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They can be painful, and for some/most? short-lived relief.  But, of course....everyone reacts differently.  And they are ultimately bone-busters.  I had aggressive PT, much of it self-devised and careful and slow and very, very diligent.  It worked....But again, not for all.



I would try physical therapy first. It seems to work really well with a frozen shoulder, of course you have to keep up with the stretches. I don't like putting anything in my body that's not natural, but have never tried cortisone shots before.



I share your hesitation about such things, but I accepted cortisone when I was in huge pain from calcific tendinitis. Worked almost instantly. Seemed like a miracle. Injuries and people are variable in their responses, but it works more than not and, in my opinion, is worth a try. But be sure to follow up w really good physical therapy. The exercises are tedious and sometimes painful, but please do not short-change yourself. Long-term function is your goal.



Yes, I had one a couple of years ago in my foot/ankle - hurt like heck in getting it and actually made the pain worst.  Don't think it had anything to do with gluten but don't really know what is in the shots - maybe allergic to cortisone.


No, I received a cortisone shot in my hip for bursitis from running, and it really worked for me.


I had a frozen shoulder a few years ago and was told it would last roughly 18 months, which turned out to be pretty accurate. Another autoimmune issue. The cortisone will give you temporary relief but you will go right back to your original state when it wears out.


Been there, done that. When I was told it could take up to two years, I decided that was too long. Still, it's been almost a year since I was diagnosed in my left shoulder. For what it's worth, my understanding is that PT doesn't really do much until you reach the frozen/thawing stage. I will have the surgical manipulation on my right shoulder if it gets really bad; I can't do another year of PT!



I've had more cortisone shots than I can count - bursitis - disc problems etc.  I've never had a reaction and they always worked very quickly.



Shots and IV are gluten-free, inherently.



Recently I heard a friend talk about cold laser treatments for her dog who has occasional injuries to his hips and knees because of some structural defects that make it very easy for him to injure himself. The cold laser does a remarkable job for him and is non-invasive--unlike medications and some other treatments. They have cold laser for humans as well. Her vet said that the treatments work best at earliest onset of the injury, but I think they might also help chronic pain. It seems to relieve inflammation, etc. My ears perked up because I don't like to take medications if I can help it. If it were me, I'd give this some research--it might work for you. Here's a site that popped up when I googled "cold laser treatments" and it might help explain what it is.

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/pain-management/cold-laser-therapy-pain-management-treatment

The other thing that helps her dogs (last about 4-6 weeks) is acupuncture. I can tell you that I probably would have thought acupuncture was mumbo-jumbo, but it actually helps her dogs with chronic joint pain--and dogs don't know that it's supposed to help, so there is no placebo effect like we can have when we perceive something should help us. : ) Anyway, might be some options that could help you. I think the key would be finding someone very experienced that you trust.



Yes I have but had to have surgery anyway. It did take about a week for it to work, did not unfreeze it but the pain was better. No reaction.  I just read that there is a series of 3 shots that can unfreeze a shoulder. Wish I could remember where I read it. I have had two frozen shoulders.  i had better luck with a course of oral steroids, and lots of PT.  however, the cortisone shot can be very helpful, and is the recommended treatment, because it can get you moving again, which is very important.  in my case, the shot just didn't work very well. The good news is I had very successful PT and both of my arms are moving - the first case was about eight years ago, and that arm is completely normal.The second case was this year, and I am about 80% recovered - I expect by next summer I will be able to water ski again.



I had a frozen left shoulder, and then about the time that one got better with physical therapy, the right shoulder developed frozen shoulder.  I never had a cortisone shot.  I did PT successfully but it took a while.  This was before I was diagnosed celiac in 1998.  I always wondered if adhesive capsulitis is an auto-immune disease, like celiac.  I have had cortisone shots for other reasons, and had no adverse reactions.



I am a nurse and have had cortisone injections to the low back with positive results. You should not have any trouble with the injection, as long as the provider is experienced in the care of shoulder issues. The cortisone does not kick in immediately, may take a couple of days to feel results. In some rare instances, the shot does not relieve the pain much, but causes no harm.


According to my doctor, the cortisone shot does help, but it won't cure the frozen shoulder. There are two options for that; physical therapy to help break the tissue (I'm currently doing that) and surgical manipulation (which I don't have to have, thanks to the PT). I have a friend who had good results from the cortisone shot, but, generally, my body reacts badly to cortisone, so I opted against. The PT has been a miracle, though it is taking a long, long time. Still, at this point, I have 70% of my range of motion back.  The good news is that one you are frozen/thawing, the pain decreases dramatically. It doesn't go away, but it's very, very liveable. The bad news is that if you have it in one shoulder, you're likely to get it on the other. The good news there -- and my doctor promises me this, since I am now experiencing freezing in my other shoulder -- is it's generally not as bad as the first shoulder!

At least the medicine is GF.  They also (usually) load the syringe with an anesthetic (also GF) to ease the pain of the injection. The injections will not affect your CD.


I've had many cortisone shots in both feet and back...never had an issue as far as any reactions. And the shots are so effective and helpful.

Do you have osteopenia or osteoporosis?  If so, don't do it. Cortisone can reduce bone density. Otherwise, once or twice can be helpful but it is a short term solution.












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