Cortisone Injection Reaction
If 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!
I have created a thread about this on my forum: http://diadesigns.com/cortisone
I am very sorry to read about this
I hope that you feel better soon
Yeah, today I slept 15 hours. I couldn’t move.
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.
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
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 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.
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?
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.
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. :)
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..
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
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.
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.
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.
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!!
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.
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!!!!
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!
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.
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 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!!
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 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.
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!!!
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’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???
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 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!
; )
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 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
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 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.
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!!!!
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…
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.
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.
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 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.
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!!!!
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.
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!
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.
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
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
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 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.
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’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
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.
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.
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.