Hello,
After reading this blog I feel compelled to share my story. I am a 31 year old healthy male. I'm a Nutritionist and have never had any prior health issues. On June 9, 2008 I received a cortisone shot (Depomedrol 40mg/ml), in my left shoulder for a rotator cuff injury that was very painful and taking to long to heal. By Friday of that week I was dizzy, nauseous, and started to have headaches and fever. This worsened over the next several days and I also lost my appetite. After the 6th day my fever was so high that Advil and Tylenol would no longer bring it down. By this point I was also vomiting and had diarrhea and could not keep any thing down. I called an ambulance and was rushed to the hospital. During my 6 day duration at the hospital I was tested for everything imaginable. The did CT scans of my head, a spinal tap, chest x-rays and an ultra sound. Blood was drawn everyday, (usually on more then 1 occasion). Nothing came up and the Doctors were dumbfounded for answers. I never even thought to mention the cortisone shot because I had one 3 years earlier and did not recall any reaction. I was released from the hospital after 6 days but was not better. I still had mild headaches and fever that I controlled with tylenol. My energy level was so low that getting up to go to the bathroom was so exhausting I would have to lay down for a couple hours after to regain my strength. This went on for 2 weeks, during which time I had a follow up visit with the doctor at the hospital. She was quite concerned that I wasn't getting better. I mentioned to her that I had "googled" cortisone shot reactions and that I thought that I was having an adverse reaction to the cortisone shot I had prior to getting sick. She dismissed my concern and stated that I was very ill and the chances of it being caused by cortisone were very unlikely. She ordered more tests and a full body MRI. Once again, all the tests and the MRI showed nothing. It has now been 2 months since my initial injection of cortisone. My headaches and fever are gone and my energy is about 80% back to normal. I still tire easily and I can't drink alcohol or I get very sick. I also want to mention that the cortisone did not help my shoulder either, but since I have been so weak, it healed from inactivity. Please anyone considering getting one, do your research. After talking to my Grandmother I found out that she also had a reaction similar to mine 50 years ago, so it could be a genetic thing. Maybe an allergy or something. My General Physician that administered the shot also does not agree with me that it's the probable cause of my illness. He stated that he has injected 100's of them and never heard of any adverse reactions. However, even if there was, maybe those people did not make the connection. I hope nobody else has to suffer the way I did.
After reading this blog I feel compelled to share my story. I am a 31 year old healthy male. I'm a Nutritionist and have never had any prior health issues. On June 9, 2008 I received a cortisone shot (Depomedrol 40mg/ml), in my left shoulder for a rotator cuff injury that was very painful and taking to long to heal. By Friday of that week I was dizzy, nauseous, and started to have headaches and fever. This worsened over the next several days and I also lost my appetite. After the 6th day my fever was so high that Advil and Tylenol would no longer bring it down. By this point I was also vomiting and had diarrhea and could not keep any thing down. I called an ambulance and was rushed to the hospital. During my 6 day duration at the hospital I was tested for everything imaginable. The did CT scans of my head, a spinal tap, chest x-rays and an ultra sound. Blood was drawn everyday, (usually on more then 1 occasion). Nothing came up and the Doctors were dumbfounded for answers. I never even thought to mention the cortisone shot because I had one 3 years earlier and did not recall any reaction. I was released from the hospital after 6 days but was not better. I still had mild headaches and fever that I controlled with tylenol. My energy level was so low that getting up to go to the bathroom was so exhausting I would have to lay down for a couple hours after to regain my strength. This went on for 2 weeks, during which time I had a follow up visit with the doctor at the hospital. She was quite concerned that I wasn't getting better. I mentioned to her that I had "googled" cortisone shot reactions and that I thought that I was having an adverse reaction to the cortisone shot I had prior to getting sick. She dismissed my concern and stated that I was very ill and the chances of it being caused by cortisone were very unlikely. She ordered more tests and a full body MRI. Once again, all the tests and the MRI showed nothing. It has now been 2 months since my initial injection of cortisone. My headaches and fever are gone and my energy is about 80% back to normal. I still tire easily and I can't drink alcohol or I get very sick. I also want to mention that the cortisone did not help my shoulder either, but since I have been so weak, it healed from inactivity. Please anyone considering getting one, do your research. After talking to my Grandmother I found out that she also had a reaction similar to mine 50 years ago, so it could be a genetic thing. Maybe an allergy or something. My General Physician that administered the shot also does not agree with me that it's the probable cause of my illness. He stated that he has injected 100's of them and never heard of any adverse reactions. However, even if there was, maybe those people did not make the connection. I hope nobody else has to suffer the way I did.
I got a cortisone shot in my left knee yesterday morning. About an hour or so later I started noticing the beginnings of a headache, unpleasant but not totally unbearable. Over the course of the day though, it amplified more and more and by ten at night - approximately 12 hours after getting the injection - it was to the point of an excruciating migraine- I've only ever had one other migraine in all my twenty-five years, so they aren't a common thing for me.
My head hurt so badly I could not comfortably rest my head to even sleep. My ears hurt and swelled a bit so that I had to take all of my earrings out, they were that discomforting. I got up to use to the restroom in the middle of the night, and my eyes are so sensitive from all the pressure and pain on my head that when I turned on the bathroom lights my eyes teared up and I thought I was gonna go blind, I am so sensitive to light because of this godawful migraine.
The leg that I actually got the shot in felt like pins and needles all night- nothing I did could make the feeling go away, and comfort was impossible to find. I took tylenol to no avail, and then took some prescription ibuprofen I had, and finally managed to get about two hours of sleep. I woke up feeling tired, drained, and my head hurts just as badly as it did at 3 am. I called my doctor's office but he is in surgery this morning and I have no idea when he will be finished and can call me back. I don't know if I am one of those rare unlucky people who have an allergic reaction or what. All I know is I have never felt crappier in my life and I have taken no other drugs, not drank anything, no change in diet... the only thing new or different is the cortisone injection.
My head hurt so badly I could not comfortably rest my head to even sleep. My ears hurt and swelled a bit so that I had to take all of my earrings out, they were that discomforting. I got up to use to the restroom in the middle of the night, and my eyes are so sensitive from all the pressure and pain on my head that when I turned on the bathroom lights my eyes teared up and I thought I was gonna go blind, I am so sensitive to light because of this godawful migraine.
The leg that I actually got the shot in felt like pins and needles all night- nothing I did could make the feeling go away, and comfort was impossible to find. I took tylenol to no avail, and then took some prescription ibuprofen I had, and finally managed to get about two hours of sleep. I woke up feeling tired, drained, and my head hurts just as badly as it did at 3 am. I called my doctor's office but he is in surgery this morning and I have no idea when he will be finished and can call me back. I don't know if I am one of those rare unlucky people who have an allergic reaction or what. All I know is I have never felt crappier in my life and I have taken no other drugs, not drank anything, no change in diet... the only thing new or different is the cortisone injection.
I have been doing these and other types of injections over the last few years after a bad auto accident. I tend to have pain the first 2-3 days but then the relief kicks in.
My niece was put on oral cortisone. They found out she had an allergic reaction to the meds. They actually did an allergy scratch test and that was the problem. The white spots on your face are exactly what made my sister take her to get tested. If you are allergic, then no, I would tell the doctor you do not want the 3rd shot.
I wish you luck!!!!
My niece was put on oral cortisone. They found out she had an allergic reaction to the meds. They actually did an allergy scratch test and that was the problem. The white spots on your face are exactly what made my sister take her to get tested. If you are allergic, then no, I would tell the doctor you do not want the 3rd shot.
I wish you luck!!!!
Oh, how grateful I am to find this post. I've had injections in my shoulder, with no noticed effects. Had spinal and SI injections over a year ago, and could most possibly have been effected by it, but was going through so much it wouldn't have been noticed. So, after receiving the second spinal injection (plus an SI injection) I couldn't figure out what was causing the mood swings or change in appetite, until today. While speaking to a nurse. She pointed out that cortisol injections affect diabetics. Then, while researching the net, I came across this site. Thank you all for helping me find comfort.
I know the Doc will deny that the severe headache and vomiting were side effects of the injection into my shoulder. Thanks to this post, I too ,do not feel crazy!! I have gastro issues ( GERD and ulcer) but had no idea that this could affect me in the way it did! I just wish I'd read about it before the shot not after it hit me like a ton of bricks at the American Idol concert! I have lost two days in bed and still feel bad...no more cortisone for me, the pain in the shoulder is seeming much more bearable in light of this as the only alternative.
August 28, 2008, my husband received a cortisone injection in his shoulder for tendonitis. Last night he experienced insomnia, shortness of breath, tachycardia, and dizziness. Today he's experiencing tachycardia, dizziness, and headache. After a call to the physician who injected him, the doctor has suggested only the dizziness is a side effect and to call his primary physician for additional assistance. We feel the symptoms are strangely coincidental in relationship to the injection.
First I've had cortisone injections before (year ago) in the hips
with NO reaction at all.
Went in for cortisone shot to my knee on Thursday afternoon
this week. Ended up one under the knee cap and one along side.
Within minutes I started to feel sick to my stomach, (I was still
in the doctors office since I was also getting some blood drawn).
Went into the bathroom, knew I was in trouble, opened the door
and told the nurse I was sick, hardly made it out the door, stumbled,
they grabbed me and put me on the table, blood pressure went
from 120/80 down to 50/20 --sweats, dizzy, could hardly breath,
pulse sensor down to almost zero --- ambulance called.
They put my legs above my head, ice around head and neck
and all that helped bring me back to life. Stayed in the ambulance outside the doctors office for almost an hour as my blood pressure,
pulse went back to normal.
I also got a burning sensation in the same area a person gets acid indigestion, t's still hurting 2 days later.
I was fine before I walked in the doctors office, had shots before,
and now this! He said he has never heard of such a reaction before
and said I had "fainted" but I don't believe that for a minute.
Never had anything like this before in my life. Said no one gets
reactions to cortisone. --- Guess I'm the first.
The doctors office called back the next morning to find out
how my "fainting spell" was the day after.
I'm still exhausted, and have burning acid indigestion today,
but getting better -------- I'll never, ever have them again. a
nyone else have symptoms like this before?
with NO reaction at all.
Went in for cortisone shot to my knee on Thursday afternoon
this week. Ended up one under the knee cap and one along side.
Within minutes I started to feel sick to my stomach, (I was still
in the doctors office since I was also getting some blood drawn).
Went into the bathroom, knew I was in trouble, opened the door
and told the nurse I was sick, hardly made it out the door, stumbled,
they grabbed me and put me on the table, blood pressure went
from 120/80 down to 50/20 --sweats, dizzy, could hardly breath,
pulse sensor down to almost zero --- ambulance called.
They put my legs above my head, ice around head and neck
and all that helped bring me back to life. Stayed in the ambulance outside the doctors office for almost an hour as my blood pressure,
pulse went back to normal.
I also got a burning sensation in the same area a person gets acid indigestion, t's still hurting 2 days later.
I was fine before I walked in the doctors office, had shots before,
and now this! He said he has never heard of such a reaction before
and said I had "fainted" but I don't believe that for a minute.
Never had anything like this before in my life. Said no one gets
reactions to cortisone. --- Guess I'm the first.
The doctors office called back the next morning to find out
how my "fainting spell" was the day after.
I'm still exhausted, and have burning acid indigestion today,
but getting better -------- I'll never, ever have them again. a
nyone else have symptoms like this before?
I've just got back home after having cortison injection in my elbow about 2.5 hours ago. I nearly passed out on the train; dizzy, sick and sweating like a sex offender.
i just had a cortizone injection in my lower back and wow i had blocked ears and i was very light headed now my back is more in pain then it was scary
I just got a cortisone injection on Thursday 2 days later I am dizzy and sick to stomach. I hate this feeling cant wait to feel better.4
I had an injection into my shoulder this morning and by the time I had stopped at the grocery store on the way home, I was dizzy, sick to my stomach and jittery. This is the first shot I have had and the LAST.
Thankfully, I found this site. At least I know I am not imagining these symptoms. Now I hope that they dont last long....its very scary.
Thankfully, I found this site. At least I know I am not imagining these symptoms. Now I hope that they dont last long....its very scary.
OMG! All I can say is thank goodness for the net and sites like these! Am I so glad I came across this page!
I had my first cortisone injection booked for tomorrow to treat tendonitis and have just cancelled it because of what I have read here.
Thank you so much for all your contributions. I am so sorry you have all had to endure such pain and discomfort. Hope you all get better soon :-)
I had my first cortisone injection booked for tomorrow to treat tendonitis and have just cancelled it because of what I have read here.
Thank you so much for all your contributions. I am so sorry you have all had to endure such pain and discomfort. Hope you all get better soon :-)
My doctor wanted to test my tolerence for Cortisone before injecting the rest of joints so she wanted to try it out on one joint first.
I had my first cortisone injection in my left hip las Friday and experienced a severe headache later that day that lasted for 24 hours. My hip was incredibly better and I really didn't relate the cortisone to the headache, so I went back on Monday to get injected in my right hip and both knees.
About an 1/2 hour after the three injections I felt slightly quesy but not too bad, then I got the same severe, migraine type headache that is still persisting today. I was awake the entire night with gastroentestrinal upset, severe heartburn and nausea.
The stomach feels better today, but the headache is very annoying.
I have to say though, for the amount of pain I was in through the hips to the knees, it was worth it. I can walk like I am a young girl again and I would go through all this again if the pain returns.
A few days of discomfit is worth the pain relief from the agonizing pain that I had for months.
I had my first cortisone injection in my left hip las Friday and experienced a severe headache later that day that lasted for 24 hours. My hip was incredibly better and I really didn't relate the cortisone to the headache, so I went back on Monday to get injected in my right hip and both knees.
About an 1/2 hour after the three injections I felt slightly quesy but not too bad, then I got the same severe, migraine type headache that is still persisting today. I was awake the entire night with gastroentestrinal upset, severe heartburn and nausea.
The stomach feels better today, but the headache is very annoying.
I have to say though, for the amount of pain I was in through the hips to the knees, it was worth it. I can walk like I am a young girl again and I would go through all this again if the pain returns.
A few days of discomfit is worth the pain relief from the agonizing pain that I had for months.
I had my 5th cortisone shot into my shoulder over the last 4 years, and this one really has taken a toll on me. It has been 2 weeks, and I actually have an appt with my Dr with to discuss this. (internist) I thought I had MS or something neuro wrong. My muscles in my major muscle groups have been so sore and have been cramping up several times a day. The worst symtom is my skin. My upper back is the worst. My hair can't even rest on it because it is so sensitive. It is all over my body, but myy upper body is the worst. I hope this helps someone.
got a shot 2 weeks ago, never felt so sick in my life since, i have fibro but this is crazy , headaches, dizziness, extreme moodiness, weakness, confusion, and very naueseus.
im glad i read this to see that this might be the reason... I couldnt figure it out.
im glad i read this to see that this might be the reason... I couldnt figure it out.