There is a burning question out there, yet doctors seem hesitant to address this question. I’m not sure why since so many people seem to experience this.
*affiliate links are used in this post
Do cortisone shots have side effects?
I firmly believe they do!
While I was recovering from my neck surgery, I was told to not bend over, but instead to bend at the knees. I listened to the doctors orders, but unfortunately I then hurt my knee from bending so much. I saw a different doctor for my knee and we both suspected a torn meniscus. An MRI revealed that nothing was torn, but that there were several other issues going on in there. He thought that a cortisone shot in the knee would be the best option. Honestly, I didn’t know much about them. I mentioned that I had heard of Cortisone injections before and I also knew someone who had a Cortisol shot before…were they the same thing? He said they were not – that Cortisol is a steroid.
Honestly, I had a lot of questions. The thought of a needle being inserted into my knee sounded kind of barbaric. Will there be pain after a cortisone shot in the knee? How long does a Cortisone shot last? I also wondered, if this worked, how often can you get a cortisone shot? Not that I wanted to do this often, but if it offered major relief, then I imagine I would be all in! Of course, I hadn’t had it done yet either, so I still didn’t know what to expect after the cortisone shot!
What is Cortisone, what does Cortisone do and what does a Cortisone shot do?
Cortisone is used to reduce inflammation in the joints (typically the knee joint, elbow joint, etc.) and also in an effort to reduce the pain.
Last week I went in to have the cortisone shot. Do cortisone shots hurt? Well, here is my opinion on this. Cortisone shot pain is minimal. The doctor applied something to “freeze” the skin (it felt like dry ice – super cold), and then he injected an anesthetic, which stung just a little bit, then he gave me the cortisone shot. I have to admit that it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be; I had envisioned a long needle weaving around the inside of my knee, but hit was very tolerable.
I grew concerned and starting searching the internet to see if others experienced these same symptoms. I was actually shocked at what I read. There were so many people that had posted on message boards and medical sites, talking about these same symptoms. I also learned that the cortisone shots increase your blood sugar, which obviously can be very dangerous for those who are pre-diabetic or those who have full-blown diabetes. My blood sugar runs just a little bit high, and I assume that is why I felt so crappy.
More Cortisone shot side effects
That night, I went to bed as usual, but I did not sleep at all. Not even a wink. I was having the same hot and cold flashes as I did earlier, the jitters coupled with a rapid heartbeat, and the leg where I had the cortisone shot was jumping uncontrollably. I have had severe Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) since I was a child, and it is typically kept under control with medication. Apparently the shot triggered something in that leg because I was kicking and flailing all night long. I didn’t fall asleep until 6 a.m. It was awful. I kind of wondered …is Cortisone a steroid? I felt kind of amped up, and I know steroids can do that to a person. It would make sense to me that these could be steroid injection side effects too.
So here we are, one week later, and I am still having these symptoms (though they are not quite as severe as the first couple of days). I get really shaky (out of the blue), break out in a sweat while I am doing absolutely nothing, and just generally feel really crappy. I plan on calling the doctor tomorrow, as I want to know exactly what he gave me (name, dose, etc.), and ask why I wasn’t warned about these side effects. While reading other’s posts online, many of them said that their doctors told them these adverse effects aren’t due to cortisone injections. I beg to differ, and call HOGWASH.
Is it possible I am allergic to cortisone? I can’t help but wonder since other people have had none of these side effects.
Do cortisone shots cause shakiness and heart racing?
They did for me, and I want to get to the bottom of this.
Are Cortisone injections bad for you?
I can’t answer for everyone, but for myself and for those who have experienced these horrible symptoms after an injection, I imagine you would hear us all should a resounding, “YES”!
One thing for sure is I will never, ever, have another cortisone shot. If you are planning on having one, I would definitely reconsider, or at least do your research first. If you are diabetic, I hope you’ll think twice.
Have you ever had these or other side effects of cortisone shots?
Update! A reader suggested using Magnesium
*Note – please do check with a doctor before using supplements or product recommendations you see here.
Here are a few ideas to help you relax and hopefully help you sleep while you are suffering with the side effects of Cortisone shots.
Enjoy more from Eighty Mph Mom!
244 Responses
Not the same, but I had awful symptoms from a Tubal that the dr. said was not related, and when I looked it up on Google…same thing as you, I saw where tons of people had the same awful symptoms after the same procedure.
I ‘m sorry about the side effects of your shot. It’s nice that you’re sharing it for others to read!
I am so sorry to hear this! They should hand out an informational sheet with possible side effects, for every procedure. That would allow us to make informed decisions at least!
Thank you sooonych for sharing. I had a bad episode of arthritis in my knee. After X-rays and dr visits, etc I was referred to an orthopedic dr who after looking at my X-rays suggested the cortisone injection. He asked no questions abt my health (he had my paperwork in front of him). Anyway I said sure. My knee stopped hurting the next day. But I was incredibly thirsty – because my sugar was 494! He never warned me. Also developed the jitters. How long will the jitters last? They’re driving me crazy!!
Ugh, I am so sorry you are experiencing these horrible feelings too. I think it took a couple of days for the jitters to go away.
About your blood sugar – THAT is the part that is so concerning to me, and the part that I feel doctors should be concerned with and more careful with. It is just so incredibly dangerous for the levels to go that high!
H Jen, steroid injections ruined the better half of a year of my life. My Doctor has marked my medical record with an allergy to steroids, was awful. branieli@aol.com if youd like to talk more. Something has to be done about this, maybe you and I could be the ones to start the process.
Yes!! I had about 8 in the past 2 months ( I know what the..” ) and never again!!! They have made me so much worse! My face is puffy!! Have worse pain and symptoms than I did before the shots. Dr denies this could happen. My face exploded it blew up! They said that can’t happen? It did!! I have photos. I will never get another one!
If they don’t, get a new doc. Mine told me everything & sent me home with a list of side effects.
This is the second time to have kenalog 40 im injection, it last a bout a month..so the first weeks weired hot feelings on my left leg, by the fourth week reall bed hot flushes..I’m 44 years old, I thought I was starting menapause..I go and get a second shot because I’m supposed to get 1 every month for 3 months for hair loss..After second shot severe hot flushes…hot and cold at the same time..Also im getting weired sansations on my legs, mostly left leg.. I hope this goes way, bcs I read that kenalog shots can cause neuropathy and that’s how my legs feel..
Yes, I have exactly the same thing! I had an MRI done to see if I had broken my tibia or if there was some ligament damages or other soft tissue damage. there was none but I had a small spur, so the orthopedist gave me a cortisone shot in my knee. On the way home, my face felt so hot and when I walked into the a/c at my home, I was ice cold. I turned the a/c up and had to turn it back down because I got too hot. I hardly got any sleep that night and the next day, my face was red as a beet, my heart was racing and I broke out in a rash on my chest. The next day, I was itching from head to toe and I could tell my blood pressure was too high and I was having a bad allergic reaction. I took an antihistamine and 15 or 20 minutes later, the itching went away and then my heart settled down and I was no longer having hot flashes. It is now about 12 hours later and it has started all up again. I took another antihistamine. It has to be the cortisone shot I’m allergic to.
Oh wow – you had a very bad reaction too!! I never even thought to take benadryl, but that the effects came back after they helped you initially? That’s crazy. I am so sorry you experienced this too!
I got a cortisone shot in my thumb today for trigger finger.
45 minutes later I wound up in the ER
Heart rate 170 and BP 175/100!!!
It eventually calmed down but now they have decided I’m allergic . Too often side effects aren’t mentioned.
I seem to be hypersensitive to foreign medications.
Oh my God (I literally said this out loud just now). That is insane!! So what else did they have to say about people being allergic to cortisone? What did they do to counter the side effects/allergic reaction? How are you feeling now? I am SO sorry this happened to you. I really wish they would warn people…they just don’t seem to think it’s important, yet a lot of people seem to be affected by them!
Thank you guys now I dont feel completely crazy! I get itchy and hot and cold and my heart rate is up and my palpitations are crazy bad today! And now my arm is red below the area they gave me the injection in. Going to let the doctor know tomorrow. !
Oh I definitely would. And nope, you are not crazy at all! That’s how I felt too. I think they need to warn people of all of these side effects!
So I got a cortisone shot in both knees today, they hurt like crazy!! Very sore!! My heart beat is staying around 97-100 bpm laying in bed, and I feel real uneasy! .
I will never get these shots again!!!
Oh no…you too? I am so sorry. It’s a horrible feeling when you can’t get your heart to calm down. And you had two at the same time? I can only imagine how you must feel. Is it getting any better yet?
I had a series of cortisone shots with Kenalog and ended up allergic to it. I was then smothered in thick painful hives every second of every day for 5 long years.
That’s terrible. There should be a way to test for these types of reactions without injecting someone with a full dose. Th medical industry needs to do better. Thanks for sharing with us and maybe it can help someone.
Oh Jennifer! I haven’t e-mailed you in awhile or google+’d you in months! It can elevate your blood sugar, make you feel moody, feel the temperature swings (went through that earlier in the week with a lumbar epidural! Kind of like hot flashes more to me!), hungry, cause increased hair growth especially in places that you don’t want it, the list goes on. I’m glad that I saw the blog post today. Sorry to hear that you’re having some effects from the shot.
Hello Barb! Yes – all of those things! It is just awful. I do always feel hungry too, and super moody. I’m sorry you went through these side effects too. Why don’t they tell people about these?
Hi Jennifer, I don’t know if you’re still doing this blog or forum. I saw your headline when I googled ‘side effects of cortisone for diabetics’ or something like that. Pretty sure I put dizziness in search as well. I’ve had type 1 diabetes for 42 years. I’ve had several cortisone shots over the years. Learned the hard way how it affects blood sugars after having spinal epidural from an ortho. Sugar was over 500 & I was never warned. I suffer from chronic joint, muscle & bone pain throughout my body. I have lousy insurance after losing my job. I was referred to a rheumatologist abt 2 months ago. I swore I had to have RA. She did 2 sets of Bloodwork. First one came back with “positive ANA”. After second labs, she talked so quickly & in circles. Basically said 42 years of diabetes has caused major inflammation throughout my body & decided to start treating me with cortisone shots. I told her abt my diabetes & she said she knew to be careful. First 2 in wrists, spaced few weeks apart, weren’t too bad. I monitored my sugars & took extra insulin. At last visit on April 4th, she was going to inject my palm for one of several trigger fingers. I told her my knee cap has been killing me. Why I even went back to this nut case is beyond me. It’s like “pin the shot on which body part today”. Anyway she used ultrasound & said major inflammation in knee tendons & injected my right knee. I spent 3 days with blood sugars over 600. Ended up in ER where I was given a bag of saline, had Bloodwork done & results back in 15 min. That NEVER happens. I told doc abt cortisone shot, my racing heart, heartburn, headache & terrible dizziness. Told him I HAD a mild heart attack in ’87 due to diabetes. No tests or scans ordered. He blamed it all on dehydration from high sugars & kicked me out of ER within 2 hours. i had also called rheuma b4 that & asked what I rec’d. Also reported high sugars & other horrible side effects. As you can expect, she said none were linked to cortisone shot. AND she even outright lied saying cortisone doesn’t raise blood sugars. We’d discussed that at 1st appt!! Yes, she’s Russian with a thick accent but practicing in NJ where English is spoken! I have been ABSOLUTELY MISERABLE & FEEL LIKE I’M DYING FOR LAST 3 weeks. I cannot walk straight due to the dizziness; almost passed out this morn taking clothes from dryer. My heart is still racing. Yest I checked my BP on my mom’s portable device. BP was fine but resting heart rate was 110 after standing still up against a wall for an hour talking to a friend who stopped by my mom’s (I live with & do my best to care for my 87 y/o mom with dementia during the week, 24 hours a day). When the dizziness hits (different times each day), I take 2 baby aspirins just in case. Then there’s the constant heartburn/burping that Pepcid is not helping. During 1st week after knee shot, I felt burning from throat down into esophagus. Also felt like a boulder was stuck in that area as well. I need to get to a cardiologist but can’t afford it. I’m wondering when all these side effects will go away. I pray to God they DO! I can’t live like this. I’m waiting for a stroke, heart attack or something really bad to strike me down and no doctor will concede to the fact that cortisone caused the radical change in my body. I think I’m going to try taking magnesium. God bless you for your post. I know I’m not alone from all the others who’ve posted same effects on the Internet. I canceled the additional appts the rheuma set up for more shots. No more steroids. I’d been hoping to find a proper dx & treatment for my pain, but I guess I’ll continue to live with it as long as I can. I’m 52 now but feel 102.
Hello! I am so sorry to hear about the horrible side effects you suffered too! Mine didn’t last as long as yours – I cannot even imagine. What makes me so mad is that pretty much every doctor says they don’t have side effects! I call BS. Obviously there are plenty of us who felt fine (minus pain) before we got the shots, then similar symptoms after. It’s not a coincidence. If you are diabetic especially, I would think they would CLOSELY monitor you. I don’t even have diabetes, but my blood sugar was just crazy.
I hope you will feel better soon. It makes me so mad that ER just sent you home. Why will nobody in the medical field take this seriously?
Thank you for your reply, Jennifer. It’s now 4/27 & I’m still suffering the side effects. Almost one month. Walking around with my deceased Dad’s cane due to the dizziness & still burping out loud horribly while taking Pepcid & Tums. My pain doc told me “go to the ER if you’re still dizzy”. Big help, huh? My clinic doc called me a medical mystery on Tuesday but believes I’m not making this stuff up. He basically said steroids do bad things to the body & provide temporary relief, if any. He believes I’m still dehydrated & recommended drinking a lot of water which I’m doing. The request for a pet scan has been forgotten abt. I’m going to meet with hopefully a new primary care doc Monday. Not sure I mentioned this previously, but my 2 insulins have been increased. Thankfully pretty much back in range. Every night I pray to wake up & feel “normal”. Guess my pain will remain forever without any new treatments. I literally felt like I was going to die these past weeks from side effects. I so appreciate your concern & response. Be well & take care.
Kathryn
Kathryn,
I had prednisolone injections in both knees on 7/28. I started with usual symptoms of steroids but after the heartburn and insomnia passed, I started a whole new set of symptoms.
At 4 weeks, my heart started pounding hard and fast. I went to the er via ambulance because I was convinced I was having a heart attack. The er doc’s guess was that the steroids interacted with my thyroid and caused me to go from hypothyroid to too much thyroid.
I stopped taking my thyroid medication the next day and the symptoms were milder but i became very weak and ended up in another er.
I got a new pcp because the one i’ve seen for 10 years totally dropped the ball.
I’m now getting a battery of tests on my thyroid, and my dose is cut in half.
It’s now been 6 1/2 weeks.
My new pcp told me to see an endocrinologist so they can test my steroid and cortisol levels and how they’re affecting my endocrine system.
Now I have the symptoms of hypothyroidism again.
What a nightmare!
I do have to say that I’m starting to have some good days in between the bad, so maybe it’s working itself out.
You should definitely see your doctor.
I hope yours doesn’t last as long as mine.
Take care.
I have an auto immune disease that no one can tell me what it is. I have had it for 13 years now. It’s to the point that I have had 2 surgeries in a year. Ankle rebuild with cadaver and totalled replacement.
I am used to cortisone shots. This last Wed. I got one and today I feel as if I have the flu. It’s the cold/hot flashes. Rocking. Ankle jumps. I have never had this before. I wonder if there are certain pharmaceuticals that thus happens with. I have never felt this way… it could be mikd flu but i have ni oithwr symptoms. My shots last 6 to 8 mos. Usually 3 days later I am abke to move around and I am fine. …
I wish you all the best. I just thoughr to share my experience.
Total knee replacement. sorry
Hmmm it could be a medication I suppose? If you are diabetic, that might be it too. I hope you are feeling better by now!
Hi. I’m having similar symptoms from lumbar bilateral injections I had 17 days ago. The first evening I was fine but woke up the next day and the next feeling like I was hit by a truck! I am not diabetic but have had a few pre diabetic bloodwork results over the past 5 years. I wonder if my sugars were thrown off by the shots plus the fact that I’ve spent the last three months on the couch with no activity. In any case I am still having a quaking feeling, fast heartbeat and only bottom blood pressure reading is high. I feel somewhat better but still totally wrong. Having a lot of same things u describe…hot pinching flashes…ache….dizzy….anxious…jittery..increased bp. Increased acid reflux and stomach pain. Can’t stop wiggling my right leg at times. On top of all this the shot on the right side was very painful but provided a good amount of pain relief for about 3 days. Now both sides of lumbar spine r hurting as much or more than b4 I got the shots. I haven’t said anything to my Dr cuz he already thinks I’m just a wimp and have no pain tolerance. I’m just praying and hoping this shaking is going to go away soon. It is so unsettling and makes me feel extra anxious. Please let me know when u feel any relief and ill do the same. I’m gonna start magnesium too and am drinking tons of water trying to flush out anything I can. Good luck to you.
I have never had a cortisone shot before, and this is so terrible about the side affects from getting this treatment. I am never going to get one after reading about all of your symptoms and that they are not going away. I guess before any treatment we are going to be given, we need to look up what the side affects are and see if it is worth the risk. I hope you get better!!! Thanks for posting this important information.
I just had one for my shoulder friday (it’s now Tuesday) and I have been going through terrible restlessness from head to toe! I also have had increased back and leg pain as well as cold sweats and weakness. I will never have another shot again! That all over restlessness is horrid. I cannot sit still. As he injected a lot of kenalog into my shoulder I suspect I am in for at least another few rough days! They should really list extreme restlessness as one of the main side effects along with cold sweats and hot & cold flashes.
I am scheduled to have steroid injections in my back but that will not be happening! I consider what we have gone through to be a sever side effect!
Stacey
Yep – definitely a severe side effect. But why don’t they warn us about these?
I had one for my shoulder august 2015. It’s still going good November 2016. But I did have the most horrid side effects for about a week. I will go again if I need to as it has been so good not being in pain.
I got 2 shots today and I am in bed with my heart beating out of my chest, I have been feeling moody and weird since I had it and didn’t realize why I was feeling this way. My knees does feel better but is this worth it, I was thinking about going to the ER, having heart burn, headache, and dizziness. I’m praying that this will pass!
Ugh, I am sorry you are feeling so horrible. It WILL pass!
How long til it passes? Its been 17 days but shakiness and hot flashes r still going strong.
I think it was a week or so for me? I sure hope you will feel better soon. Maybe it’s time to see a doctor? I did, but actually there wasn’t much they could do.
I had shots in both knees yesterday morning and by evening I had a bad headache and my heart was jumping around in my chest. Right now where I live, we’re still dealing with this crazy pandemic. I’m 73 years old and have barely ventured out of my house, so I was beginning to feel worried that somehow I’d been careless and caught the virus! I’m glad I stumbled on your blog so that I know what I’m experiencing is a sade effectof the shots, but concerned that this strange way I’m feeling could continue for a wile. I can report though that my knees are less painful. Magnesium? Maybe I’ll try that. I avoided coffee this morning.
I had a shot in my knee yesterday and am experiencing the same reaction. I also couldn,t sleep last night. With the really bad headache, I too was worried about the pandemic but too coincidental. Have your side effects gotten better? If so, how long did they last? Hops you are feeling better.
What were your side effects? I had shots in both shoulders Tuesday morning, seemed fine all day after but Wednesday began having extreme flushing, not cold and hot flashing but severe and lasting flushing on my face and neck, still have it now Thursday morning.
It’s very frustrating when you KNOW something is going on with your body and your doctor doesn’t believe you. While I haven’t had experience with cortisone shots, I have definitely had that experience of telling my doctor something and having him treat me like I was nuts. I hope you feel better soon!
I had them in both of my heels I have nasty bone spurs and it hurt like crap for a second and then went away .. I have to say I have not had those symptoms thank goodness that sounds just awful I am sorry you had to deal with that..My mom has had the shots and never had that either..I have pain back in my heels that shot only lasted a year and I am not going back I will deal with the pain have for 10 years now and I will take Ibuprofen if I have to..Hope you feel better..
wow, that is scary. i’m so sorry you had to go through that. medical stuff like that can stress the heck out of you when you don’t know what’s going on. i’ve never had cortisone, so have nothing to add to that, but i have had an allergic reaction to a drug and the side effects were totally unlike yours – i felt fine, but red hives started in a small area then spread all over my body and itched like crazy. luckily, a phone call to a nurse told me to go to the emergency room immediately as it would next go to my throat, swell it shut and cut off my breathing….so off i went and they kept me for three days to reduce the hives. I had never had an allergic reaction before and was only calling the nurse on what i could do for the itching and she literally ended up saving my life. that was fifteen years ago and i haven’t taken a prescription drug or even an otc drug since and i doubt that i will again unless it’s a life or death situation….and you know what, i’ve been fine, my body heals itself, maybe a little slower, but without the risk that i might have with drugs. i wish you the best of luck with your knee and hope your symptoms subside soon.
No, this is not an allergic reaction. These symptoms will go away. Cortisone injections will not make anyone a diabetic. As the drug wears off, blood sugars will return to baseline. The jitteriness sucks, but that too will get better. Hopefully when these very common side effects go away you will notice some lasting relief from your knee pain.
Also, steroids are a common treatment for severe allergic reactions.
I have seen some wild mood swings and major jitters/impulsivity in the brain surgery patients i used to take care of in the ICU. I, myself, have had to take steroids for sinus infections from time to time… had hot flashes, insomnia, jitters, high heart rate etc…. it’s not fun, but it is easier to deal with when you are expecting those symptoms.
Hang in there, it will get better
Thanks! Yes, I do think it would have been easier to handle if I had known to expect this. Nobody said anything about these possible side effects though, and that is what is disturbing. They are very slowly wearing off, but I will still never have a cortisone injection again!
How long does the jitterness and insomnia last? The first time I had the injections in my knees, no side effects. Yesterday had second time and I was up all nite,hot flashes,heart racing and just felt terrible. I have no more pain but the side effects are almost worse. Thank you
Joy Montiel
I agree – the side effects just make it not worth it, in my opinion. I think the jittery feeling lasted about 2 days.
I have had “steroid rage” with kenalog before and my pain dr gave me kenalog by mistake…my blood pressure is extremely high and hot flashes i feel like crap…i have to get a lymph note removed and they may not do it because of my blood pressure..and the dr applygzed but wtf..its all over my chart…..im so irritated!!!
Well it might have been worth it if the lumbar pain had been helped but within less than a week the right side was right back to the same pain level as b4 the shots. And the left side is hurting more! Ugh. Still jittery and quaking and having hot flashes 2.5 weeks after shots. I hate it. Not trying them again.
I would love to get your opinion. I had Steroid injections in my cervical spine Oct 4th and then again Oct 11th as well as trigger Point injections. I had cervical fusion done 1 month later. Since the injections I have felt Jittery, Heart palpitations, sweaty palms and feet, major anxiety (panicky feeling), and headaches. I feel like I’m a whole different person. I am wondering if you have ever heard of this and how long does it normally take to leave your system. Is there anything to help cleanse it out?
I am so sorry to hear that you are going through this. It sounds just like what happened to me after my injection, so I would imagine you are experiencing the same thing. It is a horrible, horrible feeling. I would suggest calling the doctor and tell them what is happening. Even if there is nothing they can do, get the name of exactly what they injected you with, so you can put that on your allergy chart. I did this, but I will never have another cortisone shot. NEVER. I hope you feel better soon!
Thank you for this post, although I am sorry you are going through this. I received an injection in my shoulder 6 days ago and literally feel like I am going crazy
Same exact symptoms. If I had known I would have never got the shot. Not worth the miserable side affects and then the drs looking at you like your nuts. Its reassuring to know Im not.
Visited my pcp today and his answer was that it put me straight into menopause. Never again will I get an injection.
It put you into menopause? That is crazy! I will never get one again either. I now have hip problems and my orthopedist said I have three options – anti-inflammatories, a cortisone shot, or hip replacement. I’m try the anti-inflammatories first, then I guess if that doesn’t work then it’s on to hip replacement! I won’t do a the shot. Nope. I am so sorry you are experiencing the same horrible side effects.
I’m in the same boat. Heart palpitations,
Very bad anxiety attacks. I had my last cortisone shot 7 weeks ago. How long will this last?!
7 weeks? Oh that is a long time! Mine didn’t last that long thank goodness, but I am SO sorry to hear you are still suffering after this many weeks. I would definitely call your doctor. Is this your first cortisone shot? I am curious if it isn’t, if you had the same effects with other shots?
I hope you feel better soon, but definitely call the doctors office and see what they suggest. The heart palpitations were the worst for me.
Hi I have gotten cortisone shots for several years now and never had this reaction. I have been jittery now for over a month and extremely shaky and even taking a tranquilizer doesn’t help much. I know it must be the cortisone shot because it happened right after I got it. Any idea how long it will take for this to get out of my system? Thx
Well I just spent 29 min trying to post here. Wrote a post and my phone lost connection so I lost it 🙁
Long story short, been up all night with these symptoms I wasn’t told about 🙁 after having a steroid shot in my hip for OA. All the possible symptoms they mentioned, had none of those. They never mentioned any of what I’ve been going through since i got home 🙁
I am SO sorry to hear you went through this too! They didn’t tell me anything either, and I guess that was what was so upsetting. I finally had my regular doctor put in my files that I am allergic to cortisone, since I NEVER want that to happen again. I hope your symptoms will disappear soon 🙁
I first had cortisone injections about 3 months ago for oa and I really need my knees replaced. No side effects. The pain was only helped for about six weeks. I just went back and got them again. This time, much different Last night, about eight hours after the injections, although my body was cold, around my neck and shoulders, sweaty and clammy, went to bed, uncomfortable feeling. Heart not racing butting beating faster than normal. Woke up a couple of times. This morning I felt ok. But about 6 hour after I woke up, I started with the flushing in my face. Very uncomfortable. Just an uneasy feeling some feeling of chilling. I called the doctor and was told it is called the CORTISONE FLUSH and should go away Ina couple days. I don’t know if I will have the shots again. I hope this goes away soon. If not. Is there anything that can be done?
I don’t know if anything can be done or not. I did have my regular doctor put in my records that I was allergic to that particular cortisone. I still don’t think I will have them ever again. I am sorry you had a bad experience too – it really feels awful!
Some people say magnesium helps. I’m going to try it. And been drinking a lot of water trying to get this out of my system for 2.5 weeks. Disgustusted and scared. The shakes or tremors have to go away. Terrible feeling.
Isn’t it awful? I am so sorry you are dealing with this too.
I am glad I saw this and other threads about these nasty cortisone side effects. I had an injection in my shoulder about 2 weeks ago and I am still suffering from it. I am a Type 1 Diabetic and it has sent my blood sugars spinning out of control. I have to check it constantly because it is all over the map. It went all the way up to 400. I am able to get it back down to normal but then it just randomly spikes again. I am livid at the Orthopedist who gave me this injection. He said I “might have a high blood sugar” afterward. He made it sound like it was only a chance and would be temporary. I also experienced the trouble sleeping, and flu like symptoms of a fevered feeling and nausea. I also experienced my legs trembling. I don’t care how safe the Orthos say it is, I see too much evidence to the contrary. I am trying to spread the word.
Oh my gosh – I am so sorry to hear you had issues with your cortisone shot too! I don’t know why they don’t warn people (or why we didn’t hear about this before?). I will never get one again – no way, no how.
I had cortisone shots in my facet joints in my lower back almost 2 weeks ago. That first night was pretty miserable. From my waist down my legs were so achy all night. For the last week and a half I’ve had tons of hot flashes! It’s miserable! They seem to be diminishing slightly. All this for nothing as the shots did not seem to help my back pain 🙁 I had shots in my heel years ago and don’t recall having the side affects that I experienced recently.
Ugh I’m sorry you had a similar reaction! I think I had one previously too, but I don’t remember the horrible side effects!
So I had a shot last Monday and I am having side effects ,the Weds after I woke up to a beet red face and felt a little strange. I took some benadryl which helped ,now a week and a half later I hot flashing most of the day and at times I feel slightly dizzy ,sort of disconnected a little. My question is ho long before normal returns? I will not be getting another shot anytime soon! Thank you
I’m sorry you experienced side effects too. I believe the worst was over for me in a couple of days. If yours is still going on, it might not be a bad idea to contact your doctor.
I had a cortisone shop in my hip today. It was excruciatingly painful it hurts to move my leg. Out of nowhere about an hour ago my heart started pounding and racing and started feeling like I was going to have a heart attack. I am only 34 with a small child and started freaking out. My heart is still pounding like crazy so I am laying down.
Oh no – I am so sorry. It really is scary, and I don’t care what they say, cortisone CAN cause these side effects. I hope you will feel better soon…
Hi! This thread has been a great source. I had my first injection yesterday and since then, I’ve felt as if I have the flu. I didn’t get to sleep until 2am and upon waking up I felt nauseated, have chills and simply feel crappy. My temperature is normal so I’m guessing it’s a side effect. The orthopedic Dr office said it was not common to feel like this and urged me to see my primary care physician. I’m hoping it’s just the effects of the shot and nothing else. Blah! 🙂 thanks for the info, everyone!
That’s what they told me too – that it’s not common. I believe it is! I’m sorry you felt horrible too after your shot!
I had terrible side effects from them. I will never have those shots again. Those shots sent me to the emergency room with a heart rate of 190 bpm’s that wouldn’t slow down on it’s own. I was given an IV with something that slowed my heart rate down. The shots also caused me to have a menstrual cycle for a month straight, severe hot flashes. The shots thew my hormones off. It was pure hell for months. Later I learned from a naturopathic doctor that the shots stressed my adrenals and etc. I felt like I was dying. He was able to straighten everything out and get me feeling better. The medical doctors told me I was crazy and denied that the shots had anything to with any of those problems that arose. It took me over a year to recuperate. I will never get them again.
Wow – that is HORRIBLE! It makes me so mad that the doctors act like we are crazy when we tell them about the side effects. Yours sound so severe. I hate to think what my BP was…but I know it was high. And I was so shaky – I didn’t sleep a wink that night. I don’t blame you and I will NEVER get another cortisone shot!
Hi
I have had the same reaction after shots in both shoulders. It is three months late rand I am still having problems.wish I would have seen your post first. Hope you feel better.
Hi. Was wondering how your naturopath Doc helped straighten u out? Been a mess for over a month with sleeplessness, dry mouth, sore & tight muscles, general fatigue, acidic stomach (see where Kenalog increases acid secretions in the stomach). Nothing like this has happened before to me. EVER! Would appreciate any input. Just feel like my whole system has been poisoned by the injection I got in my palm. Which oh by the way does not stay localized & can obviously throw off some awful side effects from this “long-acting preparation” I received. Thanks.
You are not alone! I had cortisone (triamcinolone) injected in my knee. 2 days later my heart rate went to 220. nonstop. Went to emergency room where they gave me that IV drug to lower heart rate to normal. Doctor from ER called me that evening stating my TSH (thyroid lab test) was elevated. From that time on for the next 4 months I was miserable. Blood pressure was very high 200/100, my face would get beet red or half my face would turn red only, had severe anxiety (and I am not an anxious person normally), would have irregular heart rate especially at bedtime. It took 4 months to get back to normal! Any doctor I told the above symptoms to all said the same thing. No it couldn’t be from the injection since tachycardia happened 2 days after it was injected. I did a lot of reading on my own and found other people who had the same issues. It WAS the cortisone and it affected my adrenal glands. This was 2 years ago. I now say I’m allergic to kenalog. I came here looking to see if anyone had the COVID vaccine. Wonder if our history of these problems are contraindicated in getting the vaccine. I never want to go through that ever again!
I don’t have vaccine yet but I have your same reaction to cortisone. I’ve had it 4 times, each in a lower concentration and the reactions are the same. One was kenalog 10, then a diluted form of that, then half of the dilution. All doctors can’t believe it’s the cortisone but the reaction is tbe same each time. Within a day, I have heart racing and bad anxiety. I woke up at 3am once W heart racing in a panic attack abs couldn’t go back to sleep. I had never had that happen. I always gain 5-10lbs, and working out makes me gain weight instead of losing. Bpms and blood pressure go up. I tend to be on low end so that’s not too bad but it doesn’t feel good for me either. Face gets puffy.
I’ve given up on them. I’ve read the hydrocodone mimics cortisol in the body. So high levels of it aren’t’ good for you and your body is always “on”. Sensing enough cortisol, your body stops producing it or it maxes out, and you become cortisol depleted after it wears out, causing another ser of problems. Hormones are meant to be in balance and playing w that balance wreaks havoc.
I am also hesitating on the vaccine because of some allergic reactions I’ve had (hydrocodone, morphene) and am also
Curious how other people have fared.
That cortisone mimics cortisol sorry. Couldn’t figure out how to edit.
No worries. This is an important note!
I hope you got some answers here. We have over 230 comments on this thread which is no doubt of wealth of knowledge from real people. I wish you all the best int eh new year!
I was told I have fibromyalgia yesterday and immediately offered “cortisone” shots in my neck and down towards my shoulders as that was most swollen apparently. So I agreed. Awake all night pain at site, hot, cold, sweaty flashes off and on. Now the second day I’ve had much the same but now 24hrs later I’m shaking, my legs are jello. I feel horrible. I know I didn’t help. But I’m calling the Dr tomorrow if this continues, I hope it doesn’t worsen.
I am sorry you had these horrible effects too. I hope you are feeling better by now!
Just had another epidural yesterday. Woke up with the beet red face and could not sleep. Appetite is insane. Feeling speedy.
Always get the same symptoms. it is not an allergic reaction. It is a side effect of the steroid. Don’t panic it will subside. Mine lasts for a good week. Doctors don’t have a dam clue. But again don’t panic. Try Benadryl at night. Desperate for back pain relief drives me to get these shots. They never work. Can’t give up hope. Trying to avoid back surgery.
Oh you poor thing! Those are horrible side effects. I agree, doctors are clueless, but they should at least warn us that this might happen. Benadryl is a great idea! I hope you can avoid back surgery too 🙁
I had a cortisone shot in my knee at 2:40pm in the afternoon yesterday around 7:30pm I started feeling very strange.. Real bad headache and sweating like crazy.. Now it’s 1:50 in the morning and I ache everywhere!!! Can’t sleep so I thought I would look up side affects so glad I read all of these comments I will not be getting another shot!!
I don’t blame you! I’m sorry you had the same issues!
I have had what I thought was contact dermatitis for almost a month from a detergent I switched to that irritated my skin. Red itchy bumps all over my arms, hands, back, and legs. It made me very sensitive to any and all products! I’m in school for aesthetics so everyday got worse as we were trying new creams, cleansers, etc. I hate doctors and medicine I never go seek medical help, but it wasn’t going away and eventually spread up to my chest neck and face and my face got swollen. Seeing my eyelids all puffy scared me enough to go to an urgent care last Thursday (today is Tuesday of the following week). The doctor (which I still disagree with his diagnosis so I won’t even get into that) decided to give me a steroid shot. I wasn’t excited about it but nothing was making my reaction better so I gave in. It reduced the swelling in my face but my skin is still itchy and reacting to everything. Ever since the day of the shot I haven’t felt good at all! My heart is beating heavy, fast, just irregular in general and it scares the living hell out of me!! I know my body I know it has to be the steroid because something isn’t right, either that or I’m dying…but it amazes me in all of my research that this symptom (along with others I’m feeling) doctors try and say isn’t a side effect of steroids… Yet I find all of these forums and blogs with real people saying they’ve experienced them all! My mom even asked her pharmacist and he told her no way is it from the steroid… I call bulls***
It scares the hell out of me because if it isn’t the steroid then why is my heart rate so irregular that it scares me to fall asleep because my breathing isn’t even normal from it?
Never ever again will I get a steroid shot! When will this ever go away it’s been almost a week!!
Glad to know I’m not the only one feeling this way. In all of my research I know that they are not good for your body… And now the symptoms I’m experiencing I will never ever put myself through this again.
I don’t understand why doctors won’t tell us about the side effects either! Mine didn’t last a week though – maybe it’s time to check in with the doctor again, or urgent care?
I got a shot of cortisone in my left knee today at 10:30 I am. Around 7:30 p.m. I started feeling shaky jittery weak. Tried going to sleep around 10 p.m. my heart is racing terribly fast shaky clammy hot and cold flashes nauseous. It is now 2:20 a.m. and I have to get up and go to work at 5 a.m. I do work in a hospital and I do intend to check in employee health in the morning. Orthopedic never mentioned any type of side effect at all. She did repeatedly asked me if I was diabetic or was taking Blood thinners. I am not. I feel terrible and scared.
I definitely feel for you. I was really scared too, especially because I wasn’t expecting these unpleasant side effects. They never asked me if I was diabetic or not (I am not), but it should be a standard question. I hope you feel better soon!
I had a steroid shot yesterday in my knee. I was doing ok until 8:00 pm. It felt like all hell broke loose in my body… Couldn’t sit, lay down, eat. I wanted to jump through my skin and scream. I finally laid down about 9:00. Well that was a big mistake. My legs felt like I had been hit or ran over my a truck. Up and downs went getting out of bed for the next 6+ hours. Taking zerteck because I sneezed so much, I took liquid calcium and magnesium pills to help with the pain in my legs. My heart was going so quick that I was concerned that I could have a heart attic. I took two Benadryl, an Ativan, Cymbalta. I took everything and anything I knew that would help me sleep. NOTHING WORKED. I called the dr today and they said it was probably not the shot and maybe a virus. I call BS! My face turned cherry red and it was so hot little pimples started I was praying it would not blister. It was on both sides of my face and my neck area. I, up again tonight very fidgety and uncomfortable with how I feel. I can’t sit in one spot I can’t lay down. I have taken two Benadryl and clonazapham and now just tylenol. I needed the shot, BUT NO ONE TOLD ME ABOUT WHAT MY BODY WAS GOING TO DO. When dows this side affect end? I need sleep!!!!
My gosh that sounds horrible! I do feel your pain, and I don’t understand why there isn’t more information available about the side effects!
I had cortisone in both my knees at 1pm today, it is now 10 pm. My legs feel heavy, I am shaky, my blood sugars are at 16. I am an overly nervous person who suffers from anxiety and depression. My heart rate is at 94, this is not high but it is to me, mine is usually low 60s. It has given me some relief reading how these shots have affected others. Hope we all feel better.☺
They definitely have. It’s a shame we have to find out about this in a blog post, instead of a doctor telling us about the effects!
I too had a facet block today at 10 am. Felt quite good until 7 pm and noticed my blood sugar is higher than normal (9.2) and my heart rate is 119!!! I normally have a high pulse for which I take a beta blocker so I have self medicated with half a tablet to lower it. Also have been clammy and have a thumping headache. Interesting as absolutely no mention was made to me either of these side effects. The only advice was to take it very easy for 48 hours which I am doing. Dreading going to bed.
received cortisone shot monday. by wednesday having head pain, shakey, heart racing somewhat, back pain.
thursday had the runs about 20 times, at night upper stomach bloated terribly and bad back pain. now have not gone to bathroom in 2 days.
i had diverticulitis of which i had a colon resection. I now read that the shot could be harmful to someone who has this.
presently (sun) still had bloating, back pain, head pain, and pain down into my ears, slightly hard to swallow.
Anyone had the runs like i did???
Second time getting steroid shot in my back. 1st time heart raced, rage over small things. Pain got better for about a week. I want back to the zdrand he wanted to do it a but this time gave me something to calm me for the week that I had the rage. First day back to work,heart racing,out of breath so with as slow schedule I go home take a pill and it knocks me out.just hoping I don’t want to scream at anyone over stupid things. Plus my son is getting married and I don’t want to ruin it.
Decadron injection Friday afternoon for possible strep throat. Almost immediate relief, it was euphoric. However super hyper like I had a caffeine IV. Up a full 24 hours before getting 6 hours of sleep. Up 15 hours that Saturday only to sleep the entire day Sunday (13 hours). Still feel jittery/tired. How long will this last? I have work and final exams this week. Can’t concentrate
I also have had similar reaction. Its awful unless someone could live in anothers body while it is happening, i dont think they really understand how bad it is. I had a very good dr whose was very careful as i bad reacted before. He himself was bit doubtful about doing it. Told me he would give me a different type of cortisone compared with before. He also said that its not the cortisone you are reacting to its the fillers they use in the injection. Thats why i reacted to this one also.
Oh that is interesting – thank you for sharing! I had no idea it was the fillers, but that kind of makes sense since not everyone has a reaction.
What do u mean by the “fillers”. U mean the preservatives they use? Been almost six weeks now after Kenalog injection in palm & still not right. Sleeplessness, high stomach acidity, sore & tight muscles, dry mouth. Had metallic taste for about a week after. Just overall malaise. Weakness & fatigue. Never had ANYTHING like this remotely happen. Only after do I see these side effects listed, let alone what u find when u go online to other patients’ experiences with these injections. What a nightmare. Any ideas? Might try magnesium. Someone said maybe activated charcoal might help detox? Kenalog-40 is a “long-acting preparation” that’s supposed to last for at least six weeks due to insoluble microcrystalline suspensions that linger in the body. That’s great if it’s helping but disaster if it turns your body & system inside out & upside down. At my wit’s end.
I am so sorry and I know how frustrating it is. I don’t understand why they are so “secretive” with the side effects! I am having hip replacement surgery in June, but the doctor first wanted to try a cortisone shot. I told her, “NO WAY!”. I will never do those again. EVER. I hope you will start feeling better soon!
I can’t believe I’m just running across the site! A cortisone injection in my knee started a cascade of ever worsening side effects. After draining the fluid causing the excruciating swelling and pain, I had a follow up appointment for the cortisone. I spiked a fever of 103.1 by the time I arrived home from the doctor’s office. Unfortunately, this occurred during a period of time that I was attempting to get some relief from fibromyalgia and chronic migraine which included some new medications. I think it’s important to state that we all need to remember how different every person’s situation truly impacts these side effects. Regardless, I did not sleep more than a couple of hours (if any) for 2 weeks. I began suffering from the terrible effects of sleep deprivation as well. I was shaking, confused, unable to focus, and began having vision and memory issues. To this day I have no memory for the months of November and December of 2014. I sincerely believe that the changes in my other medications most definitely played a roll in my nightmare, however, the cortisone injection was most certainly the catalyst. I remember vividly the writing on the brochure, “the cortisone is injected locally so it will not enter the bloodstream and will not affect you systemically”. Uuummmmm, whatever.
I don’t believe for a second that it doesn’t enter the bloodstream. Or if it doesn’t, it must at least get absorbed somewhere that causes these side effects!
I just got a cortisone cervical epidural yesterday. Found this when searching side effects. I too have the elevated blood pressure, hot flushes and racing heart. The pounding in my head is the worst. Every time I stand up it feels like my head is going to explode with each pound. I have a history of high BP so took an extra BP pill. Also got the increased hunger but today I’m reluctant to even sit up to get anything to eat.just generally feeling crappy. I knew the raised BP and blood sugar was a risk but I didn’t expect such severe side effects.
I too had these shots on both my knees this morning few hours later I start having anxiety shallow breathing and elevated heart beats despite stating having tachycardia issues , i asked the physician if there is any side effect and her answer was no , I have taken cortisone for my sinus never and had non of these symptoms anyway I extend my appreciation to these wonderful posts as they gave me the sense of relief knowing I am not a lone and alothers went through the same ordeal
Had a cortisone shot for knee pain on May have 11th… the shot itself hurt like hell I felt everything. Since then I have had face flushing, pain, can’t sleep. Was told I should feel better in 24-48 hrs… it was “cortisone flare”. Today I add jitters. My hands shake like crazy sometimes my whole torso. Still have knee pain. I don’t know how much more I can take.
It is awful – I am so sorry you are going through this 🙁
Had 4mg Dexamethasone injected into the soft tissue of my foot for Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome. Within 2 hours I was hot, dizzy and over the next five days remained dizzy with nausea. Called my doc and he said it must be a virus since he didn’t inject an artery or muscle. A coincidence. He prescribed anti nausea meds. I called my primary and am seeing her tomorrow.
I am curious to see what your primary care doctor has to say. Obviously there is an issue when so many people experience these side effects!
How long did you shaking last for
I believe it was about 2 or 3 days. The worst part was the first 24 hours.
Got my fourth one today in less than a year… it’s been hours and my heart has been skipping beats for a couple hours….can’t calm down….ugh! Took a beta blocker, hope this gets better.
I hope you feel better too!
Hello,
I had a Kenalog 40mg injection on Tuesday May 10th for a shoulder injury. I felt a little off with bad thoughts and being moody and not felt like eating but was still able to function for the first 7 days. Then out of the blue on the 8th day Bam! I was hit with severe anxiety, heart burn, night sweats, insomnia, depression, high BP, face flushing, dry mouth and I’ve lost about 10 lbs since I got the shot because I can’t eat that much. I also get these waves through out the day where my heart is pounding but is beating really slow and I just feel strange. I also have had to cancel a trip to New Orleans and take some days off of work because of this. It’s now day 11 and I feel a bit better. I went and saw my family Dr. And she said that I must of had a bad reaction to it and I should feel much better in a week or so. What makes me mad is I asked the Ortho if there were any side effects before he gave this to me and he said no. I will never take this poison again.
Exactly – they seem clueless about the side effects. I hope you feel better soon.
I get so frustrated with doctors acting like we don’t know our own body! I’ve had 3 bad back surgeries with no relief and they don’t seem to really care to figure out why I’m in chronic pain everyday. On Tues I received a cortisone injection for my shoulder, didn’t hurt, felt fine until the next day. Face and body felt on fire with rash all over body. My heart is racing, feeling depressed and can’t sleep because of the overheating inside my body. It’s been 5 days so I hope and pray the worse is over. I think from now on I will ask more questions and make sure the doctor will take the time to listen to my concerns. I will never have another one again!
I never will either!
Just wanted to check back and and let you know its been 4 weeks for me and I feel much better now. Im eating again and back to working out. Been sleeping much better and anxiety has subsided. Have a tiny bit of depression/brain fog but its much better. Don’t be discourage and just ride it out. Weeks two and three were the worst for me.
I to am having jitters or shaking issues.
There is no more pain in my knees however even after the physical therapy my knees feel tired & swollen. I was not told of any possible side effects, but I never had any of these issues until after the cortisone shots in my knees.
The first 48 hours were very painful & I felt sick, but that eventually went away.
I am concerned that I should have explored other options.
I will definitely explore other options in the future! I’m sorry you had to deal with this too!
It is now 4:24 a.m and I Wide Awake because my heart is racing and giving irregular heart beats. Very unsettling because I know that if I called the advice nurse at Kaiser they will say for me to come in and get checked out… However I don’t believe it’s anything serious and I don’t want to be a nuisance… Also I have to go into work for 3 p.m. today and I cannot afford to miss any more days off work… jittery and cannot sleep… Also was given a medication Versed and Fentanyl prior to procedure… I wonder if the combination of this medications has me awake at this time the morning… Anyway thanks for letting me vent.
You are very welcome – and it just might have been a combination. I would definitely check with your doctor though and maybe have them put a notation in your file that you are allergic to that particular type of cortisone. That’s what I did.
I Just read all of y’all’s reviews and I’m scared to death I just got my Cortizone shot today one in each heal . And her completely when he put it in but I didn’t have any problems like no side effects afterwards I have a right heel spur and I have a small tear on my plantar fasciitis on my left foot but all this didn’t happen until I started working out doing UFC fitness I was a couch potato before I was experiencing such bad he’ll problems and achy feet every night I thought this would help but I pray it doesn’t get as bad as some of ya’lls . I feel so much pain for all of you 🙁
Thanks so much for commenting – I hope you don’t have the same side effects!
I had a steroid injection yesterday, and it has helped with hip pain. My surprise came at bedtime when I had insomnia. Usually, I sleep with no issue. I also had heartburn which I never have. This A.M., flushing in the face hit like a brick and won’t go away. I was given a short acting and a long acting injection which was painless.
Will these symptoms subside? I never expected this reaction since I previously have had shoulder and knee injections.
They should disappear, but I couldn’t sleep either – not a wink that first night!
I just had a cortisone shot in each shoulder today and I am still awake with a lot of shakiness and weakness throughout my body. So glad I found this thread. I guess we’re not alone.
I had an injection into my left sciatic joint for sciatica, a week later in my right sciatic joint. A few weeks after that I spent about 4 days admitted in the hospital, as I went in from symptoms: severe dizziness like vertigo, hot/numbing flashes (kind of like when your arm starts to go to sleep and feels cold and numb then gets warm when you move), nausea, throbbing head ache, and confusion (brain fog) just all out lethargic feeling. They had a neurologist see me in the ER who admitted me for a TIA (a warning stroke). They did CT scans that showed no evidence of this and they released me after a few days of observation. After this I started my menstrual 4 days late (late, not later), it was extremely clotty… All clots. I bled for 32 days and I’ve been extremely normal for 5 years prior to this. My Dr put me on a 6 week leave (medical disability), in which time I was fired for not being at work. No Dr. could figure out what my problem was. My husband even asked my GP ‘The only thing that has been different is that she got those back injections, could this be the issue?’ Oh no, that couldn’t cause this. I got them done again last month… Started late again, still bleeding, feel like I have restless leg syndrome but all over my body, can’t sleep at night, lethargic during the day, throbbing headache, extremely fast heart rate, anxiety. Sciatica pain is gone, but certainly not worth having these kind of symptoms for months. Will never get them again!
By the way*** my second injections were two months ago and I’m still feeling horrible.
I had a shot yesterday at noon. Based on my observations(estimates) It looked to be about 12cc of cortisone and about 6cc of lidocaine prior to it. My ankles have been in pain for years and I finally got around to doing something about it. An MRI showed an OCD(small ship fracture) which probably happened when I broke it 6 years ago. It finally progressed to the point I needed to do something about it. Limping every day was just getting unacceptable. I was actually happy to get the shot. However, in an already swollen area the addition of about a half ounce more fluid is quite a bit and I was in a bit of pain the rest of the day. It felt like one of my worse “normal” days of swelling. However, after I got home in the evening from work and put ice on it and put it up on my recliner, the swelling went down. However, I did notice that I seemed hotter than normal. It wasn’t feverous, though I didn’t take my temperature, I just felt like the house was too hot(which admittedly does happen to me all the time). I think I can attribute the extra heat to the shot, but that is probably just my body’s reaction to a foreign substance entering my body. This morning my ankles do feel much better than they have in a long time and the heat does seem to be mostly gone. Just figured I’m weigh in with more anecdotal evidence.
After years of wrist pain I developed a cyst that was painful for months. Terrified of injections, I opted for the cortisone shots though as my dr said it was my only option. Three hours later I was weak, shaky, short of breath, had a rapid heartbeat and my heart was pounding. I called my doctor’s office and they told me the dr said it was probably anxiety because of my fear of injections and to eat and lay down. Of course I knew better since within minutes of the injection I was fine, anxiety – wise, ate a full meal thirty minutes later, rode an hour home and felt uneasy like I needed to lie down. It’s been four hours and I, too am researching online possible side effects of cortisone shots. My heart rate and weakness feels like it’s gone down some but I’m still feeling short of breath and shaky. My heart rate was 122 when I checked it at the three hour mark and onset of this. It went down to 104 an hour later. While texting this message my dr just called me himself and kept pushing the anxiety/adrenaline issue. He assured me it couldn’t be a side effect as he’d done hundreds of these and never heard of it. Yet here is a whole feed of comments of folks with the same symptoms. Go figure. He did suggest that maybe it was the lidocaine he used first. Could be, but regardless, my symptoms are real, bothersome, even a bit scary and I won’t do cortisone injections again.
Hmmm I hadn’t even thought of the lidocaine. But even if it is, why don’t they warn us about THAT? I am so sorry you had a terrible experience too 🙁
Wow, this is EXACTLY how I have been feeling! It’s like the flu on crack I swear! And it took me awhile to figure out it was the shots bc it didn’t start right away. Got Bilateral Sacroiliac injections along with 4 shots of cortisteroids in my lower back on Tuesday Aug 2, and I started feeling not so good Friday the 5th. By Sunday all hell had broken loose! This profuse SWEATING then chills, fever,headache,INSOMNIA,nausea, all over achy,bad taste,depression, anxious,shaky,angry..did I leave anything out?? I am a very sickly person anyway, so when it all started with the hot flashes I thought I had the flu, then it progressively got worse. And since people aren’t INFORMED of any of this, it took me days to put 2 and 2 together and do some research. It’s now 8 days after my injections and Its still horrible! I know there isn’t anything dr.s can do so I gotta wait it out but OMG I dont know how much more I can take! I’m a single Mama so no help, I’ve been confined to bed/couch now for days. What I also want people to be aware of is that these injections are NOT the same as Epidural injections, its totally different, I had those as well and didnt react like this. People need to be informed of this, as we know the dr.s won’t tell us, guess we have to be the voice. How LONG can this go on?? Been 8 days of HELL, I can’t take much more.
I agree! I am stunned, honestly, about how many comments this post has received. It is OBVIOUSLY an issue for many people. Why are they so quiet about it?
When I first starting taking steroids for asthma I did a lot of reading up on these drugs. A lot of info is on websites like webmd and the mayo clinic. I’m writing this now at 2:08 am because I had cortisone shots in my knees this morning and am wide awake. And ate everything in the house. My previous experiences side effects are insomnia. Appetite And hot flashes. It takes about 3-4 days to settle down. but it is nice to be able to walk without being in excruciating pain.
Omg I am only on day 3…..ugh hot flashes are driving me nuts. Considering putting float on pool and sleeping in it.
I am no stranger to cortisone injections. Especially in my knees. I think this is the worse ever though. Maybe because I haven’t had them in a while. I am used to feeling blah afterwards, but I was nauseous, by late evening I had a migraine. Day 2 crazy hot flashes and I woke up like I was ready to vomit. I had a appointment but I felt so blah I canceled it. I am heat intolerant so it just is horrible. Last night I considered taking my temperature because I was really over heating. Took a cool shower helped for a bit then I felt like I was melting.
Today so far the hot flashes. Not thrilled.
I have background with cortisone for years now. Mainly my knees but, a few years ago I decided to get the epidural steroid shots in my back. I was desperate for pain relief L-5/L-6,L-7 disks are degenerated, add sciatica to the mix. First shot wasn’t too bad mild headache, some nausea and very tired. 2nd was bad. Had horrendous headache when I woke up. I let the nurses know, they thought maybe a reaction to the numbing meds. When I got home I took a nap, woke up feeling my head would explode and so tired. I called the doctors office they told me I needed to stay in bed and drink lots of caffeine. I reminded them of my heart issues about drinking caffeine. They stated this was my best bet and if it didn’t help I was going to have to go to the ER, which I was going to try to avoid. In retrospect I should have went. The third injection was due next, still only having moderate relief I decided, against my better judgment to have the 3rd one. It made no difference and the pain has gotten worse, I gained over 75lbs. To which on steroids is hard to lose. My back is in worse condition then where I started. I can still feel pain in the spot of the injections.
Cortisone has many dangers not just injected ones. I found a site awhile back a doctor wrote and I wish I could remember the name. But, I printed it out and took it to my neurologist and he told me yes it is all true. Should have went to him before I had those back injections.
I feel so bad for you…that it didn’t even take care of the pain. I will have to read up on all cortisones to see if I can find out what that doctor was talking about. Scary!
yes i too (had two levels cervical spine nerve root with cortisone a few years ago and this time around having the facet joints done at different levels, but still cervical spine) have many of the same issues post procedure . Usually awake for the first two nights.. then if they haven’t started already.. the hot flushes ,, shivers , shakes cold sweats .. feeling like a really bad drug withdrawal or the start of a bad flu.. ravenous carb cravings . Though usually 5 days after the shot im back to “normal” … Its a stimulant so insomnia is most often noted .. not good for someone with narcolepsy like myself … and it does lower the immune system so if there is anything low grade in your system at the time of the shot … your body will go into overdrive to fight it off. Its very rare to have an actual histaminic reaction but a sensitivity or intolerance … im not sure about .. either way for me its about 5 days of torture of varying symptoms .. pretty much climbing the wall … feeling like a perimenopausal crack addict
Yikes – 5 days? I would go nuts! And yes, you describe it perfectly.
this time around i though it had got away with a more mild reaction… however 8 days later as another person commented “like the flu on crack” without the head cold or chest symptoms . Though my thoughts are… firstly is it an immune reaction to the procedure, not the cortisone.. or/and a rebound effect because cortisone lowers the immune system … so once it leaves the system the immune system goes into overdrive … in regards to the later any low grade viral/bacterial ect infection at the time of the procedure would have a chance to take hold.. so i wonder which, or if all these factors play a part in how one’s body reacts or responds … having one autoimmune condition, i can only assume with me my responses may be affected . I don’t get any wheezing, itching ,runny nose, sneezing so im inclined to think as i mentioned prior that it’s not a histamine allergic-type reaction (also because of the delay in symptoms) Regardless i have had all these symptoms after each cortisone nerve block that i have had . Which i will be having another and hopefully my last in 3 days time… so if my response is the same again its definitely causative and not coincidental .. I am lucky to know that despite it being uncommon my after effects are not suffered by me alone … its nice to know one has validation even if others ( in the medical field) treat you as paranoid and neurotic
I had an injection in L-5, then 1 month later a cortisone injection in my neck. 4 days after the injection, I suffered SEVERE insomnia’ I was up almost 40 hours straight.. I could not understand it, I usually hibernate like a bear, I sleep quite well. Then I developed severe tremors, POUNDING heartbeat, rapid heart rate alternating with a very slow heart rate. My vision became blurred, I felt foggy, could not focus. I was at the point I could not even drive. THEN, I developed diarrhea for 2 weeks, it still comes & goes & it’s been a month now. I dropped 14 lbs in less than 2 weeks. I had panic attacks, & symptoms like restless leg syndrome. I would have like “a zinging through my body, it was HORRIBLE!! I felt fatigued & weak. I was in & out of the ER 3 times for the symptoms. I was diagnosed as “anxiety & palpitations.” My PCP even said it was anxiety. The ortho Dr who ordered the injections said, after I went to him about the symptoms, “Do you have a history of anxiety?” I was humiliated! I wanted to slap him. Before that block, I was HEALTHY, working out with a trainer, doing exercises a 30 something year old person would do. I was holding my own quite well. I went twice to one ER, RMC, & the experience was HORRIBLE! I felt as though they thought I was a “fruit loop”. The 3rd time, I did some thinking. I don’t know why I did not think of it earlier. I went to the ER where I had worked as a Trauma Nurse for 20 years, & retired. I will PROUDLY say it was Denver General ER, now known as Denver Health. I was desperate & at the end of my rope. I was frightened!!! I had NEVER had problems like this, I was always healthy. I don’t think I was in that ER 15 minutes when the ER Dr said, (after I told her I had 2 blocks 1 month of each other & told her there was a correlation from when I got the block & symptoms) “you are having a severe adverse reaction to the block. 2 neurologists saw me 30 minutes of each other & said, “This is a severe adverse reaction to the steroid injections.” I was treated WELL in that ER. I was not made to feel like a “fruit loop”, like at the other ER. I was told it might take another month to wear off. It had already been 21 days. Also 2 employees came to me & shared their experiences with me. One was placed on a psych ward, for 1 week, before they realized it was an adverse reaction to the steroid injection. The other employee shared his story, & it was AWFUL what he went through. If you ever have a severe adverse reaction to a steroid injection, & can’t figure out what is going on, GET A NEUROLOGIST!! Dr’s who orders these injections play your symptoms off like it is YOU, & that you have an “anxiety” problem, even though you tell him until you are exhausted, that you’ve NEVER had a history of anxiety & you are healthy. They don’t want it known that the injections THEY ordered caused the horrendous symptoms, so they put it off on YOU. The same applies to the PCPs also, because they aren’t that familiar with what steroid injections can do. I am waiting for these horrible symptoms to resolve. I hear it is a SLOW process, with some, but it eventually wears off. I am scared out of my mind, because I suffer from disc disease, I am ALWAYS having herniations. Do you really think I want to go through this again? I’d just rather have surgery, than to go through this hell again, & I mean it is HELL!!!!!
Wow you had a horrible reaction (and for so long!). That is a great idea to go to a neurologist. I am so sorry you had to go through this. I won’t ever get another shot again!
Hey Nathalie,
I know its been a few years, but are yo Ok now? how long did your symptoms last for. Im almost a month since the injection and Im suffering bad. Cant stop shaking and feel fatigued and really weak. and heaps of brain fog.
Also did the Neurologist actually do anything to make it better or did they just agree that it was the cortisone?
Thanks
DLM
I went to an ER clinic on Sunday after being extremely dizzy all day Saturday for no apparent reason. The doctor stated I had fluid behind my ears and suggested that I had a sinus issue. Although I had not had any noticeable drainage or ear problems. She gave me a steroid shot and told me to take an over the counter allergy medication. Also, my blood pressure was elevated a little. Now my blood pressure is even higher, my face is on fire and I am still somewhat dizzy (not as bad as Saturday). I take other medication and am concerned about taking it while still having these symptoms. Out of desperation, I am trying to find out if these are normal symptoms of the steroid shot. And from all the accounts above, they are. I appreciate your blog – at least I have a little peace knowing these are “sort” of normal. Now, just hoping that the shot and over the counter medication will take care of the dizziness.
I am glad this post was helpful! I couldn’t find much on the subject, unfortunately, but just HAD to write about my experience.
I have shots every 4 months in my knees, Can’t eat any carbs for5-6 days ,blood sugar shoots up immediately, I up my metformin to 1500 twice a day for those days. Shaky ,stress , flushing in face, I asked the doctor about the racing heart, guess it was the novicain included in the shots. After that he gave to me without it.
I do get palpitations from blood sugar increase.
Exhausted feeling and tired again high blood sugar.
I have lymphedema, and my legs swelled horribly, but within a week all the swelling disappeared.
The shots are for osteoporosis arthritis , knees are bone on bone ,it also is an extra benefit to me though the doctor doesn’t know why.
So every four months ,I suffer through it .
I hope you’re side effects go away quickly.
That is interesting – the novocaine? I hadn’t thought of that!
Like so many others here, I too am in the midst of dealing with a bad experience with a steroid shot. I had lots of swelling in my neck/sinuses that was causing pain/pressure. The doctor told the nurse to give me a steroid shot. Before she did, I asked if there were any side effects. Her answer, “None that I know of….well, some people feel energized.” So, we proceeded. “Energized”….oh brother. I felt nauseated off an on for the first 24 hours, then great that next day and then the shakiness and jitters took over…..very disturbing. It is very helpful (and gives me hope) to read other’s experiences on this thread. It makes me persevere and know that there will be an end to this! Thank you, Jennifer for starting this.
You are very welcome. I couldn’t find much information on this, but it was really disturbing. I can’t believe the nurse called it “energized”. Yeah like crawling out of your skin!
Thank you so much for this information Jennifer, I thought I was going mad! I have fibromyalgia, scoliosis and osteoarthritis, and a tendency to develop all the wonderful stuff that can come with these conditions, like bursitis and tendonitis. I had a double cortisone shot into my right shoulder bursa yesterday at 11.30am, and by 4pm I had total body shakiness, racing and thumping heart, incredible weakness in my arms and legs, and the whole right side of my body was a mass of tingling nerve pain. When I got to bed, the pain worsened considerably, and then spread to the upper right side of my body too. To cap it all off, my right leg went off with restless leg syndrome- something I’ve had before, but mercifully only for a short time, because it literally almost killed me from utter despair when it combined with chronic pain and Fibro. So no sleep last night!
It’s 8am the next day and I’m still shaking, jittery, full of tingling pain in my right side and utterly exhausted…but the first thing I’m going to do today is ring the treating doctor and ask him why on earth he didn’t warn me! And I’m never having one again. Thanks so much again for easing my mind about this Jennifer- when you’re already dealing with serious chronic illnesses, symptoms like that can be truly terrifying.
You are so very welcome. Your experience sounds just like mine (although I don’t have the other chronic conditions.). I do have serious RLS and between that and the effects of the shot, I was miserable! I would love if you can let me know what your doctor said – they all seem to deny that there are side effects!
I had steroid injections almost 4 weeks ago in my SI Joint. I have had 6 back surgeries in the last 13 yrs. I have had injections before, but they have never helped. The latest injections haven’t helped either. However, since the injections, I have been experiencing “Profuse Sweating” all over. Like I said, my injections were almost 4 weeks ago and the sweating shows no sign of letting up. I contacted the Anesthesiologist who administered the injections and he said he had NEVER heard of this side effect ? I also developed severe high blood pressure. I went to my GP who put me on Blood Pressure Medicine. I had a hysterectomy at age 31. I am now 57 and the sweating and other related symptoms are worse than any Menapausal Symptoms, I experienced years ago. I also have had heart racing, severe leg cramps occurring at night (I’ve started taking Potassium Supplements to help with this). I’ve read where some people with similar “side effects” have successfully take Benadryl (I am allergic to antihistamines, so this won’t help me). I am beyond desperate !! My scalp and hair are “sopping wet” just from sitting and typing this ? I recently started taking Evening Primrose Oil 1000 mgs-3 times a day (recommended by another patient with the extreme “sweating” side effect-not seeing any relief from this either). I’m open to ANY suggestions along with any research available ??? Can’t handle this much longer…..HELP !!!!!
I got a steroid injection in my right knee two weeks ago. I am getting ready to have my right knee replaced, but a different doctor replaced the left knee two years ago and put in the wrong size of knee, causing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in my entire left leg. This is my 3rd orthopedic doctor I’ve gone to, so I can get my right knee done. He told me he wanted to see if the steroid shot would help the pain in the right knee, and if it didn’t, he didn’t think the replacement would work. I got the shot, and I was alone and out of town, so got in my car to drive home and had a horrible reaction right then, like I couldn’t think straight and was very shaky, instant headache. I sat there for awhile and then drove home. Should have just go back in. I has the same reactions so many of you have talked about, flushed, hot face, no sleep, heart racing, twitching, irritated, nauseous etc. This kept getting worse over the weekend. I called the doctor on Monday and the shot was on a Thursday, but the symptoms were getting worse. The nurse talked to the doctor and he did say it was a reaction to the steroid shot. They told me to take Benadryl and anti-inflammatories, which I already take. They did suggest if it didn’t get better to go to the ER. It has been 2 weeks and I’m still experiencing a lot of the side effects, but they are gradually getting better. My blood pressure definitely went up, also. It’s been good to read your verifications. This morning, I developed a rash on my right leg from the injection site to my ankle. Since it’s only on that leg, I know it must be from the injection. I will never have another of those shots. At least my doctor acknowledged that some people do react exactly like so many of us have. Since the shot did help the pain, I’m setting up the surgery, but for all of you, I know for a fact it is the shot that caused the reaction. I’m gradually getting better, but it’s been a tough 2 weeks.
What a horrible experience you had! BUT at least your doctor did acknowledge that there could be a reaction. I don’t understand why other doctors won’t just say so? It seems there are SO many of us that have had these terrible reactions. Thank you for sharing!
Its been a little over 5 months since I had my shot and everything seems to be getting back to normal. I had a few weeks there where my hair started thinning and falling out but it seems to be getting back to normal now. If you see my post from May I too had insomnia, depression, anxiety, racing heart then really slow heart beats, flushing, High BP, lost weight and felt like I was in a fog.
I also went to the ER and was told I must of had a bad reaction to the shot. So if you are experiencing any of this from these shots just know it will get better. After about a month I started feeling a little bit better each day then the hair loss hit about 8 weeks in. I would say 5 months out now I feel like myself again and my hair seems to be growing back and feels thicker. This stuff was straight up poison to my system.
Yes, it was in mine too!
Did u have dry mouth? I got my injection 8 days ago and my mouth feels super dry.
Hmmm, honestly I do not remember, but I imagine it is a possible side effect!
wow! I just read over the comments… I had epidural injections on 10/12..I didn’t feel much different right after, yet a few days later I started experiencing extreme hot flashes, sweating, racing heart, jitteriness, and worst of all insomnia. I haven’t been able to sleep at all for over a week now and it is catching up to me. I already have spinal issues and lots of pain, but I never thought that the injections were the culprit. I had them years ago, but did not experience any of these things. My arms feel very restless and I can’t keep them still. I am constantly rubbing them because they ache so badly. Benedryl unfortunately does not make me sleepy, but I don’t know what else to try to help me get some much needed rest and sleep. My heart rate has been staying up in 120 area – so at night when I lay down I can feel how fast it is racing. I have tried breathing exercises but that isn’t working to help me get to sleep. I have tossed and turn for nights now. I just want this to end so I can get back to feeling more like myself. My doctor has called me a few times, but I didn’t mention this to her thinking that maybe something else was going on – now I think otherwise. I will definitely be telling her about my symptoms and that I didn’t have this before I had the injections.
Good idea. I had my doctor write in my chart what type of cortisone it is, and that I am allergic to it. I will never do ANY kind of cortisone shots again! Hope you are feeling better…
I have had four cortisone shots this year; two in the right knee, one just yesterday in the left; I get the shakiness and heart racing too and bad insomnia that lasts 2 days along with my A1C rising 2 times (I’m in the prediabetic range) yet last time it didn’t go up; hot feelings, moodiness, tired yet wired, flushing in my face and neck, some other things; I take benadryl, meditate, magnesium which I have taken for years and herbal calming teas, some calming music and wish I had the herb motherwort as that helps the heart rate go down and calming; some of the symptoms are like when my Graves disease was active before diagnosis in 2010 and was actually worse and I was on oral natural steriod HC (for adrenals) and could not sleep and had racing heart and moodiness, feeling hot. So after two injections which are all so needed for the knee pain (looking at right knee replacement later 2017) I’m learning to deal with it yet not fun and miserable for about 2-3 days; the nurse yesterday said sure these things could happen; yet the first two injections no one told me of side effects and until I called my doctor and said what is going on! I hate that tired yet wired feeling and just feeling like I’m wide awake at night; I had to sleep in today as I’m a fall asleep at 9:30-10 PM person so I also watch some TV which also believe it or not relaxes me; my heart rate was going up to 120 bpm; with Graves it went up to 130140 bpm and sometimes 150 bpm mostly middle of the night when the thyroid gland is most active; yet that was a whole other story (which I could have potentially had a thyroid storm and die since in 2010 the doctor did not help me much until he tested me and I waited 4 months before treatment) and after destroying my gland the heart rate is down significantly 4 years now; I prefer now knee surgery even though surgery is not the best thing either recovering; yet not being able to walk without extreme pain and forget pain meds as all that stuff makes me sick so only the shots help somewhat; they like giving shots first to put off the surgery. I’m in my late 50s and most I know around my town only get the knee surgery 60s, 70s or 80s. it sure is a scary experience with these shots yet this time around I’m so much more aware and just doing what I can to deal with it. I hope only one more night of insomnia. It must stink for those who have these effects much longer and more intense symptoms. . In my travels with my health issues at least, it seem every drug has side effects some worse than others and these cortisone injections side effects can be miserable at least to me unfortunately. Best of luck Jennifer and all!
And best of luck to you too!
Thank you Jennifer! I want to add to my long comment above that this time around, the fourth cortisone shot left knee instead of right (three different times this year), my side effects symptoms are worse than ever; digestive issues and the insomnia and heart racing is not going away like it did after only two days in past. Don’t know if doctor used more of the liquid cortisone to help the left knee; it gets very frustrating because I just had one in my right knee about a month ago and the pain is already starting to come back; so far it has worked better with the left knee yet it is too early to tell how long it will last! I’m wondering now if the more cortisone shots a person has the worse the side effects are? I’m dealing with it sort of yet makes me wonder if shots are really effective in the first place and worth the post shot side effects if the pain is not resolved that well anyway? Only the doctor and insurance putting off the much need knee replacement I need on each knee. I meant to say I appreciate your sharing this blog as realizing weighing the risks vs. benefits and thinking now of long term effects too; it is feeling a lot like when I was on HC (hydrocortisone) for my adrenals issues due to Graves pre and post treatment and I just cannot wait until this is out of my system and back to sleeping the 8 hours I normally do; the shakiness was worse this time too. Sometimes seems there is no easy solution! Thanks again!
Just had a cortisone shot in my knee yesterday and my heart started racing a couple hours afterward. My average heart rate when I wake up is 67 but it was 106 this morning. Hopefully it slows down soon.
It should soon – I am so sorry you are having trouble with the shot too.
Had a cortisone shot in my ankle, to break up calcium and scar tissue. Told my Dr. that I had cortisone several years ago and described all the symptoms to him that everyone here is talking about. He said I should be alright as it’s not a big dose. Well I have been awake for over 24 hours after numerous attempts to sleep. I called the Dr to see if I could get something to help me sleep or relax. Haven’t heard back yet and it is late on Friday afternoon. Guess I’m screwed for now. I hope newcomers to cortisone will research sites like this. Why would Dr’s not tell people about these horrible symptoms. I’d love to inject my Dr with a shot like this so he could stay up with me and watch the horrible shows on tv at 3am
I agree! They do not warn us at all about the side effects. I don’t understand why they wouldn’t, so we could make an educated choice for OUR health. It really is frustrating. I hope you feel better soon!
thanks so much for your post jennifer. my husband had a cortisone shot yest in back for his pain from a herniated disk, and now more than 24 hrs later he is still cant stand up for more than a few minutes before feeling shaky and week and running back to bed. you said you were still getting bouts of shakiness a week later, did this eventually go away and if so how long did it take? i am very worried about him and he is getting worried as has to return to work next week and cant have episodes like this as it would be very dangerous where he works.
Hi Laura,
I honestly cannot remember now how long it took for the shakiness to stop, but I think it was about a week or a little more. I would suggest calling the doctor and see what they say – they may not want him to be at work!
Hello, I just found your website at 4:43 a.m., just hours after receiving an injection in my right ankle for an injury that just hasn’t been healing correctly. I’m very athletic and active and have been road cycling for the past few months while hoping to nurse this ankle back to health from a running injury. Cycling wasn’t making it worse, just not healing it like I’d hoped.
My injection was at 10:30 a.m. and the increased heart rate started asking 8:30 p.m.
I’m have a faster than normal heart rate (for me, it’s on the upper 80s) because my resting heart rate is normally 62 bpm. not feeling the flush others described I hope this goes away……insomnia going asking with it. Ugh!!!!
.
Anyway I found an answer try MAGNESIUM it took my anxiety away almost straight away!! Have been sufferring for 6 weeks and felt like i was going crazy
Really!! That is fantastic! I will have to update my post with this – it’s certainly worth a try!
I had injections in my knees and from knees to feet, my legs feel like ice and can’t seem to get them warm. One of my knees that was bothering me a little is bothering me a LOT now. Hope this all passes quick. I don’t like it.
Oh no. I hope it passes quickly for you. I know how you feel and it is no fun!
I am crawling out of my skin in a delayed reaction 5 days after only feeling tired and otherwise ok following a 4 point multi injection lumbar epidural in an effort to relieve referred pain throughout the lower right side of my body from the waist down. The nerves in my body now feel as though they’re on the outside, with so much pent up anxiety inside making me feel like I want to throw a Buick through a plate glass window, much like “The Incredible Hulk” after turning green and going into his rage. How long will this last?! I’m tempted to double my dose of Klonipin for fear of having a severe panic attack!
I think it goes away in a week or so. I am sorry you are experiencing such horrible effects too!
I had a shot in my thumb joint on 1st March. It wasnt until about a week later I started to feel weak, mainly my legs. I felt like I was shaking inside and having twitches and just feeling weird. I went to my doctor about a month later and told him my symtoms. I didnt even think it was the shot I had so didnt mention it even though he asked me if I took protein power or injected. I said to him Ive never taken steriods lol. I was so concerned I had MS or Parkinsons. The doctor couldnt have looked at my records to check. He did a few strength and balance tests and I had blood tests. All came back clear apart from I was low on vitimin D3. The vitimin d3 is helping but I still feel weak now and again and still twitch at times. MS is still in the back of my mind but im hoping the shot will soon be out of my system for good.
I certainly hope so too! It really is an awful feeling, especially when the heart is racing and you’re shaking. I couldn’t believe how horrible I felt after the shot. NEVER again! I hope you will feel better soon!
I’m so sorry to hear of all the side effects you all have had. I got my first injection yesterday in my knee. I had a problem with being hot then cold over and over and an upset stomach but this morning I feel great. My doctor gave my a flyer with all the side effects on it so I knew what to expect. Honestly my pain is gone and I’m happier than I have been in months.
Oh I’m glad you didn’t suffer the horrible side effects! And I’m glad you are pain free 🙂
After having had many injections, with no side effects, in various joints over several years, I wasn’t expecting a reaction yesterday after a knee injection. A few hours after, I started extreme sweating, starting with my face. This kept up, even inside with a/c. I had the fan on, too. It lasted about 10 hours, when I took a cool shower and went to bed in a cool room with the ceiling fan on high. No problem today, except for extra sensitivity to the warmer moments right before the a/c cycles on. After all of the shots I have had, I knew nothing of side effects (except blood sugar increase in diabetics) until yesterday, when I did a little research. As I get older, seems I am more sensitive to things I have had with no problem in the past. I took Oxy in December ’16 after surgery, and it caused a debilitating fever until I figured it out (with research) and stopped taking it. I even spoke to a pharmacist, she knew nothing of the fever side effect with Oxy. Didn’t bother me after previous surgery, just a few months before. Thank you for sharing your stories, everyone!
That is so weird that you didn’t have bad effects in the past. I hope it at least helped your pain!
Hi! My name is Kayla and I’m 21 years old. Just got 3 injections into my back. I have degenerative and slipping discs along with arthritis in my spine and besides me wanting to eat everything my inje c tions were successful. I wish they would have told me about the eating part. I’m also really just awake all the time now. I can’t go to sleep even being so tired. But my pain is gone for the most part so that’s a plus
That’s awesome that your pain is gone! I hope you are getting some sleep by now!
Two weeks ago I had a cortisone shot in my shoulder. Two days later I had all the symptoms described here. The hot flushes lasted about a week to be followed by racing heart and pounding pulse which had me very worried. The worst thing by far was feeling my pulse beating strongly in my neck, which stopped me sleeping.
Three days ago I was so panic-stricken that I saw a doctor. Not only did she insist that the symptoms could not possibly be connected to the cortisone, she suggested I needed an eye test. For hot flushes?!
I told her I was very concerned about the vein in my forehead being swollen and she said my “lovely fringe would cover it”.
What is it with so many doctors makes them so dismissive of patients opinions? We know our bodies better that they do and it’s time they started listening to us.
I am a 53 year old man, and I KNOW that cortisone shots have severe side effects. I have had several shots and now decided to never have another one again. Hot flashes, red and hot face, rapid heartbeat, elevated body temperature, elevated blood pressure, headache, difficulty sleeping, severe restless legs etc are all symptoms I am having right now as I write these words. When a doctor tells me cortisone shots have no side effects I laugh loudly to his/her face. And I ask them when was the last time they had one ? So how do yiu know ??? Hang in there, my experience shows that is gradually tapers off after a few days.
Those are the same exact side effects that I experienced. They were awful!
I had a steroid shot into my knee for arthritis. I developed a headache and hot flushes and couldn’t sleep.
I’m hoping these side effects will diminish soom
I had a guided cortisone shot Sept 25th. That day I had many issues. Headache, brain fog, sweating , I can not think and went I move around it becomes worse. My Dr said he has never seen or heard of such an issue and referred me to primary..went to primary had Blood pressure taken a few min later my sweating started out of blue and BP went up from 117 / 72 tob149/ 80 ..I had a witness …but of course I am being sent for all sorts of tests as it could not be the cortisone…how long have folks had these symptoms…8 weeks and still I feel like I have a concussion and not able to work.
That is awful! I can’t believe that doctors aren’t aware of these horrible side effects! I hope you start to feel better soon!
Hi there, very helpful post. I am feeling a dull sensation in my left leg which came on immediately after a half shot cortisone on the left side of my pelvis. It’s been 3 days of what feels like restless leg syndrome which you described in your post. I am worried this might be permanent, how long did it take for your RLS to go away after cortisone shot?
Hi Mitsy – I have actually had RLS since I was a child (there just wasn’t a name for it then). I am so sorry you are experiencing this. I would imagine that if you didn’t have RLS before the shot, then it is probably just a side effect. I hope you feel better soon!
I injured my shoulder and received cortsone injections in the shoulder. Within a few days I started itching, and now, more than 6 months later I battle with a rash all over my upper body. The itching has not stopped. I seriously need to get a detox.
I had plantar faciitis and pretty much couldn’t walk. Went to the doc who gave me a cortizone shot. One of the things I indicated on my initial information sheet was that I had Diabetes. Doc didn’t say a thing about it. I’ve had Diabetes for years and know when my blood sugars aren’t where they should be. Within half an hour I began to have symptoms of elevated blood sugars. I am regularly between 120 and 170. My first test was over 300. I immediately looked online and found others had this same reaction. I tested over the next hour and it went up to a high of 415. If it hadn’t leveled out at that point I would have been heading for the hospital. It did level out and eventually (hours later) began to come down. It didn’t hit “normal” until halfway through the next day. Needless to say, I never returned to this doctor and I called the office to complain about not being told about the possible side effects…especially when Diabetes was indicated. I was appalled!
Unreal. This makes me sick – especially when someone is diabetic, they should use extra care, or at least warn you. I wonder why they are so hesitant to warn people of these horrible effects? I’m so sorry you had to experience this 🙁
Had a cortisone injection nearly a month ago for shoulder bursitis. Worst mistake i’ve ever made! had it around 8 at night, went to sleep around 10.30. Woke up at around 6am with severe chest pains and heart palpitations left arm was numb and all. This went on accompanied with confusion and shortness of breath till 3pm when I ended up going to hospital in an ambulance. Blood tests proved no heart attack or heart damage but i was having heat palpitations that were caught on the machine which they wanted me to see a cardiologist about, but they were saying its nothing (absolute rubbish). About a week later i developed tremors and they are with me till now, three weeks later. I wake up shaking and i subtly shake throughout the day. I wake up exhausted. Its the worst! I was fine till i go that shot. Now they have no clue what is happening to me and my quality of life is gone to crap. If only i could go back and not have that injection.
Oh wow that is such a severe reaction! I don’t understand why they won’t admit that it’s the shot! If all of us were fine before the shot and have the same effects after, then it IS a problem! I sure hope you will feel better soon!
I had a kenalog injection in my hip for bursitis on 3/28/18, and I’ve spent weeks and lots of money on tests trying to figure out what’s going on with me, other than I developed gastritis and reflux nothing showed up.
It started 5days after the injection with a burning throat then a week later no appetite, nausea, anxiety, bathroom issues, insomnia.
I still didn’t attribute it to the injection, I have had tests tests and more tests and worsening symptoms
Now all these weeks later I have bad anxiety, heart palpitations, insomnia, hair is falling out, I have no appetite and lost 15 pounds in 1month, I can’t focus or concentrate on anything. Its been a nightmare.
I called the surgeon’s office that gave me the injection and they tried telling me this isn’t a typical reaction.
I said I’ve gotten insomnia with short acting steroid shots so it does happen. I’d just never had a long acting shot before.
I’m so scared for how long this will continue. It’s been over a month now.
Oh my gosh – I am so sorry to hear about this. It certainly sounds like a reaction to me, especially when you haven’t had problems like this before. I don’t know why they are so hush-hush about the side effects!! I hope your symptoms will wear off soon…you poor thing.
Thanks Jennifer,
Also thank you for writing this in the first place! You have unwittingly eased the pain of many who came after you, by letting them know they aren’t crazy or dying and they are not alone.
I’ m still in the same boat unfortunately, but will be be put on Beta blockers from tomorrow. I’ll let yo know how it goes.
Update, didn’t take any of the meds, (once bitten twice shy). Day time shakes have finally settled, not completely, just background subtle.
Night time shakes are still there. I found eating a big meal before bed, with a low glycemic index helped quell them (lots of protein and veggies less carbs).
The only thing that gave me any relief, during the first couple weeks,was Gotu Kola tea. It works almost immediately and settles the anxiety n shake for an hour or so. Don’t over do the tea!
In January, 2018 while I had the flu, I went to the ER (my PCP’s office was flooded with flu patients) with possible bronchitis. I told them my only health conditions were glaucoma (low pressure, no drops) and take .50 of levothyroxine for hypothyroid. I was given a 10mg injection of dexamethasone and an anitbiotic injection. I was also prescibed a z-pac of oral steroid and an asthma puffer, none of which I took after I googled the medication. At first, I felt OK, but after a few days, I was hit with shaking,increased blood pressure, blood sugar and heart rate, heart palpitations, vision changes, terrible anxiety, weakness, loss of appetite, shortness of breath and pain in my legs. Then I started having tingiing in my feet and hands. I went to see my PCP and he said the anxiety was from the steroid and my symptoms were from the anxiety. He ran some blood work, everything was pretty much normal. I was told it had to run it’s course, but he didn’t know how long that would be. Online, I found out that the steroid I had been given is a long acting one and that since I was hypothyroid, it could take even longer to get out of my system. As time went on some symptoms improved – my blood pressure, blood sugr and heart rate came down, but I still had very little appetite, was weak and still had anxiety though not as bad. I am 66 and post menapausal, but I began to have some vaginal spotting and had to have an ultra sound and uerine biopsy. I found online that the steroids can disrupt hormones and that apprently the steroid injection I had received made me estrogen dominant for a while. The biopsy came back OK. It has been almost 5 months since the injection and my symptoms come and go. I have gone dairy, gluten and caffeine free. I have lost 60 pounds since the injection. I drink a lot of water and eat mostly organic and paleo. I think that the injection has disrupted my thyroid and adrenal function and that is why I still have symptoms. My PCP mostly just goes by TSH thyroid results and says that my thyroid is fine. I disagree and am going to press for referral to an endo and more extensive tests. I realize that I had just one injection, but it was a pretty high dose and a long acting steroid. I had none of these health issues before the injection. I had never had a steroid injection before and never will again. I was told of no possible side effects. Taking magnesium has helped with some of symptoms. My heart goes out to all of you that are struggling with these steroid side effects. It’s been a nightmare!
Oh my gosh, what a terrible experience! And that you are still having side effects this far after is frightening. These are some serious issues – why don’t they tell us beforehand? I am so sorry and I hope your symptoms will ALL disappear and very soon!
I had a kenalog shot 4 weeks ago for allergies. I didn’t have any problems at first but about 3 days later my legs and arms were very weak and my hands, arms, and legs shook and had muscle spasm. My legs felt like they were going to give out from underneath me. I also began to have the worst anxiety and depression I’ve ever experienced. I went to the dr and of course was told it couldn’t have been the shot. I had an exam and a full blood work up and they couldn’t find anything wrong with me. I feel like I am going crazy! I just want to feel normal again. It’s been 4 weeks and I’m scared that it’s never going to get better. I will never get this shot again.
This is what I’m currently experiencing. Had a cortisone shot in my left shoulder on Friday. My shoulders and neck and my whole left arm were stiff as a board and in excruciating pain. Went thru the hot cold, hot cold. Still kind of am. Nauseous, dizzy, shaky. Lots of trouble staying asleep. Making my brain worse off than usual. And probably more that is escaping me as I’m feeling faint right this moment. And terrible timing for it to be happening!
I also have a recurring cough and sore throat. May be unrelated. Since the doctors office was in a hospital. So it’s possible I also caught something else along the way.
I had them before in my knees several years ago and do not recall anything like this happening. But I’ve been accruing quite the list of ailments over the years and likely have a decreased immune system due to it all. I also at one point had pre-diabetes but I don’t see an endocrinologist anymore so I don’t know if it’s come back or not. And it sounds like that can also play a role in my negative response this go around from what you e mentioned.
Thank you for posting this because I was beginning to think I was going crazy!!
That’s what I thought too – that I was going crazy! It is very real!
I’ve been reading about everyone’s experiences and I’m so sorry we’re all dealing with this. I too had cortisone shots. They did two injections in my foot and right away I had the hot flashes, followed up by being cold and clammy. I had another side effect though which is my menstrual cycle has gone MIA. I went to see my regular Doctor and she said I was going through pre-menopausal symptoms. I don’t think so. My concern is this… after reading your stories, it seems that most of your symptoms went away after a few weeks. I’ve been messed up for months! I’m really sensitive to chemicals so I’m sure an injection sent my system into a tailspin but will I ever feel “normal” again? Everything started right after the shots so I know it all started there. I just don’t know what to do about it now. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!!
I wish I had an answer for you. I would say talk to your doctor and *hope* they take your symptoms seriously. They all seem very hesitant to admit that there are side effects.
Oh damn, exactly what happened to me….got one injection in my left knee ( three weeks ago ).I also had some excrutiating cramps in my legs. ( 2-3 days for hours in a row ) It was mind numbing and felt like all my tendons would snap. I also had a cortisone flare, my knee kept on swelling..( and the flare continued not like said it would subside). The ortho wanted to do an Emergency surgery because he suspected infection. False alarm after bloodwork This was one week after the shot. The next week my knee started swelling again. ( I lost count how many Times they took out the fluid. ) Two weeks after the shot the cramps are Just normal cramps but I got horrible pain in my knee during one night. In between my primary care phys. Admitted that it was the shot. ( Fillers and preservatives …) Guess what I told the first ortho. That I can only use the lidocaïne from the dentist without anything in it. Known allergy. )the same preservatives are in the cortisone shot.
Before the shot: I had no pain, normal range of movement, and a minor swelling ( with cartilage damage). Three weeks after the shot: pain, gigantic swelling that Comes back within hours after removing it, still cramps, heartbeat is crazy, dizziness, shaking, löss of appetijtelijk and limited movement! And as a bonus I get An athroscopy tomorrow ( in between this mindfuckery and horrible craziness ) because the ortho can’t believe it is because of the shot and suspects a low grade infection. I feel defeated. I told her , I prefer delivering my babies without anesthesia ( had one with and one without so …) In compare with this horrible pain. She had to write down in my file that I would NEVER NEVER NEVER want to have an cortisone shot again !!! Nothing was wrong with my body before this shot( I was training for a marathon), now I feel like my whole body is out of balance. Did i say it already? Over my dead body but I will never take this again EVER! Hope this shitstorm in my body ends soon.
Wow that is quite an ordeal! I am so sorry you had so many bad reactions, and how strange about your knee! I had them put it in my chart too, that I never will have a Cortisone shot again. I wonder if some of us are just allergic to the fillers? I don’t know…but it really is horrible. I hope you will feel better soon!
I wanted to give you an update but couldn’t find this website again …
The horror is still going on allthough I am off the IV antibiotics for some time now. ( This week I could stop the oral antibiotics) The stupid doctor not only used a dose way too high for me ( 200 mg depo medrol) , he also injected a bacteria! After he send me home with blood results ok ( I ordered the results from the hospital last week and they were definitely not ok!!!! ( Cortisone shots keep your inflammation factors low and he forgot to look at the white blood cell count ( way way too high and my knee fluid showed also a massive amount of white blood cells! And the bacteria but he never looked at it! So I went to another hospital and they did the arthroscopy and of course they also found the bacteria This went well and no pain in my knee but all my tendons around my knees are still sore and cramped up ( 8 weeks after the shot …( You wonder why he used such high dosage … I am 1m67 and my weight is 51 kg and had no pain before the shot, the #€&@ doctor didn’t want to believe it that I was not in pain! ) I even didn’t use a painkiller after the arthroscopy because I had NO pain!
Even in the hospital weeks after the shot i had bad mood wings, cried like a baby, and I didn’t recognize my own behaviour ! The local hospital got one hell of a big complaint from me because that crazy doctor who injected the cortisone also ante dated data in my medical file and put a lot of lies in there! It is a major fuck up and I hope in the next few weeks the swelling of my knee is finally going away! Never never never again! Thank you for your website, it makes me feel like I am not going insane and make things up in my mind!
I have been receiving Cortisone shots for years…about every 3 months. The last two times I have had bad reactions. When I had the first one it was mainly flushing of my face and neck and feeling hot. It subsided after a couple of days. I had shots again this past Tuesday (3 months later). My heart beat was extremely fast…BP thru the roof and pressure in my chest. I was hot but, didn’t start having flushed face until 4 days later. Thankfully the pressure in my chest is gone but, BP is still a little elevated. I feel much better than I did but, still not 100%. Having knee surgery in 2 months so, hopefully I will never have this again. Will do my other knee this summer but, will take no more shots! I was horrified when I read your post…you must have been scared to death…I know Was getting there with my symptoms.
Yes! I was terrified. I didn’t expect anything like that to happen. I’m sorry you are experiencing side effects too – hopefully they are all cleared up by now!
So strange that they did not warm you off the possible reactions. I just had a steroid shot into my shoulder yesterday. They asked me more than once if I was diabetic (due to the blood sugar affects). I’m not thankfully. They monitored me for about 15 min in a recovery area, and told me along with giving me a paper that said that I may get a flushed red face that lasts for a couple of days, and it is not an allergic reaction. Some of the steroid can get into your system, but most of it stays in the joint. They did tell me some people can have side effects but the most serious ones they monitor you for immediately after the shot and then let you go if you seem OK. Although the hot red face is feeling really annoying at the moment! like a sunburn). I also sort of lost my appetite and had more heart palpitations than normal. I woke up with tachycardia too. The things on my paper that they listed to call about were fever over 101, severe headache, that type of thing. Sorry you had a bad experience :-/ I’m surprised that they offered it so quickly before trying other solutions. For my dr it seemed like a last resort type of thing, and like a diagnostic tool to find out if the pain truly was from my shoulder and not another area. I don’t love side effects but so far my shoulder feels better now than it has in about 6 months since I injured it. I tried physical therapy, over the counter meds, and had to pay a lot for a fancy MRI. I think the shot is safer than being on ibuprofen for days at a time, so hopefully the positive effects will continue and I won’t feel so strange after a few days!!
You are so lucky you didn’t have really bad side effects! It seems like if you ask doctors about this, they don’t want to “admit” to them. But I imagine there are different types of cortisones too.
I just got the steriod shot for my lower back sciatoca problems. My doctor made it sound it like it was going to be the cure all. I didn’t know so I wanted to trust that. It listed symptoms but labeled them as rare. I was feeling decent all day until I went for a walk and just started sneezing alot. I figured it was allergies so I take an allergy pill it said nothing about not taking an allergy but I’m sneezing alot more then normal pollen allergies. I felt light headed,restless, derealization. I’m still up at 2 am but feel better now. I literally felt like I was going crazy just doing basic like trying to get water or watching TV. I made sure to drink water,eat fruit drink juice but a big thing for me was smoking a little bit of cannabis. I’ll be honest before my thoughts were racing and it slowed those down big time which is helping big time. I was just trying to breath slowly before to get me to calm down. I made sure to take a shower too. I feel so naive for believing this band aid would be the cure all and how other people on here have been decieved like me. It makes sick and other people on here sound like they have it way worse my prayers are all with you. Im going to try to maybe not get another shot cause that was miserable. I am just confused right now but ill see if it really gives me pain relief of not then I’ll probably get an MRI and physical therapy. Thanks for haring your experience and shedding light on this.
You are very welcome. I honestly thought I was going crazy when all of these things started happening to me, and yet, doctors are always gung-ho to give these. I recently had issues with my other knee and the first thing they wanted to do was a cortisone shot. This is a newer doctor and I told them that I will never do one of these again, and to please note Cortisone in my allergies. I just hate that others have to suffer too, because they weren’t advised of the very real possibility that they will experience a few of these awful side effects. Did the cannabis help?
Did anyone have hives, or welts following after their cortisone shot? My sugar is high, bp is high, infection is swollen, and I have massive hives going from my foot (where the infection took place) all the way up to my rib cage….
Oh no…that is horrible. How long ago did you have your shot? I know my blood sugar did some strange things. I think they should at least warn those that are diabetic or pre-diabetic, as the cortisone shot can have some serious side effects with that condition. I am not sure about the hives, but that definitely sounds like an allergic reaction. I hope you feel better soon!
I think I responded after someone else’s comment in stead of making one of my own, so here goes… sorry if this is a repead of facts. I had an appointment yesterday with an Orthopedic Doctor, was x-rayed and given shots in both of my knees. I’ve recently moved and have been suffering with that knee pain for about six weeks while dealing with packing and moving boxes. Where I am we’re still dealing with Covid, so I’ve taken all of the recomended precautions not to catch it. Last night I went to bed with a terrible headache and heart pounding. I took a Benedryl and two Advil and managed to sleep a little bit. Today I feel completely SICK – still headache, shaky, and heart still beating fast and pounding.
I’m sure hoping that this goes away fast! After reading some of the entries before this I have very mixed concerns! Right now I’m feeling sick and afraid. I have a call in to my Doctor.
I think it is the shot too. It is obvious that enough people are seeking answers to this question. I don’t understand why doctors aren’t warning people about the reactions they can possibly expect! Even if it relieves the pain, it may not be worth it for some people. Unfortunately for me, it didn’t even take care of the pain, so it definitely wasn’t worth it.
Years later, I am now looking at a total knee replacement. But every time I go to the orthopedist, they always want to give me a cortisone shot. I refuse every single time. I finally asked them to put it in my chart that I am allergic to the shots.
I hope you are feeling better by know. Please report back, and also let us know what your doctor says. I’m so sorry you experienced this too.
I can’t believe all the responses you’ve gotten here. I really haven’t found any lists of side effects for cortisone shots that mention the things so many of your readers have reported and that I have experienced. I had a cortisone shot in my knee in the early 2000s with no side effects. Last week, I had one in my elbow and started having intense hot flashes that night. The next day, I had intense facial, neck and chest flushing, as well as shakiness (as when you need to eat), and extreme fatigue. On day 3, I was still flushed, shaky, tired, plus a new and stranger symptom. The skin of my upper arm (NOT the arm where I got the shot) was hot to the touch as if I’d been sunburned. This lasted roughly 12 hours. I’m now on day 4 and I’m still shaky and tired. My face, neck and chest are still flushed, though not as bad. My arm is no longer hot. I’m pretty sure I’m fine and haven’t had scary symptoms like some of your other readers, but it’s just WEIRD. And I agree that pharma needs to document these side effects and include them in packaging and doctors need to inform patients before administering cortisone.
I agree! I don’t understand why they are reluctant to tell us! It is obviously a big problem when so many of us have issues. I am so sorry you are having awful side effects too. And the symptom with your other arm is REALLY weird!
Just curious – did you have something to numb the area before the cortisone was injected? I am beginning to wonder if it could be the numbing agent or if there is a certain brand of cortisone that is causing issues?
If anyone happens to know what type/brand of cortisone that was used with their injection AND/OR the numbing agent, can you please comment? It would be really nice to figure this out, so others can be warned.
I recall her saying something about that, but I don’t recall her putting anything on my skin and I know there was only a single injection, so I didn’t have the smaller needle with lidocaine or whatever beforehand. So the answer is that I don’t actually know, but don’t think so. Seems crazy that it was less than a week ago and I can’t recall it better!
Well, there you go! I had a cortisone shot today at midday in my left shoulder – fist time rver. I suffer from anxiety because I have chest pain from costochondritis – and that opened up a whole world of mental health issues for me. (previously I was Captain Confidence – now I can’t even go out without freaking out a bit or a lot).
So after a few years of that and a huge impact on my life, my shoulder started to get very painful – and I believe that may be the cause of many of my pain issues, all triggered by some kind of thing like Fibro. I had an ultrasound and it’s tendonitis and bursitis and a few other things.
So… I got home, felt relatively fine (maybe just punch drunk) for an hour or two – maybe a little off colour because of the anxiety about getting the shot – it was not an issue though, as it didn’t hurt a bit. So, then around 5:00pm I started to feel a little weird… odd, if you like. My anxiety kicked in a little so I did my breathing exercises and had dinner, feeling crappy all the way through. Then I had trouble getting up and had to lay on the couch and my heart was just pounding, which of course made my anxiety worse (I always think my heart’s gonna give out!) I tested it a few times and it varied between 80 and 110 which is high for me. It usually sits around 60-75, usually higher after I eat. I laid on the ground which always makes me feel better anxiety wise. I knew this was not just anxiety though.
Anyway, my heart was pounding and I started to get that high blood pressure feeling in my head and body. I got a headache too… just dull and present – not like my usual mind benders from sinus… at least not yet (10:45pm).
I have just had a magnesium tablet with a bit of food, and still have the shakes but my heart rate is at 70 to 77.
Overall, I feel like a trunk took a vacation on my soul.
I’m still shaky but drinking plenty of water and just trying to relax. I usually sleep well, waking up maybe once a night for 30 minutes or so, or just falling back to sleep. So, I hope I sleep as last night was not great as I was worried about today.
Basically, it’s been akin to a panic attack, but brought on by ‘nothing’ external. I was calm, enjoying just resting and trying to calm down from the morning of stress. But – that was not to be.
So yes – I had a reaction and I find as I get older I am more sensitive to medications.
It’s been a heck of a day and I will check in tomorrow to let you all know how I am doing. I hope I sleep and hope these jitters subside.
Working from home, so I at least have that on my side and can take a day off if I need.
Cheers – Wayne (52 year old male from Australia, not overweight, no junk food at all apart from a few corn chips on Saturday nights when we watch a movie!, non smoker, non drinker and I don’t exercise at all since I started on this pain journey!)
Hi Wayne – I am so sorry you experienced the awful side effects too. You’re right – it feels like an unprovoked panic attack, which is especially scary! I hope your reaction subsided quickly. Did you mention this to your doctor?
I’ve had 2. The first is always the worse a friend told me. Well this was true for me. I had almost 0 effects from the 2nd injection 3 months later but I went in to get the injection terrified because the first 2 days were brutal.. If your pain is horrible steroids are WORTH IT. You will do anything. I didn’t sleep one hour the first night after the first injection. Absolutely no hot flashes the 2nd time and I slept fine. I did have a slight case of RLS again but very mild. I also want to mention that my last injection was 5 months ago. I changed my diet about 3 weeks after this injection and eat completely whole foods and low carbs and drink lots of water. I was on a group and this lady complained about hot flashes and a lot of people commented this can be very normal but watching your diet can be helpful.
That is interesting – thank you for sharing! I would love to hear from others who have had subsequent shots and what their experiences are, to see if there was a difference for them. Also if changing your diet has helped.
I’m so sorry to hear of everyone’s negative reactions to these shots. I’m just getting home from the ER after receiving one shot in my knee. Within minutes I felt wrong. Heart palpitations, tremors, flushed, cold, and then my speech started slurring. I thought I was having a stroke. The ER didn’t know what to do with me, and my Dr. made me feel like I was crazy. I’m so happy I found this thread. I know I’m not alone.
I had an epidural shot in my lower back a little over 2 weeks ago. Since then I have been getting heart palpatations that come and go, my blood pressure has been elevated, and I feel hypoglycemic in the mornings. At first I thought I was reacting to a recent raise in my thyroid medicine. I have been raising it slowly for the last 7 weeks and that had all been going well until the shot.
Anyone else get palpations and racing heart for weeks after epidural shot? Or elevated blood pressure? If yes, how long before it got better?
I have had numerous cortisone shots in different areas, shoulder, hand, etc., and have not experienced side effects. After receiving a shot in a shoulder joint yesterday, however, I noticed a vague (hard to find the right adjectives) shakiness, weakness, as if, like the writer of the article says, one was past due for a meal — or as I would interpret it, having low blood sugar. It definitely seems that the cortisone doesn’t stay localized and that some of it gets in the bloodstream and circulates throughout the body. I’m sure of this because I’m up in years and have a lot of aches and pains in different places caused by inflammation, and a cortisone injection in a joint relieves pain throughout my body. I got up this morning and felt 30 years younger. Oh, if it would only last!
I received 1 shot in Oct 20, 2 shots in June 21 in right shoulder, went back in Sep 21, visibly shaking and flushing only to be given another shot in right shoulder! 4mg Kenalog, 4cc of 1% Lidocaine. I am not diabetic but my blood sugar spiked and caused a medical emergency. The doctor insisted the steroid is safe and my symptoms were likely Parkinson’s and I need a neurologist. Some of these people should not be practicing medicine! I’ve never been so sick in my life!
I received a cortisone shot in both knees five days ago. The ortho doctor suspected I had large bakers cysts behind my knees which was proven wrong with ultrasound. They don’t know what the lumps are. For the pain they gave me the shots. I take 400 mg a day of magnesium oxide for migraines so maybe it helped some with the side effects. I have felt the hot, cold, hot, cold. I actually thought I was coming down with something. I’ve slept alright except the hot/cold and night sweats that come with it. My knees felt really warm for a couple days. The needle site was painful and made it hard to get around for a day or two. I haven’t checked for any Blood pressure or sugar fluctuations but at times I have felt jittery and hyper. I read that the cortisone will sometimes enter the bloodstream but this is more likely with several shots. This comes with a lot of serious symptoms which include mood swings, fever, chills, moon face, vision problems, diabetes complications . I will tell you that a lot of allergy meds will cause RLS and disrupt sleep. I know of two that caused RLS for me (Zyrtec, Claritin) when taken daily. And there is a list of others as well. I won’t be taking any more cortisone shots, as I don’t know the permanent side effects or damage they can cause or what the lumps behind my knees are. Good luck to everyone.
I’m a bit late to this thread but wanted to share my experience with these awful shots. I’ve had a series of three epidural lumbar and caudal injections. The first two (these were given two weeks apart) I had minimal side effects. Flushing of the face, increased appetite and some trouble sleeping. My third shots, given three weeks ago, have caused me horrific side effects. Four days after the epidural I woke with a racing heartbeat and palpitations, this lasted about 24 hours. The anesthesiologist said that no, the shots don’t cause that. Fast forward to yesterday when I ended up in the ER for an irregular heartbeat that had been going on for over 24 hours. Labs were done as were X-rays and EKG to rule out a heart attack. All came back normal. I kept telling the doctor in ER that I believe wholeheartedly the epidural steroid injections are causing this to which he of course said no way. He literally told me that I was just over sensitive to the beating of my heart and it’s probably anxiety! He left and the nurse practitioner came in and told me that these injections do cause my symptoms that it’s a powerful drug and stays in the system a long while! She also told me that they are black labeled and not approved by the FDA! My heart is still racing and I’m terrified! I have to call my cardiologist Monday in hopes he can get me in asap. I find it sad that those of us so desperate for pain relief aren’t being given the truth about these drugs! I’m also wondering if the anesthesiologist that did the injections forget on the last series that I’m allergic to Novocain and used it on me instead of lidocaine! As I said the first two series of shots I had slight side effects but this time my heart has been beating out of my chest for over 48 hours. I will never do these shots again! Ever.
We continue to receive comments and stories like this and it’s helping the community to get answers. We so appreciate your comment on this older but very relevant post!
I had an injection in my knee on November 3. That night I barely slept from intense pain in the knee. Over the next week, I developed severe bruising that radiated out into a bigger and bigger circle around my knee. The pain was excruciating. The tiny point where the needle went into my skin, began to grow larger and scab over. I developed striations farther out around the bruising that encircled my knee. I finally went back to my doctor after 4 weeks and she diagnosed an allergic reaction. She did not prescribe anything for it or offer to help resolve it. That’s my fault for not pushing it harder. I just accepted that it was an allergic reaction and left without any resolution. In the next four weeks to now, currently – the bruising has decreased but my knee has developed a very large scab that is extremely painful and tender. It literally hurts to have air blown on it; to feel a drop of water. The scab is intensely painful, but so is the area around the scab. It’s like having the worst infection just under the skin. So where the scab is open and raw – there is a tenderness that is also extremely painful, in about a three inch diameter around that area. It hurts to bend the knee. It hurts to touch it. It’s hard to wear any kind of pants or leggings because the fabric rubs. I can’t keep a bandage on it because of the constant motion of moving around. I’ve been putting petroleum jelly on the scab and that has helped it some hours of some days. I am literally miserable and at the point I’m calling the doctor back and demanding more information or some way to alleviate the pain. Naproxen, Ibuprofen, etc does not help. This is my doctor for 25 years and I have trusted her implicitly. She’s a good doctor. BUT — I believe her attention has become so focused on Covid in the past year, she’s almost consumed by it. I expect her to quit any day now because she’s literally overwhelmed by it. On each visit before the shot in November, twice a year in 2020 and 2021, she expressed how depressed, overworked, scared, she is – about getting Covid. She’s had patients die or struggle to barely survive. She said she stopped making rounds and visiting her older pts in nursing homes two years ago. She is freaked out – and I truly believe her judgement is slipping. She’s sixty. So am I. We’ve been together since we were 34 and she has been excellent until now. I can’t help but believe she was negligent in giving me the shot that day. I’m diabetic and struggle to control it. Etc etc. Thanks for the chance to say something, somewhere.
It’s stories like this that help educate our community. Sometimes you just need to know you’re not crazy and others are going through this too. Thank you!
I have Fibromyalgia and for the past two years severe sciatica. Today I went for round 4 of spinal steroid injections. The first time my Pain management Dr used a small amount of steroid and it did nothing. The second time he went to a higher vertebrae with higher dose and I have to say it helped my pain alot. It knocked it down to a level 1 for about 5 weeks then flared up again. Side effects were some sleep issues. I do take medication to sleep and they didn’t work as well. I had round three 4 months ago. Same thing. Knocked pain down to level 1 after a week. Mild sleep issues. And I was able to go on a trip to Europe and walked and walked my little legs off for 10 days with just a brace and compression shorts. Pain flared after about 5.5 weeks. I don’t regret the shots.
Today I got round 4. Doc gave me higher dose of different steroid this time to see if it lasts longer.. My lower back is aching. My anxiety has ramped up big time. Can’t relax. And this afternoon I got very flushed and warm. I am hoping the side effects don’t last long. We will see how it goes. I may have to go back down in the dosage. The sciatic pain is worse than my Fibromyalgia pain as it hinders my mobility. Standing and walking become excruciating. So I would say if you are really suffering try it. They may just need to adjust the dose. Every person’s body reacts to drugs differently. BTW. For my Fibromyalgia I already take Magnesium Malate daily. So that may be a plus for me.
Been over a month since I received a cortisone shot in my shoulder. My heart has been racing, heart rate spikes and then I feel like I might pass out, sweating and just feeling unwell. Wearing a 24 hour holter monitor tomorrow to check for SVT. Doctor won’t say it’s from cortisone but I was a healthy 44 year old woman prior to this. Anyone else who’s had these symptoms… when do they stop. It’s affecting every aspect of my life and I’m scared
Hi Stacey, I’m not sure if this blog is monitored anymore or if you are still suffering with side effects but a fellow Kenalog sufferer has set up a Facebook page so we can all share stories and support. Details are in my comment below of you want to join us.
So pleased to have come across this blog! I had a Kenalog injection 18 months ago for a frozen shoulder and have been battling symptoms ever since, mainly the tachycardia (racing heart), sometimes up to 198bpm! Been to A&E (ER) twice seen 17 consultants and none of them have been able to help me. One consultant told me that it has caused some sort of autonomic dysfunction that should hopefully wear off in time. I have had lots of other symptoms, including menstrual, gastrointestinal and neurological. It had started to very slightly ease at the end of last year and then I caught COVID which seemed to restart it all. I have not been able to work for 18 months as sitting down/lying down seems to make everything worse. I have had to drastically modified my diet/eating pattern to minimise blood sugar/adrenalin spikes. Still get tachycardia at night though but Hong it abates soon. I have also discovered a new Facebook group where all Kenalog victims can chat and provide support encouragement for each other as well as share what is helping them. It’s called Kenalog/cortisone injection side effects if anyone is interested.
Thanks so much again for creating this blog. It has been a great comfort to know I am not alone or crazy in suspecting K as the cause!
I’m glad I read this! I’ve had cortisone shots before but no problems. But just 2 days ago I had one in my knee with bone on bone arthritis. I was fine after till last night. Like you , hot then cold. Then this morning it felt like my BP was up! Heart racey. Dizzy. Thought it was the weather because it had rained for 2 days and the humidity was super high. Felt a little hard to breathe. Now that I read this it’s got to be that shot! No more! They gave me a side effect sheet, none of this crap was on there! Everyone beware.