Kenalog shot symptoms and conditions

Had a steroid shot combo of Kenalog and something else for allergies about 3 years ago. Didn't make the association then about the deep indentations on my upper buttocks and the shot I had in that same area a few month earlier until I found this website. I just had another Kenalog shot (in my arm) for allergies about 5 weeks ago. Since then I've had two periods the second of which is dragging on and on. I was a bit panicked until I searched and found this website and another and found others who had the same symptoms. I called my primary doctor and they had no idea of this side effect. He said to come in for a follow up if my symptoms continue. Meanwhile, it is really stressing me out due to a family history of cancer. ******

i must tell you that I had a kenalog shot in my hip 10days ago to try to relieve a terrible case of psoriasis on my fingers that not only was hideous to look at but i couldn't pick anything up without my hands my fingers cracking oe bleeding. in these ten days the psoriasis has totally cleared up but I do have a severe metallic aftertaste in my mouth. No other severe side effects as of yet.

I have been getting kenalog injections for about 4 years now. I am 38 years old and have been in pre-mature menopause for about 3 years. I just received another shot last Monday and noticed I have been spotting a little bit. My pap came back normal. I have to get more blood work this week. I am growing more and more concerned that this whole "early" menopause may be from kenalog. I have been "freaking out" a little bit this past week because I haven't felt well either. I've never had a problem with weight gain until i started these injections and now I am over-weight and tired all the time. I'm starting to think that this whole kenalog shot is a big mistake.

I received a kenalog shot in my hand 2 months and it killed the pigmentation in my skin. It now looks like i have vitiligo.Was not made aware of side effects. Doctor also states he doesn't know when the pigmentation would return

I am a physician. Kenalog is one of several injectable steroids that can cause subcutaneous atrophy or lipoatrophy as a side effect. For those who have this reaction, they will notice a dent or divot. This is not dangerous problem and most of the time the dent or divot will fill back in with time. How much time? The range is 3 to 24 months without treatment. However, for many patients this healing process can be speeded up with weekly saline injections that can be safely performed by almost any Doctor and need not be expensive.

The technique was well described in the Journal of Dermatological Surgery in 2006. If you do a google search for the name of the article as listed below you can find the Abstract and take a copy to your Doctor.

Best to all,

T.

Treatment of Local, Persistent Cutaneous Atrophy Following Corticosteroid Injection with Normal Saline Infiltration

Shumaker Peter R., MD*, Rao Jaggi, MD † , Goldman Mitchel P., MD †

Published in Dermatological Surgery, 21 Mar 2006

ABSTRACT
Background. Injections of corticosteroids are commonly used for a variety a dermatologic conditions but may cause local, persistent cutaneous atrophy, with few therapeutic options.

Objective. To determine the effectiveness of bacteriostatic normal saline infiltration on the improvement of corticosteroid-induced cutaneous atrophy.

Materials and Methods. Four patients with corticosteroid-induced atrophy of the skin, two caused by acneiform cysts and one from intramuscular steroid injection, were treated with weekly injections of normal saline directly into the atrophic site. The patients were seen on weekly follow-up visits, and improvement was documented.

Results. All four patients demonstrated complete resolution of skin atrophy and restoration of surface contour within 4 to 8 weeks of initial presentation. Injected volumes of normal saline ranged from 5 to 20 cm3 per treatment session and three to six weekly treatments. The patients were completely satisfied with these results.

Conclusion. Normal saline infiltration offers a safe, tolerable, relatively rapid, and effective treatment for local, persistent corticosteroid-induced atrophy.

Dermatologic Surgery, Volume 31 Issue 10, Pages 1340 - 1343,

I just got back from the doctor's office to examine the mysterious "dent" in my left buttocks. He didn't know what it was but I just googled the problem and confirmed it is from a Kenalog injection on 10/29/08. At Christmas time I just noticed rough looking skin but in the last couple of weeks I noticed the the "dent" was getting larger. I cannot believe the number of side effects for this drug. I was given the injection by my allergist for inflamed sinuses. What a price to pay huh? I only read one article that said her "dent" was filling in after a year and one half. Is there anything that will stop the growing of this "dent"?

I started Chantix end of last year, stopped smoking on day 8 with no problem, I thought this was going to be great. About 2 weeks after being smoke free, I'd have a couple puffs every few days....didn't taste good, made me feel a bit nauseous. All in all....I took it for about 7 weeks.

Started developing a weird rash on my face, NOT a pretty thing! I went to the Dr., she advised I stop taking it...I did. Also received a prednisone type dose pak to clear my skin up. Within 3-4 days my face was back to normal !!
A week or so later, rash developed AGAIN! Went back to doc. she gave me a Kenalog shot, face was better in about 1 day, my but from getting the shot hurt for at least a week though. So far no more rash, but I got VERY IRRITABLE (crazy irritable !!) That has yet to go away.
I was so easily agitated that one day hubby and I were out to dinner, and I was ready to get up & slap the sh*t out of the family at the next table...they were just ANNOYING the hell out of me. ( I'm usually a pretty easy going lady) My husband just can't believe how mean & nasty I've gotten. I hope this goes away!!! I've been off the Chantix since Feb. 19th, and SADLY started smoking again on the 26th. I've also had a nonstop headache, had the CRAZY, VIVID nightmares (always brutal-dealing with death) I wish I could've stayed "QUIT", maybe next time I'll just try cold turkey....my parents quit that way after 40+ yrs. of smoking.

I got the Kenalog shot in my wrist to treat tendinitis. The area turned white and noticed my wrist bone (what I thought) was sticking out. Went to a dermatologist and she said that one of the side effects of the shot is that it turns the skin white if it's too close to the top of the skin. Another side effect which I think you all are referring to (indentation) is that it eats away the fat in the area. That's why my bone was sticking out. Couple of months after that, it was fine. I've just recently got the shot in my knees and my doctor was trying to make sure he went deep enough away from my skin. It hurt like hell but it's been almost a month and haven't seen or noticed any of those side effects as of yet.

Just to let most of you know, that Kenalog will only last several days to a month, if you continue to have symptoms, you need to see your doctor. If you receive kenalog inject frequently then the symptoms and side effects may continue, not letting your body rid of it before your next dose. You should always ask your healthcare provider what it is that you are about to receive, and what the side effects are, it is also up to you to make your healthcare choices, become informed. And never let anyone give you a steroid inject in your arm, unless its for your joints, thats why they are given in the gluteus muscle, because it can cause indentations, and the arms are more seen than the buttocks.

Wow…I was doing so much research today and was so excited to find this website and seeing all the responses from everyone below. My daughter had a really bad allergy attack last 6/2008 when there was a lot of smoke in the Sacramento, CA Valley from surrounding fires. The smoke was so bad for a couple of months. I took my daughter into an urgent care Med 7 of Folsom per the advise nurse line provided by my health insurance co. Nothing had changed in my daughters diet or environment for the hives to occur, other than the smoke that was really bad outside. So the doctor came in and looked at my daughter and then he said they would be administering a Kenalog shot and that would help the hives disappear for what ever reaction she was having. I was a bit concerned because my daughter was only being 2 years old and there is steroids in this medication. Normally when we have ever got any type of injection from a doctors office they have always given you a side effects form for you to review and a form for you to sign an authorization to CYA. Unfortunately, due to me being so concerned with my daughter I didn’t realize it until I had to take my daughter an hour later after we got home the hives did not disappear they got even worst, so we rushed her Mercy of Folsom, CA and I gave my daughter benadryl only to settle the hives because she was so uncomfortable and itchy. Finally after waiting for about 2 ½ -3 hours in the emergency room the hives settled down for a short period of time. Finally we got in to see the doctor I explained everything and realized that the paperwork I had for my daughter didn’t have the side effects paperwork from Med 7 or the amount of the kenalog shot they administered to my daughter. The only thing the doctor could recommend was Zyrtec and to follow up with my daughters primary physician. So, we went to the store and purchased this over the counter medication for her allergies and it worked great for her. About a month after the kenalog injection in her upper left thigh I noticed she had these small white/purplish color marks on her leg and then it turned into a dime size indentation. Over the last 7 months that indentation has grown into the size of a quarter, maybe a bit bigger than that. We didn’t think anything of it until recently we called the advise nurse and she said to make an appointment with our primary physician to have him look at it. When we came into our appointment I explained the long story to him about the shot she received and why she received it, so he referred me to a dermatologist who really couldn’t give me any advise other than it was a lipoatrophy? He said he couldn’t recommend anything other than to watch it over time and if it gets bigger to go back to her primary physician. He stated that she could probably get surgery to have the muscle in her leg pulled together or add filler injections. He said I can’t really suggest anything if it is not effecting her general health. From what I see when I touch this area of my daughter softly she doesn’t even want it to be touched as if it is very sensitive? This is truly unacceptable and I plan on coming after the Med 7 clinic for not providing me any side effects paperwork before administering the shot and they have a rate us 1 - 10 website. I rated them a couple of days later and from what I heard from their Folsom, CA office is that they have the board of directors for these clinics and managers review what is sent on this rating website and someone would follow up with the client. Unfortunately, that was not the case because nobody ever called me back or was concerned. I will never go into a med 7 clinic for assistance again and I will continue my mission to make sure my daughter and others are aware of what could happen to them as well.

PS. To the writer slmgator Thank you!!! I will report my message to the FDA as well….

I have severe allergies and cronic sinusitis... like a lot of people on here I have taken all the allergy drugs they make for the past 9 years... Ive had tons of procedures done and sinus surgery last Feb '08. Nothing helps. Ive taken oral steriods many times but recently my new ENT decided to give me a Kenalog shot in Sept. Nothing was explained to me other than it was a steroid. The nurse put it in my left shoulder. I have had all the symptoms people are describing on here except the indent. I have been progressively getting sicker and feeling worse and worse over the past few months. I feel like I could go to bed and just stay there. Now this past Monday he gave me another Kenalog shot in my left shoulder. I heard something on a tv show that it causes depression so I jumped on this site and feel sick about all the messages I have read about people's terrible side effects. I feel like my doctor who I trusted let me down. I am so worried that my shoulder is going to have a big grey dent like everyone is describing on here. I am just so tired of being ill.

About every 2 years I'd get a kenalog shot to wipe out the eczema I had on my hands. I never had an adverse side effect that I can think of.
An alternate remedy is to use "DOMEBORO" solution. You can find it at any drug store. It comes in packets in a box. It is a powder that you mix with water and can either soak your hands in it or use a washcloth soaked in it and resting it on the affected area. It truly is a miracle - it immediately relieves the itch and aggravation of the pain. It costs about $14.99 for the box.

I had Kenalog shots many years ago, beginning in 1969 for the initial onset of terrible hay fever when I was a senior in high school. It was wonderful at the time because the shot cleared up all hay fever symptoms. I probably had the shot, in the hip, once a year for a couple more years. I did not notice any dimple or change in the skin or muscle at the injection site. I stopped getting the shot because I didn't have any medical insurance. Then around 1993, with medical insurance restored, I decided to have a Kenalog shot again when hay fever symptoms kicked in (August). The hay fever symptoms were relieved, but to my surprise, my leg and feet muscles were cramping terribly off and on all day for several weeks. My legs have been very sore to touch now for many years and I wonder if it is a result of the shot. My understanding is the Kenalog medicine is in an oil base and is stored in the fat tissues of the body or the liver for slow release over a period of a few weeks. As with everyone else who has listed here, any potential side effects or instructions to be on the look-out for side effects was not communicated or initiated by my physician.

I had a Kenalog shot about a month ago, due to having more phlegm than even the doctor could believe. My allergies are heinous. However, I felt no relief from the congestion or mucus from the shot. (He also put me on Nasacort, which I've noticed, in my week of use, has improved things slightly.)

Anyway, for about a month, I've been feeling exhausted. This remarkable fatigue has been plaguing me. I can't get out of bed, I fall asleep any time I sit still for too long. And I get plenty of sleep.

So here I am, on the internet, looking up causes, thinking I could have thyroid problems or cancer. Until my chiropractor mentioned that it might be the shot. So I researched it, and have seen that other people are having fatigue and sleeping problems, as well. Now I think I know the cause.

In conclusion, the shot rarely helps anyone and mostly only causes problems. I suggest moving to California for allergies.

I have the dent at the injection site too. I have been so worried it was skin cancer. I recently saw the same doctor and asked about it and she told me it was probably a scar from when I was little! I told her it showed up in August. She said not to worry and she would do a biopsy if it got bigger. She even had in her records I was there for the kenalog shot in summer. I had the shot in early July. Please inform me of any class action law suit. I am now wondering if this also was the cause to my lack of sleep and loss of 20 pounds over the summer. I was not informed of any negative side effects.
Thanks
******

I URGE YOU TO PLEASE SUBMIT ANY ADVERSE EVENTS OF THIS TERRIBLE KENALOG DRUG TO THE FDA--JUST CLICK THIS LINK AND COMPLETE THE FORM: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/. The FDA is responsible for assuring safety of medications. Therefore, it is imperative that the FDA recognize the adverse effects to provide any credibility to a class action suit. Please consider forwarding your case to the FDA to force them into action and begin addressing these atrocities.

Here's my case: I am also a victim of having the Kenalog injection administered over a year ago to alleviate poison ivy itching symptoms. Prior to having the injection, I was not informed of any side effects. Not only did the injection not alleviate the symptoms, but has resulted in a discolored and uncomfortable indentation in my left buttock area and psychological anguish because of disfigurement of my body. It is over a year later and the indent remains and continues to cause discomfort. The dermatologist who administered the injection stated that there was nothing I could do to reverse such effects. I reported my case to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) Med Watch and strongly urge others to report their adverse event to the FDA (see link above).

About 3 weeks ago I was given a Kenalog shot for head congestion. I felt good for aprrox 24 hours, then back to my ears and head being plugged up. I am not sure if these are effects from this shot or not, but I now feel like my skin is crawling, chills, loss of appetite, lack of focus ... I could go on and on. My face feels like I have been crying for hours, that puffy feeling, but at the same time my skin feels tight around my face and head with tingling. Does this make sense? It is better if I move around and try not to sit still for too long. But that really doesnt help me at work since I have a desk job. I am returning to the doctor tomorrow to ask what the heck is going on with me and what did they give me. I will keep you all posted. I am thankful that I found this site and all your postings. It makes me feel like I am not alone.

Wow, I am surprised to hear all the comments on Kenalog. Is it just me, or does it seem like it really effects females negatively? I am a 43 yr old male that has the worse year round allergies known to man. I have had sinus surgery, and been on every known allergy drug that is available. Went to an allergist and started the drop therapy under the tongue, which seemed to make my allergies worse, so after 9 months I quit the drops. I had tried everything, including air cleaners in every room of the house, no pets, and no carpet.
I went to an urgent care one day because I was 100% blocked and would have been happy if my nose was severed from my face at that point. My doctor asked if I wanted to try the Kenalog shot, and I replied give it to me , give it to me!
This was several years ago and I now receive the shot 3 times a year and have never been happier. The only thing that has ever helped my allergies! I don't have any dents in my rear, so maybe it effects females differently than males.

My hair is falling out too!! Since January I have had 2 kenalog shots for allergies and 2 shots for poison ivy. My side effects are hair loss, depression, headaches, bruise easily, swollen joints, weight gain, and a dent on my rear. These effects did not start until I had 2 shots, now it is so severe. I was so scared when my hair started falling out but knew that I didn't have Lupus or Diabetes which could cause the same side effects...I have been tested for both and do not have either.

Please let us know if there are anymore out there who have hair loss because of the Kenalog Shot.

Wow....sounds like Kenalog is not a drug to be administered without careful consideration of the pros out- weighing the cons. I had a Kenalog injection in my elbow at an urgent care center while on vacation about 8 mos ago (painful elbow was impacting vacation activities). It took my pain away 100%. Never gave it another thought even until just recently when it began hurting again. Did, however, notice the atrophy at injection site...and a grayish tone to skin. Indentation has not grown, but certainly has remained. My elbow is also super sensitive. Feels like the nerve is right there under a thin layer of skin.....so sensitive. I also have leg shakiness, hip weakness, anxiety, nausea, and increased heart rate....I assume these are related as I did not have these issues prior. These issues bother me way more that the indentation on my elbow. Dont like not feeling well. I guess the learning is that all medications are foreign to your body and thus have potential side effects. One needs to ask questions and or do own research on their own prior to consenting to take a mediation to be sure the benefits are worth it.

I too received a Kenalog shot for poison ivy in my buttocks. The nurse informed me it may cause a little indent for a few weeks since I am thin, but will go away. I never asked anymore questions b/c I was so desperate to get rid of the poison ivy and she made it seem like it was nothing.

Well it's been 9 months and I have a HUGE indent where the kenalog was injected! AND it's gotten bigger and deeper with time. Luckily it is under my bathing suit bottom and most of my panties. But it's sore to the touch and sensitive.

After reading posts on this, I sent a complaint to the FDA. Has anyone who did this heard back from them? If there is a class action suit, I am in. It's amazing all the blogs I've found on the Internet with people in our same situation. It's about time something was done!!!

I would have NEVER got the injection if I knew this was going to happen!

I have contacted an attorney in Delaware who is willing to pursue a possible class action suit. I explained my side effects from this drug and told him of the countless others that are suffering as well. He said if I was willing to do the "legwork" and gather up names of others who would like to join this suit, perhaps we could get a class action started. If anyone is interested please reply by contacting me at ***** Please be sure to type "Kenalog" as the subject and include your name, email address, and a description of your experience with Kenalog. I will than gather your responses and forward them to the attorney. He will than contact you individually, so please include a contact number. This will take some time. So please be patient, as you know these cases take time. I have spent 15 months trying to get some kind of help from various doctors, to no avail. Someone needs to step up and take responsibility.
Hope to hear from many of you. Thank You

This has happened to me as well. I too have a dent in my right glut that appeared along with a bruise a few weeks following the Kenalog shot for poison Ivy. If anyone knows how to move forward with a class action lawsuit, PLEASE let me know.

October 3, 2008...went to doctor and received a Kenalog shot..because 20 years ago I had started with spots on my arms and foot. Of course I have diabetes Type I (25 years today). Also I have been born deaf too. :)
So the first time I have taken a shot. The skin problems i have called is gluc (spelling?) anoroma (I can't spell) anyway. This year few of them came back on my feet. It seems so long time I haven't studied them and I asked my sister about them, She sent to me about website. To see internet about treatment called Kenalog...I feel want to try one. I hope not to see any side effect or more spots come back on my arms and feet.
if you know about this, please tell me about them.
Thanks.

Im also a victim of the Kenalog shot. I was having pain due to what fibromyalgia. I couldn't see my regular doctor because she is a great doctor and its very hard to get an appointment with her so I took an appointment with another doctor at the same office because I needed relief from the pain soon. This doctor said the steroid shot would kill the pain right away so after the visit with him the nurse gave me the shot. Ever since then I haven't been the same. My hormones are all out of whack, with 2 long periods a month , bad migraines, hot flashes. Not to mention the ugly deformity I have from the sight wear I got the shot on my butt. The dent started small and is now bigger. Im so upset. I had no plans of becoming a model or anything but this is my body and now I feel uncomfortable in the nude!!! Im outraged and hurt. If I knew that this would happen I would have never excepted this stupid shot that didn't even really help me!!!! I have self esteem issues like most women now I have to add this pointless deformity on top of everything!!!