Hello, I was reading what you were writing. My husband has had HCV for 30 years, so I thought I would pop on here and read. He contacted the disease through blood transfusions during the loss of his arms at 24 years old in an electrical accident. What you both have said is really interesting. Read what I have written under Chronic pain and you will know more about me. My name is SusieM. I too have Graves disease since 1985. Because of DDD and multiple injuries to my back and neck I have had to take steroids too. I found out after taking a Kenalog shot for pain that it did clear up all my allergies and hayfever! And it made me feel wonderful and energetic too. I feel so good after a shot for about 6 to 8 weeks. I go from being a cripple, creaking, feeling ancient and old to feeling so much better. Where I couldn't get out of a chair without pain I can get up just fine! You're right, doctors do not want ot give more than 2 shots a year really, but mine will give me three. I only recently read as you said that we do produce these steroids naturally, but because of our autoimmune diseases we don't have enough production in us. The article went on to say that it wasn't as dangerous as some think to have a little hormonal/steroid replacement because we do produce this normally in our bodies. I think what we have to realize is what is enough and not to do too much! I know what you mean about moon face. I get one sometimes after too many injections. But it doesn't last. Like yesterday I had an injection in my left wrist for severe tendonitis. I know it must have been quite a dose because it took away some pain I was also having in my back and legs! It also causes my blood pressure to rise and makes my face red. It gave me a moon face as I look at myself today. As the drug lowers over time I return to look normal. Atleast, so far I have. I did have a friend that died at 46 from lung arthritis! Her lungs were crippled. They gave her mega doses of prednisolone over about a year. Y'all, she went from being about 135 pounds to 180 in no time. She did get the moon face and she was also dead within one year! I have always thought that the mass doses of steroids they had her on helped kill her quickly, but I do not really know. I just seen this young woman go from beauty to beast in less than a year and she died. It was a shock to everyone that knew her! So, I would be willing to bet that we do need to watch out for ourselves and take just enough to do what works for us, but not in mega doses. I know the shots help me. I feel as if I am young and energetic. I feel strong and it does give you a high. It does work on the brain too. My dotor told me this. He said, "Young people come into his office begging for Kenalog shots." This is after I told him that it made me feel so good. He said many young adults are wanting the shot to give them the high. well, I am sure it affects everyone differently. Several years ago my son wanted to take me on a trip to Orlando. I was hurting so bad I didn't think I could make it. I couldn't get in and out a car without taking 10 minutes to straighten up to walk. And then I had to think to put one foot infront of the other! The day before the trip I went and had a Kenalog shot. Honestly, it cleared all my sinuses and I moved like a kid. I was even able to pull my own baggage! But, I had a great time and was able to keep up with my 28 year old son! Ha! But, you really do have to be careful on these drugs. You can really hurt yourself, which I know I have over the years, continuing to work as a dog trainer when I should have retired 10 years ago from the business because of my bad back and neck. I didn't want to give up the money I made and the living I loved. But I have suffered terribly because the extra years took a toil on my body. The shots still help, but they don't do what they did because I am so messed up! Please be careful. I hadn't thought about my eyes not hurting as much from the graves while on steroids, but now that you mention it you just may have a point!
Nice sharing....Blessings....SusieM