Should my 88-year-old mother who has severe arthritis in her shoulder get a cortisone shot or take medicine?

Cortisone shots are painful and can only be given every so often, but they help many people. Medications all have side effects but can be effective. If she only has arthritis in her shoulder (say, because of an injury) a shot may be best, but if she has other joints that hurt, medication is likely the answer. Can they do both? I'd talk about it more in depth with the doctor so you know the pros and cons. Her age is definitely a factor.
Carol

I talked to a gal one time that had a shot of chicken fat instead of cortizone in her knee. I know, WEIRD but true. She said it worked too.

My 88 yr. old mother has severe osteoarthritis and unbelievable shoulder pain. Her doctor said her shoulders are bone on bone and that shoulder replacement is not an option at her age. We have tried pain meds, rehab, exercise, massage, acupunture, cortisone shots, pain patches, pain creams....you name it we have tried it. I don't think there is much when you reach that age and stage of life that can help much. We have settled for the acupuncture and Cymbalta. It seems to give her some relief and a few better days a week than before.

My 89 year mother has bone on bone arthritis in her shoulder. She had Chicken cartilage injected in her knee and it was great relief but for some reason the FDA hasn't approved it for the shoulder? Is that correct? I also heard about scar tissue injections? Anyone heard of that?

IMHO, I am not a fan of long term use of cortisone...especially shots. As a temporary remedy...maybe.
I tend to start with natural remedies and then go from there. (Western medicine does the exact opposite...or it ignores natural treatments all together.)
My Mom went into rehab for a shoulder she injured and then bursitis set in - (it sent her to the ER in pain.) At the rehab,they had her do exercises to help "loosen" the shoulder and used massage as well. I had the doctor take her off the Vicoden and replace it with extra strength tylenol.
At home, I bought her an exercise pedal bike that sits on the floor, normally, but put it on a table so she could use it with her hands and keep the shoulder loose.
She has not had severe pain since.
I would try some simpler solutions before I went the cortisone route. There are side effects, as there are with any drug, and potential for infection at the injection site. Also, diabetics need to be cautious. Usually, doctors limit the number of injections they will give. If the first few do not have lasting effects, more will not help. (btw, what type of medicine was the doctor going to prescribe. If it us just pain medication, it will just take away the "hurt" but not help the problem.)
good luck

Should your 88 YO mother take medicine or a cortisone shot for her arthritis? My answer is probably Yes. :)

My 90 YO mother has severe arthritis. My husband has less severe arthritis. Their doctors have said that there is no cure, and nothing that improves the cause of the pain. In some cases surgery may provide some relief, but that does not apply to either my mother or my husband. Apparently your mother's doctor is not suggesting surgery, either. Has he/she suggested any rehab PT? Ask about that.

So you are left with managing the pain. Shots work for many people. They didn't for my mother. (Even when they work, they wear off and need to be repeated.) My mother tried a pain patch and that works somewhat. Her skin is sensitive to the adhesive so she only uses them in severe flare ups.) In the hospital they tried morphine, but oh my goodness, she can't take that! In fact she can't take a lot of drugs because of the side effects. Poor dear lady. She takes an OTC pain med recommended by her doctor, along with vitamin D, also recommended. She gets by on that most days pretty good. A few years ago a back brace was recommended but after looking at it she decided she would not try that. We got her a lift chair that fits her well. Sitting in chair not suitable for her short stature wasn't doing her any good.

Hubby doesn't need meds everyday. He takes the OTC pain med his doctor recommended only when he has a flare up.

In some cases exercise can be beneficial -- especially exercises in warm water. Hubby and I have done that together in a rehab pool and found it helpful. Unfortunately the water temperature at our local Y is not quite warm enough.

If you keep your body long enough, you're probably going to have arthritis somewhere. When it gets as severe as our mothers' arthritis, then you look for ways to manage the pain. I sure hope you find some suitable measures that give your mom relief.

I have an 88 year old mother who is an identical twin and they live together. My aunt has schizoaffective disorder and my mom does not have the energy at this point to have her with her 24/7. Today I approached my aunt about going to day care a few days a week and she was quite tearful and thinks that we are trying to get rid of her. This breaks my heart because she is so dear to me. I do want to say that she has no children and was never married and is a little paranoid at times, however, she relates quite well with people socially. Any ideas to help ease this transition. Thank you so much.

Find a program in your community that has social events/activities for seniors. Both of these ladies would benefit from this.The stimulation is invaluable as is the exercise of getting involved. If they are reluctant participate with them a few times till they forge a couple friendships then I bet they would be more willing to go. I have found such programs at local nursing homes and usually for a fee they could even pick them up. Sell it to your mom by telling her its to help her sister and even vica versa. Hope this helps.

My 91 year old mother has stenosis of the spine and has excruciating knee pain. She has been getting cortisone shots for pain relief. The relief from pain is very short. She has gotten 5 shots in the last few months sometimes a week apart. Recently her doctor told her because of her age she can get unlimited shots, weekly if neede. I am very concerned with this. Is this correct?