I get trigger point injections every 3-4 months. I set up the next appointment while I'm there because I've found that if I go regularly, sometimes I'm "ahead" of them and they aren't painful before the next injections.

You have to know what you're being injected with, as all injections are not created equal. My physiatrist does "dry needling," injecting only marcaine to dull the pain of the injection and needling, while using the needle itself to break up the painful knots.

If you're being injected with steroids that can't be done too often, or too long. The kind of injections my doctor does can be done as often and as long as needed. I've found after two years that some of the knots have settled down to the point that they are not painful at all between injections.

Something to be aware of - "trigger points" are not part of fibromyalgia - they are myofascial pain, which is a condition often seen in people who have fibromyalgia, but can exist on its own. Myofascial trigger points are often the result of an old injury to the affected muscle - fibromyalgia is not associated with muscle damage.

Thanks, PeaceN2You for your reply. I'll check with my insurance to see how often they would allow for regular injections. I have had dry needle therapy before, but they don't do it where I am at. I'll contact e nurse to get more info on what was injected. The painful knots are located at various places next to the spine, along the shoulders, and scapula. No previous injury to my knowledge. Would treatment vary as to the cause of the trigger points?

I have been doing injections with my PT. My doctor will do them as often as every week but there is no numbing medication and no steriod. Just saline. Hurts like a SOB and she uses some technique she calls hamburger, like 20 shots in a small spot. I get 6-8 areas done each time. Seemed like torture the first time and it leaves me swollen and extra sore for a few days but I have seen great improvement and quicker resolution for my knotted muscles.

Well, I'm confused. I have these spots on me that radiate pain to the surrounding area (thus 'trigger points') and they just can't have anything to do with an injury because I have them everywhere. From my feet to my head to my hands. On the outline of my body along the ribs and I also have them on the insides of my thighs, those are REALLy painful.
I just got shots today and I got kind of sick. I won't get so many again. I could've kept him there for a hour, if he had shot up all the spots I have. I felt woozy from them and, because I had these two really painful spots on the backs of my hands, it made my thumbs numb. They are fine now, but it was a really weird feeling that I didn't like. I'm glad to hear that it should improve within the next couple days. It's been such a long time since I had them, I couldn't remember the exact process.

Marsharebel they are often but not always from an old injury. Some of mine I can tie back to long ago injuries - groin and upper back - others not.

I hope your injections are effective and that your pain is greatly lessened in a few days. I always need pain meds after but in a couple of days I'm much better, and the relief lasts for months.

OK, the shots did help for a few days, although I noticed that, as the trigger points calmed down, other spots popped up, sort of higher up the nerve from the original spot. Also, I got a shot in this SUPER painful one on the back of my hand that was fine for a couple of days, but is not killing me again, radiating pain all around that area. It is a spot on my hand about 3 inches from the base of my index finger. Might anyone have ideas of what that is? I've never heard of that location as a 'trigger point'. If you know anything, could you message me? The DS system isn't notifying me when other responses are made to posts I'm watching. I only stumbled onto this further comment by accident. Thx if you can help me.

I had one injection series done as I have a lot of problems with my right arm. The night of the procedure I felt excellent (while the numbing agent he used first was still active). The next day my right hand kept cramping up in the most awful way. It continued on & off for a month, so I have never got more injections.

What I do do is use tennis balls (in a tube sock if it's a hard to reach area) and a wall to basically rub on the spots & loosen them up a bit.

Hope that is helpful....

I wish I could get a tennis ball to some of my trigger points. I have one in my piriformis that is hard to isolate even with a needle :)

I think mine are of such long-standing duration that they will never be fully under control, although they are a LOT better since I started having them injected. They don't get nearly as painful between injections as they used to without the injections.

Also wish the damned injections didn't hurt so bad, as I get somewhere between 7 and 11 at a time, depending on what's active.

Thanks for the tip about the tennis ball. Well have to try that on e stu bor spots in my back. I just had another batch of injections last Thursday. I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis and the intense pain from a month long flare also kicked up the Fibro pain/tightness. First the pain clinic said the next available appt was over two weeks away, but mercifully when I called again the next day and pleaded, they got me in that day. I'm grateful to a colleague who subbed for me while receiving the injections. For me, the short needle pain is welcomed and so worth it.