on our way to Kyrgyzstan, but our dossier is! We got word today from our coordinator that our dossier left the Embassy in DC today for Bishkek!!! I was so nervous because one of our documents expired on August 31st - well the notary stamp did - and I wasn't going to say anything to jinx it. I'm sooooo happy that everything went through okay and it's now on the way!

We got some new pictures of our baby boy thanks to a good blogger friend...you know who you are!!! It's so encouraging to receive new photos of the baby that you cannot go and pick up. I also learned earlier this week that he was sick a couple weeks ago. Totally devastated!!! Saule says he's better now, but it makes me want him home now!! So far, no new news on movement in Bishkek - we'll just have to keep praying. Hard!!

Last night I was in Arsin's room and started to sort through some things. After a while I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I had to stop. I ordered his crib today from Target and can't wait to get it here and put it together! Better yet, I can't wait for him to come home and sleep in his crib :)

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school, and I never thought I'd say it, but boy am I glad to be back. Of course the drama saga continues at my other job...but now I can focus on one that really matters. Kids were crazy, classrooms were SO HOT, and teachers were all perked up and ready to start the year.

I took the day off yesterday (Labor Day) and did absolutely nothing. At one point in the day I was so irritated with myself because I should be doing something! But instead I took a 2 hour nap with my pups :)

I'm still recovering from my 22 mile run this weekend. I didn't run much last week because I've been having some issues with my hip. I went to the chiropractor last Monday and got adjusted and that seemed to help a little bit, but not much. It must be a ball and socket issue. I felt good for about the first 6 miles, and then started to get a shooting pain down my leg. I'm stubborn of course so I pushed through the next 16 miles in agonizing pain. The last two miles I was just pissed. I feel really bad about being so grumpy to my running partners, but I couldn't take the pain anymore and there was nothing I could do. It hurt worse to walk than run, so I continued on. There wasn't anywhere on the route to turn off and shorten the distance...knowing that was a killer! When we finished at the driveway, we had to walk another .25 mile to the cabin. Once at the cabin I just began to sob. That probably lasted for about 20 minutes. Eventually I made my way to the cold lake and tipped in off the dock (couldn't jump, it would've hurt too much!) I stayed in for about 20 minutes until I couldn't take the shock anymore. Worst of it all is that I had to go and work all night!! I am still sore today and my hip is still hurting. The bottoms of my feet actually feel bruised, and I am going to the clinic tomorrow to make sure that I don't have any stress fractures. My training has been really good up until this point - no injuries, not even barely sore! I really hope that I didn't injure myself so much that I cannot continue to train or do the marathon.

No news on the adoption front. I sent an email to our coordinator several days ago and still have not heard a response. The movement in Bishkek and the signing of the five dossiers is definitely good news...they just need to keep moving!!!

Here's another snipet of our little man...double fisted this time!