Can one cortisone injection in my knee cause weight gain?

Ive recently had steroid injection in the base of my thumb and passed out. Didn't bother having Other hand done, the pain was excruciating. I've got to say though that having read some of your symptoms after the injections explains a lot of my problems. I'm in my 50 s and having gone through the menopause I thought I was having a midlife crisis or just having a break down. I get extremely anxious, very depressed and have noticed that my legs, neck, arms, feet.... In fact every where is very stiff in the mornings and very painful. I do stretching exercises and go out walking everyday to keep my body from ceasing up. I have also noticed that I have put on weight. I find the whole thing very scary. The steroids dont get to the root of the cause they just disguise the problem and create more problems. I've recently had to give up my job working as a professional in the NHS. I don't like the amount of medications that are given out and have now turn to nutrition. Nutrition has been a passion of my for a long time now and I am doing a nutrition diploma. At the same time I am trying to look at ways to help my self. You have to have a good knowledge of the working body and how everything is processed and what chemicals, vitamins work together with minerals,enzymes etc etc etc. anyway I am determined to get myself better eventually from my arthritis with natural remedies. Its going to be a long journey but I'll keep u posted. I'm not ready for the knackers yard yet although I feel like I'm not far off. Chin up and think positive. Bye for now

Hi All,

I've experience *almost* every side effect under the moon in relation to the epidural injections I received this year. Hopefully my story will help and maybe some of you can shed some light on this horrific problem for me as well.

I received 3 epidural injections of Kenalog (80mg each time) as treatement for chronic sciatica and pain from a torn and bulging disc (L4/L5). My first injection was in January 2012, second in Feb 2012, and third in May 2012.

Since the 2nd injection, the first sign was my period. I had just had one before the injection but 2 days after the shot, I started to bleed (and abnormal dark color) for 3.5 weeks straight. My period continued to be irregular for the next 5 months (at which point I consulted a ob/gyn and they placed me on birth control to regulate my hormones). It's been over six weeks on the Pill and my cycle has improved a little. I'm hoping it will continue to get better in the coming months.

I also experienced weight gain--about 20 lbs in three months after the injection in Feb. I've managed to lose about 2/3s of that but my moon face still remains. I've heard that's one of the last things to go away and that's really depressing for me. My skin bruises extremely easily--I have tons of bruises up and down my legs and even my arms. My skin is thin, flaky and I broke/brake out terribly on my face, back, chest, and in other odd places.

I am also growing excess hair on my face (mustache and beard-like hair) as well as on my neck, shoulders and arms. Oddly tough, about 6 weeks ago (in June) my scalp hair started falling out in clumps and has continued into the present (Aug 2012).

I have experience intense mood swings and anxiety attacks. Sometimes I'll feel feelings of euphoria and other times depression, though I haven't experienced the extreme depression others have reported. I will burst into tears often and sometimes i'm extremely grumpy.

Most alarmingly, I've experience memory problems. I first noticed that in March of this year and it's gotten progressivly worse. There is also a "cognitive fog"---I can't think clearly and my general brain proceses are slowed. The only thing that temporarily helps is coffee.

I've had digestive problems, insomnia, sweating more often, water retention, headaches (which seem to have largely subsided), elevated heart rate, fatigue, muscle weakness and pain, joint stiffness/pain, and a slight buffalo hump.

I've consulted with several doctors. My dermatologist, gynecologist, and an endocrinologist who specializes in Cushing's syndrome have all confirmed the Kenalog injections as the culprit. My endocrinologist has said that since Kenaolog stays in your system longer than most steroids, I shouldn't expect to see improvement until late December of this year. This seems to be in line with what my dermatologist has said as well. Great...

Meanwhile, my orthopedist and pain management doctor who administered the shots deny any relation of my symptoms to the shots. They won't own up to it. In truth, Brystol Meyers, the drug company who manufactures the drug issued revised side effects and proper uses of Kenalog in 2011 and printed a new label on the drug to reflect these changes. Kenalog is NOT recommended for epidural use, though it is cleared for intra muscular. the recommended dosage for that is between 40mg-80mg. I have no idea why my doctor thought is was appropriate to inject me with the highest recommended dose for ANYONE when I'm a very tiny girl (5'5" weighing only 108 lbs before the injections).

I'm constantly monitoring my symtpoms but it's been three months since my last shot in May 2012 and I have yet to see a positive change/imrovement. Hopefully the people on here and my doctors are right in saying that they do go away, but it takes 8-12 months.

If anyone has any information they could give or personal experiences they could relay in how long it to them to get better and get rid of this awful moon face, I'd greatly appreciate. Thanks!

Wow, I am so glad I found these posts as I am in the same boat as all of you! We can't all be delusional :) I herniated a disc in my back the 1st week of January this year. I was in excruciating pain and my left leg was numb. I am no wimp to pain as I did natural childbirth with both of my kids! I was on prednisone for 5-7 days and that helped. I had 2 cortisone shots in my spine (L5) about 5 weeks apart, one in Feb the other in March. The shots took away my pain and I was able to walk again. BUT talk about weight gain -- I have gained 30 pounds since all this started! Last summer I was wearing a size 6 and was at that steady weight for over 3 years. Now I can barely fit into a size 10 and the weight is mostly around my middle. I refuse to buy any "fat" clothes as I'm hoping I'll fit back into my old clothes again. I have a belly -- something I never had even after having kids! While some weight gain is understandable as I can't be as active as usual, this is ridiculous!!!! Especially since I have been eating less and walking, swimming for the past 3 months and my weight has NOT budged!!! Some days I feel like hey, I had to have lost a few pounds but I get on the scale and it's always the same -- 156lbs. My friend is a nurse and keeps saying the cortisone will wear off and the weight will come off. When ???? I know after each shot I gained weight literally overnight. I've always been in great shape and always had a high metabolism. I agree with some other posts that, ironically, the weight gain has contributed to more/prolonged lower back pain and inability to move. The pain doc insisted I get the 3rd cortisone shot and would not send me to physical therapy. I never got the 3rd shot and went to a chiropractor instead who has done wonders for me!!! I have been going to him for 2 1/2 months and I have my mobility back. I agree with all of you, had I known about the weight gain I would not have gotten those shots. In retrospect, I would have been better off popping pain pills and riding it out:) I am so worried that this injury and cortisone shot fallout is colliding with perimenopause and a slower metabolism and that I'll never get my figure back.. I know it's vain but it helps your mental health when you feel good about youself and right now it is depressing me. I will be going for my yearly physical soon and will definitely discuss this with my primary doc. Hope all of us will be back to normal soon!!!

I am in the exact same boat as you. I lost 45 pounds before injuring my lower back. I also had 2 injections, March and April. I to have gained 30 pounds. I am almost at my "fat' weight again. I was a size 16, lost the weight to a size 8, almost a 6. Now I am a 14/16. I am so depressed and irritated. My doctor did not tell me this would be a side efect. However i to have been told the weight will come off when the shot wears off. That could be anywhere from 6-8 months after your last shot. So for me I am hoping and praying October is my month. I am limited to my physical activity also. Before I was hiking, biking, swimming, doing 300 situps a day, running, playing basketball, you name it I did it. Now I am lucky to be able to walk for 10 mins on some days. It is the most discouraging thing that has ever happened to me. I am 30 years old female and tomorrow I have a doctors appt to find out whether or not I will be permaneltally disabled. Yeah I am a bot scared. Good luck to you. Keep us posted.

I have been getting injections every 6 months for 4 years (spinal stenosis).  Tought I was getting older with a slower metabalsim, so I started running 5 miles 3-4 times per week.  At the end of 3 months I had lost zero pounds.  Makes me wonder how much I would have gained if I didn't run.  The weird part is that running would not be possible without the injections.  Life would not be possible without the injections.  I seriously would hang myself without the injections.  Are there any Chubby Chasers out there?

Have you returned to your normal self? I got the last of 4 S I Joint injections 24 days ago. My blood pressure is high, anxious, face is swollen, heart palpitations, depressed, lethargic... and it goes on and on. I am wondering how long it will be before I feel normal again. I can't find any info from anyone who has stated their long term results. I guess I am looking for some hope.

On October 16th, 2012 I went to my knee doctor for a consult and to get booked for a total knee replacement.  As he could not give me an appointment for surgery until March 2013 he suggested a cortisone shot and I just went along with it.  After a couple of days I thought my knee was feeling a little better.... then I was up 5 pounds, a week later another 5, now I am at 5-6 weeks and have gained 16 pounds.  To add to that I was quite happy that at age 58 I had finally stopped menstruating for 11 months straight and was looking forward to entering into Menopause.  Sure enough 2 weeks ago I got a full blown period which lasted for 10 days.  I have had unusual cramping and worse night sweats and CRABBY, just ask my poor husband.  I have been beating myself up over the weight gain and it only occured to me today that it may be due to the shot.  Stupid me!  I never thought to ask the doctor about side effects.  I will not get another shot and pray that this weight goes away, I am being careful what I eat and still nothing.  I also had an incident where my feet swelled up like crazy.  Prior to my doctor visit I was trying to get myself prepared to diet and excercise as much as possible so as to have an easier recovery from surgery.  Now what?  I feel for all of you and we must spread the word to everyone what the side effects from just one shot can be.  I had no idea and would never have had the shot if I had known.

 

I am like you. I have oseoarthrisus in both knees and simply can NOT function with out the shots. I haven't gained a ton but the weight is definitely not coming off any time soon. I JUST got another shot yesterday so my 6-8 months starts over but I sure can move better now. I have 2 young children and simply have to be mobile. For me personally, the shot is worth the side effects but I can honestly say I will search for another alternative.

I have received several cortizone shots , back, knees, hips, feet....now I can't quit gaining weight .....I gain every week and I feel as tho I am about to suffocate.... why didn't the Dr tell me this was a side effect... I would not have had the shots... the weight is making my arthritis worse.....

Oh my gosh, stop taking it completely. It will take some time but if you are patient and eat right you will get back down in weight. Try to avoid starches and sugars since those make you retain more water and that should help you lose more water weight more rapidly.

I have since gained this amazing friend who happens to work in a hospital as surgery assistant and has lots of experience with this. She said, yes avoid it all together, cortisone is horrible, and if you need injections try Botox. She had lots of good things to say about it, very positive outcomes without any side effects. I'm not a doctor so I'm just going by her but I trust her totally!

Catherina, I just took my first steroid shot for cervical pain two weeks ago. I'm never doing it again. I'm very weight conscience and noticed I've gained 8 lbs in less than two weeks. I noticed the gain after only 5 days. I'm miserable. My clothes barely fit and are very uncomfortable. I've looked at other posts online from other forums, and many have said they gained a lot of weight. I'm done. This was my one and only shot I'll ever get. I asked the dr. if it would cause weight gain, and both he and the nurse said no. Wow!

tranquilitygirl,
I'm in the EXACT same situation. I've always had a very nice figure, absolutely NO stomach ever. I just had my first steroid shot two weeks ago and have gained 8lbs. I'm depressed and can barely fit in my clothes. And the clothes I can get into are very tight and uncomfortable. This is ridiculous. l literally gained weight practically overnight. I'm not sure what to do. I'm skeptical about working out at the gym bc I've seen many posts that say no matter what they do, the weight doesn't come off. I gotta find something to help with this or I'm going to be one miserable little person. I love going to the beach every summer, but this year, a swimsuit will not be seen on me. I feel like a Beach Whale! Seriously......there's got to be something we can do. Please let me know if you hear of anything. I'm desperate.

I'm with you! I had my first and only injection on April 1st. I noticed within a week I had gained 10 lbs (almost over night). Now 2.5 weeks later, I've gained 16lbs. I work out two times a week doing circuit training and yesterday I discussed what was going on with my weight. She admitted that she could tell a difference in my middle section and face. I'm so frustrated. I asked about side effects and was told there were none. I recently got started a big health kick and had lost 15lbs and now it's ALL back. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE someone let me know if you found any ways of getting this weight off quickly. I feel like I'll pop soon. I'll try the Wheatgrass juice as suggested earlier. Good luck, everyone!

 

Lynnette500, so I had my physical in the fall and my primary doc insulted me by saying I have some midlife weight gain going on.

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My liver enzymes were elevated and my thyroid is enlarged -- neither of these were a problem 14 months prior. I say it's related to the cortisone but primary doc says no -- not a big surprise there! He was of no help but my chiro was! He suggested I go gluten free -- yes, I know-- it stinks!!! I have never had to diet but I gave it a try and I did lose about 3 lbs in one week -- finally!!!! That was in October and I did lose 5 lbs and kept it off. So I was relieved that yes, I could lose some weight and my scale was not broken:) My clothes are feeling looser and one of my friends, just yesterday commented that "was I losing weight?" Not sure how much I weigh right now. I'm not a scale hopper but I did fit into one of my size 8 jeans-- a bit snug but got them on and zipped!!!! I don't do completely gluten free -- have pizza once a week-- come on, I have kids! But I made some minor changes -- no bread or pasta,only rice chex, and tried almond milk, quinoa. Also, the chiro ordered a more extensive thyroid blood test. I think my T3 was on the lower end. He gave me several supplements to take and those have made a HUGE difference -- more energy, better mood, not as hungry. I take Thyrosol, Anti-Ox-Plus, ProOmega(fish oil), Adreno-Lyph-Plus, and also D3 and calcium. He feels that my lingering pain is inflammation so the supplements help reduce it and I am now pretty much pain free. I envy you because you can work out so keep doing that. Because of ongoing back issues I can't do more than a few stretches and walking/swimming. It really sucks cuz I can't do sit-ups/crunches. If you can do that or yoga, pilates -- go for it! Hang in there! Would like to hear how you're doing and what the cortisone injection was for.

Today I got a second shot within 30 days from the first one. The first one went well and results were what I expected and no side effects. Today's shot at noon has caused my feet, ankles, hands, and arms to swell uncomfortably. I'm not sure how much weight I've gained but I had trouble taking off rings that usually spin around on my fingers pretty easily. My shots are also related to allergies. Today my throat was severely restricted and I was having trouble breathing. I know with severe allergies this seems to be the best option but I was also prescribed a dose pack follow up starting tomorrow. I don't think I'll risk it if this swelling is going to continue. It'll affect my ability to walk and do everyday chores. I'm alreay over weight and have an arythmia. I was told working out while taking sterioids would add bulk not the look I want. Take a prescribed sleep med but can't sleep for sweating and uncomfortable swelling. I guess it's just not the right thing for me to have done so soon after the first. I didn't experience this phenomenon when the shots were about 4 months apart. I've had issues with allergic reactions for years and this is the first time I got two shots so close together