Side effects of cortisone injection?

Posted by koleke @koleke, May 17 7:13am

I had a cortisone injection in my left knee on Tuesday. By the evening I got a headache, felt like a migraine. Two days later the headache subsided but my right neck\jaw area has shooting pains coming at regular intervals. Has anyone experienced something similar? Not sure what to do about it????

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | May 22 3:00pm

In reply to @tony1946 "Yes looking at hemilamanectomy Thanks" + (show)

Interesting, thanks. That is the removal of structures/tissues putting pressure on the spinal nerves. The vertebrae are left intact.

vicscats | @vicscats | May 23 1:13am

In reply to @dlydailyhope "Thanks, @heyjoe415 ! I will ask my surgeon who did my ACDF on my C5-C6 (for..." + (show)

I’m new here. I have severe stenosis c4-5 5-6 fusion 35 years ago
Also c6-7 severe stenosis
I also have severe lumbar with l4-5 decompression 2 years ago
I have weird attacks of cramping spasms from hips to toes
Balance off
Does anyone else get these contraction like spasms
I feel doomed lately
Vic’s cats

dlydailyhope | @dlydailyhope | May 23 6:17am

In reply to @vicscats "I’m new here. I have severe stenosis c4-5 5-6 fusion 35 years ago Also c6-7 severe..." + (show)

@vicscats
I like your name! How many cats do you have? I am a foster and have 8 cats of my own and fostering a mother and her 3 kittens (8 days old) now.

At 54, I also have balance issues and cramping/stiffness in my hips and left calf in addition to pain, weakness, numbness in my lower back, hips, arms/legs, and hands/feet. My ACDF surgery on C5C6 in 2022 helped relieve some symptoms (bladder control, not feeling like walking with cement boots on, dropping things I would pick up, etc.) but my L2-S1 is causing me all sorts of problems. The injections help with pain but I am concerned about getting too many injections and long term impact on joints/cartilage. I am also afraid of getting surgery because I would need fusion to stabilize my lumbar spine which would restrict movement. Like Joe, I should work really hard to recover some core strength to help support my spine better. I just need to work through the pain, fatigue and depression which is a daily battle. It is hard for me to sit, stand, walk for long and hard to get up from bed, seated position or going up/down stairs. My knees are also “joining the pain party,” lucky me! 🙂

When was the last time you had MRIs of your cervical and lumbar spine? Do you know if your cervical spine is stable and not flattening or compressing/injuring your spinal cord? What does your lumbar spine show? Do you have new pressure on lumbar spine/S1 peripheral nerves since your surgery?

heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | May 23 8:07am

In reply to @queenie2030 "I am on Prednisone daily for PMR. All my joints are disintegrating and I will have..." + (show)

I'm sorry to hear about your situation Queenie. You are taking a lot of cortisone already in the form of Prednisone, and that may be causing the side effects. Four joint replacement, wow. Well I've had my knees done. Next up is my left shoulder. I'll put that off until it affects my daily life. So far it's manageable with a cortisone shot every 4 months, 6 months if I'm "lucky".

All the best to you. Joe

fncz | @fncz | May 23 12:20pm

In reply to @queenie2030 "I am on Prednisone daily for PMR. All my joints are disintegrating and I will have..." + (show)

For years, I’ve suffered varying degrees of back pain. I did/do countless rounds of PT, which always help a bit. I had several injections back there and generally they help a lot.
About 10 years ago, after not being able to stand for long & walking was near impossible from my feet going DEAD after a few minutes. No relief from what used to work.
I knew I needed to try surgery, having put it off for nearly 20 years since it was first suggested.
I shopped surgeons, until an OR Nurse friend of mine advised me with her recommendation. The bone from lamectomy (?sp) was mixed with cadaver bone to create my L 3-4-5 fusion.
After healing & into PT, it was the best thing I ever did!
The back started to act up a few years ago, as my surgeon told me, from wear & tear above and below the fusion.
A bad injection at a pain clinic and COVID inactivity made pain & mobility difficult.
Today, with good injections and PT, I feel my strength and balance are improving.
Bottom line : surgery wasn’t the cure all for life, but it’s one of the best decisions I ever made.

regalrottweilers | @regalrottweilers | May 23 2:25pm

In reply to @dlydailyhope "@heyjoe415 I agree the injections are needed but good to know the risks of too many...." + (show)

I had it done at 46 yrs old. L3,4,5 laminectomy then titanium cages 2 separate surgeries. Then at 50 I had my neck fused with more cages C2,3,4. I have recovered great and have full range of motion still some pain but manageable with exercise and medication. Best of luck to you. I am glad I did mine young to make recovery easier. It was not an easy surgery to recover from.

vicscats | @vicscats | May 23 9:01pm

In reply to @fncz "For years, I’ve suffered varying degrees of back pain. I did/do countless rounds of PT, which..." + (show)

I love my injections
But have concern regarding wrecking myself. But then I say at 70 go ahead!

ams | @ams | May 24 11:14am

I had a nerve ablation on my lower back over a year ago. I have had no lower back pain since then, as my doctor said it could last 6 months or more. I was nervous about the pain of the procedure but it wasn't at all what I was expecting and I recovered very fast. If you haven't inquired about that possibility, ask your pain doctor. I would not be doing injections as the side effects of the injections can be bad for your body.