Have you experienced side effects with Cortisone injections, if so, what, especially if you are over 50?

I'm not over 50, but outside of some stinging when the actual injection occurs, I feel good afterwards. I have to have a systemic shot periodically.

I had a shot of cortisone in a joint a couple months ago and it really hurt and I don't know that it helped all that much. It was in my foot. My dad gets them in his knees and they help him.

Have you experienced side effects with Cortisone injections, if so, what, especially if you are over 50?

Have had cortisone injections in both knees. I am 60.
Injections hurt being stuck with the needle. Didn't have any side effects.
The more you have the less effective they are.
First set lasted about 3 months. Second set lasted about a week.
Doctor said wasn't any use trying again. Would be wasting my money.
Advised about knees replacements but not going that route either..lol :nono:

Anita P

I'm 47 and have had corisone. didn't have any side effects but didn't do me much good so I stopped. I also understand cortisone doesn't break down in the body. I know they pulled a chunk out during tendon surgery on my elbow.

I've been getting cortisone shots for about 3 years now in 2 of my right fingers, middle joint. For some reason every 3-4 months they stiffen up and hurt when I try to bend them. Other than the pain of the shot I've had no bad effects from them. I've heard all the horror stories, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Right now I need my fingers to perform my job, so they must work. I'd hate to think of what they would look like by now if I never had the shots. For me the shots are a godsend to return functionality to my fingers and that gives me peace of mind. I've also had the shots in my heels, but the relief only lasts for a couple of weeks if that. Given the choice of taking a steroid pack or the cortisone, I'll take the cortisone any day. My fingers have no signs of breaking down yet. There are always scare mongers out there, but I fear far more for what my fingers would be like today if I had never gotten the shots.

i get them maybe 3 times a year, in sholders or behind knees for about a week i manage little to no pain afterwords and i am very grateful for them during the really really bad times

I'm well over 50 and have had two instances of cortisone shots. The first, about 3 yrs ago, had sharp cutting pain in L. foot, between big toe and 2nd toe, could barely walk. After 6 mos of being misdiagnosed by podiatrists (quacks!!!) got to an ortho who correctly diagnosed a nerve impingement due to arthritis in the foot. A series of 2 cured it, and it never came back so far. If it did, I'd sure go for another series!!!
Then about 1 1/2 yrs ago, got one in L. shoulder for arthritis. It helped some for about 3 mos, but I don't think I'd go for another.
Both times it raised my blood sugar for about a week - I also have diabetes.
Some drs. include lidocaine anesthetic with the shot, but I don't like it or need it - gives me a rapid heart rate.

I'm only 30, but I've had some injections. I have psoriatic arthritis, so I've needed a few in my shoulders. I can say they worked like a charm. Cleared up the problems in a couple of days. I had some in my neck,(cervical facet joints, and epidural,) with less wonderful results, but I had severe neck problems and wound up having a spinal fusion. Good luck!

Hi, good question - The reality is that Cortisone can kill you. It doesn't do it directly but rather causes unintended consequences that will. You could accurately say it will contribute to your death. My father went to his grave vomiting "coffee grounds" the common term for the blood oozing from his stomach ulcers which were caused by Cortisone.

In the early 50's or so, Cortisone was developed in Canada and was touted as the "Wonder Drug" to treat the arthritic masses. I know several people who have had family members succumb from the side effects.

When you get a Cortisone injection, generally the Dr. will not inject the same site for at least four months. My Pain Doc really likes to wait a year. Some other steroids besides Cortisone also have ugly side affects when piled on in the same spot over a long time or after to short a duration.

I get them but try to keep them a year apart. Usually a spinal epidural is involved. Trigger Points - one shot then if needed again nothing but analgesia. Cortisone is great and I think it's generally safe when utilized properly. People get into trouble when they change doctors and the new Doc reinvents the old injection because he didn't know. Sometimes Doc's forget and the patient needs to question him -- if he gets mad because you asked, get a new Doc. Good luck - dootag

Dootag,
You are right. I was on oral Prednisone for years and it came with benefits as well as a price. Too much systemic cortisone is never good and frequent, careful monitoring is necessary. I was speaking of a single, intrarticular injection for the sake of quieting local inflammation.

Hi,

Yes I had injections in my spine for this and later developed a synovial cyst which had to be removed. This was extensive surgery and the neurologst sugested may have been caused from the injections damaging the spinal cord cover.
I also had them in my knees and wrists which did help for about four months. My knees are now completely damaged and replacement surgery seems to be the only solution. I will never go back there again as it only masked the pain and increased the damage.