Menstrual irregularities symptoms and conditions

Well, let's see, I am 37, I just had my third child a year ago. When I had my first child at 19, I entered the world of Rhumatoid Arthritis, I did not take anything for it, it just seemed to go away by itself. After the second child it flared up but not long enough or hard enough to remember. After the third child at 36, wow did it get bad, so bad i couldn't get her out of her crib. That was the day I started 10mg of pred a day,,it made all the symptoms of the RA almost disappear...almost...which was a miracle,,,but it made all the side effects of the med start,,,,weight gain BIG TIME, bad moods, maybe 2 hours of sleep @ night,,,hair loss which scares me the most, blurred vision, buffalo hump looks like I'm looking for something on the floor all the time,,a wonderful neck that looks like i swallowed a couple bananas whole,,hmmmm,,,,let's seeeeee,,what else, easy bruising thankfully I like the color purple, oh, and me and mr. potty have become well friends. At first, the doc thought it was hypothyroidism because I also had 2 periods a month, but a blood test told threw that theory out. I just want to say,,,,I like that my RA is better because of it,,,but I am as of yesterday taking myself off of good ol prednisone, and sticking to a high dose of IB or Tylenol. It's just not worth it.

irregular period; flushed red face (first few days after injection); acne; bladder infection; indigestion (gas, burping)

I received an injection of 80 mcg of Kenalog in my hip joint to treat pain due to hip impingement. As is the case for most of the other women on this site, I received NO warning from my orthopedist of any these side effects. She said there were virtually no side effects for a single dose, only for repeated use. The only specific reaction she mentioned was the potential for infection at the injection site, which didn't occur. She gave me no information about which medication or dosage I'd received, let alone a handout with side effects.

A week after my injection, I got my period -- 2.5 weeks early. I was unable to speak with my orthopedist's office for the next 1.5 weeks because they were closed for the Christmas - New Year's holiday. I did manage to reach my gynecologist, whose office was also closed for the holidays, but she said she didn't think my early period was due to the steroid. Since I still didn't know which steroid I'd received, I couldn't do any internet research. I was worried because I have a uterine fibroid, which could potentially be causing the irregular bleeding. Also, I know there are other scary causes for irregular bleeding.

The period lasted 8 days, which is longer than usual for me. Almost immediately after it stopped, I started feeling PMS symptoms, like I could get my period again any day.

I ended up cutting my vacation short so I could see my gynecologist. When I finally got in touch with my orthopedist's office, they told me that I'd received Kenalog, which can cause menstrual irregularities. WHY DIDN'T THEY TELL ME THAT TO BEGIN WITH??? It would have saved me 2 weeks of needless worry.

Now that I've informed my gynecologist, she says it may take a few months for my menstrual cycle to get regular.

It was with absolute Shock that I read all these comments on Kenalog. I've had 5 shots (one per month) for post-surgical reasons - over the past 5 months and I am utterly dumbfounded that my MD did not ONCE EVER mention that bleeding/menstrual irregularities were a possibility. And, I assure you, I asked SEVERAL times what, if any, were the side effects, and without any equivocation, I was assured that this was SAFE. Well, since then, I've had my period about twice per month. What I want to do now is to purge any remnants of it from my body. I'd be interested if anyone has any information on that. Thanks and best of luck to all. At a minimum, this looks like a class action lawsuit in the making - its just that it won't repair the damage to all.

I had a kenalog injection in my shoulder at the end of October during my period, my next period was 4 days late and appeared to be normal, 18 days later I started bleeding again which went on for 13 days, I had 5 days off and am now bleeding yet again. I have an added complication of being on warfarin for life for recurrent PEs so Drs are unable to give me anything to stop the bleeding. I was referred for a pelvic scan and am now waiting to see a gynaecologist. No medics seem willing to admit kenalog may be the cause. As my blood has to be kept thinner & I bleed easily, I am very concerned at the amount of blood I am losing. When I had the initial jab the consultant did warn me I may have menstrual irregularities which I interpreted to be a few days early or late, certainly not non-stop bleeding.
I couldn't believe what I was reading when I found this site, so many of us are suffering, why weren't we warned of the side effects. I certainly wouldn't have had the first injection if I had known and I will not have any further ones.

I received a kenalog injection by fluoroscopy for lower back pain at L5/S1 disc. After the injection my period was a week and a half late, once it started it hasn't stopped I have been bleeding heavily for 20 days now. I have always had normal cycles every 25 days and lasting 4 to 5 days. This is not normal for me, even after the birth of my 3 children my cycles returned to normal and I bled lighter and for less time than what I am now. I called and spoke to the nurse at the pain management clinic where I received the injection and she told me that she had never heard of that happening. She then went on to say possibly every 1 in 100 can have that side effect. My gynecologists nurse also said she had never heard of this. I started researching kenalog on line and every
article I found about this list menstrual irregularities. I had the pharmacist at my pharmacy print me the patient insert for kenalog 40 and it to lists menstrual irregularities. If I can find this information our so easily and the pharmacists are aware of the side effects then why aren't the doctors informing their patients. My gynecologist put me on 200mg. of prometrium which is a progesterone to try to stop the bleeding. Thirty pills total which I had to double up on the first week but they did not work so he told me to stop taking them. I am scheduled to see him tomorrow to possible try a
premarin injection which is estrogen to see if this stops the bleeding. I called and spoke with Bristol Myers concerning my side effects, and the nurse I spoke with told me kenalog
suppresses your adrenal system which controls cortisol and hormone production and it can take several months to get out of your system. I can not go on bleeding like this for several months it's already been 3 weeks with no end in sight. My only other option right now is a d and c. I am afraid to put any more shots or hormones in my body as it is messed up enough already. I have also been extremely week and tired, very dizzy, irritable, mood swings. no energy, sweats at night, shaky, and heart palpitations. I never had any of this before the injection. My only problem was back pain from an auto accident otherwise I've always been healthy. I know kenalog caused. I wish I would have been informed of the side effects first. It helped my back pain but it is not worth it for all the other problems that it caused. I told bristol myers when I spoke with them that they need to make sure that the medical professionals using their drug are aware of their side effects and that they inform their patients especially females, and she made a notation to follow through with my request. No one should have to go through this. I am so glad I found this website as I do not feel so alone now. I will write again and let you know how I made out at the gynecologists office. Sue

I have experienced severe pain at injection site along with awful nausea and vomiting the first few weeks following the injections; unsightly rash/acne over neck, chest and shoulders that is taking over a month to clear; irregular and quite heavy menstruation...even midcycle... equaling three periods in 6 weeks. Palpitations sent me to my primary care md. These side effects have been an insult to injury and embarrassing. The rash has left scars and the constant bleeding has left me exhausted and a little scared. I use an SPF on my face...maybe why it was spared from the breakout. I told my orthopod about the breakout and he and his assistant laughed at me pretty much and said they never ever heard that before. I have been in to see my OBGYN, last week, and will speak to her soon about the likely correllation between Kenalog and my heavy/irregular and never ending periods. I did not make the OBGYN connection until after I read some testimonials. I was going to have some pretty uncomfortable obgyn tests done and they would have been in vain. It sounds like the pharm reps selling Kenalog...or a generic brand...have not been educating their docs on these awful and life changing side effects. I feel that the physicians choosing to use a specific corticosteroid should informl every patient what it is exactly they are injecting into them. Each woman shoud be told of the potential menstrual irregularities and major inconvenience. My husband and I have been trying to conceive and now it seems impossible.

Epidural Cervical Injection in January. Immediately: Migraine headache, extreme excess salivation for many hours, BP 150/100, trouble breathing. Dr. told me I was having "stress" from the procedure. Bulls_ _ _! and lies. Menstrual irregularities for 4 months. Had to have uterine ultrasound and endometrial biopsy to rule out more severe conditions unrelated to Kenalog. PLEASE - EVERYBODY READ THE BURTON REPORT which relates to informed consent. I had nothing that even looked like INFORMED consent. I was told no side effects. Be careful for the fluoroscope patients: WHAT TYPE OF DYE WILL BE USED??? VERY IMPORTANT. MANY SIDE EFFECTS TO THAT AS WELL. I have more frequent migraines, food sensitivities, caffeine intolerance, etc., etc. These doctors suck. Funny thing: another "pain" doctor wants to shoot me full of Botox for the muscle spasms. Yeah, right. Let him shoot himself full of (himself) whatever! BE CAREFUL. THIS IS A SERIOUS DRUG AND THEY DON'T TELL US THAT!

I've never skipped a period in my entire life. In fact, I've only been late by a day or two once about 10 years ago. I started taking doxycycline for acne about two weeks before I should have gotten my period. One of the common side effects I wasn't told about? "Menstrual irregularities" and "irregular uterine bleeding." It stopped my period entirely, caused lower abdominal cramps and water weight gain. I have been seriously uncomfortable for over a week now and am waiting for my body to balance back out after taking this drug. As a sidenote: This antibiotic also causes birth defects, vaginal itching, yeast infections, seizures, hormonal fluctuation and depression.

I had three shots over Feb-July of 2005 to clear up severe eczema before my wedding. For whatever reason, my eczema stopped responding to the usual homeopathic remedy I take for it and I had to clear it up quick! Kenalog worked well but definitely having "menstrual irregularities." I've had periods that last two weeks or longer; lately they run 9 days with another "period" shortly after (bright red color). My last shot was July and I've returned to homeopathy but four months later I'm still having "irregularities." Today, during my "side effect" period, I've soaked through a regular tampon every 1.5 hours! How long before this works out of my system!? Arrghhh!

I was told by my dermatologist that a side effect with Kenalog would be menstrual irregularities, but that it usually meant you skipped a period. Instead, I am having a period almost constantly. In addition, I am having twitching right below my right eye as well. I did not see that as a side effect until this website.

Hi Just wanted to let you know that the patient information sheet from the Drug maker of Kenalog, has every one of our symptoms listed. I have had 3 steroid epidural shots, and my menstrual cycle is so off. I have had my period for 40 days straight now.
The doctors obviously have not read the statements made from the Drug manufacturer, or this site would not be here. It clearly states in bold: MENSTRUAL IRREGULARITIES-- all female patients should be notified.
I also have had severe joint pain, high blood pressure( I was always very low b4 shot), severe panic attacks and mood swings. Our Dr.s are doing us a grave disservice. My Dr actually suggested that I may have Lyme Disease! Which I do not, I had the test just in case!
But ask your Dr.s for the Patient information sheet from the manufacturer of Kenalog, Bristol Meyer Squibb. And know that you are not alone!