I am glad to be able to read these boards and find out I'm not the only one suffering with unusual side effects. I had six cortisone injections in my lower back on Wed. Had difficulty sleeping that night for some reason and the next day felt light-headed. Friday morning had a very red face (flushing), severe pain at the injections site and sore muscles in my lower back, (like your arm can hurt when you get a flu shot, sore to touch and move). A short time later had severe pain under my shoulder blade that radiated to the front of my chest, coming and going and eventually affecting the sides of my tongue and throat. Ended up in the hospital emerg, on monitors and having tests. White blood cell count was elevated. Told them about the cortisone injections but they made no comment. Sent home and told if symptoms came back to return. Saturday started with severe diarrhea which I am still having today with alot of rumbling and gurgling in my abdomen. Now my back has 'grabbed' me and I am now hardly able to walk and presently sitting on an ice pack and taking meds for the pain. I am in worse shape now than before! I was told when I had the injections that they could do them 3 - 4 times a year for me. No thank you!