I received shot in my hip on 8/29 and have slept only 2 hrs, a nite since then. I cannot even work now, job is very physical. Am nervous, shaky,whole body twitches. Finally decided to take Dr. advice and take Xanax last nite ( only 1/2 pill) It did calm me down and help me rest, but now feel out of it, and still shaky. How long does this anxiety, nervousness last? This was my 1st shot. Also am afraid to drive much. Never really took any med but aleve. Just want to know how long these effects typically last.Also, don't have much appetite, just nervous eating. All my doctors tell me they have never seen this happen before. ( I really don't believe them) Also, should I go to cardiologist or neurologist ? ( having some chest pain and numbness in left arm) I don't want to take much of the Xanax, says it may be addictive, and don't need more side effects. Help
Corisone shot injection side effects, how long do they last? 9 days now?
Question posted by eice on 7 Sep 2011
Last updated on 10 April 2024
136 Answers Page 5
Hello,
I have the same symptoms numbness on my legs and burning at night. I have sleepless nights. I became very depressed. My Dr stated that he never had anyone deal with this symptoms after the cortisone shot. It's my first time getting this shot and I really regret it. I had 2 disc bulge on my lower right side and ever since the shot my body and mind have been going through insanity numbness and tingling burning on my legs and chest pain and my left arm feeling numb too. I went to the ER, Dr said my MRI and blood work was good, so what could it be? He didn't have an answer. Please help! Does it go away and in how long? Please answer me. It's going to be 2 weeks tomorrow since the shot.
I have 2 protruding disc and have had surgery 4 years ago. I have been in pain management for 3 years now. I'm so thankful I found this site. I have had several injections over the years and no issues w them and its kept me working til 9/5 2019. Since I had injections in my SI joints i have been experiencing hot/ cold flashes, nausea, insomnia, anxiousness, nervousness, loss appetite. I wake up having to get out of bed with arms and legs jus needing to move really fast and heart pumping out of my chest.
I was bruised really bad from the injection on Rt. Side, left side seems fine. Also have big knot on that Rt side. Been back to doc and had blood work to check for infection and of course the doc says the symptoms aren't from the injections. I call BS. I'm into day 5 not any better. One thing that happened was that I didn't start having these symptoms right away. Injections were on a Thursday. Its was 2 days later when I started feeling a little off. By monday everything was full blown. It's now Wednesday and I'm not any better. I swear this is all from the steroid injections even though doc says it doesnt do this. But nothing else makes sense. And nothing else has changed.
Those are the symptoms many of us have gone through to very varying degrees. If it's only been a couple days since the injection and you can still function normally despite the side effects then you're a mild case it should be mostly over within 6 weeks. In the most severe cases it can take 1-2 years.
The adrenaline and feeling like you need to move is because the cortisone is a stress hormone and this is its effect. I was pacing back and forth non-stop for the first few months, felt like I was losing my mind.
Hey everyone quick update I'm almost 2 months out from the shot I called the doc he finally gave me a answer I could understand he gave me 12 mg of betamethasone which is the same as dexamethasone. But to update everyone I'm starting to feel a little bit better I finally can go in stores and places with a super panic attack the only symptom that is still lingering is my brain still being obsessive over things still have anxiety everyday but nothing like it was before but the dark thoughts are still here but not as severe if that makes sense I'm hoping at 2.5/3 months this will be out of me I found a site where other cases of OCD was hightned big time by steroid injections so it all makes sense I've always been a worry wart but nothing like I am now due to the shot I mean intrusive thoughts all the time for no reason but I'm keeping my faith high and hoping I'll get myself back again I'm just glad that derealization crap is gone now and I'm able to actually go fish and stuff again
"I mean intrusive thoughts all the time for no reason but I'm keeping my faith high and hoping I'll get myself back again"
Yeah, those stopped around the 3 to 3.5 month mark for me along with the depression. It'll be over soon enough. Glad you're feeling better.
Well, this is my 10th week today. I feel better overall, the anxiety and depression have lessened a great deal. I still have bouts of jitters and brain fog still but that is not as bad as a few weeks ago. The lack of sleep is still an issue and last night was no different. I take melatonin occasionally, only a quarter of a pill just to help me nod off and stay asleep. I think if I am able to get regular sleep that most of these issues would disappear since the lack of sleep causes anxiety and brain fog too. One thing I have noticed since getting the shot, the side effects do come and go throughout so when you feel it is gone, it may not be. I just take it one day at a time but I do feel improvement. I feel for all of you with the same or more issues that I have had. When I tried to explain this to my wife what was happening, she could not understand it at all but eventually felt helpless to do anything for me. Overall, it does get better eventually.
Don’t feel alone. On 8/2 my doctor gave me a steroid shot for what she thought was a rash from bites I received in the woods. After 11 days the symptoms hit me like a ton of bricks. Panic, anxiety, crazy, skin crawling and tingling, heart racing, electric sensation from my face and Into my chest (especially at night). I have had no problems like this my entire life. I drove myself from work to the ER one afternoon and begged for help. The physician on duty gave me hydroxyzine (sedates and mitigates anxiety with no side effects) and explained to me the correlation between the shot and my reaction. I had 2+ weeks that were turbulent. I kept myself heavily sedated on the hydroxyzine and rode it out till one day I got about 25% better. Then another week another 10% better and just know that yes, it can take months and progress will be slow. You will even regress from time to time but it does get better. Slowly. Very slowly. Reading this thread every day helped me immensely.
I too had hydroxyzine to take the edge of the symptoms. Does it give you auditory hallucinations like a helicopter hovering or machinery humming in the distance. Just curious. After 3 months I had to discontinue cause it was playing havoc on my digestive tract. I'm at 1 year and still suffering I.b.s. symptoms and frequent anxiety residuals.
I agree that the improvement is so gradual that you don't notice until one day you realize how much better you feel than a few months ago. 'm now at 13 months and only recently started feeling somewhat normal again. I can actually see my jawline again because the extreme bloating side effect is starting to lessen.
Daxa90 ,the contant clinching of my jaw from the steroid pushing my system caused Tmj ,the joint is pretty much destroyed and it caused tinnitus, 24/7 ringing ,Finally weaned off the Ativan which was a beast in itself,I had to go to different doctors since the shot and boy do they want to give you a shot for something and everything, I have 4 different immune system diseases,My Thyroid just now 4 years later is somewhat normal ,the PTSD will never go away.My family is surprised I'm Alive, it shut down my Hormone system, anyway I pray for Healing for us all, Lost In Az
The hydroxyzine did make my stomach a little upset but was willing to accept that over insanity. I’m 5 weeks now from the initial effects of my shot and I’m quite a bit better. My blood pressure is finally beginning to normalize back to the pre shot era. I still have an hour or two during the day of anxiety, PTSD from what’s happened etc. but am beginning to get my life back. Be very cautious with Ativan, especially if you have never had any mental issues. It can make you suicidal off of one pill. Seriously.
Thanks for your post Julie c blue. When I'd have an e.r. visit they'd give me Ativan through iv of course it would immediately cure the high b.p. and settle my symptoms down for a spell. But when I had my doctor take me off xanax and started Ativan I did better. For like 4 days the doctor said they were the same class of drug and there would be no withdrawal. That was a lie lol so after the 5th day I went back to xanax. I do remember having suicidal idealation while on Ativan though. And I can't believe I've never mentioned the ringing or screaming in my ears that's still with me after 1 year. It's like someone shot off a pistol 2 ft away beside me. Lost in Arizona how do u deal with it. I have to have a radio or TV on when I sleep to dull it. Does anyone still get occasional twitches or tremors in their hands or fingers
I do have tremors in my hands. Thanks to the anxiety I had myself convinced that I had Parkinson’s. Obviously not true but that shot is the devil. I no longer twitch with my upper body but my feet will twitch and sometimes my legs when I lay down. Instead of full on anxiety I have just a low level nervousness at times. The less I’m nervous, the less I tremble.
And also, yes, I do have ringing in my ears. Sometimes it’s more prominent than at other times. I have noticed that if my anxiety and pulse is up, then the ringing is louder. The calmer I am, the lower that high pitched ring to where I no longer notice it.
Hello everyone I'm so glad I found this I had my injection of cortisone on July 18
And the first two weeks of had physical symptoms racing heart,couldn't sleep,minor anxiety which I've always had my shot was only 12mg but these past few weeks have been HELL extreme anxiety racing thoughts,had to be put in the hospital because I went manic for 2 days!, anxiety is finally calming down some and I get very angry at things that never usually bother me. My therapist and doc said this is definitely from the injection and said give it 2-3 months to subside do you guys think it will be out of me by then since the mg was so low? I guess I'm super sensitive to it because it made everything mentally worse anxiety,OCD, and panic attacks which I NEVER EVER HAD
Hi , I too just had an epidural steroid injection , actually 2 the same day in 2 different levels of my spine. I had this done at cedars Sinai in Los Angeles so I felt very safe with their expertise. I told the doctor I am VERY sensitive to ALL medications. He said I WOULD feel some side effects but should go away in about 2 days.
At first, I had extreme anxiety and panic. Heart racing for 48 hours, no sleep, and crying uncontrollably . I am in my 50’s btw and female.
Those symptoms did stop after a few days, but I developed the worst shoulder pain in both shoulders . Felt like both arms were dislocated.
I called my neurologist and he explained that cortisone is both good and bad. It will help your medical problems and pain in your back and joints but can cause an array of side effects. After 2 weeks my shoulders are better but not completely. I will not have this injection again, but rest assured the neuro told me it will be out of the system soon. It’s a gradual withdraw so you may not notice it leaving until you suddenly realize it. 1-2 months is max but more likely a few weeks you should feel well again. Don’t worry if it takes a little longer for you. Our bodies heal ourselves. You will feel normal again.
You received 12mg of a the same type of cortisone that is typically injected at 100-500mg?
Not sure about the mg’s. I never asked the amount but I believe it was a lot .
My point is that sensitivity varies. Most people I know who have received the injections feel nothing. No big deal. But if you have a sensitive nervous system you will feel it.
Sorry I meant to add celestone not cortisone! But I've researched it and it's basically almost the same stuff!
Hi All it's me Lost in Az ,Glad you found us too ,now you know it's not just you going off the deep end,I got steroid psychosis from it also but that lasted almost a year ,and other side effects took longer to dissipate,I noticed some residuals just yesterday so I'm still Healing ,its a long journey.Heres to Us and Healing
Lost in AZ which effects are you still experiencing after 4 years
By the way to anyone reading, I've noticed that if you add a question mark in your response it goes to "pending" and never gets posted in this comment section.
It is not for everyone, that is for sure. It does improve but as someone else said on here, it is a very slow improvement, some days you feel terrible, weeks and weeks after the shot and other times feel your just about yourself. It is a roller coaster ride. I am at my 8-week mark right now and still get side effects! I have had a huge headache every day this past week. I had no idea when I got this shot that it could turn into a bad dream that never seems to stop. I do not want to alarm anyone because I have seen improvement. I started off with Jitters, anxiety, bad depression, IBS symptoms and very sick feeling that seemed like a bad reaction to the steroid for 4 weeks! Headaches, muscle spasms and groin nerve pain that is very slowly improving. I read on an anxiety site that what the shot does to some people is stir things up, I believe that. Looking back at the last 8 weeks, I noticed that some of those feelings are gone now, especially the sick feeling.
It will get better I know, it looks like it is going to be a while but I am hanging in there and hope you all are too! I won't get a steroid injection ever again!
It is not for everyone, that is for sure. It does improve but as someone else said on here, it is a very slow improvement, some days you feel terrible, weeks and weeks after the shot and other times feel your just about yourself. It is a roller coaster ride. I am at my 8-week mark right now and still get side effects! I have had a huge headache every day this past week. I had no idea when I got this shot that it could turn into a bad dream that never seems to stop. I do not want to alarm anyone because I have seen improvement. I started off with Jitters, anxiety, bad depression, IBS symptoms and very sick feeling that seemed like a bad reaction to the steroid for 4 weeks! Headaches, muscle spasms and groin nerve pain that is very slowly improving. I read on an anxiety site that what the shot does to some people is stir things up, I believe that. Looking back at the last 8 weeks, I noticed that some of those feelings are gone now, especially the sick feeling.
It will get better I know, it looks like it is going to be a while but I am hanging in there and hope you all are too! I won't get a steroid injection ever again!
I have been looking high and low for other people dealing with what I have been dealing with. June 10 I got a steroid in my left knee. I have no ACL from an old sports injury and I did this because we were going on vacation and I needed the knee to be somewhat functional.
The first night my BP shot up, flushed face, and heart palpitations. The next day was the opposite. My BP went very low and my pulse was in the low 60's. 3 days pass and I seemed fine. But 2 days later the insomnia, adrenaline surges, and worried thoughts started. It is now August 20 and I just started to sleep about 5 days ago, but I don't trust that I will continue to do this just yet.
I feel like this shot has exacerbated any anxiety I have, whether it's health anxiety, PMS anxiety, etc. Everything is magnified. I have lost an entire summer with my kids in a constant state of worry. I take Ambien at night when I need it. And I started holy basil in the day to keep anxiety at bay. I have never in my life experienced anything like this. I pray I am on the downward spiral of this. I have thought I have had MS, brain tumors, you name it - all caused by anxiety. This all started when I got that STUPID shot. I will NEVER get one again if I can help it. I pray you all are recovering.
"I have thought I have had MS, brain tumors, you name it - all caused by anxiety."
Oh I know that feeling. My third month (last December) was a whirlwind of panic attacks over me thinking I was dying. I still get worried about little things, but I got really sick of my brain convincing myself that I was about to keel over constantly for months on end, so eventually I was able to start ignoring that.
Took me about four months before I started really improving, but the third and fourth weren't much worse than the second. Just hang in there. You'll get better in time.
Checking in to register my own experience; had severe acne cyst which was treated by a dermatologist with two (!!) Cortisone injections into my jaw area. That was in early june. I was then put on bactrim for a month. First week of july i had a massive panic attack and went to the er (originally attributed to bactrim allergy) i now believe my symptoms (heart palpitations, hypersensitivity, high bp, insomnia, ibs, depression/anxiety) are a result of the cortisone/bactrim combo. I've never felt this bad in my life. At the two month mark now and very slowly improving..
The third month kicked my ass when I thought I was improving so be sure to keep your guard up. Had some really bad panic attacks. I'm just past 10 months and I'd say that after 4 months, I was 70-80% better, and the past 6 months have been a slow crawl for the remainder.
I highly recommend getting a prescription for a beta-blocker like propranalol. That stuff, along with L-Theanine, saved me from a lot of bad episodes.
Yeah i'm taking metoprolol right now but i think i'm going to cut down my dosage as it turns me into a zombie (only 25mg a day) just went on a long fairly strenuous walk and my hr is only 61... its like my body is either 100% fight or flight mode or dead. No in between.
Yeah i'm taking metoprolol right now but i think i'm going to cut down my dosage as it turns me into a zombie (only 25mg a day) just went on a long fairly strenuous walk and my hr is only 61... its like my body is either 100% fight or flight mode or dead. No in between.
Yeah i'm taking metoprolol right now but i think i'm going to cut down my dosage as it turns me into a zombie (only 25mg a day) just went on a long fairly strenuous walk and my hr is only 61... its like my body is either 100% fight or flight mode or dead. No in between.
Sorry for the triple post, I was replying while switching from mobile to wifi and I think that caused issues, not sure how to delete.
Side note: has anyone tried an SSRI while dealing with these symptoms? Did it help?
Bs617z can you call me sometime 7046754972
bs617z I agree that the rate at which side effects diminish slows down over time. I noticed a much bigger difference between the first and third month than the tenth and twelfth month for example. It's absolutely crazy how long this stuff stays in your body. It's criminal that the manufacturers list the half-life of this drug as "12 hours", as if it fully leaves your body after a few days. I'm at 17 months and still sick, mentally prepared for to be sick for another year at least.
Yeah. I'm at 15 months and mostly back to normal. I get random episodes of elevated anxiety maybe 2-3 times per week, but I feel pretty much better. I feel like "me" again, which I never thought would happen at the outset. I think you got it the worst, man (maybe tied with Lost in AZ). Hope you keep improving.
I had my first cortisone injection in my shoulder yesterday. Woke up at 3am and feel completely awake, worried, and irritable. I do have a history of anxiety with panic attacks, but usually sleep well. As a psychologist, I often hear clients relate similar experiences. Physicians really need to prepare people with a predisposition to mental health issues about the emotional side effects. Minimization and denial only fuel stigmatization of mental health conditions. These side effects are real, not imagined.
True but I wouldn't merely call it a psychological effect, this excuse is used by doctors to dismiss the real physical side effects the person is experiencing. When I had trouble breathing and felt like I was on the verge of a heart attack in the weeks after the injection the doctor also told me it was "psychological".
Hi ,
I know this is an old post but if there’s anyone that can give me a little insight , I’d be really grateful.
I just had a 2 level epidural steroid injection on my l5/s1 and L4.
Never had this before. Have 2 herniated disks. I take zero meds except for an occasional Advil.
I am prone to be a bit anxious but I sleep fine. I cannot take any benxodiapenes like Ativan, Xanax, Valium , etc ... they do the opposite to me. I am so panic stricken / severe anxiety from my injections yesterday. I don’t have any other symptoms except for flushed. But I cannot sleep. It’s not insomnia , I’m tired , but as I doze off this awful surge of anxiety or adrenaline or something like that hits me and doesn’t allow me to fall asleep. It comes the moment your about to drift off . It starts with a strange chill, and then heart racing and shaking.
I’m beside myself. Doc said I may feel a little something for a day but no longer. I actually don’t think he’s being honest about that. I’m so scared and there’s nothing I can take to counter act it. Can anyone tell me if they’ve had this experience? Thank you so much
Yes the adrenaline and insomnia is a common side effect. I had a severe reaction and the insomnia lasted two months, but I couldn't sleep at all the first.
Thank you for responding. Wondering how long did the adrenaline feeling /anxiety last for you ? Did anything help it ?
Yes taking melatonin helped me sleep. If adrenaline is the main side effect you're experiencing and you're not having severe physical side effects like muscle weakness then it will probably be over within one or two months. It gets weaker as time goes by.
If your heart continues racing, and feeling like its pounding out of your chest. Ask doctor for propranolol 10 mg. Temperarely it helps with that and the adrenaline rush, and the severe health anxiety. Try to avoid anti psychotic meds to treat the effects. Avoid Caffeine, sugar.
Hope your feeling better by now but that is not a given. I had mine 8 weeks ago, lower back like you and the sleep does get better in spirts. I will sleep good for several days and then cannot sleep very well for days. That is not normal for me but from what so many people on here have been saying before us is that it can take months to feel yourself again and the improvement is gradual. Overall, for me anyway, I have had some improvement but will be happy when this is all over. Good luck to ya!
Thank you so much for this question. I know it pretty old but that others have continued to update. I recieved a steroid epidural injection in my lumbar a little over a week ago. My blood pressure is high, I have anxiety that at times is crushing. It has made it nearly impossible to do my daily responsibilities. My left arm gets super cold and gets tingles sometimes nonstop. I ruptured a vessel in my eye. My BP has always been good or super low. My body just isn't used to this. I have been recovering from complications from surgery and for a year I've dealt with muscle spams. I was just starting to feel they were improving vastly and now I feel I'm back to square one with those becaus the anxiety was so extreme. I'm a week and 3 days out from the shot. Having read this thread has helped tremendously. I know I'm not losing my mind. Knowing that the anxiety isn't me but the medication helps. I had anxiety before but not to this level.
Where I feel there is no hope, like being crushed by the weight of my failures and decisions. Having surgery a year ago ruined my life and I've been trying to bounce back from that for so long. My husband is in the medical field and when I looked up the side effects I found anxiety and elevated BP on the list along with other alarming things. He said initially that it would not cause this. I pressed my case and then he thought about it and said there might be some validity to my theory. I reported the reaction to the injection update line and should recieve a response next week. I am trying to get into see my PCM but, my uncle passed away last night from brain cancer. So I need to make arrangements to attend his funeral. This post has given me hope. I was already on an antianxiety med. Now I'm considering asking for a stronger one and meds for BP. I'm looking into vitamins and a natural BP supplement. I was in PT for other issues and now it's a struggle to do PT at home. I get winded so much easier than before. I'm praying this isn't going to last months because I'm not sure I can handle how overwhelming it gets and still function to the level I need to. Thank you all for being so encouraging to each other. It has made a world of difference having just read this. It says on the site I can only post here once but I see that many have replied multiple times. How does that work?
I heard back from Drs office. And they said it doesn't cause high BP didn't mention anxiety or arm. Said they'd love to see me for another injection once my BP is under control. Think I'll pass on that one. Even my husband, after checking my eye again, said I shouldn't have any more injections. I saw PT today and she said to not get another one. I hope people are still reading this thread.
I check back here pretty regularly. I learned through this experience that my body does some super weird things when I get the extreme anxiety. Weird twitches, dizziness, tingles, stomach issues like acid reflux and bloating, etc... Took me a while and several doctor's visits before I learn it was just my body going haywire from anxiety and not something seriously wrong with me. So your weird symptoms are probably that. Everyone seems to have different reactions, though all bad. I'm just past nine months and am left with just PTSD from how traumatic it was the first three. No lasting side-effects like some people, thankfully. Any questions or just need to vent, I'll be around.
Don't rely on them for answers because they'll swear up and down that the cortisone isn't causing your side effects. I've had hypertension ever since a few weeks after the injection, to the point that even the veins on my arms are constricted. The only certainty is that all the side effects will diminish as the weeks and months go by.
bs617z I don't think it's best to call these side effects simply a result of "anxiety". They are actual physical symptoms caused by the cortisone. Even the anxiety is a side effect of the cortisone's effect on the brain. It affects the entire body.
Daxa90, I agree. When I went to my PT she said that this can happen and that I should avoid getting another injection of steroids. I've never had it effect me this was. I have asthma and have take oral steroids and had breathing treatments that made me jittery but never what I'm currently dealing with. I think my BP has calmed down. I still fight anxiety pretty regularly. I've been set back in my recovery from my surgery which is disheartening. It had been the closest to normal I have felt in a year and then this anxiety set me back. I'm hoping I'm past the worst of it and can once again begin to recover.
Well just be happy that anxiety is the main side effect you're experiencing. There are people here who have had much worse reactions, including seizures and even another commenter saying that his bones started shrinking after one injection. It will probably take 3-6 months for it to be out of your system.
Hi all ,its me Lost in AZ,just checking in ,and Kikikats everything that is happening is from that,no doctor will ever admit it because of liability, glad you are able to see what our experience was like and get information to help yourself.And I'm sorry for the loss of your family member .Everyone hang in there ,thinking of you all ,We will heal
Maybe I still am affected by the damage from the cortisone. I don't know. I've been stressed lately and I feel similar to how I felt in January - same elevated heart rate and BP that's way higher than normal for me when I'm stressed. What's frustrating is that I had a good long stretch somewhere between May and June where I felt normal. Resting heart rate easily went down to 70bpm. Then I drank alcohol one night in late June and had a panic attack the next day (was kinda hungover - no idea why I had a panic attack again, though - haven't had one since January) and it's like all my progress got reset. I'm really tired of all this.
You're only at the 6 month mark, which again is nothing. This drug can stay in the body for a really long time and the side effects come and go. Personally I'm almost at the one year mark and still sick. I've already accepted it might even take another two years for this terrible injection to fully leave my body.
When things were unspeakably bad in the beginning I naively thought the drug would surely be out of my system within a few day. Then weeks passed, then months, and now it's going to be years. That's just how it is. I can't wait until I'm in a healthy body again.
Lost In AZ. How long ago did you get a shot and are you still experiencing side effects?
Daxa90, bs617z, are u all finding that now you get easily stressed in simple situations? And what were the mg. Of your shot? Mine was 125 mg. Of solu medral. In hip for sinus infection. I'm half into my 11th. Month. Like others I had a decent normal. June and July. Made the mistake of coffee and sweets and benadryl? Now it's milder but I feel like I'm in my 5th month again! I wanted to choke my pcp last Monday when they said it only last 36 hours in ur system then it's out. I printed this chatroom off back to December to show them. And print offs from 18 e.r. visits in 6 months he spent maybe 30 seconds thumbing through it. And said he'd never heard of these kinda reactions. I just sat there in disbelief. So I guess avoid coffee and sweets in the future till I'm outta the woods and back to a normal life. I lost so much tissue I can barely sit on a hard surface.
For years I was 6'1" went for check up and now I'm 5'11 1/2 what the heck!
hickory1304 - I do get easily stressed, but it's improved quite a bit. Sitting in traffic was the worst for a couple months - I'd get either major fight-or-flight or I'd explode with rage. Driving more than a few miles from my house would also make me panic some times. Once I identified within myself that I was overreacting, and was conscious of it, it got better. Just identifying all the areas where I act differently than how I used to and being conscious of wanting to get back to normal has helped enormously.
I dunno what my shots were, either mg or type. Had two of them at the same time though. Might have been 85mg.
bs617z The dizziness, acid reflux, and bloating you describe is not just "anxiety". These are common physical side effects of corticosteroids and a result of the hormone going active in your body. Doctors and the pharmaceutical companies themselves clearly know very little about how long this drug stays in the body and how it's stored when they repeat the lie that it leaves your body after 12 hours, seeing as how we're all experiencing side effects months later.
I had a Dexamethasone injection into my cervical spine a week ago and have experienced many of the side effects others have experienced. The day after I was very hot and flushed face and the following days have been experiencing high anxiety, poor quality sleep and a general feeling of being ‘wired’.
I was also not warned of these side effects and had I known about them would have certainly declined having the injection!
Finding this site has actually provided some mental relief that I’m not alone in experiencing this.
The medical profession should be warning patients of these side effects... it’s bordering on criminal that they don’t.
I'm coming up on 6 six months post shots and my anxiety is only elevated a bit above normal for me now and I don't even notice it unless I am stressed about something. If you feel it's getting out of hand, look for supplements like L-Theanine or others to mitigate it. My doctor gave me 10mg propranalol (beta-blocker with an off-label use for anxiety) which I took for two months and worked well.
Hang in there. It'll be over before you know it.
Hi everyone,
I thought I'd check in. I had my cortisone shot on Oct. 5, 2018. I've passed the 6 months mark. I feel much better, my BP is under control. Hot/cold feelings and rapid heart rate are infrequent but understanding what cause them helps to get over them. I am starting physical therapy for my hip pain and see what happens. What remains is the pain on my scalp that feels inflamed and tender to touch. Ice packs help. I've lost a lot of hair but it seems to have slowed down. I hope I don't get anymore "steroid dump" and have another huge anxiety reaction. Keeping my hopes up and praying for an end to this horrible episode. God bless us all.
Hi everyone ,just checking in I see the doctors still are not telling the patients the possible side effects this poison gives and keeps giving ,Im now at almost 4 years post shot ,As we have posted Time is your healer You will recover ,Thinking of you all and healing thoughts Lost in AZ
Hey all just check-in in also. I'm into my 7th month still sick but not what I was the first few months. I've had to hire home health care so I could return to my home in early March. Was staying with my parents. My last severe b.p. spike was Feb. 22 my sleep is getting better and I constantly am walking or pacing the house to tone down the adrenalin rushes whinnies have what I call steroid dump. It usually happens once a week and takes 2-3 days for my twitches and tremors throughout my body to settle down. My steroid induced p.t.s.d. is milder but still can't drive or deal with public places. Man my mind went into some unnatural weird weird places throughout this ordeal. None of my doctors or home nurse agree that all my side effects was a reaction from my shot. I'm hanging in there and you all's comments and updates are what kept my going and not feeling like I was gonna lose my mind. I do fatigue easily since it got warmer outdoors I just do chores in phases. A good day for me
Lost in AZ - Thanks for popping in here from time to time. I really appreciate it and I'm sure others do too.
Been really stressed about my work situation last few days and my messed up stress/fight-or-flight symptoms have reared their heads once again. Imagine that stress feeling of putting off writing an essay in school until the night before it's due, but x10. Logically, my work issue isn't dire or anything, but it can feel like it's the end of the world. Every little worry gets magnified. Just checked and I'm 190 days post shots, or a week past 6 months.
I'm beginning to think my lingering symptoms are PTSD. I think my cortisone ride has been over for a while. I can feel perfectly normal sometimes but lots of things will trigger me and remind me of the extreme mood swings in November and extreme health anxiety I had in Dec/Jan. Might sound just as bad, but realizing I'm not in the clutches of the shots anymore makes me feel good.
Hope everyone's doing well.
Inday Glen,
Hi everyone,
I had my cortisone injection on Oct 5, 2018. My BP goes up and down and what persists is the headaches. This started as scalp pain but now it has evolved into full blown headaches, so much so that I'm using a cold pack most of the day and night. My hair loss has slowed down a lot. So it seems these bad effects can last up to a year? I still keep hoping and hangin in there. Thanks for being there.
IndayGlen, feel free to call me at 925-315-5179.
Anyone here can call me. I only ask to please not call me at night or text me first so we can schedule a chat. I'm on my 8th month and i developed generalized anxiety and panic disorder from this ordeal. The doctors will scoff and tell you that steroid shot is not in your system anymore so it can't be the reason for your suffering, but that's like saying the ax has been pulled off your leg, why are you still hurting. The damage is done. But our bodies have the amazing ability to heal. I refuse to wait for time to heal me so i did research on how to rewire the brain. Hypnotherapy has been one of those tools. I have other non traditional modalities of healing that is helping my recovery. Little by little I am improving. I can email them to you if you'd like. Just send me a text.
I apologize if this is a double post. I wrote a lengthy response earlier and it didn't seem to post.
I recently had 2 epidural cortisone injections. One in my lumbar spine and 16 days later another in my C-spine. I have degenerative disk disease and have been bed ridden for months. I have been having side effects as follows: irritability, insomnia, anxiety, depression, abdominal pain, nausea, headaches with minimal pain relief. My pain is down from 9-7 but the side effects were not mentioned by the Dr.s who performed them. I am disappointed in the treatment I received but there are no viable alternatives for me. Stem cell injections are illegal in the USA and I am in no condition to travel. No Dr. will prescribe me pain meds because of new state legislations either. Ive also had periods of mania and suicidal ideation. My Dr. didnt even acknowledge that multiple injections can cause bone loss when the literature says otherwise. In fact he dismissed it as a myth. So now I have pain in addition to these side effects. My last shot was a week ago.
I feel hopeless and debilitated. I empathize with all of you experiencing cort shot side effects. Hope my information helps someone out there.
This advice might help. I got a cortisone injection in October 2018 and was still experiencing strong side effects until a couple of weeks ago. I started taking chlorella because of its strong detox properties. 2500mg in the morning on an empty stomach and 2500mg before bed. It might just be a coincidence, but it seems ever since I started taking it the cortisone's side effects have been diminishing at a faster rate.
Hi, I also had a steroid shot in October of last year and had reactions to it and have been trying everything to get it out of my system faster. Where did you happen to find Chlorella? I looked at both Walmart and heb and could not find it :( Is there any other kind of vitamins that can help detox this stuff out? Please let me know!
I’m so thankful I found this thread. Here is a recap of my story: I started an intense workout routine at the beginning of this year. Not sure what started first but my left thumb started randomly twitching early February and I got a sinus infection and noticed more random twitching. Then my left shoulder started bothering me but I kept working out (not smart) and I ended up not being able to move because of the pain. I saw an ortho and got an injection on Feb 20th. The next day I couldn’t lift my arm because of the pain and I started feeling very cold in my extremities. Not a normal sensation of being cold but like I had a freezer inside my body. 4 days later I woke up feeling flu like- very “off,” low energy, loose stools and anxious. By the 28th I started feeling very anxious and it has progressively worsened.
I’ve had times where it feels like my arms don’t want to work right and my left arm is still fatigued, fatigued muscles, terrible Adrenalin rushes starting at 3:30 am, weird spasm that feel like they are in my throat and make me forcefully swallow that also mainly happen in the vet early hours when I’m trying to calm down and go back to sleep, Adrenalin rushes, shaking, no appetite, diarrhea multiple time a day for the last 6 days, still twitching all over randomly, zero appetite and continue to lose weight, very tired... I feel like I’m losing my mind. All doctors I saw last week think I had a reaction to the shot but my health anxiety is making me scared to death something else is going on. I was given Xanax to help. I am going to see a neuro this week and hopefully get more tests run. I want to believe it’s just the effects from the shot. Any advice or support would be appreciated.
I’m sorry you are having hard time . The only advice I can offer is being patient. Time is your doctor and it takes few months for the worst symptoms to subside. The whole “thing “ takes about 18 months to get out of your system completely. Avoid stimulants, stress and take it easy . Your body will recover and life will get back to normal . Good luck !
Has anyone had frequent headaches? I had an injection in my neck a little over a month ago and have been having frequent headaches, almost daily, along with many symptoms listed. In different spots and feels like a lot of pressure. Every so often a sharp pain that lasts a couple seconds especially with certain head movements.
I got these headaches too and I think it's a result of dehydration caused by the shot because they felt like hangover headaches. Started drinking a lot of water and haven't gotten it since.
This drug is the devil. I received an injection in August and it felt like I was going to die for the first month. Non-stop pacing, pounding heart rate and pain in chest, difficulty breathing, soreness in entire body etc. It also caused acid reflux for the first three months so now I have significant damage to my once-pristine teeth. I'm nearing six months now and I'm still sick, although nowhere near as bad as the first few months. At this point I wouldn't be surprised if it takes years for it to fully leave my body. I pray to God everyday to get me through this and I can't believe that doctors who are supposed to HELP people inject this poison into patients.
One side effect I forgot to mention, bloated red face and swollen fingers. Still experiencing this after six months. This drug makes me hideous.
Is there anyone who was still sick after 6 months, and if so how long did it take for this poison to FULLY leave your body?
I had the injection on 10/5/2018. Today, 2/1/2019, I had a terrible reaction episode. BP was 182/90. I felt shaky and shook with every heartbeat. Waves of hot/cold from my belly to my chest, shoulders, face, arms, legs, with chest pain and pressure. No shortness of breath. Took early dose of my BP meds and some xanax. I called the doctor but my BP had gone down by the time called back. This was a terrible episode that I almost called 911. This my 5th month and I can't believe it's still in my system. So, all of you suffering from this curse, don't be surprised if you go through the same thing. Keep praying. Good luck, everyone.
Into my 5th month and go through those exact symptoms 3-4 times a week. And nowdays can remain semi calm about it when it happens. Odd thing now is sometimes my b.p will be normal and other times a huge spike occurs. I'm sure I do get yet still all excited but these same symptoms are why I've had now 17 e.r. visits and cardiology tests with have all showed nothing. Sometimes I just go off by myself when these symptoms occur turn the TV on mute and wait it out like a bad storm.
Hickory1304, I have short episodes that pass without the chest pain and fullness in my throat and lower jaw. I ignore those. This last one though was overwhelming. I'm just afraid I won't wake up because I ignored the atypical symptoms of a heart attack on a female. Meanwhile I'll keep taking my BP meds, xanax at bedtime and pray the rosary till I fall asleep. I won't lose faith and hope.
Daxa90, what happened to your teeth?
Daxa90, the swollen red face is cushing's syndrome. Met a woman who also experienced this. She said it went away by the 2 yr mark. Most of us here are suffering the mental effects (steroid psychosis), but there's actually another group of people suffering from the physical effects such as hair loss and indentation on injection site, etc. Please know after speaking with many people. EVERYONE HAS RECOVERED. But believe me, i understand the feeling of doom when you're going through it especially in the first few months. I, myself, is still not 100% at 4 1/2 months. The 24/7 suffering was over by the 3 1/2mark, but i developed severe anxiety/panic disorder from it. I've spent a lot of money on seeking therapists, nutritionists, drs appt etc. One of the things significantly helping me is tapping. If any of you would like to chat. Feel free to call me 925-315-5179.
I'm almost at 7 months now and still sick. The symptoms are much weaker than in the first few months but I can't believe I'm still dealing with this after 7 months. I went from a healthy and athletic guy in his late twenties to feeling like I'm in the body of a 90 year old man overnight, all because of one cortisone injection. In response to what happened to my teeth, the drug caused severe acid reflux in the first few months because it weakened my stomach muscles, so anytime I ate I'd get acid in my mouth which caused some tooth sensitivity and yellowing.
The cortisone seems to be on a time release, because the side effects start every day at around the same time. My face and fingers are still very swollen which is a sign of Cushing's Syndrome. It might sound vain but it makes me not even want to socialize because of how red and bloated my face is. I'm also short of breath when the cortisone's effects are strongest. I can't play sports anymore because of soreness in my entire body and muscle weakness. The most I can do in terms of physical exercise now is light walking. And this is from a guy who was lifting heavy weights and doing cardio 3-4 times per week.
I think doctors are definitely lying when they say the drug only stays in the body for six months, because I read another study in which tissue atrophy from a cortisone injection can last up to thirty months. I'm hoping that the drug leaves my body by 2020. That will end up being a year and a half of my life stolen from me, thanks to one injection.
I had really bad acid reflux too. Got two shots in early October and got acid reflux in December which lasted through January. In mid December, it got so bad to where it would be like a fountain of acid spurting into my throat if I ate anything. Tums weren't enough so I started taking zantac 75 which got ahold of it, but my throat was so ravaged by the acid already that eating anything would irritate it and make it swell up. I barely ate anything for two months and lost 25 lbs. I think it's a symptom of the extreme anxiety. I looked into acid reflux and (of course) "doctors" have no idea why it happens, but people say it's comorbid with anxiety disorders. Mine faded away as my anxiety lessened. I had to go on a strict dairy-free and gluten-free diet for a while. Just started introducing them back in.
What really helped me though, was starting the Wim Hof breathing method. I've been doing it for about three weeks now and my stomach issues subsided pretty quickly. Got off the Zantac a couple days in.
I also have a bit of Cushing's. I had the most intense panic attack I've had since the start of this sh*t at the beginning of December and my brow has been swollen and red ever since. It looks like I have a really bad hangover at all times. At 5+ months, though, my only lingering symptoms are that and residual anxiety which I can manage. I'm thankful for that.
HopefulforHealing - I sent you a text, if you still want to chat with somebody.
I don't like the phrase "panic attack" because doctors use that to imply this is all your imagination, but tell me if anyone experienced anything similar. I received the injection 7 months ago and it took two days for the drug to go systemic. I suddenly had some trouble breathing and my heart was speeding up, couldn't think straight and also suddenly felt extremely dehydrated. I just felt this adrenaline throughout my entire body and it felt like I was going to die. Even the skin on my entire body changed texture within a matter of minutes, becoming lower quality and really dried out. I rushed to the hospital but they of course told me that cortisone couldn't have these side effects and diagnosed me as having a panic attack. I had numerous "reactions" like this for the first two months each time all the side effects would intensify in the weeks afterward.
I’m at 2 years and 3 months since my injections and I am still not completely back to normal
Daxa90 it's me Lost in Az,I got the shot on July 24,2015 and I say about the 2 year mark I was finally starting to feel somewhat normal. Time is the only healer
Lost in AZ... I'm still fighting anxiety and my back still hurts. Sigh I sincerely hope it's almost over. 2 years of this? Not sure I can get my head wrapped around the idea this will last that long.
Lost in AZ I'm at the one year mark now and feel much better now than the first six months. I'm still a bit sick though and I also think I'm going to be one of the cases that takes a long time for it to fully leave my body.
Kikikats43 Only the most severe cases take that long to get back to normal. Most people seem to take less than 6 months. If you're having issues with your back as a result of the injection you should immediately start taking calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, glucosamine/chondroitin and vitamin K2 MK-4 if you're not already.
I was feeling better the past week or so but I had another bad day to day. All the side effects came rushing back out of nowhere. No doctor ever warned me I'd be experiencing this still a year later. I really do think it's going to take another year or to until I feel normal again.
One more side effects I didn't mention before, I noticed my hair has thinned out considerably. Not just on my head, but my body hair as well.
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