I was referred by my orthopedic doctor to go to Pain Management to see if they could relieve the constant pain, swelling and tingling that I was having in my neck and down my right arm for months. They suggested a series of three cervical epidural steroid cortisone shots to be administered to the middle of the back of my neck. The shot did not hurt, but I did not notice much improvement in my pain and tingling either.

The odd thing is that within a couple of days I began to have pain on the opposite side of my neck and arm. On the left side!! And my neck swelled up on both sides! I called the doctor - even went into see him - to show him - and all he said was "I have never seen anything like that before " - but assured me that it was not a reaction from the shot - said it must be a coincidence.

I had my second shot - Two days after I had it my face began to swell. Huge! Fat cheeks, swollen eyes, throat swelled on inside and I had jowls - completely different shape of face. The next morning when I awoke I felt like someone had taken a baseball bat to my legs while I was sleeping - the pain was unbelievable - and I could barley get out of bed and when I did I could not stand. A couple days after that, my hips hurt so bad I felt like I had been riding a horse all day - then it went to my feet and ankles for a couple of days and now the pain is in my lower back where it has stayed for a week.

I have had IBS attacks the past 4 days in a row and my face is still swollen, and I ache all over like I have the flu - I am very tired and I am experiencing dizzy spells. I do not know what to do!

The doctor still swears that it is not an allergic reaction but he told me to take Benedril - My internist has referred me to a Rheumatologist - He seems to think I may be experiencing some sort of Fibromyalgia?? I do not know if this was brought on by the shot or not - (I have decided not to take the third one) I have trouble getting in and out of my vehicle, going up my stairs, bending, can't sleep and the headache has not quit! Is this all from that shot? I am miserable and in pain (in different parts of my body) every couple of days - and I am scared, I wish I had never gone to have the shots.

I am very depressed and I do not understand why it seems as thought my body is turning against me - Has anyone heard of anything like this happening? I still have the 'moon face' is so embarrassing, - it has been almost 4 weeks.

Yes, some people are allergic to cortisone, and it can weaken the immune system, and should not be given when several types of medical conditions exist. Steroids are not to be handed out like candy.

You would have been much better off going to a chiropractor at the very beginning. Find a GOOD one now, and maybe all this can be undone. I'm not suggesting that you stop seeing an MD or that you don't have another medical problem, which of course is possible.

Another suggestion: if you are right handed and use your computer a lot, you could very well have a very simple and easily treatable case of sitting and mousing wrong. Your arm, when resting on the desk, should not be higher than it would be if you just drop your arms to your sides and bend your elbows. Most of us do have our arms above that height, and it's a struggle to keep the shoulders down. Plus many people hunch down to peer at the screen.
Carpal tunnel, too, is often a result of computer mousing at the wrong angle.

The side effects of steroid injections are: "Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry stools; changes in menstrual periods; chest pain; eye pain or increased pressure in the eye; fever, chills, or sore throat; joint or bone pain; mood or mental changes (eg, depression); muscle pain or weakness; seizures; severe or persistent nausea or vomiting; stomach pain or bloating; swelling of feet or legs; unusual weight gain or loss; vision changes; vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds." Cortisone Side Effects | Drugs.com (http://www.drugs.com/sfx/cortisone-side-effects.html)

I would call the Physician who administered the injections and advise him/her that you continue to experience side effects. This is nothing to fool around with! He/she should be more responsible than I am seeing here.

I get steroid injections because of a neck injury; sometimes they work better than other times (depending on the person who does the injections) but you are having some type of serious reaction.

I am not a believer in Chiropractors. Did your Pain Management Doctor make that suggestion or did he/she refer you only to the Rheumatologist?

What do your x-rays show?

I wasn't a believer either, until I went to one, and was relieved of over 30 years of pain that no doctor could diagnose.
Swelling of course suggests inflammation (if not cyst or tumor), so that may be out of a chiropractor's realm, but where was the original swelling?