Side Effects Of Cortisone Injections

I had my first cortisone injection on Nov.5 in my shoulder bc of bursitis & torn rotator cuff. I also have herniated discs C3 down to C7, along with degenerative foraminal stenosis. First, let me say that I am 40yrs old, female, 5'1- 88lbs, have 3 children (all c-sections), hysterectomy- 9yrs ago. I went to ortho/spine bc of pain in neck with right arm numbness, been struggling with for a while, so finally went, had MRI which showed the above results- herniated discs C3 down to C7, stenosis, torn rotator cuff, bursitis, and bone spurs on spine & shoulder. Needless to say I was shocked to hear all of this. Well, right then & there doc gave me steriod injection in shoulder & scheduled me for cervical epidural on Nov.15. A few days after shot in shoulder, my right side of face became numb, my throat/neck was swollen, but not too bad, put ice-took anti-inflammatory, swelling went down- numbness stayed. On Nov.9, called doc office, talked to his nurse-explained what was happening & he told me- wasn't anything to do wt shot in shoulder- I needed to see a medical doctor- it was something-else-& asked me if I had a sore or anything like that on my mouth. NO- I did not- And voiced my concern about cervical epidural scheduled on 15th. So, I made appt. & saw doc on Monday Nov.12- Before he came in I told P.A. that I was scared- I was getting worse -instead of improving, he told me that it was probably bell's palsy and it would go away in a week or two but didn't have anything to do with cortisone injection in shoulder. Doc came in told him about the numbness in face & I was scared! He said, don't worry- I do this everyday-nothing to it- asked me if needed any meds- I told him i was scared & he told me again-not to worry- he would see me Thurs morning. WELL- AS U CAN SEE I AM HERE, SO I SHOULD HAVE WORRIED!! A few days after the epidural- I started having a burning pain in mouth, at first thought was just my tongue & I had maybe burnt it on coffee or something. Wrong! By lunchtime, my whole mouth was burning- by evening- my teeth, gums, lips, & even ears felt like they were literally on fire!! My husband could not grasp what I was telling him that I was feeling. Next morning- (after no sleep) I tell my husband- look this is crazy!!! I feel like my face is on fire!! Called doc- spoke to P.A. explained symptoms he said it is probably a cortisone "flare" but that usually happens right after injection- not days- and affects whole body- not just the face. That it sounded like I had something going on with a cranial nerve coincidentally at the same time because it could not be from the cortisone injection! (Honestly- my husband doesn't know what what to think- He thinks I am crazy! And I know It Is Crazy To Feel This Kind of Pain- It is Unbelievable how much it HURTS!!) Anyway---- P.A. Told me to double up on some benadryl - to take 50mg of benadryl & see if that helped- Not to come in to office bc they could not do anything for me- I asked if should go to ER- he said they would only give me benadryl. So I did- I have taken a load of it- along with Amitriptyline, And now, I feel so anxious- nervous, scared, don't want anyone to see me, touch me, I cry all the time, I am so self-conscious about everything- now--Thanksgiving was a nightmare!! The burning pain is Gone (thankfully) however- face is still numb- tongue, teeth, gums, lips- my mouth is so numb to the point where I gritted my teeth so hard --enough to break a tooth almost down to the gum( joy- get to have a root canal & crown- only thing is I am scared to go) I didn't feel it & still don't have any feeling of pain that should be there!! OH-- Also, the only other thing the block did for me- Now I can feel the tear in rotator cuff in shoulder!! I really don't know what to think or to do-- I know it has to be from the cortisone- I just want to know what to do about it- So if anyone could help with any advice/suggestions anything!! What do I do?? HOW DO I GET OVER THIS???

 

yes i had all these also i have nearly passed out several times from heart palpatations and it is a week later and have had low sugar shakes first two days ate like a starved person every two hours ears ringing buzzing roaring noise sick at stomach i have had these shots about every 4 months for severe ear and sinus infections allergys but it also helped autheritus this is the worst i have ever felt my heart feels like i am having heart attack and severe heart burns and so dizzy ejc 

 ***Post is edited by moderator *** Private e-mails not allowed***Please read our Terms of Use

sorry to hear you are yet another victom of a steroid injection.It is important you see to your blood pressure NOW,that is the cause of the ringing in your ears(tinnitus) The same happened to me,ive had tinnitus 24/7 for over a year now,it came shortly after my injection,along with many other symptoms.ENT specialist said i will have it for life. Find out what drug you were given in your epidural,if they dont tell you then demand your medical records.The drug may have been KENALOG which was banned for epidural use by the manufacturer Brystel Myers squib due to serious heath implications.You may take legal action for all your suffering. 

 ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** private e-mails not allowed*** Please read our Terms of Use

also google kenalogneveragain on tips for getting well,if you are unable to email me for any reason.

take care,hang in there,

robbie

I too experience very similar "side effects" from a cortisone injection in my left wrist. Two days later I developed severe headaches and sudden nausea with vomiting. These symptoms continued for 3 weeks until I went to the ER for severe headache, only to be treated for a "tension" headache and get aCT scan to make sure I had no tumors in my head.
I also, after 8 years post menopause, got my period for 2 weeks. I'm 60 years old! I also experienced malaise and depression that has lasted for several weeks since, along with suddenly very dry and cracking skin on my hands specifically.All of this seems to be very abnormal for me and only since the cortisone shot that I was told,
"can't hurt to try". The Doctors INSISTED there was NO connection between these symptoms and the cortisone shot. HOGWASH ! I say.

Could you tell me how long the leg cramps lasted. I am experiencing the same thing

I had the cortisone shot in my knee yesterday. I am 23 years old and have STicklers Syndrome (basically your body attacks all cartildge you have). Today I am very tired and it looks like I'm sunburnt on my arms, head and upper chest. But my legs are fine so far. Not to mention I am very itchy...any suggestions on how to help relieve this?....and no the shot didn't help my knee hardly at all....

Hi i am new here and just resently had to injections of cortisone one works for 24 to 48 hour and the other was a slow release type that is suppost to last up to 3 weeks anyway i has this done on the the last wednesday the 2nd day of January and yesterday i woke up to a rash on my stomach just under the breast area and my face fills like it is burning and red and irratatied at times i fill like i am burning up..i seen were some of you have had the same problems with steroids i went to the doctor freaking out about this because i have taken Benedryl which usally clears up a reaction if i have any to something and it hasnt cleared up yet..But went to the doctor and she claims it wasnt the steroids that caused the reaction because it would have already happend if that was the case and wanted to give me another shot but i refused to take another one in fear that this would be worse instead of better..My question is what helped you all to get reed of the rash??????Please help me things like this freak me out..Thanks and God bless..

Yes Countrygrl99, I had the red hot face, the rash, nervousness, anxiety and out and out panic attacks! A lot of the time I couldn't tell if I was hot or cold! I would have someone touch me to see which one I was. Don't take the cortizone anymore if you don't have to. I know I never will.

I did some of this same stuf. I have panic attacks and my doctor gave me something for panic attacks until this gets out of my system. They said it could take months.

Teresa i am so sorry that you are going through this too.I will not get those shots again..as a matter of fact i went back to the doctor yesterday and i showed her the rash and she said she didn't think the steroids caused it and wanted to give me another dose in the hip and i refused it no way i said i think that that is the reason for this rash because i have taken or done nothing different besides that.and i have been coughing up a bunch of yellow and green looking c**p and she rites it off as a virus and lessons to my lungs and says they are clear well if they are clear where is all of this stuff coming from them..I wonder sometimes about these NP well anyways sorry to raint on and on i pray you get to felling better soon..Have a blessed day..God bless ya.And thanks so much for your reply at least i am not alone and i know for sure now it was indeed the shots..

I recieved a cortisone shot in my right shoulder in august. Two days later i experienced a numb like sensation go across, Yes i said across, my chest and into my left clavicle and face. Then my neck began to hurt. My lips started to tingle. My toungue felt like i has burnt it on hot coffee. Both arms started twitching, my back began to hurt, no joke! Anxiety through the roof! Both legs tremored. I felt like my heart was racing away. Terrible! I called the Dr. Back and ask if the shot could cause this. She told me no. To see a therapist! Seriously? WTF! I have been to 3 drs.,a dentist, nuerologist,infectious disease Dr. I have has a brain mri,neck mri,cartoid arteries checked,blood test run and all they find is bulged disc and Some abnormal white matter in my brain,which is probably from a head injury i suffered 20 years ago..( board fell on me and caused a concussion) now i was healthy as a hog before the shot. Has not been to the Dr. In five years...my mouth is still on freaking fire! The anxiety has lessened, my back calmed down... Oh but wait! The stupid neuro gave me a medrol pak...dumb me took three days of a 6 day dose and has to take off work for 13 days! I still have the numby feeling in my face. I even called my chiropractor who has for an adjustment 17 days before i got the shot and ask him about it...he was stumped...i have ruled por the neck traction by the nuero, it was doing all this before i went to her. I am a very active woman, horse rise,atv..u name it. I have not been on my horse since august! Oh and Yeah the night sweats...and also blurred vision! Help!

I also am experiecing a burning mouth. It has been almost 5 months!

I got the steroid injections in my face yesterday and today getting up I can barely open my mouth it's like locked and it hurts so bad.. i haven't had to go to the hospital yet but I hope I don't I'm only 16 years old, and this c**p sucks..

I received a Cortisone injection 2 days ago, and have since had the feeling of pregnancy "morning sickness". Nausea, dizziness, over-sensitive sense of smell, and fatigue (just to name a few). Hopefully it dispels soon, because I'm struggling to maintain energy to get anything done.

I just had 2 shots, one in my kneww and one in my shoulder. I am siting at work with this burning feeling inside of me and I am having hot flashes. I said to my co-worker, I don't know what's going on but I am burning insde. I started to fan myself to keep cool. After reading this site I believe it's related to the shots especially since I received 2.