Pain after cortisone shot - anyone experienced this?

[BeckyFL]

I have been having problems with bursitis in both hips (and mild arthritis in both as per xray) and shooting pain as well in the right hip. This has caused my back to flare up and I have a protruding disc between L5 and S1. I went to the specialist today (physical medicine) and without really explaining what she was doing, she had me roll up on my side (I imagined she was examining) and she gave me a cortisone injection. Then had me do the same for the other hip. I left thinking maybe this was good since I probably would have wanted time to think about it. I would have researched, lamented and generally made myself miserable trying to decide what to do (I don't like to take medicines in general without a lot of thought). i had the shot at 3:30 and about an hour after began having a lot of pain and stiffness... much worse than my original condition. I can hardly walk and I'm basically dragging my feet around just to get to the bathroom. I'm lying in bed with my legs up on several pillows.

Now I'm also worried because she scheduled more. I have an MRI on the hip with shooting pain (I was happy with this because I would love to know what it going on with that since the shooting pain is making it hard to walk). BUT... also I have a nerve conduction test scheduled and an epidural in my spine.

Now I'm not sure what I want to do. I feel like canceling the other procedures since this hurts SO much!

Edited November 2, 2010 by BeckyFL

[Remudamom]

I had such a weird reaction to a cortisone shot that I'll never have another. Never. Ever. Not pain, but just lost control of my muscles, or something, anyhow, had to sit for a looooong time before I could walk again.

[MariannNOVA]

My orthopod warned me about that happening -- it's a flare. You want to be icing the injection sites -- CONSTANTLY for about 12-24 hours after the injection, and (if you are able) take ibuprofen.

 

When I followed those instructions, I avoided the pain of the flare and in about 12 hours after the shot, I felt absolutely fine - no pain at all.

 

HTH

[BeckyFL]

Ok, I iced for a while when I got home and again just recently. I will keep it up. Also took 2 Advil. Hope it helps. Thanks!

[KidsHappen]

I have had cortisone shots for my back three times now. The first time the dr. accidently nick the bone which caused some transiant (can't remember the word right now) symptoms of racing pulse, nausea, dizziness, flushed feeling, etc. The second time went off without a hitch, no problems at all. This last time, the dr. had an extremely hard time getting the neddle in the right spot due to the fact that my back was seriously out of wack. It hurt when he gave me the shot and continued to get worse for about 5 or 6 days. Then it was still hurting more than normal for about another month before pain relief finally started kicking in. If this had been my first time, I definitely never would have done it again. I was in a lot of pain and basically incapacitated for about two weeks.

[BeckyFL]

I have had cortisone shots for my back three times now. The first time the dr. accidently nick the bone which caused some transiant (can't remember the word right now) symptoms of racing pulse, nausea, dizziness, flushed feeling, etc. The second time went off without a hitch, no problems at all. This last time, the dr. had an extremely hard time getting the neddle in the right spot due to the fact that my back was seriously out of wack. It hurt when he gave me the shot and continued to get worse for about 5 or 6 days. Then it was still hurting more than normal for about another month before pain relief finally started kicking in. If this had been my first time, I definitely never would have done it again. I was in a lot of pain and basically incapacitated for about two weeks.

 

Sounds terrible. From what I'm reading, it also seems they do more harm than good. I'm really unsure about the one that I have scheduled for my back in 2 weeks. Also really unsure about the nerve conduction test. :confused:

[TravelingChris]

Just wanted to give another side. I have arthritis and have had cortisone shots every once in a while. They always hurt for about a day more than before but then for me, the pain goes away completely. I think it makes a difference what the cause is and where the shot actually goes. I am fortunate that it always did work for me.

[Luckymama]

My dh has had cortisone shots in his shoulder a few times. He always has pain for the first day or so, then his shoulder is wonderful for several months. Ice is his friend right after the shot.