cortisone injections and high blood pressure

Thank you for this site.  I had a cortisone injection in my left shoulder (rotary cuff tear) yesterday about 11:30 a.m.  I was told about possible blood sugar issues (not diabetic so it wasn't a concern for me) but nothing else.  By 1:00 p.m., I had a severe headache which ended up as a migraine, and felt awful the rest of the day, with a lot of heart pounding and racing, and some nausea.  I did take something for the headache and that helped a little but I had it all evening and was on and up all night with my heart pounding, headache, and general ickiness.  Coincidentally, I had an appt. with my cardiologist this morning and my blood pressure was 180/78 (yesterday before the shot, it was its relatively stable 120/65) and my pulse was high.  I have had similar issues when taking prednisone for severe asthma and this makes total sense to me, even though this is supposedly a localized injection.  I haven't yet found any other site that talks about the possibility of these kinds of side effects but will keep searching.  How very strange that this seems to be a definite issue but not widely talked about.

I had I think 7 shots from August 2011 through November 2011. My blood pressure was a little high already it was like 169/96 or somewhere close to that when I went in for the first time. I actually researched and told the doctor I wasn't sure about the shots because of my blood pressure, he told me that every thing would be fine it didn't really make your blood pressure go up but he would keep a check on it.  1st visit i think I got 3 (it was 2 or 3, I was sedated so I am still not sure, I had 3 band-aides), follow up in two weeks blood pressure was 170/110. 2nd visit, one shot in my neck, follow up visit BP 171/118. 3rd visit, one shot other side of my neck, follow up visit BP 173/127. 4th injection (2 shots), when I got there my BP wouldn't even register on the machine had a constant headache, he did the injection anyway. I ended up with a severe headache that would not go away, not even with a percocet, had to go to the ER, BP was 175/133. They gave me blood pressure pills in the ER it lowered to 163/99. They took a CT scan but I never got the results. Two weeks later had the follow up my blood pressure was back up to 170/110. This is after taking blood pressure pills (clonidine) twice a day for the two weeks. So I have to say, the injections will raise your blood pressure.  Of course when I told my doctor that he still said I was mistaken, that it was just from me being nervous about the shots!!  No more injections for me, I don't care if I am dying in pain. By the way, the injections in my neck worked, haven't had any kind of neck pain, but the injections in my SI joint did not work.  Only worked for like 1 full day and pain came back just like before.

This is nothing less than blatant disrespect for a patient's right to be informed of possible side effects, so that they can make an informed decision by having all of the facts. It is inconceivable that doctors are not aware of this. I thought I was having a heart attack and stroke, and could very well have pushed myself to that point because of the anxiety of not knowing to expect this. This is malpractice, and I am certain that there have been dire circumstances that have resulted from this practice.

I had a cortisone injection for shoulder bursitis and my blood pressure (usually normal and I don't take medication for it) has been elevated for nearly a week now.  Two days after the shot it was 150/100.  Less since then but still around 140/80+.  I didn't realize this would be a side effect, but I cannot account for any other reason that my BP would be elevated.  I don't think I will again have cortisone.  Wasn't told by my Dr. that this could be a side effect.

I had six injections of cortisone in my spine over a month ago; immediately after injections, my BP jumped to 175/107, prior had no BP problems, I had chest palpitations, and felt light headed. It is now over a month since I have had those shots, and my BP is still bouncing around like a ping pong ball, not to mention experiencing severe mood swings of anxiety and depression. I haven't been able to balance my BP medication with the constant fluctuation of my BP going up and down. I have recently been experiencing weakness of legs, and stumbling when walking. I relate all these symptoms to the cortisone shots I had, for I had none of these symptoms prior to the six injections. Not to mention already being Bi-polar, I really didn't need the mood swings and increased feelings of anxiety. These shots are dangerous! They should not be given out like candy, and patients should be warned of possible side affects, which I wasn't, and reading here on this forum, many weren't. Don't take these shots, you are better off trying to control your pain through physical therapy.

THANK U MY PROBLEM MIRRORED YOURS AND THE CLONIDINE IS WHAT I HAVE ALSO 0.1 SAME AS YOU

I had the shot in my shoulser, and although the pain went away, my blood pressure was 188/100. I had to stay off work because I was vomuting, hot flashing,abs migraines. This really interupted my life. Never again.

what about dizziness after knee injection

Yes, to dizziness. After having multiple cortisone injections, my BP sky rocketed, heart palitations, dizziness, which caused me to stumble when I walked, and severe mood swings I know were all because of the cortisone shots I was given. Most doctors will say no; only a few will say maybe the shots did it. I did research on cortisone shots, and the answer is yes, it WILL affect your BP, and heart rate and moods. Your dizziness is probably due to high blood pressure, but could be multiple things that the cortisone shots actually affect when injected into the body. It will also throw off your thyroid readings, if you have thyroid problems. Cortisone is naturally made by the body, so when shots are given it can trigger all kinds of problems with many different organs of the body.

Glad I found this site. I got 6 cortizone shots in back about 3 months ago. Two weeks ago I had my blood pressure taken and it was high for me. All my life I've had low blood pressure. I thought is was a fluke, but 2 weeks later had it taken again and it's gone up even higher. I recalled when I had my cortizone shots I was told not to have salt for at least a week... so that tipped me off that maybe the coritzone shots had something to do with the high blood pressure, but it was me that made the connection... I was not told of this risk. So my family doctor is concerned, so she's asked me to take my blood pressure twice a day everyday for the next 2 weeks, track it and come see her. Most of these posts state high blood pressure after hours, days, weeks... anyone else discover it months later. The cortizone shots helped only mildly, and I've found yoga to be a much better treatment for my back It really bothers me to think I may now have high BP issues which I've never, ever had before.

Got a cortisone shot into my hip 4 days ago and my heart is noticeably racing as of yesterday. The hip pain, knee pain and leg pain are gone. My sinuses feel ultra clear. Feeling very weird. Sent an email to my doctor.

I have been on medication for high bp for about 15 years.  I had my first ever cortisone shot in the hip and two days later my bp is sky high accompanied with burning eyes and headache.  At first I thought it might be the start of the flu but now I realize it's probably from the cortisone shot that is overriding the medication.  It's a comfort to know there are others who have experienced this.

Wow, I think you may have cleared up my BP question. I had a cortisone shot in my back in end of October, noticed my bp went up in Nov., (went to a doctor for a tick bite and they took my BP and it was high). Always had really low BP. Went on a diuretic, leveled off. Cortisone shot did not work that well so I went in for another yesterday and although on BP meds, went up again. How long do you think a cortisone shot stays in your system, my BP has been all over the place since first shot.

I had a cortisone shot in my knee three weeks ago and developed a headache within two hours. By midnight my blood pressure was 178/98 and by 3:00 am it was 215/114. I have never had a problem with my blood pressure, but I am now on medication and my blood pressure continues to fluctuate. I also experienced palpitations for the first two days after receiving the shot. My primary care PA told me that I must have had a "predisposition to these problems" and when I saw the Orthopedic doctor yesterday he said that the heart palpitations were unrelated to the shot. WHAT!!!

Got a shot of cortisone for poison ivy rash break-out day 5! Normal BP 100/60 60 after injection 148/93 52. Stopped taking the Rx prednisone pk on the second day...BP all over the road map. Also took note that my 1 lil cup of coffee made heart race after injection.Feel anxious and chest pressure. Rash 1/2 way better but not gone, still itchy bitchy. Any remarks or helpful hints. Day 13... Discouraged!