Steroid injections can cause silent structural damage if overused. The NIH warns repeated corticosteroid injections weaken soft tissues.

What’s happening

Steroids offer instant relief, but at a cost. Repeated doses can destabilize joints, collapse foot architecture, or damage tendons. Many patients aren’t told about these risks. After receiving multiple injections in 2024, Sally noticed alarming changes:

“Months later my foot looked like part of it had collapsed… which it had.”
— Sally Figueroa

This became a turning point in her advocacy work.

What you can do

• Ask: “How many injections are medically safe this year?”
• Request imaging before repeating injections.
• Explore alternatives: physical therapy, offloading, pacing adjustments.
• Bring a written list of concerns to appointments.

What to avoid

• Accepting repeated injections without understanding risks.
• Thinking you’re “overreacting” by requesting clarity.

How to move forward

You are not challenging the provider—you are protecting your future mobility. Advocacy is prevention.

Our Pay It Forward Approach

Every small act of sharing creates a ripple. If this piece resonated with you, consider sending it to someone who might need the same hope today—or leave us a comment in the section below with your own saving story so thousands can benefit from it. No one should have to navigate the cost of illness alone.

Verification Note

All sources verified December, 2025.
All sources are government, nonprofit, peer-reviewed, or professional medical organizations directly supporting claims about hypoglycemia risk, cognitive impairment, and the life-saving role of support partners.

Role of support partners in hypoglycemia prevention and response

Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) — Support Partners in Diabetes Management (DSME Toolkit)
Primary professional guidance explaining why support partners are essential during hypoglycemia, including impaired awareness and emergency response.
https://www.diabeteseducator.org/docs/default-source/living-with-diabetes/teaching-resources/dsme-toolkit/support-partners.pdf

ADCES — Hypoglycemia: Prevention and Treatment
Clinical overview detailing how confusion, loss of consciousness, and inability to self-treat make outside assistance critical.
https://www.diabeteseducator.org/living-with-diabetes/aade7-self-care-behaviors/problem-solving/hypoglycemia

Cognitive impairment during severe lows

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) — Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Glucose)
Explains how hypoglycemia affects thinking, judgment, speech, and the ability to self-manage treatment.
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/hypoglycemia-low-blood-glucose

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)
Confirms that severe hypoglycemia can cause confusion, seizures, and unconsciousness requiring immediate help from others.
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/low-blood-sugar.html

Endocrine Society — Severe Hypoglycemia Clinical Practice Guideline
Clinical guidance emphasizing that patients often cannot recognize or treat severe lows without assistance.
https://www.endocrine.org/clinical-practice-guidelines/hypoglycemia

Importance of education and preparedness for friends, family, and partners

American Diabetes Association (ADA) — Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Glucose)
Recommends educating family members, friends, coworkers, and partners to recognize symptoms and act quickly.
https://diabetes.org/diabetes/medication-management/blood-glucose-testing-and-control/hypoglycemia

ADA — Glucagon Emergency Use and Caregiver Training
Details why support partners should know how to administer glucagon during severe lows.
https://diabetes.org/diabetes/medication-management/blood-glucose-testing-and-control/glucagon

CGM sharing and remote alerts as a support-partner tool

Dexcom — Follow App (Caregiver and Support Partner Alerts)
Manufacturer documentation describing real-time glucose sharing and alerts for trusted contacts.
https://www.dexcom.com/en-us/support/dexcom-follow-app

Abbott FreeStyle Libre — LibreLinkUp App for Caregivers
Explains shared monitoring and alerting for friends, parents, and partners.
https://www.freestyle.abbott/us-en/products/librelinkup.html

Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology — Remote Monitoring and Hypoglycemia Response
Peer-reviewed evidence that shared CGM data enables faster third-party intervention during severe lows.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/19322968211047787