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Aug.4,2008If you are experiencing lightheadedness, dizziness, vertigo, night sweats, fever, feeling out of it, extreme fatigue and stomach pain after a cortisone injection, you are not alone. I had a cortisone injection 4 days ago into my knee, and ever since I have basically felt like my anemia came back, but guess what? It isn’t the anemia, it is a reaction the cortisone injection caused.
Immediately after my injection I started to feel lightheaded and out of it. The next day I was so tired I couldn’t even move, and now four days later it isn’t letting up. I called the duty doctor who says it is the cortisone injection and nothing to do with my blood. He says it will fade off in a little while. It can take over a week for this side effect to go away, which leads me to this question: Why did the rheumatologist tell me there were no side effects? I asked about 3 times before the injection and she said no! That is just bull shit. What did she desperately want me to have it? Besides it being extremely painful, now it has knocked me down for almost 5 days!
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I thought it was in my head.
I just received several cortisone injections in both my feet for morton’s neuromas. The pain from the shots was unbearable and a burning pain and inability to walk lasted for several hours. Now, I have been feeling my heart jumping from my chest and a flushing of pressure from my chest through my head. Then, I feel constant heart palpitations that are unrelenting. It is actually a scary feeling. (I don’t remember this from 2 previous rounds of shots 8 years ago and 16 years ago.) So, I decided to “google” like everyone else and stumbled upon this blog with similar posts. I do hope this passes without more serious symptoms through the night as others have posted. The stories of others dying isn’t helping at this moment!
I just got sent home from an appointment for my second set of injections withOUT the shots due to irregular and elongated menstrual periods since my first set of epidural steroid injections (in my lower back due to herniations and sciatica along with hip pain). My first set was back on Nov. 14, 2011. I was given an information sheet with all the possible side effects and they were pretty thorough. Hot flashes, aches in my body, headache, ocular migraine….however none of these side effects were nearly as bad as my severe nerve pain. What is concerning are the number of women who report the irregular periods and no studies have been done researching those risks that are related. My doctor (who is awesome by the way) explained to me that when you inject the steroid it basically shuts down your endocrine system for three weeks and when it restarts three weeks later it is a bit rough going. It apparently can take up to six weeks for the body to regulate itself back to normal again. Also, he explained that the body metabolizes the steroids in about 3-4 weeks after receiving the injections. These are rough numbers as the body is complex and no two are the same. I am somewhat disappointed that I left without the injections but also quite pleased that I have found a doctor who is honest and actually cares about his patients wellbeing. Instead, I left with a script for blood work just to make sure the steroids didn’t put me at risk for anemia. Goodluck everyone! I wish you all to be pain free asap!
I had a cortisone injection for awful DeQuervain’s Tendonitis in my wrist years ago and it worked great and I did not have any side effects, but I am sure that was a pretty low dosage. But what I really want to share is this: I had my second epidural injection today for bulging discs in my lower back. I sought out a particular doctor because he has a reputation for being conservative…and he used a different corticosteroid than Cortisone, it is called Kenalog (there is also Kenacort, I believe both are brand names for steroids that are technically called “Triamcinolone”). He uses Kenalog because it has less side effects than Cortisone. Overall my side effects have been mild and what I expected. And the results have been amazing. I have felt such relief from the constant back pain and I can play with my kids again. I think it is important if you are suffering to explore steroid injections and realize that these are powerful drugs that can have strong side effects, but for some they can also provide long term relief. If you are concerned you should seek out the opinion of a conservative doctor before moving forward with any injections. The dosage you receive is also a really important consideration. Talk with your doctor about it and make sure s/he knows you are concerned about side effects.
Wow. thanks for all this great info. Had my first Cort Shot yesterday 12/06/11 in my heel for Planter Facitis. Yikes it hurt like the dickens, and last night I thought I was dieing…sick to stomach, buzzing, I thought my heart was going to stop, couldn’t sleep so took about 5 mgs of Ambien…that was a bigger mistake…I don’t think the two should be mixed in one day…today bad bad headache and my heel is in big pain. SO let’s all pray to get us cort people better. bless you all
Last week I had a epidural cortison shot on Weds. I had pain down the left side of my legs and pelvis and then had numbness and got a major headache. Since then I’ve been soaked in sweat off and on for no reason whatsoever. My face is flushed, I had tightness in my chest and today had a headache so bad (it’s the floowing Tuesday) that I needed to see a doctor to get a note for work. This doctor was on call for my doctor. My blood pressure is high now and this doctor says to me “You have a heart murmur”! I said no I don’t. He insisted after checking and re-checking me that I do. Said I need to follow up with my family doctor tomorrow.
Has anyone else come out of cortisone shots with a heart murmur? I had nothing wrong with my heart or my health aside from sciatica from bulged discs which is what the cortisone was being used to treat.
I never had this before I’m sure it would have come to light if I had being that I’m 45 so I’m sure before now it would have been mentioned.
I also got a cortizone shot in my right heel for Plantars Fasictis a few days ago and I am also very tired, weak and no energy. All’s I do is sleep and sleep. This is very depressing because I am usually a very active person. I don’t know how long it lasts but I hope to keep you posted when I feel normal again.
I had a cortisone injection a week ago and suffering all these symptoms. feel dreadful not sure what to do?
Oh, yeah, i’ve been short of breath too which is weird b/c I have asthma and have been put on steroids to help me breath in the past when having an asthma attack. I also feel like my heart’s beating faster than normal, my eyes are dilated, i’m constipated. This is so crazy, like everyone else said, that NONE of these things are listed on any medical sites. I’m so glad I found this and know I am NOT crazy. Thanks to all!!!
Wow…i had a steroid injection in my back 4 days ago and have a lot of these symptoms. I’ve been looking online and finding nothing about the lightheadedness or feeling feverish. But this blog hit the nail on the head! I feel groggy, kind of like i’m in a fog, been feeling feverish, hungrier than normal and water tastes funny to me. Hmmmmm…
Oh, yeah, heartbeat feels rapid, I’m short of breath. I’m so glad I found this and know I am NOT crazy now!!!
Well somebody slap me silly.I had a cortisone shot in my knee today and I feel like I’ve been hit by a plane,train and a car. I didn’t realize that I was going to get so sick and pass out. YES pass out cold. If my son and the doctor had not caught me, I would have hit the floor.. One minute I’m sitting on the table, telling my son and the doctor that I am going to be sick and that I feel dizzy . the next minute I’m out cold. My son who is fifteen, was the one that I heard callin my name,I think thats what woke me up. He kept asking me if I was o.k. I have a major headache and i am so sore. My knee is killing me and I’m still Nausea. I have to have surgery the 1st of Dec. But one things for sure….. I’m never having another cortiscone shot as long as I live not ever ever ever……..
I had a cortisone injection in my right rotator cuff on Oct 13th. I woke up in the middle of the night feeling like someone was stabbing me in the shoulder. The Dr. called the next day to check up on me & when I told him how bad my shoulder hurt, he responded that I might be sore for a couple of days. Over the next few days I got worse. I didn’t sleep for 5 nights straight, and finally lost mobility in my arm totally. I spent 16 hours in the ER with the most ever pain I’ve ever experienced. I was throwing up from the pain even though I was given numerous IVs of morphine. I felt like a knife was stabbing my shoulder and then the pain radiated down my arm. The ER doctors stood around scratching their heads about what was wrong. An MRI didn’t show anything. It’s been 10 days since I had the shot and my pain level is about a 5 all day long, and that’s taking 400 mg ibuprofen or dilaudid. I can’t lift or rotate my shoulder at all. This is miserable & is made worse by the fact that no one can tell me what happened exactly, or when I’ll be better.
Just a flip side on this, my neurologist was very good about letting me know I may get light headed and dizzy from it and made me wait 45 min before driving home for 2 hrs to make sure I was ok to do so. First shot ever for cortizone, botox very expensive and useless. I have had a migraine for 3 yrs now every single day. The first thing I noticed that the lidocayne froze the entire back of my neck and head yesterday so for the first time in 3 years I was not in agony. I woke up this am and it hurts still…not up to the highest level like it normally would be after the trip to Van but a brief interlude of the pain has been dampened still hurts but not as intense. I am exhausted today though but we shall see. Just wanted to put some positive out there too as there seems to be not much of that here. Good luck to all :)
I received 2 Cortisone Injections, 2 weeks apart for my hips. Here’s a list of the numerous side effects I’ve endured since then…
Side effects experienced in the week following first injection:
Flushed cheeks for 1-2 days, cortisone pain flare in left buttock and back of thigh
Side effects experienced in the week following second injection (2wks later):
Sleeplessness for 2-3 nights, night sweats, missed monthly cycle, muscle cramps in legs, flushed chest, drowsiness, oral thrush, frequent urination
Cortisone side effects experienced in weeks 2 and 3 following second injection:
Swollen and painful knees, relocation of body fat to upper torso and back, semi-high blood pressure, dizziness, continued drowsiness, continued frequent urination, increased growth of facial hair, swollen/puffy cheeks and neck (moonface), extra dry skin
These are all symptoms that can be found online as side effects to cortisone, but the doctor who gave me the injections did not informed me about very few of them…Fortunately my husband works in medicine and he helped me figure out why my side effects have been going on for so long. I recently went back to the doc who gave me the injections and he agrees with our theory. Basically, the cortisone interacted with several hormone based prescription medications that I was taking (including birth control) and it’s effects were increased and kept in my system for longer. I’m currently off all of my prescription medications as a result. It’s been a month, and I’m just now seeing some of the above side-effects decrease. Sorry this is so long, but I now feel strongly that we patients need to be our own advocates and educators rather than relying on our docs for info!
I had a cortisone shot in my knee today after six months of pain and limping because of a torn meniscus. I put off having the shot for such a long time because I was afraid of the side affects. Have spent 8 weeks in physical therapy, another 3 doing water exercises but still having the pain. With the prospect of starting a new job in a few days I decided it was time for the cortisone shot. Almost instantly I felt relief in my knee. No pain at the site of the injection and I could stand and walk like I haven’t in months! But as the day went on I started to have a headache and rapid heartbeat with a low grade fever. Now it’s 4 am and my head hurts so much that I cant sleep. Took two tums for the sick feeling in my stomach and wondering if I should take advil for the headache and the fever. At least I can walk to the medicine cabinet without limping, but I feel really yucky. Hope this goes away before my new job starts in two days.
Glad to read I am not the only one having these issues. Had my second injection yesterday in my shoulder and the symptoms are worse than the first time.
I had the same experience as many of the previous posters, including the doc saying I fainted because I “must not like shots.” let me say that I have had these injections *every year* for allergies (always starting in September), and I NEVER had a reaction like I did on Tuesday.
When I finally got home (ammonia ampoule in hand in case I felt faint while driving), I was dizzy and sick to my stomach, and spent an hour in the bathroom dry-heaving into the sink and having bowel issues. After an hour or so of that, I dragged myself to bed and slept for two hours, and woke *drenched* in sweat.
It’s now Thursday, and I’m still short of breath, dizzy, and weak as a kitten. From what the other posters here and elsewhere are saying, I will probably continue to feel crappy for a week, or so.
I *definitely* won’t be getting another shot next month.
I had a cortisone shot in my knee almost three weeks ago. The next day my face and chest were flushed, I couldn’t sleep, and I had heartburn terrible. I had been troubled with palpitations a few months ago, but my Dr. was able to get them under control. They came back, and I still have them. My knee felt better almost immediately, but the effects of the shot is already starting to wear off, some of the side effects aren’t I get really bad hot flashes, and sweats, and of course the palpitations. I’m going to try and live with the pain rather than have all these side effects. The Dr. also gave me a type of cortisone that conflicted with my blood pressure medicine, guess he didn’t bother to read my list of meds.
I am glad I found this post, I am post op and have received 3 cortisone/synvisc injections in the past 2 weeks, my last shot was 8/19 and I haven’t felt the same since. Lightheaded, and the main symptom is just feeling totally out of it, distant you can say….. Is this a normal reaction to the shots? I went to the er Thursday and they could not pinpoint what was wrong.
I got the cortisone shots yesterday because my podiatrist in New York City (Jimenez) cut too much bone on my toes and bunion. She is not only denying her malpractice but also trying to cover it with the cortisone shots. I do not feel any better, I have constant headache, light headed, nausea, tired, lost appetite and disgusting mouth taste. I am so sad! I should have never done this surgery or I should have gone to another doctor.
Wow … I had four epidural cortisone shots in my lower back last Thursday. Starting the day after, all of these horrible symptoms hit me. It’s Tuesday, five days later and the headache is awful, the nausea and general ill-feeling and insomnia are hard to deal with. My face feels flushed, hot and numb around the left eye. It won’t let up. I called the surgi-center yesterday and they said this was normal and would go away in about a week and to take excedrin. I called back again today and am awaiting a response.
How long does this hell last?
Hey had my first ever injection 2 days ago 5 minutes after felt really light headed , headache kept getting really hot an the feeling sick bit was awful. Had an MRI scan on my right knee to see why I was getting the aching pain and couldn’t bend my leg cause the pain was awful and it was swelled up with bruise marks every now and again they told me it was inflammation around my muscle ect they just sent me to physio for 6 months which just made it worst but I must admit the injection has helped it alot bar the after effects! I would just like to no as it’s my first ever injection and had it 2 days ago I’m I allowed to drink alcohol for an upcoming party this sat seeing as its my 21st birthday thanks for reading this xxx
Hi,
I had two injections last thursday (L5,S1) and on a waiting list for a Microdiscectomy. I wish i had read forums like this before I had my injections last week. Its been 4 days since the injections and I have had constant nausea, my hands sweat all the time and i cannot sleep well as i wake up drenched in sweat and I feel constantly light headed not to mention how anxious I’m feeling. I went to the doctor and dismissed me as if it had nothing to do with the injections. Thankfully i found this sites and i can see I’m not the only one with these symptoms.
Just got my 1st steroid cortisone injection in right knee today. Due to unexpected pain I got online looking for answers. Directly after injection my ankle felt uncomfortable. I told the Dr. but he didn’t comment. Never told about side effects, but was given a sheet to record my pain level over a 10 day period. My injury was a work injury. Now 10 hrs later ankle swollen knee area swollen lower right leg, knee, and outer part of leg and ankle and top of foot have a burning dull pain. I will elevate and ice ankle tonight and hope for a better tomorrow. Pain level 8 which is what it was when I went in just a diffent 8. OMG now what!
If it’s a work related injury, chances are, you won’t improve. So after your bills pile up, you can file for mental anguish as well. And throw in a G.I. claim while you’re at it. A majority of work comp patients don’t improve. The funny thing is, patients with similar injuries and complaints improve when they are using their own insurance – go figure.
My side affects to the Cortisone Injections into my back seam to be a little different. Maybe an hour after the injection , I have really bad cramps in my stomach. But the worse of it is the mussel cramps. My hips will lock up so bad that I cannot move my legs..Leg cramps , rib cramps , foot cramps…Just cramps everywhere. Last time it lasted about a month…Maybe a little more…
With this shot I am still on my first week. Anyone know of anything that will help flush it out of the system..My wife’s suggestion was pickle juice, Trust me that don’t work.
Thanks for your response Dia. I will look forward to the two week mark, and continued recovery. Best…
I am so grateful for finding this blog!! The doctors should use the resources of the internet instead of closing their eyes to what REAL people are experiencing. All I had to do was type in side effects, cort shot, and several of my complaints and a whole other world opened up for me. Otherwise, everyone but my husband would call me crazy. Here is my story: 39 yrs old, healthy, vegetarian, mother of four youngin’s, highly allergic but told not to worry with this shot. I agreed to use cortizone to help my doctor try to identify where the ongoing, post-surgery hip issue was. I had the second cortisone shot last Friday, spaced two weeks apart and in different parts of the hip from the last. The first shot was painful, but settled in after a few days and I saw some improvement in the mobility of the hip but was still having pain and so the second shot was put into the hip joint. Immediately following the shot, when I tried to stand up, I had a massive head rush and dizzy spell and my lower body became stiff and the pain was intense. I stiff legged- dragged myself out of there and my husband drove me home. Over the next 5 days I felt like I had been hit by a mack truck or like I had a really bad flu although I had no fever or flu like symptoms except weakness and major muscle pain. My whole mid and lower body was in spasm and I felt as if my chest and back were being squeezed so tight that I couldn’t breathe or move for fear of intensifying the pain. I had to drag my legs to walk. Tried to take my kids to school and pulled over crying from pain just down the street. I laid in bed suffering and not functioning. I couldn’t eat, lost 10 pounds over the first five days off my already very small and thin frame. My lips were swollen and cracked and I had trouble forming my words. I called the radiologist who injected me and he was very concerned telling me that this was not normal and I needed to have a physical exam. My ortho was in surgery so I went to the ER and spent 10 hours there with them looking at me like I was crazy and after pumping me full of pain meds that didn’t help a bit, they released me, blaming all of this on a bulging disc they found in a back xray. I was firm about the changes occuring immediately after the shot and they all say “can’t be allergic to cortizone, it’s a naturally ocurring hormone in the body”. Seven days after the shot I had my first movement, and not to be gross, but it was black and water. Like POISON! The cramping lasted hours and finally Sat AM I woke up with a tad less pain and actually asking for food. It was almost like this had frozen my entire system. Locked it down for a week. I lost a total of 12 pounds bringing my 5′6″ frame to 114 lbs. 9 days later, I am eating, can take a shower alone, but then head back to bead still exhausted like I have the flu. I found it difficult to locate just how long other affected patients spent feeling so badly, as they all seemed to write while they were in the middle of it. Any follow up, anyone? Allergic reaction or overdose because it was the second shot in two weeks and maybe the body couldn’t process it all? Thanks! I am looking forward to sharing this blog with the doctors who obviously are not aware of the possibility of these occurences.
I don’t know if it is an allergic reaction or just a side effect. I was told by my GP 1 out of every 100 people who get the shots will have a reaction from it. I was really angry when I originally posted this blog because my rheumatologist never told me there was a possibility of side effects. I always ask these things to make sure. I’ve had a lot of surgery and things done to me over the years, and find it is best to always get all of the info before having anything done or administered to me. I like you took about 2 weeks before I could get back to my normal physical self. It was very scary and I felt really like I had severe anemia again. Was bed ridden really to be honest and like you eating was not something I wanted to even do.
I’m glad you are starting to feel a bit more yourself now.
Hello everyone,
I’m happy to find this site. I’ve had roughly 30 (yes, thirty or more!) injections in my lower back over six years. After an injection, usually within 12 hours I begin to feel like I’m taking the flu. I feel weak, sort of have the chills, night sweats, cannot sleep, etc. I really do not feel at all like myself. If anyone would care to respond, I would appreciate the chance to compare notes.
I had a cortisone injection 7 june 2011 in my right shoulder as i have a smooth cartilage defect and as well as that the acromioclavicular bone is sloping downwards squashing the tendons. needle didnt hurt but around 10 mins later i got very dizzy and sweating instantly and heaved a couple times. i felt worse than i ever have before, just wanted to pass out or something. thankfully it only lasted around 10 mins max. (longest 10 mins of my life might i add) In the car travelling home (half an hour away) shoulder became very sore and heavy. could hardly move it that night. next day it wasnt too bad but still pretty sore and i felt a bit tired and low energy. Today 12 June 2011 i have a headache (not sure whether its at all linked?) and a little dizzy. Pain has decreased a lot though still get bad pains especially if i knock it on anything. Injection has definitely caused the pain to reduce but im not sure whether i would get another one, just for the fact i felt like death for a while afterwards. i guess i will decide if that time comes again one day
I had another unplesant cortizone shot in my hip today at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. At some point during the procedure, I experienced a sharp pain down through my leg. After the procedure, my leg was tight, as if it had cramped up – numb almost. Tonight the pain in unbearable. Don’t know if the intern hit a nerve or not, but once again, my hip is extremely swelled. Is there not a better way to administer this shot?????
I don’t know, sometimes I think when the younger residents do it they may not be as experienced administering these shots…
Peg,
I just had my second shot in my back three days ago. I felt great after the first one but this time even during the procedure, I felt extreme pressure from the back of my butt down the back of my leg to my knee. My doc said to try to tolerate it if I could as we were probably right where we needed to be. Within hours that whole area started twitching. And then so did my calf. The next day my calf felt insanely painful and tight – weird though because it doesn’t feel like the muscle is locked up, it is just so painful, can barely walk. Has your pain gone away? I sure hope your answer is yes, because I don’t know what I’m going to do. This sucks… As I know you understand!
Add me to the list. I have been lying around for an entire week after my second injection into my knee. I was worried that I had an infection b/c the pain didn’t go away and I feel like I have the flu. My eyes look like I do–I’m exhausted AND depressed….was depressed b/c of my knee–now it’s worse. Does anyone have any ideas about how to speed this up? And for the record, if I told my ortho about this he would definitley dismiss what I am saying. Never again!!!
You just have to get a lot of rest. It has to work its way through your bloodstream.
I have had a total of 18 cortisone injections over the past 10 years or so. The first four were for Plantar Faciaitis (forgive my spelling). Exactly, 12 hours after the injections I began to have tacycardia in the range of 100-110 bpm. This was also accompanied by a few “skipped beats” every few minutes. After an hour or so I drove myself to the hospital and was admitted for the weekend with no diagnosis. 48 hours on a halter monitor showed nothing, cardiac enzymes were normal, BP a little high but that was expected. No chestpain at all. I saw a cardiologist who just disregarded the cortisone injection as coincidental.
One year later the same thing happened after a second set of injections. Same symptoms and they started exactly 12 hours after the injection. My cardiologist again disregarded the coincidence. My Pediatrist said it was a common reaction to the Lydocaine in the injection.
Now for the kicker, Every cortisone injection I have had since and it is up to about 18( the last 14 in my shoulders) has resulted in palpitations and slightly elevated heartrates that start 12 hous after the injection and last for maybe 12 more. My NEW cardiologist said it was entierly possible for that kind of reaction to occur. Infact, I am experiencing the same thing right now as I write this.
One thing to try is to have the injection prepared without the Lydocaine. They can replace the Lydocaine (that contains Epinephrine) with Normal Saline to eleviate the possibility of a reaction. The results won’t be as quick or as remarkable as if it contained Lydocaine but you shouldn’t get any reaction.
Is there anything else you can try besides the cortisone injections? Going a gluten free diet helps with inflammation and maybe you can treat this thing naturally instead of having to go through all of those side effects.
I totally agree 100%. I swear by the gluten free diet now! It has helped with multiple medical issues for me.
omg! Its 315 am and I’m wide awake with my heart rAte about 105. Cortisone shot in my knee around 230 pm yesterday…. So just like john c my heArt started racing 12 hours after the shot. At least I know why. Thanks for the blog.
I am very glad to have found this site, helps me to know I’m not crazy. I have been getting cortisone shots in my knees for about 8 months at 2 month intervals. I went on May 25th and also got a shot in my right shoulder due to a rotator injury. I had never had a problem until this time. On the 26th just about 24 hours after the injections my face was so red and hot I felt like I was on fire. My heart was racing and my pulse was over 100. I was very agitated and could’nt sleep at all that night. I went to work and then called the Dr. when the office opened. After being put on hold for a long time the nurse finally came back and said that in a small percentage of people there is a reaction like I had. She said it isn’t an allergic reaction, just a reaction. Today is the 28th and my face is still flushed and hot but seems to be getting a little better. I am really going to try not to get any more injections unless the pain is intollerable. this was really scary. Thought I was dying the night it began. Good luck to all.
Are you feeling any better now?
I am now, but it took about 3 weeks.
I had knee proablems, go the coritsone shots. Yea they helped for the time being but after about 2 montsh the said I had lost the cartlidge in my knee between the knee cap and bone it rides on. They started giving me HYALGAN injections. 1 shot for 4 weeks Really did the trick of taking away all that pain..Did have to go back about 4 years later to have them again. After second treatment I have never been back and no problems…
As everyone else says, GOOD I FOUND THIS SITE! I had cortizone shot in my right foot a week ago. This is the first time I have had it. I had a rough night the first night, did not sleep at all. The next night I slept like I was a hibbernatting bear. Then 3 days after I experienced alot of dizziness and am still experienceing dizziness. Went to the doctor at the 3 day point and they told me to stop a medication I am taking for my wrists called Gabapentin. Never had any trouble with the Gabapentin before. Stopped Gabapentin and dizziness continued. Went to the doctor today a week later and doctor asked many questions and I said that maybe it was a reaction to Cortizone shot and the nurses looked at me with a blank stare and told me that i was in a way wrong like I am lying to them or something. So doctor started me on another drug for dizziness called Meclizine. Any word on how long this will last? I know that this is the most asked in this forum.
Thanks for this web site. Thought I was nuts. I had a cortisone injection (after a fall) in my right shoulder. The x-ray showed no broken bones and I was diagnosed with Traumatic Bursitis. After the injection I became VERY light headed and almost fainted–My blood pressure dropped extremely low. My shoulder is still hurting/burning every day. Ther will be NO more cortisone injection for me!
Thursday morning (4/22) I received a shot in my left elbow. I’ve had many cortisone shots before, with no particularly bad side effects. By Thursday evening I was feeling feverish and had a horrible headache in and above my right eye. As many of you have said, I feel just lousy. Trying to sleep is not a help, because I am having difficulty getting to sleep. The pain in my eye and its sensitivity has me covering it and putting a cool pack on it. I called about the symptoms this afternoon. I got a call back. Also, as many of you have reported, he said he had never heard of such symptoms, and that I must be coming down with something–and should check with my internist. Interestingly, as I was thinking about my headache, I remember that after my last shot I did get a very bad headache. I’ve never had a migraine before, but a friend said he thought that was exactly what I was experiencing. At Drugs.com I found a list of cortisone side effects. I’m tempted to mail the list to the guy…among the reactions listed were “eye pain or increased pressure in the eye; fever, chills…” Thanks for “listening” to my experience and for sharing yours. (I was given a list of possible side effects I might experience, although headache was NOT among them.)
I’ve been reading a lot about how eveyone hates that Drs do not admit that these are side effects from the cortison and I have to say in their defence that they are human and dont know everything. My doctor had no idea that this would happen he has also given 1000’s of injections and has only had 2 patients bring it up. My guess is that this is so rare not all Drs are informed Im glad this site is here, and I wish I had done some research before I got the injection, But I saw that my friends and mother had sucess with the injections I figured I would too, and I was wrong and neither I or my Dr would had know I was going to have a reaction like the one I had.
I had my injection on a Friday I was fine until Wednesday morning when i felt exausted I was short of breath and I felt pressure on my chest, I tought I was having a heart attack and took my self to the ER soon I discovered it was Gastritis which i have had since i was a child but the cortisone injection triggered a sever case that I had never experienced before. So Just FYI if you are thinking of getting a corisone injection if you have a history of Gastritis or Reflux dont do it. As far as my hand goes its great the pain is gone and I wish I could get another injection on my left hand now but the Gastritis is way more painful than my wrist so I guess I will just live with it.
WOW can’t believe I found this thread. Like all of you I had a shot in my shoulder yesterday. I get about 2 shots a year in my knee before our hiking trips and have had about 2 in my shoulder.
BUT NEVER have I felt so crappy after a shot. While I was checking out of the office I started to feel very strange, like light headed and out of body type thing. As the day progressed I felt extremely tired, eyes light sensitive, wanted to just crawl in bed and die. Entire body aching, not wanting any food (very strange for me). Slept 12 hours last night. I am having migraine type symptoms but not really a migraine. It is like a whole body migraine.
Called the ortho this morning still waiting for a call back. Feel like I a have a hangover and the flu…..Never want another shot but what will I do for the pain?????? I get them in my knees and shoulder regularly….
Good luck to all of you who come across this site.
I am also very glad to find these postings. I am a 30 yr old woman and had a shot 11 days ago in my knee, done by my orthopedic surgeon 5 weeks after arthroscopic surgery because swelling had not gone down.
I had a lot of relief in my knee, but 3 days later my skin got very itchy and I had no idea why. That subsided, but later that day I became very agitated and irritable and even called my husband at work because I was afraid I was going to have a panic attack -which I’ve never had before. I tried to think of what might be going on and remembered the shot and started searching online. I can’t believe all the orthopedic and arthritis-type websites don’t mention any of these side effects. My initial searches were only coming up with things like increased joint pain and whitening of the skin, but nothing like what was going on with me.
The extreme irritability and anxiety has gone away mostly, but along with so many others, I’ve been experiencing digestion issues, night sweats, flushing in my face, feelings of rapid heart beat, shortness of breath and tightness in my chest, pressure in my head and ears, vision changes, and fatigue.
I mentioned the almost-panic attack to my doctor the next day and he did say that, although rare, some people have that kind of reaction. I hadn’t started experiencing the other things yet, so I haven’t gotten his opinion on that yet.
I might go see a homeopathic dr. and see if there is any kind of quicker remedy to get this out of my system rather than waiting it out. I can’t believe this might last for several more weeks. Never again….
Hi there – It is now April. I had 2 cortisone shots in January for a neck problem. January and February, I thought I was going to die. Headache, nausea, weight loss, no sleeping, sick as a dog, sinus-like infection etc. etc. I was dismissed by the neurologist and now 4 months later, I am 70 percent better. I still have a constant headache. I often wonder if he puncture the dura and some of us are suffering from intracerebral hyPOtension?
Yet another person who feels your pain, and found this website through googling ‘cortisone side effects’.
In the past two months I’ve had four injections. My final one was today, about six hours ago. I’ve had chronic pain in my left neck/should/arm from a car accident and a mild scoliosis on top of it for four years. I chose cortisone after years of physical therapy and seeing a chiropractor on a weekly basis. In the past two years I’ve had an on-again-off-again painkiller habit that would have never started if this pain wasn’t so sever. I’d also like to add that I’m young, healthy, and very heavily tattooed and pierced (I had my tongue surgically sliced in half, and they don’t use anesthetics for that) so my pain tolerance is high up there.
three injects in my neck, which got worse before they got better and still residual pain deep in my back, so today we tackled the knots in my back by doing something I’d fantasized about for years and jabbed them full of numbing drugs. The worst was the one that went into my armpit.
Every. Single. Time. I feel like shit the whole day. Today I couldn’t even stay awake in the car ride home and woke up in my bed in my jeans 9 hours later, disoriented, dizzy and very ill. I’ve been awake for about three hours now and looking at lights (like this screen) has become tolerable but I still feel disoriented. I wouldn’t trust myself to drive anywhere. I’ve accepted the fact that my body has a shock reaction when it suffers trauma. When I get a huge tattoo, when I get a serious piercing, when I got several cryosurgery for cervical dysplasia, my body goes “OH MY GOD WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?” and all red alerts turn on. This on top of the nature of cortisone itself, I was never really surprised I feel like poop all day. I’m usually up and about two days later, so I try to schedule myself accordingly.
What is really getting to me is the long term effects. My period flat our stopped (not pregnant thankgod). I’ve become characteristically sensitive, moody and depressed. I lost almost all interest in social activities, my hobbies, and find myself sitting playing WoW for hours on end because my will to go on has sort of… gone. My beautiful skin looks like hell and my few remaining piercings have become irritated. I’ve also started bruising easily and put on more weight than I already accumulated since my chronic pain keeps me from wanting to work out.
I work, I WoW, I sleep. Sadly, if I had to chose between being in a good mood but being in really horrible pain everyday all day, and this, I chose this. Living with that constant, horrible pain almost drove me insane, and I’m confident that once this is all over I’ll go back to my normal self.
Had my second cortisone shot in a year in my left shoulder yesterday. The injection itself was a little uncomfortable but worth it. My shoulder remains pain free for about 9 months. My doctor says he has people come in every 6 months for cortisone in shoulders, knees, hips, etc. I have found this site because I think I am having a slight reaction….face warm and flushed 24 hours later. Other sites say this is a noted reaction and can last for up to 5 days. Surprised at the many severe reactions posted. I never heard of so many serious effects. I know this has been a treatment for pro athletes for years and have never heard of a serious problem. You would think teams would not use the drug if it endangered their high priced investments. Anyway, hope all above are doing OK.
I had shoulder replacement 5.5 years ago and as a forerunner to that surgery, had cortisone injections twice. First helped a lot, no side effects, second not as helpful but had the surgery 3 weeks later so… Now, other shoulder has 3 bad bone spurs and anticipate arthroscopic surgery in six weeks. After a month on oral antiinflammatory drug, decided to have a shot to ease the pain the drugs didn’t touch. DO I REGRET IT!
Had the shot on Friday at 2 p.m. By 8 p.m., I thought I was having the most intense hot flash of my life (I’m 52, menopausal)! Except that it never ended. All night long I was boiling burning. Saturday, I changed my clothing three times, and Saturday night and sunday were a complete bust with the hot flushes. Cheeks red hot, ears frying!
Is there any doctor or medical professional who can address these issues for us? Why does this happen? Why this time and not the other two times? It seems to be much more common than the medical profs are letting on.
So glad I found this site. I just had a shot in my left shoulder around 1:30 this afternoon and about ten minutes later had a reaction. My hearing was altered on the right side, I was dizzy and felt like my blood pressure dropped. I got nauseous and felt faint. I couldn’t raise my left arm either. I managed to get back to the office and tell the girl behind the desk and she was so casual about it. “Oh , yeah, that can happen. You can’t drive now, go sit down until it passes.” I don’t know how long I was there, but I finally was able to drive home.
My arm was killing me and I am exhausted, but I think I’m ok. I do have a weird plastic taste in my mouth though. Very strange.
I can’t believe my doctor acted like this shot was no big deal. This is obviously a powerful drug. I’m mad at myself for even opting for it. It was either that or pills, and I didn’t want to take pills and was looking for immediate relief so I thought it the better choice. Then after he gives me the shot he tells me it could take three days to work. And the pain was worse than before the shot.
But I think I’m ok now and the pain is lessening so maybe I’ll be lucky and the worst of it is over for me. Best wishes to all of you guys that have written and will write.
Thanks for the info. I thought I was going crazy. I had an injection on 1/17/11. After an hour or so, I had heart palpitations. I was very jittery, and could not sleep. Three days later, I was extremely tired and had little energy to do anything. On the fourth day, I felt ill and sort of weird. I had no fever, but felt as if I was coming down with something. I still could not sleep, and continued to feel dizzy, hot,nauseated, and lightheaded. I also had tingling in my legs and left arm. My face also tingles every once in awhile. Called my doctor on 1/24/11 and was told to drink a lot of fluids, and symptoms should pass by the tenth day. I hate this feeling. I experienced this 6 years ago after giving birth to my son. I wonder if the celestone injection had any of the same ingredients as my epidural because my symptoms seem to be the same. I am still waiting for relief as these symptoms continue to come and go.
I am so glad I found this sight…had a shot for hip problem and I have been so sick since….nausea,cramping and fatigue……no one told me of this when I asked about side effects…..and not much relief
I had a cortisone shot in my foot 3 weeks ago(first time I have ever had cortisone). Had severe pain that night due to a flair and have now felt constant dizziness for the entire 3 weeks. Anyone have any idea how long this dizziness will last?
I just received two injections of cortisone today; one in each thumb for trigger finger. I have had these injections before with no problem, but today was a completely different story. Upon completion of the injections, I passed out in the chair. They moved me to the ‘couch’ in the room where I laid down. I immediately began perspiring profusely. My heart was racing. The doctor wanted me to sit up, so I gave it a try. At that point it made the nausea that set in during the sweats even worse. So I laid back down. After the sweats subsided, I began shaking all over. You would have thought that I was in a walk-in freezer. Then the headache set in. Shortly thereafter, my left lower jaw began to hurt. I felt very weak, like I had been run over by a dump truck. Now nine hours later, and I am still very nauseated with a headache. I also still feel very weak. Every time I try to eat, the nausea gets worse. I am normally a very happy-go-lucky person. Not now.
I wish I’d found this site before having a corticosteroid shot! I expressed to my doctor that I experienced intermittent pain in my knee due to an old ligament injury. He offered to inject my knee with ‘pain medication’. He’s a well-known rheumatoid arthritis specialist, and he treats hundreds of patients with a variety of issues. However, he didn’t mention any side effects, or even that it was a corticosteroid he was injecting. I put my trust in him. At the time of injection I felt like the tendons around my knee were burning and tightening, and by that evening I had increased pain in my knee. I went back two days later and told him that my pain had worsened after the injection and that he had to do something as I was having difficulty walking. He did state at that time that he would inject a corticosteroid and that it should clear up the problem. That means I had two steroid shots in my knee two days apart. The evening after the second injection I could not get up from the dinner table and I haven’t been able to walk since. My knee and leg is extremely swollen, and I have pain right up into my groin. I can barely move my foot and putting weight on that leg or straightening the knee is out of the question. I had to cancel a ‘trip-of-a-lifetime’ my daughter booked for my birthday due to this, and it’s been two weeks of living hell. I’ve been to the ER twice, undergone an ultrasound, X-ray, blood tests, and I’m due for a bone scan…I’ve been given prescription painkillers and anti-inflammatories to take. My blood sugar is high (over 9 today) and my blood pressure is low. I spend my days in a wheelchair or in bed, unable to get around and in unrelenting pain. I need constant care from my family. Yesterday my daughter had to take me back to the ER because I was hallucinating. I don’t remember the trip or speaking to the doctor. Apparently the doctor there told me I have gout! I have (and my family has) mentioned to the doctors that this all started with the steroid injections, but all the doctors that I have seen just think we’re crazy. They blamed the hallucinations yesterday on the painkillers, even though I hadn’t taken a single pill in over 24 hours, preferring to try and ride it out as Percocet is a narcotic and has its own list of side effects. It’s been two weeks since my first injection and at this point I’m at my wits end. The pain and swelling is not subsiding and I just can’t get any answers or help. At least I know that others have experienced terrible side effects and this is in no way unheard of. All I can do is pray that things will ease up. I will never get a steroid shot again.
Hi–
I had a cortisone shot in my hip 2 weeks ago and my hip leg and ankle are in more pain than before. I am praying also that it will subside
I had a series of three cortisone injections into my low back (L5 S1) in January, once a week for three weeks. I felt nauseated for a couple of days after and my skin was pretty flushed. In April, they did the same injections into the sciatic nerve via the spine. This is not a pleasant procedure. It feels as if you are being electrocuted once they hit the nerve, even with sedation. I am now doing them again. I had my first round last week and have felt really bad since. I am nauseated, flushed, lethargic, and my heart feels like it is racing. I also have an increased appetite which really stinks because I just lost 10 pounds that I gained from the first two rounds at the start of the year. Something that also concerns me is that in June, I noticed fluid leaking from one of my breasts. I had a mamogram and a couple of fibroids were found but I was never told if this would go away or why I have it. I am now wondering if the steroids could have been the cause. Today I go back for my second injection in the series of three. I am not looking forward to it and don’t think I will do this again. I have two ruptured discs, arthritis, and a transitional vertebrae that has fused to my sacrum which is why I started the injects in the first place.
got a shot last friday in foot! made me hyper as hell. blood sugar rose wayyy up
and blood pressure ’stuck’ at 170 over 100. no past blood sugar or blood pressure issues!
now feeling flushed and ‘angry’ due to it!!!
I went in for a cortisone shot for my left shoulder joint. I’ve had two in the right one and did not have any problems. This experience last friday however has been one of the worst experiences of my life and I’m 52 and have had a few’ At 4pm friday Oct 1, 2010 I had the shot. By 4:30 my heart was racing as if I had taken an overdose of speed. It was horrible! I called the office and they said I was having an allergic reaction to the shot and that I should get to ER. I don’t have any insurance so I prayed and tried to ride it out. I thought I would feel better so I just kept drinking lots of water but still thirsty. My head felt like I was wearing a fuzzy helmet. I was nauseas, dizzy, couldn’t eat, anxious and felt like I could have a heart attack. By 8pm I was told to get to ER and I went. They would not let me in till 9:30 and by then I was in knots. I thought I was going to thorw up and pass out for sure. Finally I was given something for the nausea and then Benedryl for the heart racing. By 2:30 I got off the hospital bed to leave and I felt something in my back hurt very bad. I walked to my car and drove home. My back continued to hurt and on Sat I went to the chiropractor. She did some things with heat and massage and I felt better. II did not sleep well again and on sunday my heart was racing again. The thirst continued and I had still no appetite. By monday morning I was in severe back pain. Finally I called an ambulence on monday eve because I thought maybe I had a kidney stone. I went to ER again and the nurse and doctors were so rude to me. When they realized I had no insurance, they said we are sending you home with pain meds. I told them twice I am clean and sober and do not take narcotics and am allergic to codeine. They gave me a shot for pain.My brother came thank God and they did a CT scan to check for kidney stones. There were none. The doctor wrote an RX and off we went to the pharmacy. It was 12:30am. We waited and finally they called my name. I asked the pharmacist if the drugs that were prescribed were narcotics and told her I cant take them. She said “yes” they are., and also addictive. I said I didn’t want them but my friend said she was in a lot of back pain and wojuld try one. We got back to her house and she took one. They were called Ultram. Anyway, the next day my friend assured me I would not have liked the effects of that drug. I have since called the doctor who administered the cortosone shot and he denies he did anything wrong. I told him the only thing he did different was inject it into my arm as if I was getting a flu shot. I did ask him before he gave it to me why there and he said somthiing. Obviously it is not the right place and the lidocane with depramedrol went dirrectly into my blood stream! I still am not up to par. Very tired and have lost a week of work. This has been the worst experience of my life.
I had a cortisone shot yesterday for my torn rotator cuff, bursitis, spurs, and frozen shoulder (R), My facce is flushed, had severe hot flashes, and my arm is swollen, red and hot…I am also having slight palpitations. I had several cortisone shots to my heel, for heel spurs, I only got severe flushes, and those did not work, I had to have surgery on my l foot. The shot yesterday was given by the orthopedic surgeon, who plans to do surgery in 6 weeks if I can get rid of my frozen shoulder…I pray that it is not an infection on the arm…I will never have another cortisone shot!
My GP gave me a cortisone shot for allergies and an ear infection, about 3 weeks ago. She said there were no side effects for these shots. Within a day of the shot, I started with a headache that lasted 7 days. Since then, I have felt extreme fatigue, foggy, super tired but unable to fall asleep, had charlie horses on both calves during my sleep, got a severe migraine, almost daily headaches of some degree (some feel feverish), almost daily intermittent queasiness/nausea, eye pain, and weird moments when I feel like I’m going to get an anxiety attack or lose my mind, moments of confusion and moments when I feel like I want to get depressed, but then it goes away. The fatigue is the absolute worse, and I haven’t been able to exercise because I’m so pooped out. I’m just surviving at work. How long will this stupid shot last? I asked my doctor, and she said anywhere from 1 month to 3 months. But who knows? NEVER AGAIN!!!
Wow. I was starting to feel like a hypochondriac. I had shots in my feet today and have felt flush all day — nothing compared to the horrific headache. No more shots. Too scary. After reading about the way many of you felt when you woke up, I’m afraid to go to sleep!
I had a steroid injection last night for a allergic reaction. Followed to day by prednisone(sp) tablets. At the er now. Throat feeling tight, flushing, headache,dizziness, trouble with vision, loss appetite. A lil nausea reflux but as part of the treatment the doctor had me take zantac. So the upset stomachr surprised me cause i had just taken the zantac. But in hindsight i took the steroid then too. I have had anxiety attacks many years ago and it almost felt like one. I’m begining too think this is a steroid reaction. If it affects the adrenals then that explains the tightness in my throat. I often experienced that with anxiety attacks. Problem is with the algeric reaction throat swelling and closing is very serious so here i sit for two hours in the er wishing i had read this site before coming here.
I had a steroid injection last night for a allergic reaction. Followed to day by prednisone(sp) tablets. At the er now. Throat feeling tight, flushing, headache,dizziness, trouble with vision, loss appetite. A lil nausea reflux but as part of the treatment the doctor had me take zantac. So the upset stomachr surprised me cause i had just taken the zantac. But in hindsight i took the steroid then too. I have had anxiety attacks many years ago and it almost felt like one. I’m begining too think this is a steroid reaction. If it affects the adrenals then that explains the tightness in my throat. I often experienced that with anxiety attacks. Problem is with the algeric reaction throat swelling and closing is very serious so here i sit for two hours in the er wishing i had read this site before coming here.
I had a cortisone shot in my c5 c6 two weeks ago . I came out of the shot and had a very low pulse around 40 and my left arm was numb . It started out having horrible horrible headaches ,dizziness ,low fever , facial flushing , stiff neck and other horrible symptoms . I had these for a week before i finally got a hold of my doctor that did it . They acted like they never heard of such a thing then later on i talked to another doctor from the office and said it was could be a “flare” finally someone that admits it. ANyway its been two weeks and I still have all my side effects but , slowly less frequent I found out to stay away from any thing with caffeine or a stimulant . It will make things worse and also i found out on my own because the doctor that did my shot I could never get a hold of that it might be something called Cushing syndrome . People that are experiencing round face and facial flushing and weight gain read this .
Exogenous means caused by something outside the body. Exogenous Cushing syndrome occurs when a person takes human-made (synthetic) glucocorticoids, such as prednisone or dexamethasone, for treatment purposes (for example, to treat asthma).
In Cushing syndrome, the adrenal glands produce too much of certain hormones, such as cortisol.
Symptoms usually include:
* Upper body obesity (above the waist) and thin arms and legs
* Round, red, full face (moon face)
* Slow growth rate in children
Skin changes that are often seen:
* Acne or skin infections
* Purple marks (1/2 inch or more wide) called striae on the skin of the abdomen, thighs, and breasts
* Thin skin with easy bruising
Muscle and bone changes include:
* Backache, which occurs with routine activities
* Bone pain or tenderness
* Collection of fat between the shoulders (buffalo hump)
* Thinning of the bones, which leads to rib and spine fractures
* Weak muscles
Women often have:
* Excess hair growth on the face, neck, chest, abdomen, and thighs
* Menstrual cycle becomes irregular or stops
Men may have:
* Decreased fertility
* Decreased or no desire for sex
* Impotence
Other symptoms that may occur include:
* Mental changes, such as depression, anxiety, or changes in behavior
* Fatigue
* Headache
* High blood pressure
* Increased thirst and urination
It says it can be caused by too much of a steroid
https://health.google.com/health/ref/Cushing+syndrome+-+exogenous
I hope this helps you guys and i hope i feel better soon .
I had a facet injection last thursday, july 22 ans now it is monday the 26th and have started having allergy like symptoms. My face is hurting in a dull and achy way and my shoulders are achy. I am running a low grade fever at the moment. I have absolutely no energy. This is my first corti shot ever and it was done in the three vertebrae in my neck. My only concern is the fever, I a monitoring it to make sure it doesnt get any worse.
Hello fellow cortisone sufferers! I too have had my own struggle with a cortisone injection. I am a 27 year old healthy male and I was given a cortisone shot about 4 weeks ago for sinus allergies. For the first week I was extremely dizzy, light headed and nauseated. The dizziness stopped after a week and then I started getting full body twiches, muscle spasms, rapid heart beats,sleeplessness, headaches, light headedness,numbness, tingling and anxiety that lasted a little around 2-3 weeks. During these times I thought something was seriously wrong with me and I was in and out of the Drs. every couple of days. I had all kind of tests done on me. An MRI on my head, EKG and chest X-rays for my heart, and all kinds of blood tests. They all came back normal and I was baffled. Then My Dr. mentioned that it might be a reaction to the cortisone shot. I then started researching it online and sure enough cortisone has many side effects and a lot of people are suffering with them. I then talked to a couple Drs. about my findings and one of them told me that the cortisone probably caused a systemic full body reaction and that it probably effected my body chemistry. He told me that the cortisone would work itself out of my system after a couple of weeks and my body would return to normal. He advised me to exercise and drink plenty of fluids. This is now week 5 and I feel about 75% . I’m getting better slowley and my symptoms now are just mild headaches, light headedness, occasional rapid heart beats, and fatigue. I think for those of you looking for a time frame for your symptoms to pass, all I can say is that every ones body is different so between a few weeks to hopefully a few months(1-3). Based on my experience, what has helped me was medication for dizziness and nausea, anxiety meds as needed, lots of exercise, a multi vitamin to help with body chemistry, and the most important is time. For me it is a slow recovery, but I can see progress and thats hopefull. Good luck to you all, I hope this has helped some of you. Hang in there and keep fighting!
Far too many cortisone injections in my life,well over 75 …half of them epidurals.Why?failed back surgery syndrome cervical,lumbar-3 of them.As an athlete,I punished myself with very heavy barbells…and it resulted in my being at the mercy of the new breed of surgeon.The
young,wise ass,keep you in the dark and feed you s..t like a mushroom,lying,money hoarding,intimidating{because they know that you are too sick to fight back} gargoyles.
When I was a very young man..surgeons were not like that..period.
My reaction to the shots is all of the above symptoms and 30 days of extreme body weakness followed by pneumonia.
I now trust one doctor,my young primary care guy.
Dan
THANK GOD FOR THIS WEBPAGE, I M HAVING THE SAME SYMPTOMS, SEVERE FACIAL FLUSHING, SWEATING BADLY, I MEAN I LOOK LIKE I JUST HAD A BUCKET OF WATER THROWN OVER ME. I M SHAKING ,MY BLOOD SUGAR IS HIGH.HAS ANYONE HAD FEELING OF HIGH ANXIETY,I HAVE HAD FACET INJECTIONS. IT THE THIRD TIME WITH THIS CERTAIN CONSULTANT, AND THE THIRD BAD REACTION, SURELY NOT 3 COINSIDENCES. I ALSO FEEL DEPRESSED AND HAVE SORE EYES.GOOD LUCK EVERYONE,THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCES AT LESS I KNOW I M NOT ON MY OWN.
1st time cortisone shot in my left wrist for dequervain’s tendonitis a week ago tomorrow. experienced tingling & numbness in my index finger and thumb the first few days. now the pain is moving up my left arm – and it’s constant. i’m taking aleve & icing nightly. anyone else have these symptoms? i called my dr. and was told that when i received the injection, a nerve may have been damaged. my follow-up isn’t for another 2 weeks. any thoughts? thanks… :)
I just had my first cortisone injection in my wrist today, due to sjogrens disease. Now I have extreme pain in my wrist and hand. Can barely type, I took a pain pill and now I will try icing it. I had no idea that this would happen. I have had one cortisone shot in my knee years ago and it worked great, and one in my back with no problems. Did the rheumatologist mess up? I hope I feel better tomorrow.
My mother is in the hospital. She is 75. About 10 days ago, she had a cortisone shot in her knee. She was in otherwise good health. She immediately began to feel fatigued and felt as though she needed to sleep all the time. She was heady and complained about her stomach. About a week ago, she and my father went to the cabin and she started to have sweats in the middle of the night. Her blood pressure dropped significantly, and she passed out. My father drove her home last Friday, and before the day was out, she was in emergency at the hospital. Today is Sunday and she has had every test known to man. Nothing shows up. They even have her quarantined in ICU because they don’t know what is wrong with her. Her temp went up to 103 and they have had to pack her with ice and alternate Tylenol and Advil. Her stomach is extended, yet she has diarreaha. She is too week to walk to the bathroom, and her heart rate is 98-104 laying down! An infectious disease doctor is flying in tomorrow. Her face and chest is flushed and she shakes. It is scary. It just dawned on me and my two sisters that she had had her second cortisone shot. Is this the cause and what can we do? Please help!!!
thank you for this site!!!! i can not get anyone to believe me when i tell them everything i have gone through since getting that horrible shot ….i have been in hell… my shot was in my spine (L5 ) and besides all of the symtoms as everyone else i now have this spidery bruise that is about 8 inches around the injection site and getting worse… it has been a month and a half since the shot and the bruise is getting worse … im going to the hospital tomorrow … Good luck to you all… maybe someday these doctor will start to believe us..
I had my torn miniscus repaired 11 months ago. After walking for a distance ,it would be very painful. So I went back to the surgeon who said I needed a cortisone shot to make it feel better.
The day after the shot My leg started to become painful radiating down from my knee to my ankle and all the way up to my hip, especially on the back side of my leg. At times it also throbs. I then started to get nausated and threwn up. I am more comfortable standing and walking than sitting or laying down. I also have trouble sleeping. It has been 9 days since my shot. I have been back to the Dr. who gave me the shot, and he just prescribed a pain killer that is not helping. It is 12:30 am and I am sleepless because of the painful leg.
I had a cortisone injection in my hip yesterday. Immediately after I felt relief because it was numb – but later in the day I became really sore. I took 600 mg. of Ibuprofen just to lessen the pain enough to sleep. I woke up this morning with a fair amount of pain (not as bad as last night) but my hip is really sore and it hurts to walk. Earlier this morning I started experiencing chills and my face is really hot. Aside from my hip hurting quite badly, those are the only other symptoms. I’m a little worried, as some sites say the chills/fever can be a sign of infection but the injection site is not red or anything.
I have had a number of cortisone injections–not that many, because I want to space them out a lot, but I have had several orthopedic problems. I always get a flush, that may last for several days. My first injection, for knee bursitis, produced a mammoth corticosteroid flare-pain definitely a ten-I was at lunch with a friend and the restaurant brought me ice. It was a shock, but you just ice until you recover a few hours hence. Have had injections in both shoulders for frozen shoulder and rotator cuff tendinitis. A few days ago I had a hip injection for arthritis/labral tears, and for the first time experienced heart palpitations–on and off for five days, then they disappeared. Quite disconcerting!!
I feel that these side effects are worth it because the shots have worked, and allowed helpful rehabbing to take place. My hip pain is already very greatly diminished, and I have a lot more flexibility in my hip.
I strongly encourage everyone to have shots done only by an orthopedist or a physiatrist who has performed many. For an injection into a hip or SI joint, choose a hospital with highly experienced interventional radiologists who will do it under a fluroscope. My interventional radiologist last week does nothing but hip injections, and it was so smooth it was as if nothing was happening. I am grateful for the shots (my shoulders, for example, have full function now and have not needed more shots), but I know the side effects can be disturbing–mine were thankfully only for a short while. Good luck, everybody, and I hope that your future experiences can be as excellent and helpful as mine.
Each time I’ve had a cortisone shot, I’ve started coughing. I had one two years ago and noticed the cough the next day. Then had one about two months ago — again the cough. Had another one two days ago. Within two hours, I had intense stomach pain. Now I am coughing uncontrollably. I know I have acid reflux, but this is terrible. I don’t know when it will go away, and the shoulder pain is still there.
Got a first time Cortisone shot (Depo) on 11/5/09 in knee after scope surgery in June and 2 falls which re-injured knee. Started getting nauseaous on 11/6/09. Today is 11/10/09 and I still have very little appetite, stomach issues including bloating. Knee feels better but don’t like side affects.
I’m into the 5th week after cortisone injections and symptoms are still with me. I now have intermittent rapid and pounding heart rate. Brain fog and disconnect has changed to a constant slight buzzing in my head. My right eye seems to have a pulse at times also. The numbness and tingling in my mouth is not as bad but still present. Flushing had disappeared but returns now and then. Fatigue is better but not gone. I’m going back to my primary physician next week. She wanted me to see a neurologist 2 weeks into this but I declined. I’m thinking I better proceed with it now. At least if that checks out they will have to give more attention to this being related to the injection
Last Tuesday I had a cortisone shot for a bad back. It was agonizing but the worse came after the shot the next day. In the morning I woke up to a feeling that the room was spinning around in circles and each time it spun I threw up. Had a ten hour visit to the local emergency room and although my blood pressure was astronomical they could not find anything else wrong with me. I was told that my spinning and throwing up had nothng to do with the cortisone shot. The following two days I woke up spinning around but on the third day the vomiting stopped. On the fourth day the spinning stopped but I do not know if it is permanently over. I cannot drive because I would be unable to control the car if I had a spell like this. On many of these blogs I have had others complain about this extreme dizziness. Have any of you had this same experience? Although I am a senior citizen I never even had a headache before. And by the way, my backache is just as bad as before.
I had cortisone shots 7 days ago in bilateral sacro iliac joints. Felt drugged as I left the doctor’s office but okay in the car. Drugged feeling returned when I got out of the car again. Next day I was flattened, no energy, general weakness, spacey, facial flushing but no fever. Four days after shot I began having slight numbness and tingling in mouth, lips and chin. I had this side effect with Flonase, a nasal steroid. That’s when I put together the fact I was having a reaction to the cortisone shots. Also am having to take ambien every night to sleep. Everything I read in medical articles stated that there are no side effects because it is a naturally occurring substance in the body. I’m a nurse and I know that sometimes the doctors just don’t know everything! Day 6 I had a new and scary symptom which only lasted about 15 or 20 minutes. I began seeing bright white patches scattered across my vision field. These were apparent brain zaps and fortunately they haven’t returned. Finally called the doctor who gave the injections and he said the symptoms could last from 1 week to 4 weeks. So, I guess that means he has heard of them before and acknowledges it is a reaction. Will see my primary care physician tomorrow to talk about it all and make sure nothing else is going on. I had these same injections last March with no side effects at all.
it has been 3 weeks…and the above symptoms are intermittent….but still have the facial flushing-burning off and on and headaches….this was my 3rd injection in 3 months..no more for me….how long have the side effects lasted for some of you?
i had a scope done on my right knee of march 08,after the procedure i went through therapy,but i still had knee pain,i have had about 3 cortisone shots since then,in the last 2 weeks i have had so much pain in my knee that i could barely walk,much less sleep at nite,aweek ago i had a cortisone shot,it had no effect,yesterday, i went to a walk in clinic,they gave me an injection of steroid in my right arm,today i have no knee pain whatsoever,its almost unbelieveableand i have had no side effects at all
1 week on and the pain has improved so much i can’t believe it. Hopefully this will continue for some time and delay the hip replacement. Would i have another one? yes i would however i would take time off work for the following week.
Lesley
Oh how glad am I that I found this thread. I had a injection into my hip 3 days ago, and yesterday started with what can only be decribed as having had my face in the micro wave oven and it looks like it as well. I also have a mild headache and slight temp. increase. As i work in a busy medical ward I thought have I got Swine flu or what?.
Now I have seen this thread I can hopefully conclude that I am having a reaction to the injection which was done by a orthopedic surgeon under xray imaging in a sterlie theatre ( i was awake). Initially I was ok, but 6hrs after i started with shaking and palpatations and it felt like my heart was trying to get out of my chest. Yesterday i spoke to the pharmacist at work and she said that that was a reaction to the injection and it would pass. So all in all today i feel like you know what, but hopefully things will subside, the pain in my hip is much improved and if it was not for the temp. and flushing i would have slept the best i had for a while. In addition having read this thread i feel slightly better in myself knowing that its not uncommon.
NEVER LET A GENERAL PRACTICIONER GIVE YOU A CORTISONE SHOT!!!!!!
Many people that have bad reactions have gotten their shots from a GP! GP’s are not trained well enough to give these shots. If the shot is not placed in the right area, you can have a bad systemic reaction and/or have more damage to healthy tissues. Always get your shots from an orthopedic surgeon! They give these shots all the time, and know the anatomy well as they do surgery on those body parts!
Yesterday, I had my third cortisone shot in 3 years in one of my knees. I have arthritis in both knees, but am too young for a knee replacement. Each time, I get flushing, feel dizzy, and my adrenal gland fires for a couple days; however, this is normal and goes away in a couple of days. The results are amazing for me! I get a good 6 months pain relief from them. Though, I am careful to not get them very often (again, I’ve had 3 shots in 3 years).
My spouse had one in the shoulder, but got no reprieve from it.
I’ve known a lot of people who have had cortisone shots, and the ones that had bad reactions, got the shots from their GP. Of course, some people will get allergic or it’s a genetic issue; however, always get one from an orthopedic surgeon!
It sounds like the side effects are worse on the 2nd or 3rd injections. Could this be an allergic reaction? The first injection is recognized by the body’s defenses but the full allergic reaction doesn’t happen until the second injection? I’m being referred to a physcian for L4:L5 bulge/nerniation and there has been reasonable improvement since injury (May) but still nerve issues in hip/leg by any prolongued use. Not sure if I should stay the course and stick to physio, or attempt coritizone to try to advance the recovery.
This is interesting, I have been searching all over the place and have found these similar reactions which I keep reading about to be somewhat common, but I am wondering if anyone has had an experience like mine.
I got a cortisone/lidocaine injections in my shoulder on May 28th (today is June 29th) for what was diagnosed as Supraspinatis Tendinitis – I have had a sharp pain at the outer edge of my shoulder whenever I lift it for the past year and a half. Although I have been very gradually and carefully rehabing the shoulder, it recently became more painful and started effecting my sleeping so I agreed to try the injection.
Immediately following the injection I had no pain! I was excited and headed home. About 5 minutes down the freeway my entire shoulder began to ache and the ache increased throughout the afternoon and over the next three days. (not to mention the enormous tender bruise on the back of my shoulder.) Over the next few days the pain went from an 8/9 to about a 5/6. I emailed my doctor and she referred me for an MRI with contrast. the pain decreased to about a 2/3. The results showed that I have a “Type III SLAP tear with a bucket handle fragment” (aka: torn cartilage in my shoulder with a flap). She referred me to the orthopedic surgeon and recommends orthoscopic surgery.
During the first three weeks following the injection I also experienced massive acne on my chest, shoulders, back, and face. The acne is finally starting to taper off. I have also had insomnia and total exhaustion, fogginess, headaches, and extreme stiff necks.
While I have been waiting for appointments and results the pain/ache in my shoulder has increased from a 2/3 to an 8/10 where I can’t even handle having my arm hanging down at my side so I have to hold it against my rib cage. What was a sharp, specific pain on certain movements has turned into a constant and severe pain of my entire shoulder and up into my neck following that stupid injection.
I will see the Orthopedic surgeon in 4 days, but until then I am miserable and I can’t sleep because of the pain. I am truly sorry for all of you who have had to deal with this and I am with you that I will never get a cortisone injection again!!!!
I received an cortisone injection in my shoulder at 11:00 am. I immediately felt heart pounding palpitations and skipped heart beats (something I have a recurring problem with) but it was so strong, I nearly fainted. The doctor said he didn’t know of any connection between the injection and heart issues. It is 1:30 am now and I am struggling with a really pounding heart trying to decide if I need to go to the emergency room. This needs a warning label. Why didn’t the shoulder specialist know? Thanks for sharing, so I don’t think I am crazy.
A lot of people are saying that even though previous cortisone injections didn’t cause a reaction, a new cortisone injection suddenly causes one. I have only ever had one injection, and had an immediate reaction. I will never have another one again.
I had a cortisone shot for my shoulder this PM and after about 10 min. started to feel weak, dizzy, tired, and my arm felt like it weighed 500 pounds. I was still at the doctor’s office and told her I felt this way, but she shrugged it off and says it wasn’t the shot! I ‘toughed it out’ and walked about 2 miles to the train and came home. I still feel weak, my legs are wobbly, my arm is still weak, and my head is very spacey. These reactions are definitely related to the cortizone shot and I hope they fade- before I do!!
I have had several cortison shots in my knees about 10 years ago but never experienced anything like this.
There are most definitely side effects to cortisone injections. If you ask a doctor point blank, he will admit that 10% of those who have the injection will experience some sort of a reaction. Any doctor who tells you otherwise, just doesn’t want to deal with the mistake he/she made by not telling you before you had the injection.
Hello! I too am having some really weird side-effects, and the ONLY thing that has been different this week is that I had a cortisone shot in my right wrist Wednesday. That day, I was ok, just a little tired, but starting Thursday morning, I have been miserable! I am extremely fatigued, some loss of appetite, lower back pains, charlie horses (which I never get!!), and sweaty. I feel a little like I am in a “fog”. I had googled side-effects for cortisone shot, and could find none, so I am a little reluctant to call my doctor. However, if the fatigue keeps up, I think I will have to. Good luck everyone…
OMG! Thank God I found a site where people are experiencing the same side effects as myself. Vertigo, nausea, extreme irritability, blurry vision, rapid heart beat ,dizziness, irregular period, night sweats, chills, feeling brain dead, constipation, splitting headaches, leg cramps in the middle of the night, etc. the list goes on. The symptoms have appeared after my second cortisone shot. First one in the lumbar second with no obvious side effects. After I received my 2nd shot in the cervical spine two weeks later, the side effects started. Today, 9 days later I still feel like complete crap. I could barely get out of bed. I just start a new job last week. I called out sick yesterday cause I could not get out of bed without losing my balance. It is amazing I still have a job. This is a complete nightmare! I called my Dr. and at least she admitted what I was experiencing was rare side effect from the injection. She could not tell me when this would subside. I am praying for this horror to end. NEVER, EVER AGAIN!!!!
I just read darrenj’s report on his cortisone shot. I had a shot in my shoulder on April 22 and have had almost identical symptoms since. I didn’t experience vomiting or fever, but did feel absolutely awful and still do, with horrid headaches and sweaty clammy outbreaks and very tired. Vision affected as well. I don’t want to socialize at all because of how I feel. Rather I want to sleep it off. I’m going to see the doc that gave me the shot today for a follow up and will expect he’ll say there is no connection. I didn’t have these symptoms until the day after the shot and find that odd. Someone needs to pay attention to this matter. I don’t believe in co-incidences. In the meantime I’ve suffered worry and concern for my heart, tumors due to the nasty headaches that just won’t go away and generally wondering what the heck is wrong with me. I’ll let you know what happens today.
I am 38 and I had my second of 3 injections 2 weeks apart to c6 and c7. So far my neck/arm pain is cut by 75%. I didn’t think much of my symptoms the first round, since I knew I was coming down with a sinus infections. I felt good before the second shot I was conserned about how I seem to be sick all over again. As to side effects. I have had almost all. Hot/sweat, thurst, Red face hot to the touch, headache, dizzy, flu like symptons, low back pain and stomach pain that woke me up in the middle of the night. My husband is worried about my mental state. I loose my train of thought, forget and mix up words, and has complained about speech. I have to wear my glasses in situation I have not had to in the past.
I still plan to get the last shot. I will have to reevaluate the lasting effectivness vs side effects if 6 weeks(3 Shots) side effect gives me 6 months or longer relief I think I would try it again. I just want to prolong the need for fusion surgery.
i just came across this thread while looking for side effects info. Had injection 2 pm today immediately had head spins like I was off my face (I am a 45 yo mum so no drugs here) heart racing very dizzy and hearing was distorted. Told doctor he was not concerned. I have had injections before and have experienced the burning skin sensation rashes and tummy aches and cramps. I try to hold off for months on getting another but the pain in my shoulder is so bad I have to eventually. ATM my shoulder pain has intensified 10 fold although eventually I will be pain free in a week or so this should last up to 3 months. I will be able to sleep better which I desperately need as I shift work and have a young family. I hope everyone here can be pain free I know what it is like
In answer to Comment #18 left by Erica on January 7, 2009 at 5:56am
She explained a pain in her knee:
This may be what I had: a medial plica.
You can’t see it via any film, xray or MRI, but it’s a holdover from fetal knee development(!)
Simple plica excision via arthroscopy will take care of it.
I had a cortisone injection in my left wrist on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. Within 2 hours I had a fairly bad headache (and I rarely get them). That night it literally felt like I had a broken bone in my wrist, and as I would pivot my arm, my wrist would make a loud popping sound (which I have NEVER had; and my wife could even hear it when I made her listen). Plus all Thursday I had mild-moderate nausea and was relegated to laying in bed. I almost felt a panic attack coming on but I quashed it. The next day my wrist felt like it was sprained. Now, on Sunday at 3:22, my wrist is very painful, and is worse than before the shot.
My advice is that the side-effects can be scary, but unless they are extreme, you are not going to die. You need to ride out the storm. What else can you do…you already had the shot!
; )
I had an injection in my shoulder about 8 days ago. The shot was a bit uncomfortable, and I had gotten myself a bit worked up about it since I have a real phobia about needles. I came home and “took to my bed”, a huge amount of drama on my part!! I feel great, and my shoulder pain is nearly gone, which is allowing me to do harder Physical Therapy for a more durable releif of pain. I’m so happy I did it!!!
I’m having a reaction also and have never had one to the 3 other shots I’ve had over the last 9 years. I’m wondering if the drug is now made in China and is not as pure as it used to be? What fillers might be used in it now???
Today is Sunday, 10 days after my second of three injections for lower back disc problems. This sight has given me comfort that I am not alone and that I am not crazy. These reactions do happen and I seem to have had them all. Not looking forward to the third injection this week but want so desperately to stop the pains in my back and legs. Is it worth the weeks worth of sweats, stomach cramping, racing heat beat, depression…. Has anybody found a source to soften these side effects?
I had a facet injection of cortisone yesterday morning for a ruptured S1 vertebrae – about 6 shots in the general area. Fatigue set in just a few hours later. By bedtime I started cramping in my stomach. This morning I am very tired though I actually slept better than usual. The stomach pain is like a clenching feeling and feels tantamount to the pain I had with an ulcer many years ago. I would do anything to relieve this pain! – please let me know of any possible remedy for it!! My back pain is a 10 but I don’t see the difference of being disabled from that versus how I feel with the cortisone. I’ll have to see how long the side-effects last. Thanks for the support of knowing that I’m not crazy thinking this is directly connected to the shot. I knew better then to call my Doc who promised “no side-effects – ” Yeah – RIGHT!!!
I had my 2nd cortisone injection yesterday in my left elbow, I feel spaced out, and when I sit still I feel like im on a boat bobbing about, when i walk I am going off to the left crashing into to walls! I am so off balance, I feel sick and faint! and tingle
I know my arm will feel worse with for a few days not just around the elbow as normal but the whole arm! It was like this last time then was perfect for a good few months
I never had any faint and off balanced feeling when I had my last one 6 months ago.
Hello.Just had a cortisone shot in my right knee today.Within a minute I starting sweating and felt nauseous.Sat down for a few minutes to gather myself.I am a little nervous to see what the coming days will bring.If you’re thinking about one of these injections make sure you talk to your doctor to know what the immediate side effects could be and don’t be surprised like I was.
I had an injection on my right shoulder last thursday and I have felt like hell ever since. Cold and clamy sweats, headache, i feel out of myself..really weird and very tired and I feel like I am in a different world. Never Again!! When will this go away!!
Today is Sunday. I had my injection late on Friday afternoon. I ran around full of energy. I keep waking up on Sat night thinking I had a fever, my face was so hot, on fire. When I got up I look like I have a bad sunburn and my face is burning. The pain in my shoulder is almost gone. Just sore at the injection site. No other symptoms. I have had many of these over the years and have never had an reaction. I wonder what is different. How long does the burning on your cheeks last does anyone know? very strange.
I had four injections a year and half agao and still have buring on my face and lips and the skin on my face has gotten very thin:( do you still have this buring? please any info would be very grateful please
Well it’s almost 4 in the morning and I’m lying awake. I’ve changed my shirt twice due to sweats. I had a hard time falling asleep and I’m still not tired like my adrenal is on speed. Woke up after and hour of sleep to stomach pains and diarrhea. I’ve had ulcers in the past and have acid reflux so I’m used to this side effect when I use new meds.
I had the cortisone injection around noon for my torn meniscus. I’m wondering if I have an underlying infection causing the symptoms. I’m also curious about someone comment on metabolic changes. Like the rest of you I’ve had this shot many times for various sprts injuries but never had these effects. Hopefully this is as bad that it gets and I’m probably not going to take the prescribed prednisone.
Hi, I stumbled onto this site because I was researching the symptoms I am having. I got a cortisone shot at two this after noon, it is now midnight and I am in extreme pain.
I went in originally for knee pain which was diagnosed as maltracking of the patella or something close, I have not gotten a good answer. My doctor recommended cortisone and PT to strengthen the muscles.
Went in and decided on the shot, I will say he did not push it on me. The injection itself was painful but manageable it was the sharp stabbing pains after the shot that got me. The second I tried to move my knee sharp pain radiated from my knee which caused me to gasp so loud ( I have a HIGH pain tolerance) the Dr turned around saw I was moving and when I tried again I got the same reaction from my knee and my Dr. He eventually left he room and me to the nurse who cleaned up my knee.
After a few minutes the pain went away and I thought the worst was over.
I drove home and had no issues for several hours. Later in the evening my knee started hurting worse and in a different way. Before my knee burned and throbbed now it is sharp and comes in waves that take my breath away. The weirdest symptom is that the tendon in my ankle is also now hurting, feels like someone hit me with a bat when I have NEVER had ANY issue with my ankle. The pain as I write is now moving up my leg and not getting any better. I am seriously considering going to the emergency room I just don’t know if it is worth it because all they will be able to do is MAYBE give me something for the pain.
My knee is somewhat swollen and there is bruising which I kind of expected.
I also am having the symptoms of being flushed and the indigestion which until I read this blog I thought was completely unrelated, now I am not so sure!
I am so frustrated because this was supposed to help and I was better off the way I was!
Thanks, its been nice to have someone to off load with, and know exactly what your talking about!! Its now about 12 days post injection and she is starting to improve. Still continually feels nauseous but vomiting has disappeared and whilst the headache has gone she is very sore behind the eyes when moving them from side to side. Worked for 5 of her 7 hours rostered yesterday then had to go home as was feeling too sick. Then slept the rest of the day. Certainly seems to be on the improve, just such a pain generally feeling CRAP all the time. Don’t worry she will never have cortisone again!!!!
Oh man…Quinsy is like glandular fever. I hope she is on the right antibiotics. I do think the cortisone injections do something to the immune system. I am already sick with medical problems, but as soon as I had the injection I was immobile. I was sooo sick. It was horrible, but it did ease off after 3 weeks. Just make sure she never has another injection. It isn’t worth it.
Yea looks that way. She had a lumbar puncture because of the severe headache and the fact that several cases of meningitis had been diagnosed in the area recently. It was mainly a precaution. It looks at this stage like her problems are a combination of the cortisone injection and the ‘Quinsy’ which has developed, I believe, because her immunity has been low since the injection.
Looks like she needs to tough it out -Bugger!!
Hi I am writing about my 22yo daughter who had cortisone injected into her ankle for posterior impingement syndrome about 3 months ago. Exactly 19 hours later broke into a sweat, had all over body aches and became dizzy with severe headache and face became very red and hot (likened it to bad sunburn). This lasted 3 days with some vomiting in this time. Surgeon felt that she probably had the ‘flu’ and recommended another injection which was done last week under ultrasound guidance. 19 hours exactly afterward she had the same symptoms with a migraine type headache and vomiting (doc is now listening!). Headaches and vomiting have been continual for 6 days now. She has been in hospital twice within that time having a lumbar puncture, IV antibiotics for Quinsy which has also developed since the injection. Has had bloods to see if she has glandular fever and IV fluids for dehydration. But still continues on with the headaches and nausea. How long will this last? When is it time to go back to hospital? They just put her on a drip for 6 hours then send her home again. Poor thing. Anti-emetics and analgesias are doing nothing.
Thanks for this. I’m an otherwise healthy female who has osteoarthritis in my left thumb. Had a cortisone shot over 2 weeks ago and was not told of side effects. Immediate reaction was huge head spin with sweats and was laid back and heart checked. The next day my face began to burn to the point where nothing could soothe the pain. Visited GP next morning and he suggested antihistimines which worked. By the next day I had severe vertigo, body sweats and bad headache along with nausea and a feeling of general ill health. Over 2 weeks later I had the vertigo fixed by a vestibular physiotherapist who said it was caused by the metabolic changes from cortisone. The pain in my hand has gone but at what cost to the rest of my body? I wont be taking this road again….the risks are too high! My GP said cortisone is one of the highest reactionary drugs and was concerned that the specialist did not warn me of possible side effects before administering.
Don’t you hate it when doctors try to blame your symptoms on “nothing”? I do. In my case it was obvious the symptoms were coming from the injection. I was almost immediately lethargic and had horrible pain. I am glad this blog can be an outlet for the symptoms. I have started a thread in my forum:
http://forums.arachnoidcystactivist.com/tool/post/diadicristino/vpost?id=3098235
Add me to the list. Torn disc, L5. Had cortisone shot at 3:30 pm. By 6 pm I was getting a headache. Headache gradually increased over the next 7 days, never goes away, prevents sleep. Nausea, and unyielding headache. 10 days in, still have massive headache. Called the Dr around day 8 she said that couldn’t be the cortisone, go see my regular doctor. Did that, he diagnosed this is reaction to the cortisone shot. That headache would last about 3 weeks (the time it takes for the body to absorb the injection). Gave me Midrin for the headaches. They’re not too fun either, make the nausea worse for me. I’m 12 days in, headache is not pounding as much, but settled in behind eyes, giving feverish feeling to eyes. Nausea bad still, ache, tired. Will go back and see Dr in 3 days if headaches aren’t totally gone (his orders). Will be interested to see what my Orthepedic doctors says on next appointment. The injection did give me relief for back and leg pain I’ve had for months. I have to weigh if being sick for 3 weeks is worth being able to walk and sit with no pain for unknown time..
I am happy to have found this… Couldn’t access the site in the link (404ed), but I have been through the other threads on that site pertaining to Cortisone and I’m convinced that’s why I feel so miserable.
I had a shot for sinusitis last Tuesday, and Wednesday I felt like a new woman– like there was never anything wrong! I thought it was a miracle drug! Then Thursday, Friday, today… I’ve felt completely awful. Weak, fatigued– achey tired, not sleepy–, nauseated and dizzy, headachey, and unaware. I was recently diagnosed with an anxiety disorder (after a trip to the ER with bizarro symptoms), so I was really freaked out by this. Hopefully by the middle of next week I’ll find myself at least back where I started; congested and sniffly is better than this any day.
This is very odd, though, to me, because I know I had at least two cortisone shots as a child, when I had severe allergies, and I don’t remember anything like this happening… Is it indicative of a reaction with something else? A greater problem? I wonder because there are a great number of sites that say the shots should not have any of these effects, and then a great number of forums and blogs like yours that say that it *must*, because suddenly all of these symptoms are showing up, and the only event that would have triggered them was a previous shot. Just curious if you’ve heard anything along those lines.
Anyway, thanks, and take care. :)
Im miserable, i have no idea what is going on with me!!! I had a celestone cortisone injection 22nd July between S1 and L5 i dont recall feeling that unwell till mid August. since then ive had reflux, belching, wind, night sweats, dizzy spells, nausea and fatigue. theyve done all sorts of tests and nothing much has shown up. im now on a gluten free/dairy free diet which doesnt seem to be helping…………im still in pain with my back and not coping, anyone had these symptoms? i dont understand if it was from the injection why symptoms didnt show up sooner.
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. They let me
go home.
I also got a burning sensation in the same area a person gets acid indigestion, it’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. I have no doubt I was near dead.
I’m still exhausted but getting better ——– I’ll never, ever have them again. anyone else have symptoms like this before?
I had the same experience, including the doc saying I fainted because I “must not like shots.” I have had them every year for allergies (always starting in September), and I NEVER had a reaction like I did yesterday.
When I finally got home (ammonia ampoule in hand in case I felt faint while driving)., I was dizzy and sick to my stomach, and spent an hour in the bathroom dry-heaving into the sink and having bowel issues. After an hour or so of that, I dragged myself to bed and slept for two hours, and woke *drenched* in sweat.
It’s the next day, and I’m still short of breath, dizzy, and weak as a kitten.
No more of these shots for me! Not worth risking the same reaction again. I mean, what if it’s *worse* next month? Ugh. No way.
i had injection into my rh shoulder last Monday the 11th. i am having all the same side effects dizziness weakness cold sweats , this is is my 5 th injection and its the first time this has ever happened me. im 37 year old male and i feel like shi- , never again will i have a injection.
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.
I notice that you wrote about what sounds to be knee pain. My best friend also has knee pain, due to knee arthritis. She tried a knee brace and it really helped. Just thought I would share what might help you out. She went to http://www.drbraceco.com
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.
Yeah, today I slept 15 hours. I couldn’t move.
I am very sorry to read about this
I hope that you feel better soon
Hi,
I am not sure why she needed a lumbar puncture. That is something used to test neurological conditions. I have had a few of those, but not for a cortisone injection. These are just side effects, they aren’t symptoms of an underlying disease. If the doctors accept that these are side effects, there will be no need to be in the hospital. You just have to wait it out. I did, it took about 3 weeks.