Cortisone Injections, drug interactions and ectopics

[Kaz747]

Nearly two weeks ago I had a cortisone injection in my foot as I have a problems with the tendons as well as osteoarthritis. My EP has said to increase my Atenolol if I’m having procedures that can put my body under stress or if I am ever unwell (I usually take 25mg so can double it). I took extra meds for a couple of days before and after the injection then dropped back to my usual dose.

Over the past week or so I have had very frequent ectopics. One day last week I really felt like it may be AF as I was very tight chested and a bit dizzy. My Kardia has given me a number of unclassified readings and a couple of possible AF.

I checked the interactions between Cortisone injection and Attenolol and it says that the Cortisone can lower the effectiveness of Attenolol if it's being taken for blood pressure - my BP is fine, I take it to keep my heart steady.

I’d be curious to know if you’ve had Cortisone injections whether they have affected your arrhythmias at all. This is my third injection in a little over 12 months (I had one in my ankle and one in my knee). I don't recall the previous ones triggering my heart as badly. Or maybe it is a coincidence.

The good news is I can walk without pain. 😀 (”Always look on the bright side of life” - Monty Python)

[Maura5]

Hi Kaz, I have cortisone injections in my knee and so far (touch wood) it doesn’t seem to have affected my heart rhythm 🙏

[Kaz747 in reply to Maura5]

I don't recall an issue after my knee injection - I wonder if it's a slightly different drug.

[Maura5 in reply to Kaz747]

Maybe? It’s worth asking.

[Angie06]

Hi Kaz, I had 3 cortisone injections in my foot for Morton's neuroma and did notice more ectopics but thought it may be nerves due to my fear of jabs in the foot 🤣🤣 . They didn't help my foot pain but the ectopics have definitely gone so maybe the injections did trigger them off but I guess I'll never know. At least your pain has lessened so fingers crossed it stays that way! Hope you're keeping safe and bet you can't wait to start travelling again, I haven't seen my son for over 2yrs now so looking forward to flying again soon. 😀😀xx

[Kaz747 in reply to Angie06]

I hope a too Angie - it will be great to catch up again. I really feel for people with family far away that haven't been able to see them for so long. There are a few family members and good friends who will be missing my daughter’s wedding in six weeks because of WA’s closed borders. Still we don't have any Covid here and the borders will help keep it that way so from a selfish reason I’m happy there’s not going to be any changes before the wedding as I’d hate a last minute cancellation because of lockdowns.

[Barny12]

I had to take a single dose of a steroid - dexamathasone, before a blood test a couple of weeks ago which 24 hours later gave me such chest pains I thought I was having a heart attack. A visit to A&E confirmed it wasn't but suggested it may well have been a reaction to the steroid. It has left me with serious ectopics, flutter, occasional AF and no exercise tolerance at all.

[Kaz747 in reply to Barny12]

Thanks Barry. It's interesting to hear your experience. Hopefully things soon settle down for both of us.

[hausjac]

I had a steroid injection into my hip a couple of months ago and although I have recently been suffering from prolonged tachycardia - I have AVRT as well as recently diagnosed PAF my tachycardia which has been a nuisance recently settled for about 10 days after the injection. I'm having another one in my knee next week so we will see!

[Lbeat796]

Hi Kaz, have never had a steroid injection so cant comment but if I have a tachycardia episode I try all my usual tricks to get rid of it failing that I take an extra 25mg Atenolol which has so far always worked although can take about 45 minutes. My usual dose is 25mg per day.