What Causes Severe Headache After Having Cortisone Shot?

Posted on Fri, 10 Jul 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 10 Jul 2015 Answered on

Fri, 7 Aug 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I had a cortisone shot in my knee yesterday and last night I got this unrelenting HA. I took AllegraD, and Alevex2, and Tylenol 1000mg this am with without any relief. Coukd this be the result of the cortisone shot?

Answered by Dr. Het Ram Bishnoi (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Cortisone Injection and HEADACHE

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXX
You got cortisone shot and after few hours developed headache ( unbearable).
Question "Could this be the result of the cortisone shot"?
Yes, sometimes cortisone shot raises intracranial pressure and produces headache .
In your case headache may be due to cortisone shot .
But this is short lasting and you will get relief within a short period .
Cortisone readily enter the brain and can influence mood, sleep patterns and EEG activities ( this may be the reason of headache , due to this possibility you didn't got complete relief with medicines).
So wait sometime and you will get relief.
Good luck.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T