I get good results from trigger point injections in my upper back and ribcage. I have them about every two months, and that keeps most of the trigger points in that area under control. I can't stand to have them all injected at the same time, as I have problem 20 and the injections are terribly painful.

Having said that, they are worth the pain for the relief I get after. My injections are actually what's called "dry needling" - the only thing in the needle is marcaine to lessen the pain of the treatment. The spasms are broken up by the insertion and manipulation of the needle. It's a technique that started in acupuncture and has moved into the mainstream of medicine and it's very effective without adding any additional drugs into the body.

I can totally relate to have a job you enjoy but struggling to maintain through the day. I don't have to stand - not sure I could do that for nine hours - but I do have a good bit of stress that impacts my pain level. I have some accommodations in place but it's still hard sometimes to get through the day.

Hope the injections are helpful!

I also get injections but not trigger point, although I'm thinking I should ask about them. Thanks for sharing this and wishing you well.

If it offers help then you should try lidocaine trigger point injections. My rheumy also does the steroid trigger point injections. I personally don't do any since I have such allergic reactions to medications. I am a big believer in acupuncture. Also, I have just started taking calcium/magnesium supplements to help with the tightness of my muscles. I can see a difference and I have just starting taking 1500mg calcium/750mg of magnesium daily.

I wish you well.

I believe the Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome that often occurs along with FMS is actually more painful. It is amazing how these TrP's can form in any muscle and how they can actually "travel" to another muscle group. Since they prevent the fascia from gliding, sometimes the muscle group shuts down and we feel weakness in that particular muscle. If through massage therapy you are unable to break up the TrP and say you can't reach it either, then I think the shots are worthwhile trying. Have had them on a couple occasions and had good results. They do "smart" a bit but that's only for a second or two. I guess what I am trying to say is I think the shots should be a last resort if your trigger point release doesn't work. Injections aren't a quick fix, in fact it may take time to dissolve. I think they use also a small amount of cortisone.

I used to get trigger point injections in my neck and upper back (where my pain is its worst). I had great results from them. I also got Botox once and it was wonderful!

I have only tried the injections once and unfortunatly they didn't work for me (doesn't mean they won't work for you everyone responds differently to that sort of thing). The shot itself was not that painful because my doctor sprayed a numbing agent on my skin first, otherwise I don't think I could have taken it, but there was some soreness at the injection site later.

My advice TRY IT, when you are in that much pain anything is worth a try.

Good luck, I really hope the injections work for you!

I just had my first TPI's about 3 weeks ago. My PMD did 3 prolotherapy injections in a weakened ligament in my right leg, as well as several injections of steroids, a numbing agent and some homeopathic ingredients. She also did injections in my right shoulder.

Prior to the injections, about 30% of my right leg was covered in knots from Myofascial Pain Syndrome, which I also have. The injections were painful and I had a lot of morning pain for about four days after, but then I got a lot of pain relief - now my right leg just hurts the same as my left lol. I still had a single point of sharp pain directly left of the knee, but that went away about two weeks after the injections.

Unfortunately, I threw up pretty badly about 4 days after the injections, so the looseness and increased range of motion in my shoulder went away and it was like I never got injections in the shoulder.

At my regular appointment last week I asked the PMD if she would do injections in the shoulder again, and she did, using a stronger dose of steroids and also the homeopathic mix too. This time she also did injections in the top of my left shoulder and in the right side of my neck, as well as the whole right shoulder/shoulder blade.

I think that I was starting to have a fibro flare just prior to this second round of injections, and I had to help move our new couch and love seat into the house two days after, so I've had a lot of pain. I've noticed that my shoulder cycles from the muscles being a little relaxed then they get tight again, with a lot of neck pain. I'm really hoping that everything calms down over the next week, and I haven't given up hoping that I will get some benefit from this second round of injections!