Side Effects Of Cortisone Injections

Six weeks ago I got a shot of cortisone in my right shoulder. The next day I was on a plane and became so ill that I was unable to walk off on my own. The paramedics came and all my vitals checked out so I was able to leave. But I was so dizzy and disoriented in addition to being nauseous. Within 12 hours I developed what felt like a tension headache (head in a vise) and all of these symptoms stayed with me for 6 weeks! I had an MRI, a CT scan, saw a neurologist (a dizzy specialist at UCLA), an acupuncturist and went to the emergency room one day the symptoms were so bad. I found it difficult to read, work on the computer, focus, make a decision, drive, etc. I spent most of my days in bed watching TV as a distraction, trying not to go to the dark place. Four days ago I had a chiropractic adjustment, and that was the first treatment that actually seemed to give me some relief. Although it could be that the symptoms had run their course and it was a matter of timing.

The neurologist diagnosed me with migraine related vertigo and dismissed any correlation to the cortisone shot. But I always suspected a connection and I am grateful to have found this posting site that has confirmed my suspicions.

As to the woman who commented on her symptoms as they relate to menopause. I had two shots in the same shoulder 6 years ago (pre-menopause) and did not suffer these symptoms. I have now gone through menopause, so there may be a connection there.

If I am honest with myself, I knew at the moment the needle came out that something was amiss. And yet I let the doctor give me the shot.

To all of the people who have suffered with these symptoms, I send you love and support. It will get better. Listen to your body and be well.

I have had 5 knee surgeries and have never had a cortisone injection. Last Friday (June 5, 2009) and I have not felt well since. I have had insomnia, been nausceous, and then yesterday and today have been suffering from a severe migraine. The amount of pain that I was in before was nothing compared to the effects of this injection. The doctor's seem to think that the injection has nothing to do with these symptoms but it's the only thing that I have done different. I will never get another corisone injection again. This isn't worth it!

I'm so glad I found this site. I thought I was losing my mind until now. I had a cortisone injection about 14 years ago with no ill affects that I can remember. I just had a second injection about 10 days ago for plantar fasciitis and have been very sick since. The first day no issues other than the pain from the injection. I stayed off of my feet as directed by my podiatrist. On Sunday, 3 days after the injection, I started with stomach pain, nausea, extreme tiredness and just general feeling of not being well. I spent most of the day either in bed sleeping or in the bathroom with an upset stomach. By Tuesday I was feeling much worse with severe stomach pain, tiredness, anxiety, some chest pain, irregular heart rate, hot flashes. I called my PCP and she got me in right away. At first I didn't make the connection with the cortisone shot. She initially thought I was having an attack of diverticulitis (which I have never had before). She sent me on my way with an antiobiotic. On Thursday I was considerably worse. The stomach pain and weird feeling in my chest was still there along with being physically exhausted and just the all over feeling of something is not right. I called my PCP again and she got me in immediately. She ordered blood tests and a CT scan of my abdomen to check for other issues. Of course, nothing showed up on any of the tests. Blood work was normal, no signs of infection or anything. The CT scan was "unremarkable" and showed nothing. I literally sat in the hospital waiting room and cried. I told my husband something is definitely wrong with me. It was on the way home that I thought of the cortisone injection and wondered if it could be the cause. Of course the doctor says no, that cortisone injections should have no adverse side effects. It's now Sunday and the stomach pain is still there. I still have the chest pain and tiredness although it is not as intense as it was. Instead of feeling like I've been hit by a train I feel like I've been hit by a small SUV. %-) My appetite is still not where it was prior to the injection. I'm hoping that this will not last much longer. I have decided that from now on I will just live with the pain. No more cortisone injections for me.

I had my first cortisone injection on May 6th - for osteoarthritis in my left knee. I didn't notice any particular reactions right away after it - but while on a cruise 3 weeks later, my left foot swelled way up. I can be prone to edema - but usually it's my right ankle that swells. On the cruise, my left foot - the whole ankle and top of the foot - swelled terribly. Just seems awfully coincidental that it would happen in my left foot after the cortisone injection in my left knee.

The pain in my knee came back this past week, and I went in for a second cortisone injection on Wednesday (the 8th). While I've started to feel improvement in the knee (I can straighten it now and walk without much pain) - I noticed last night (Thursday) that my face was heavily flushed - in my cheeks. I have rosacea - so I wondered if the injection had anything to do with the flare up. This morning (Friday) I am still flushed - and had some flushing on my arm.

My doctor is currently checking on precertification through my insurance to instead get Synvisc in a couple months - which is when this cortisone shot should wear off. Has anyone moved on to Synvisc for their knee arthritis from cortisone - and if so, did you have fewer side effects?

I've had 3 injections since the beginning of this year for post surgical pain, 1 worked, 2 did not. I now experience horrific leg cramps at night - and am jolted awake by them 4 or 5 times a night. This is insane.

reading this has me worried. im going into my first orthopedic appointment today for a couple of issues. just to put it out there, im a 23 year old male and i have a herniated disc, sparring of my vertabrea, and misallignment. all from my L4-S1. my regular Dr thinks i should go with a shot, and i was pretty anxious to get one but reading these posts has given me second thoughts. the pain in my lower back and left leg is unbearable already, plus i already suffer from insomnia, depression, and loss of appetite. i dont know if this shot will work wonders for me or put me in a deeper hole.

I really ahven't heard much good about cortisone injections and I'm glad to hear from other people that they're having similar experiences to the one I have. Keep them coming! I appreciate reading them.

Oh my goodness! So glad to find others in the same boat. I hade two cortisone injections yesterday, one in each knee. Within 10 minutes I felt "off" My head was pounding, I was dizzy and nauseus. I am drinking lots of water, taking tylenol for the headache, going back to bed and hoping that I feel better later. This is horrible! Just happy to find out I'm not crazy considering the Dr. was saying that there is no connection.

I had my 2nd cervical epidural today and I didn't find it very painful. I do not remember any side effects from the first one. There are a lot of unfortunate stories posted in this thread of bad experiences, but please know that you don't need to be afraid to go into your procedure. Ask your doctor what the possible side effects are and be honest about any medications you are taking. Read the consent forms and they will tell you exactly what to expect. Cortisone is produced by the body and allergies may not be as common as other allergies in the procedure. Your doctor should list what medicines will be used before the procedure.

I spend the entire procedure listening to my heart rate on the monitor and use it as biofeedback to work on keeping it at a steady rate throughout the entire procedure. During a cervical epidural there are definitely some points that the pressure is a little intense, but it is not at all something that I feel a need for sedation or even a calming medication. I am placing ice on my neck at this moment after my procedure this afternoon and will continue my medication regime for a few days until the injection has a chance to 'hopefully' provide relief. The relief is an effort to get into physical therapy to get some stabilization back and muscle strength.. fingers crossed.

I had a cortisone injection in my sprained ankle two days ago as there was still liquid and swelling after nearly 9 weeks. However, I have since had severe headaches and felt extremely dizzy, frequently seeing the room spinning around and losing my balance. I also feel very weak - I really hope these symptoms go soon. On the plus side my ankle is now fine and the swelling has completely gone. Would I have one again? Not sure...

Just one peprson more to join this punctured crowd, except I (having 3rd hip injection at age74) think the results are fantastic. There is a little flushing, but nothing I can't stand. There was a sharp pain as the cortisone was injected but that only lasted for a second or two.

A couple of comments on what I have learned: 1) Make sure the doctor uses a flouroscope for exact positioning of the shot; and 2) My pain was in my knee, but when 3 doctors said that they thought it was caused from my hip, I began to believe them. So that's where I got the shot (X-rays showed my knee was OK). Since someone mentioned arthroscopy for a knee, I had that done 3 years ago on the other leg and it's still pain free--knock on wood! Hardly any problems, too. I would recommend it.

Just wanted to add my experiences to the ever growing list. I had my first Cortisone injection 1/11/10 in my left shoulder for bursitis. Immediately following the injection there was the typical burning sensation that comes with any injection. By the time I got home (45 minute drive) there was swelling, tenderness, and my skin was hot to the touch. The burning sensation had escalated up my neck into the left side of my face, down my shoulder into the upper back, and down my arm.I had a burning sensation similar to heartburn, but not hearburn ( i have meds for acid reflux/chronic heartburn). I was flushed in the face, and felt a little anxious (I have an anxiety disorter as well, so I don't necesarily associate this with the injection, merely stating MY experience) The pain grew worse, which I'm assuming is the "cortisone flare" my Dr. blamed this on, and was told all would subside and not to be concerned. It is now 1/14/10 and the pain is still there. My skin is so tender that I can't stand having clothing against it much less anything else. I feel as though I am running a fever, and have an acidic taste in my mouth and am very thirsty. I had a constant migrain for the last 3 days, today It seems to only be a moderate headache, not full on migrain, thankfully. I still have the origional pain, as well as some new ones, and am not too sure I'm going to put my body through this a second time. It has been said that with some patients a second injection is needed before releif is felt, but contradictingly so, it's also been said that the active agent in the cortisone injection is short lived ( a few days) and my research has shown that some people do not see full releif from the pain until as long as 4 weeks after the initial injection if the pain was chronic ( occuring for 6 months or more) but in most cases releif is felt in as little as 2-4 days. It's also been stated that since cortisone is naturally occuring in the adrenal gland there is no risk for allergy to this medication, HOWEVER, since it is synthetic, it is man made, and all man made products stand a chance on causing adverse reactions when entered into the body...so...it seems that although technically the area of risk for adverse reactions is minimal, they are still present, so enter into this with a clear mind, and do your research. Would I put myself through this a second time? I don't rightly know yet, but I can say that you'll never be sure what will work for you until you've tried. What works for someone else may not work for you, and vice versa. From my own experience thus far I'm thinking of giving things a second go round since I have high tollerance for medications and high pain tollerance, but if releif is not felt after the second injection, they can shove that needle elsewhere. lol lots of luck to those dealing with harsh effects.

Hi
January/February 2010 I had a cortisone shot to my right shoulder with no side effects and not much pain relief, made very little difference. Today I was given a second dose with a numbing agent, no problem, until after getting dressed I sat down to wait to a few minutes and became light headed and thought I might pass out. Funny thing, the back of my throat began to get numb and then my tongue, cheeks, and lips became numb. An MA came in to check on me, and kind of freaked out. They told me I was hyperventilating, (never have before) and one went to find something for me to breathe into, ended up using a barf bag. It did help, but I was not left alone for next 1/2 an hour until i could leave on my own.
Later this afternoon I started developing a headache, took a little caffeine, now it is 230 am and I can't sleep, Oh and I am post menopausal and I am experiencing increased hot flashes. Shoulder still hurts. I hope it works. My Doc said the cortisone might take up to 3 or 4 weeks in some people. Best wishes on a speedy recovery to all out there dealing with these issues. : ) Thanks for your posts.

Ugg, how long before this stuff is out of my system? Had a cortisone shot 8 days ago for hip bursitis. Came home from the doctor feeling very shaky and light headed. Felt like I was going to pass out for about 2 hours. But oddly no pain anywhere - even elsewhere in my body. I have a disc issue in my neck along with fibromyalgia so pain free is unheard of for me.

Ever since the injection I've felt lightheaded and had a horrible dry mouth feeling. It's like my saliva is thick and sticky even though it's still there and I have the constant urge to swallow over and over. The lightheaded feeling does not seem to be getting better and I feel really unfocused and uncordinated. I feel like I am going to miss my mouth when I eat or miss picking something up when I reach for it. Also having trouble with finding the right words to use and typing or spelling correctly - all of which is VERY unusual for me.

3 days after the injection I had a horribly upset stomach that I chalked up to the anti-inflammatory meds the doctor also put me on. Stomach pain and diarrhea that lasted three days but never ran a fever or felt like I had a stomach bug. I stopped the anti-inflammatory as soon as my stomach got upset. The fuzzy and lightheaded feeling and the dry mouth have kept on . I initially though dehydration from the stomach issues but have been drinking tons of water, gatorade, and juice and urine is clear.

After 8 days can it still be the cortisone?

:-P I just had a cortisone injection in my right knee today and ever since I have felt kinda dizzy and nausea. I also have a very dry mouth is this normal? Bleh! Oh and my knee doesn't feel any better or worse still just the same