Kenalog injections symptoms and conditions

55 yr old post menopausal nurse....i had kenalog injections in each knee after knee surgery for a torn meniscus....worked great!now the bad news....2 weeks after the shots i started spotting light pink!of course i am freaking out.....have been lightly spotting for 10 days and of course im thinking the worst...i had a pelvic ultra sound today and am going to gyne for more horrible testing tomorrow.....haven't had a female issue until the shots...well if this turns out to be from the shots id still take them as my knees feel like brand new!!plz god let this spotting be from the shots!

I have had a total of 5 kenalog injections in my back for no disk left between two vertebrae, doc says fused naturally and no movement. I still have pain. I am scheduled to have yet another shot in the neck area, 5 bulging disks causing pain around the shoulder blade. I have less sciatic pain, but I have HEADACHES for the 3 months since the first shot, they don't go away. No OTC pain relief works for these headaches. The doc says the kenalog does NOT cause headaches, I know these guys lie or don't care about the FDA list of side effects. I am hesitant about getting another shot. He wanted me to have this one done under sedation, I declined, since I had the others without. He said more sensitive area and don't want you to flinch. I also get, I assume kenalog injections in both feet for morton's neuroma. Left foot shot worked. Right foot 3 shots and still hurts and numb, they can't seem to get it right. I am tired of getting the shots, and today I went to that pain management doctor and forgot to ask him how long can I expect the shots to help the pain, years? months? or weeks. I barely do anything anymore, afraid to bend, or even move. I had to go to ER first time for my back on 2/14/09 and sent to different docs and finally pain management. For those of you whose docs don't order an MRI for you, I wouldn't have the shot. I had and MRI of the back and neck and this doctor gives the shots while I lay on a fluoroscope table, I can see on the screen in front of me where the doctor is injecting. Hit and miss without an MRI is just not medically correct. Good luck to all and gonna think about whether to get another shot next Thurs.

Been taking this for the past ten years and it is the only thing that allows my skin to quickly recover from eczema. Eczema started at age 22. After my first injection I felt more powerful than Darth Vader and noticed an increase in energy and stamina. A few weeks later, a crash begins and I feel the side effect of lethargy. Consistently, after each Kenalog shot, my skin will develop several pimples around my buttocks area and sometimes on my back after a month or two. I would prefer never to use Kenalog, but it has been the only thing that relieves the patches of skin that become red and flaky due to stress, lack of sleep, and a poor diet. Ultimately, I did develop 'hypercutia' which is a skin condition which allows my dermis to bleed more easily. After stopping the Kenalog injections for a few years, my entire dermis still remains thin and more vulnerable to bleeding. I make my living as an actor and it is part of the reason i still rely on Kenalog whenever an audition comes up and I need to show my body. The pimples eventually become little scars, which eventually become little darker spots on my body. I still believe that in spite of all the side effects, it is worth it if you make your living as an actor or model.

In January of 2009 I had a Kenalog injection between the L4 L5 in the lower lumber spine area to help with pain. It began to work for me about 5 days after the shot and my back felt better. I was due to return to work, and then I had a panic attack. Never in my life has this happened to me. I was just laying on the couch and all the sudden I felt sick to my stomach, got a terrible headache, had trouble breathing and was experiencing numbness in my hands and feet. I was taken to the ER and tests all came back negative. Was given Klonapin to help me relax, and returned to work a few days later. On Feb. 1st, while at work, I had another panic attack, only after this one, my speech was stuttered and I had neck spasms so bad that I almost couldn't stand it. I also had the night sweats, nausea, depression, headaches, lack of appetite, so I went to see a neurologist. Several tests were done and all came back normal. Then I was referred to Univ. of MD Neurologist that told me it was stress related. However, during both panic attacks there was no stressful situation. After an increase in Effexor I returned to work after being off for four weeks. Then just two nights ago I experienced a terrible immediate migraine that resulted in another panic attack. My speech is still stuttering, I have constant neck pain, and I feel like it's never going to go away. My doctor wants to do another set of Kenalog injections in my neck this week. I think after reading this site, I am going to refuse and get a second opinion.

I used to receive a Kenalog injection once a year to treat my skin. It worked great. Best drug, nothing compares to it. After a few years it worked so great that I didn't have to receive the shot anymore.

This drug is far too helpful in the medical field for it to be removed because of its side effects. Never had a problem with getting a hole "in my butt" either... Not that I let A LOT of people look at my butt anyway. There's a reason why you're told what the side effects could be, if you don't like them then tell the doctor you don't want to take the medicine.

If you're a model, then have it photoshopped out... We know now that's what they do anyway. You give young girls bad impressions thinking they have to be perfect, when you're not.

I had two Kenalog injections the 5th of Dec. '08, one into my right shoulder joint, the other into a tendon anterior to my right shoulder, - oh, and another one in a trigger point at my right shoulder blade. I have been in agony since 2-3 days after the injections. The night of the injections I had severe tachycardia, my heart rate was around 120-140 for three days. I was also flushed and so hot that several people asked if I was ill. The worst part of these injections started, as I said earlier, 2-3 days later. I have horrible pain in my shoulder blade and throughout my ribcage. I have muscle spasms and such burning that it actual causes me to bend to the right, and I could scream with the pain!! Nothing helps other than to put a hand towel behind my neck and pull each end so hard that it takes the pressure somehow off the muscles. I can hardly hold my head up most of the time due to muscle weakness. The Dr. says nothing other than take Advil. My internist, who did not do the injections, thinks I have what is called RSD from the needle sticks.
I don't see that this is easing at all, and I'm really concerned that I'm going to live like this the rest of my life!

I had Kenalog injections a few days ago for MyoFacial Pain Syndrome. They are used for Trigger Points in the body that cause severe muscle spasms.
I have experienced these spasms for about three years. The first three times I had the injections I had no side effects. But the relief from the pain only lasted about three weeks.
So the nurse practitioner upped the dosage the other day. Since that evening I have been suffering from chills, sweating, fatigue, lost appetite, anxiety, aching muscles, and insomnia. I wake in the night several times sweating.
The pain in my upper back has subsided now but am not sure it was worth it.
I called their office but have not heard back from them.
Am so tired from suffering already and I hope the side effects subside very soon!

I don't know if it was the two kenalog injections but I began to menstruate-three years post-menopause. I immediately was seen by my endocrinologist, trans-vaginal sonogram and endometrial biopsy done. i just received a call tonight informing me that a polyp was found and I will need to have a D & C. It sounds like endometrial hyperplasia and this is a very sudden onset - I had the same sonogram in February and all was fine.
I have now found out that steroids can "wreak havoc" with our hormones. I was schedule to have epidural injections of steroids for back and neck injuries. I will not have them now or ever- they are not as benign and helpful as many doctors would have you believe.

My husband has Kenalog injections to help with his breathing. He has emphysema. Last year he came down with Shingles and the Dr. said it is due to the Kenalog

I've had 3 Kenalog injections- one each Spring for the past 3 years for severe allergies. The injections cleared up my allergies almost immediately, and lasted the whole year. The first two years I did not have any side effects, however the third year I got a large dimple in my skin at the injection site, and it is discolored (lighter than the rest of my skin). The dimple seems to have gotten larger over the last several months since the time of the injection (March). It is approx. 2 inches wide and looks like a large scar.

I'm a physician. Usually Kenalog injections can be avoided and oral steroids used like prednisone. The local dimpling effect may occur if the injection is too shallow, actually there is a temporary "disolving" of the subcutaneous tissue, the muscle and joints are not damaged. It is usually viewed as a "cosmetic" adverse effect. The Kenalog injections was primarily designed for joint injection and the kenalog or similar depo form stays active in the joint for a few weeks. All steroid medications can cause irritability and this is usually temporary for a few days. Steroids can cause muscle weakness- this is usually associated with high doses for prolonged use like being on prednisone for 3 or 4 months. Steroids can have an adverse effect on menstruation, but this is usually associated with chronic use. The most serious problems with the steroids result in bone weakness(osteoporosis) and serious damage to joints like the back and hip. Steroids can also result in weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure and cataract formation. I don't think Kenalog is any different than other steroids such as Medrol or Prednisone in terms of the side effect profile. These are dangerous medications that can also be very helpful in saving lives and diminishing pain.

Yes, kenalog has many side effects with SOME people. I'm both a patient that takes kenalog and a third year medical student. I've been receiving kenalog injections twice a year during allergy season for the past 5 years. All I can say is THANK GOD. I can deal with a itchy/running nose, the sneezing, and the itchy eyes. What I cannot deal with are the asthma symptoms that act up whenever my allergies do. I get little enough sleep as is, what I do get doesn't need to be interrupted by waking up not being able to breath.
What must be realized here is that however many posts are on this and like sites, the people who suffer from the side effects are in the minority. For most patients this drug provides great relief with little to no side effects.
For those who said that their doctors did not tell them what they were being given, or warned about the side effects, yes, those physicians should have warned their patients about the possible side effects. HOWEVER, it is also YOUR responsibility as a patient to ASK what you are being given, and what the possible side effects are. Never let anyone just stick a needle in your butt without asking what the heck they're doing first. I'm not defending those physicians that don't tell the patient what they're doing; they are in the wrong. But they see tons of patients very day, most of it route. And many patients lack the knowledge to ask what they are being given, and what might happen from it. Even if the physician took the time to explain, a lot of people wouldn't understand or simply don't care. Don't be one of those patients. Ask your PCP: what is this drug? what does it do? what are the possible side effects? what percentage of patients experience these side effects?. Take some responsibility for yourselves.

I am a 54yr old male and recently I have had a low impact fall and

fractured my Tibia and Fibia (the bones below in my knee on my left

leg) and also dislocated my foot at the same time. The surgeons

were most interested to find out that I have had Kenalog injections

for hayfever for the last 35 years. Two years ago the doctors

refused to prescribe Kenalog anymore as they said it can cause a

thinning of the bones. I was not told of these side effects

previously.
The surgeons said that I have osteoporosis as I had only had a low

impact fall. So I would be interested if anyone else has been

diagnosed with osteoporosis due to this Corticosteroid injection.

Having been informed of the side effects of this medicine I would

have not had it. I would advise anybody to seriously consider the

side effects before taking this product.

Kenalog injections for my Poly (Many) Arteritis (Arteries) Nodosa (Inflamed). I had a growing skin lession on leg (approx.) six inches below
bend of knee. I have received Kenalog injections in legs (below knee area) for over ten years and this latest was given by a resident who needed me to walk him through it. I guess the amount given was too much cause my lower leg feels noticeably weaker now and gets fatigued easily especially when driving. I already have weak legs from myropathy and this has made my right leg even weaker. My hope is that this might forwarn someone whose going to get a Kenalog injection. I want to add that I see my problem from Kenalog as minor compared to what Ive been reading other people are going through and Im sorry for those people. We get ill and just hope the treatment wont cause even more and worse problems.

My husband has had 4 or 5 kenalog injections in a years time and now
the bottom of his back looks like a spider web or something, it has brown lines everywhere, isn't this too many times to have this injection and has anyone ever heard of these shots messing up your back like that

I also have a giant dent on my left side from kenalog injections I'm not a bathing suit model THANK GOD or my career would be over with my caved in butt it ticks me off every time I see it in the mirror or touch the big giant dent.My doctor never said anything about side effects.

I too have a huge indentation in my back for about six months, and I've been worried that it was cancer or something. I have no insurance so never went to the doctor, but did call a nurse at the time, who said she had never heard of it and it didn't sound like anything to worry about. If she had actually seen it, she might have thought differently. I had an injection in the same spot last August, and never even correlated the two. After my son gasped in horror today when he saw it and insisted that I go to the doctor, I decided to Google "indentation by shoulder blade" and ran across this website. I immediately called a nurse and asked what injection I had received, and it was Kenalog and two other drugs. I asked if she had heard of this before and she said no, but that she would have the P.A. who administered it call me tomorrow. I'm so mad about this. I will not be able to wear the same clothes or dresses that I normally wear in the summer, because it is hideous and disgusting and huge. If anyone has spoken to a lawyer or if there is a lawsuit pending, please count me in! There must be something we can do, because this has obviously affected many people.

I was given two Kenalog injections during the month of January 2008. My skin had been breaking out in eczema patches all over my body due to a side effect of a sinus infection that I had. My dermatologist gave me two rounds of Kenalog, two weeks apart from each other. The injections immediately cleared up the break outs I was having. Ever since the second shot, I have experienced irregular periods ( My menstrual cycle has always been very regular). The first cycle lasting 15days, which made me nervous. I went to my regular doctor and she said it was probably a side effect of the antibiotic I was given.
My menstrual cycle has been highly irregular. The month of February my cycle ran for 10 days, then stopped for three, started again for another 10days. And now rotates almost every other day. Along with the irregular periods I experience headaches on a regular basis, nausea, anxiety, and I am often feeling lethargic due to the fact that I am probably experiencing low iron.
I was never told the side effects, so I was feeling nervous until I found this website.

Hi everyone!! I have contacted a attorney who is a nationwide medical malpractice. I gave him this web site info so you all may be hearing from them. Hope that helps you all!!

I had a Kenalog injection into my knee joint after my orthopedic removed 30cc of fluid from the knee. about 2 hours later, I began to experience pain around the knee joint. Rapidly, over the course of 15 minutes, I went from mild pain to pain so actuate, I could not function. I could not move, speak, or do anything that might move my leg in the tiniest of motions. The pain extended down my calf, and into my foot. After 30 minutes, I was in such acute pain distress, I was transported to the emergency room. It was by far the worst pain I have ever experienced in my life, worse than labor, and even more severe than a disc herniation four years prior to that. I experienced flushing and stomach pains and it took too pain injections to bring it under control. After ruling out a cartilage tear or fold with an MRI, it was determined that I experienced what is known as a steroid flair. I spent the next day resting and recovering from stomach pains. The pain subsided but left my knee in a worsened state than before the injection, although the inflammation went down. Needless to say, I will not be accepting Kenalog injections again.

I was having Kenalog injections into my knee. On the ninth injection within a years time,with a few Aristospan injections in between, my knee to my foot blew up. Tripled in size, and the skin was bright red with purple marks all over the skin from my upper shin to the ankle bone. I had a big depression in the shin too, which I can not figure out because the injection was into my knee.
I went to my GP who sent me to the ER to rule out a blood clot-ultrasound.
NO blood clot. I was given no medication, nothing, and it was very painful.
Actually, I saw three doctors and not one of them seemed to care. One doctor said, "Steroids are Powerful Drugs" I do not know if this reaction was do to an infection, some side effect, I have no idea. The swelling eventually went down within six months=long time. I still get purple round marks on the skin at the shin, and sometimes my ankle swells. The skin gets red and white marks mixed into the already rash looking skin.
I asked many times what the cause was to this all, and it was like no doctor would say anything negative about the doctor that gave me the injection.
I also discovered that Kenalog is used off label for Epidural Steroid Injections and can cause Meningitis, Arachnoiditis, bowel and bladder dysfunction and more adverse events, because neurotoxins are added to the steroid to make the compound that is injected into the epidural space. Asking other people if their doctor ever told them the drug name they were getting injected by their doctor before this procedure and each and all said "NO."
This is also true for the drugs Depomedrol and Celestone Soluspan. All three drugs are used off label for epidural injections. Neurotoxins do not belong in the spine! If one gets a dura puncture-FOR GET IT!

I had two Kenalog injections (not sure of the dose) several years ago to help curb the effects of dyshidrotic eczema on my hands ... and wound up not ovulating for about three months. This had not even been brought up as a potential side effect when my dermatologist recommended the injections, and she acted as though it was a very small thing when I called about it later on. I was not given a drug information sheet (nor, I have to confess, did I ask for one).

In my personal experience, though, the relief from the pain, blisters, cracking and bleeding on my hands was worth not having a period for several months, but if you're trying to get pregnant or already have female problems (i.e., PCOS, etc.), I would make a point to discuss these things with your dermatologist and/or your regular care physician before progressing with the injections.

My Kenalog experience has been horrible! I had two in January '07 but had an IUD in at the time so I chalked the side effects (excess facial hair, weight gain, moodiness, depression, etc.) up to that. I had my IUD removed in March and a couple of months later things improved. I thought it was all the IUD.
Fast forward to September '07. I had two more Kenalog injections Well it was horrible. I had every side effect I think except for the indentation. My husband and I were also trying to get pregnant and I had no idea these shots could do so much damage to my cycle. I am not ovulating now and had almost no period for two months and now I cannot stop bleeding. It is so disheartening.
I don't know if I would go through it ever again since the results don't seem to last long term for my pain anyway. I just wish I had read more about it before I had two in a row done.

I received two Kenalog injections 24 hrs apart for severe poison ivy. I have not been able to sleep more than 2 hrs at a time for the last 15 days.

I received a Kenalog injection in December '06 to provide relief from an allergic reaction. My doctor did NOT inform me of any possible side effects other than drowsiness. Two months later a small dipple formed where the shot was given. I had no idea what it was and just assumed it was a part of getting older (I'm 30). When it began to get deeper, I became extremely worried. It has now been 6 months and the dimple has turned into a very large indentation. I still did not put two and two together and did not think it could have been caused by the steroid injuection. I visited my doctor, the same one who administered the shot in December, to find out what this could possibly be. He said he had no idea!! And even suggested it could be cancer!!!! I came home upset, obviously, thinking I was very sick, possibly even dying!! My sister did some research and found this site, and I am so relieved. But now I am angry at my doctor for not warning me of this possible side effect at the time of the shot AND then diagnosing it as a possible cancer!!! So now I am left with this deformity on my butt and a profound feeling of helplessness. Someone please tell me actions you have taken that have worked, both legally and physically. Will this go away?!?