Cortisone injection

[beccaB]

I have a work related shoulder injury. I have had 2 cortisone shots in one shoulder and one shot in the other. Besides the pain, should there be any side effects such as feeling like I'm on speed, sleepless nights, and after the pain is gone, uber workouts? I don't know if this is normal or not.

[alpha_omega]

Possible placebo?

Although cortisone is a steroid, it's not an anabolic and only reduces inflammation rather than provide any performance enhancing abilities.

Perhaps it's the fact that you're finally pain free that has you rejuvenated?

[fidlfreek]

I have gotten cortisone shots before after a bike accident. I had trouble sleeping the night after the shot. I'm not sure if there was a connection but I ended up having to take an ambien to get to sleep at like 2 am!

[HillSlugger]

Those are typical reactions to systemic (oral) steroids but I don't think they typically happen with injection into a joint.

[OakLeaf]

I've never heard of people having those sfx after a joint injection either, but even topical corticosteroids warn of systemic effects, so why not injected ones?

Plus, if Becca wasn't aware that those were the effects of oral steroids, it'd be a pretty unusual combination of psychogenic side effects, I would think.

[Tuckervill]

My husband had a steroid injection for his sinuses recently. By the next day he said his brain felt remarkably sharp, and he was energetic and clear-minded for what seemed to be the first time in a long long time. He even made another appointment with the doctor to talk it over. He LOVED the feeling and wished he could get it every day. Alas....it doesn't last.

Karen

[Duck on Wheels]

I don't know about after a joint injection, but those are definitely effects I recognize from when I've had cortisone intravenously to knock back intestinal inflammations. Almost a side "benefit" of the cortisone. Last time I had a cortisone treatment the doctor advised me to make the most of it by working out more once I was out of hospital. I'd be feeling energized for the few weeks I was scaling back down on oral cortisone, and "investing" that energy in more exercize would give a lasting benefit plus help counteract the bad side effects of sleeplessness and weight gain.

[Dazeepetals]

Although steroid shots into the joint are intended to provide a local effect only, there is the possiblity of some systemic effects. When someone takes steroids (corticosteroids) orally or through a vein, the most common side effects are increased blood sugars, increased appetite, insomnia, water retension, psycosis (we call it steroid craziness) just to name a few. It's entirely possible you may be having some of these effects as evidenced by the "speed" feel which is likely an increased blood sugar and heart rate, and the insomnia is a given.

[Pip]

My adrenals don't produce cortisol and I therefore take Cortisone orally on a daily basis. I have also had to give myself large doses via intramuscular injection on a couple of occasions, and I can confirm that the symptoms you describe do sound like those I experience on a cortisol high! My friend had a Cortisone injection in her heel recently and felt the same way. Enjoy it while it lasts.

[beccaB]

I'm seeing the doc today for a shot in the other shoulder. I'm a curves member and our Curves recently installed the new computers to monitor progress on the machines. Well ladies (and gentlemen).. my increase in abilities was off the charts! Of course, yesterday I was having a problem keeping up with myself! So, maybe those side effects last about a week for me, whether it be a placebo or real. So, I will be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound for one more week.

[roadie gal]

The length of time you'll feel those symptoms depends on which steroid the doc injected. Some last longer than others.

A few years ago I had to have steroid injections into my knee. I was giddy for a week. I think a lot of it was that I finally wasn't in pain and my body was celebrating.

[beccaB]

Ok, so I had more of those side effects from the right shoulder getting a shot last week, than I did from the left shoulder getting a shot this week. Maybe I've developed a tolerance. Hopefully I won't need any more shots for a while.