I had one cortisone injection in my shoulder last year and while it did help, if I don't keep up my exercises or stay at the computer or whatever too long, in the same position, it really becomes painful. I don't think one would hurt too much, except for the actual pain when they inject, but I wouldn't want to have it done, again. I just got a new program Dragon Speaking Naturally which allows me to dictate my writing to the computer and that helps, since I don't have to use my shoulders, etc. to WP all of the time.

I have also had to use prednisone a lot in the past two years to overcome allergic reactions to various heart medications. I am happy to say I am off of all those, but in desperation with shoulder pain last weekend, took some prednisone and am now having to step it down in increments and BOY do I regret ever getting back on it! Not only can it cause an initial state of euphoria, then manic depression like Ferrara noted, it can also cause a bunch of other problems. If you go off of it too soon all of your symtoms can come back with a vengeance. I am really PO'd at myself for taking it, again. I would not recommend it to anyone. I also have a friend who has MS and has been on it frequently who says the same thing, even though she has to use it at times.

There is a fairly good, informative book on it, Coping With Prednisone and other cortisone-related medicine: It may work miracles, but how do you handle the side-effects? by Eugenia Zuckerman, a world-renowned flutist and her doctor sister, Julie Ingelfinger, at Mass. General.

Also, another benign thing which helps me, as well as the exercises, is arnica gel. Rub it on and it really, really helps. Tiger balm works well, too.

I have also taken a lot of oral muscle relaxants which, for a short time, can help your muscles to relax and get used to being back the way they should be, but there are tons of side effects with them, too and I've not taken any for several years now and am better off for it. I've found a good massage therapist, Reiki healer or Rolfing therapist can be much more effective with no horrible side effects.

Good luck! Hope all of this helps!

kat