Steroid injection symptoms and conditions

Wow, reading this is very scary. I also had a steroid injection about 4 months ago. It is in my lower back/upper buttocks. Now I have an indentation the size of a quarter and pain when I sit down for any period of time. I was searching for what it could be and found this site. My heart just sank. I called my doctor to see what he injected and sure enough, Kenalog. I am so upset about this and feel too uncomfortable to even wear a swimsuit or go to the beach anymore. I am very thin so this huge hole in my butt is very noticeable and people notice it all the time. It looks terrible, and from what I am reading it can get worse! I would love to be part of a class action suit against them, if anyone has any information please contact me with it.

Allergy, not side effect.
62 yr. old male. diagnosed with lung infection associated with smoking and was prescribed 5 x 500 mg Levaquin. I took one with water in the parking lot of the pharmacy. With-in 20 minutes I started getting burning, tingling feelings in my throat and mouth. I drove home , by that time I had huge hives on my back and buttocks. I went back to the doctor immediately.
Other than a rapid heartbeat, the only symptom seems to be the hives which were huge and covered my whole body.The Dr. stated that the episode occurred too soon after I took the pill to be an allergic reaction to the pill, however, I had not eaten or drank any thing that morning other than coffee. I also did not eat anything exotic the day before. I was given a steroid injection at the Dr. office and was prescribed a steroid med pak and an antihistamine. With-in 3 hrs. all the hives were gone. It is now 11 hrs later and I am ok except I am drowsy. If I do not recover well, I will post again to advise.

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 was put into the hospital in March '06 after using a carpet protectant that I purchased at the pet store. The chemicals in the product burned my lungs and I spent about 3 weeks in the hospital and was given prednisone for 10 -12 days. I remained in the hospital after my lung function increased because of the sever pain in my knees. My husband was going nuts trying to tell the doctors that he read on the internet that prednisone causes problems with knees and joints but they didn't believe him and kept running tests. They eventually switched the steroid to solumedrol and the pain decreased. I was sent home with less pain which eventually went away....but not for long. 7 months later, I began to have knee pain, which continued to get worse each day. The 1st Ortho told me that I tore a ligament and that the dead bone on the MRI will grow back. I didn't like that answer and eventually went back to an orthopedic surgeon I saw a few years prior for an injury I had while doing gymnastics. He took one look at my MRI and diagnosed me with AVN in my right knee. I got my 1st total knee replacement in August '07, a manipulation in October '07. While recovering, I noticed that my left knee was hurting and thought it was from using it so much and compensating for the right one......but I was wrong. I got an MRI on my left knee and once again, I have AVN. I got my 2nd knee replacement in January '08, a manipulation in February '08 and a 2nd manipulation in March '08. I'm now 29 years old, with asthma (from the carpet spray) 2 fake knees and have had the worst 3 years ever while going through all of this. I now have pain in my 1st replaced knee......under my knee and toward the inside. I go back to my surgeon tomorrow and am dreading another surgery.

If anyone has any questions, I'll try to help you as much as I can.

J.

Was previously on Micardis HCT; dr. switched to generic Lisinopril HCTZ 12.5 in 11/07 when I went on Medicare & was concerned about cost of Micardis. Since that time I've put on 10 lbs. and had increased pain/muscle fatigue and general lethargy. Unusual, as I've exercised 4-5 days per wk. (incl. aerobics/strength trng/flexibility.) for 20+ yrs. Also, frequently, have problems swallowing pills due to feeling of obstruction in esaphogus tube. In July '08 I awakened to slight numbness/tingling in lips and my lips then proceeded to the swell to the point of pain and my lips (in profile) protruded further than my nose. I received steroid injection and prescription for steroid pack. Diagnosis was possible allergic reaction to new cosmetic product. Today (9/3/08) I woke up with the same symptoms and again had to go to the dr.for a steroid injection & meds. Diagnosis this time (different dr.) was possible side effects of "blood pressure meds." Has anyone else experienced edema of the lips, wt. gain, and problems swallowing?

I found this article on treating the dimpling/cutaneous atrophy effects of Kenalog with saline injections. Very good cosmetic effect.

1: Dermatol Surg. 2005 Oct;31(10):1340-3.
Treatment of local, persistent cutaneous atrophy following corticosteroid injection with normal saline infiltration.
Shumaker PR, Rao J, Goldman MP.

Dermatology Department, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, CA, USA.

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 cm(3) 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.

Like so many of you, I Googled "tissue atrophy" and have had the very same experience that you have had with Kenalog. I received a shot in late February of 08, shortly after I noticed severe bruising, which eventually turned into the atrophy I now have. I have taken pictures of it for the past several months...and now, 6 months later it is much worse...deeper and darker in color. Is anyone else having discoloration? Mine is a dark purple-red.
I AM PURSUING a lawsuit against the nurse that injected me because I was absolutely not warned of the side-effects...and now have had to suffer with this hole in my side.

It bothers me...and no one would understand unless this had happened to them I suppose. In addition, I received a second opinion and was told the atrophy was permanent...can anyone else confirm this?

I've also noticed other severe menstrual and emotional side-effects...this stuff can stay in your system for a long time.

I found this site as I want to read on the side effect of this Kenalog which was injected to my face by the doctor to reduce the size of two liquid cists (apparently only one injections). After the injection, I had my period which is only 15 days after my last period, which never happened to me as my cycle is always longer than 30 days and is very regular. Per the doctor, I thought the "cist" would be gone in few days. It did not and instead, I experienced rashes on my entire body and after one week, my ankle and knee was swollen and it was rather painful and I can hardly walk around for two days. Together with the swollen on the leg, the injection on my face is also swollen up and my face looked really in bad shape. I went back to the doctor and I was given one week of antibiotics to drain away the "infection".
Since the cist is still on my face and it really bother me as it is red and very itchy, though my face is not that swollen / puffy anymore. I came back and see the doctor again to have him cheked up on my face. He just gave me one month of antibiotic. I have no idea that having that injection would cause me so much troubles.
It is now more than a month after the injection, my face has a hole as that was injected with kenalog and the other cis on the face is still there. The worse thing is that the cist is is getting very itchy and it was not so before the injection. I am still patiently taking the antibiotic and promised to comeback and see the doctor after one month.
I still having pain on my join and reading your comments, I realized the pain is definitely associated with Kenalog.
I'd love to hear more from you on how things turn out. Thank you.

I had the same steroid injection for tonsillitis this past January in both cheeks. I now too have noticed a large indentation in my right butt cheek. I was never informed of this possible side effect either. I would definitely be interested in pursuing a class action regarding the disfigurement of my previously favorite body-part. Had I been informed of such, I would have just had my tonsils removed!!

This is the fourth time that I've gotten a rash 3-4 weeks after a steroid injection. My dermatoligist doesn't think that's possible since they treat rashes with steroids. But four times is pretty good proof. Has anyone found anything that relieves the rash?

I have my first steroid injection as a 10 year old to try and put weight on my sickly skinny body.
In my 20's I had 5 lung collapses from toxic chemicals( I work in a oil refinery and laboratory) and Bullous Lung disease. Blisters of air and fluid on the outside of the lungs. Break a bleb and have a spontanious pnumothorax (lung collapse. I had a thorocotomy (opened the chest and spread the ribs) in 1976 when I was 29. They sewed up a hole in my lung and tacked the lung up by taking gauze and rubbing the lung and the pleura (membrane sack in which the lungs are protected) so they would grow together and my left lung could no longer collapse.

I massed scar tissue and it pressed the lung in half and blocked my pulmonary artery. Results: Primary Pulmonary Hypertention a cor pulmonae (right ventricle can't push enough blood through the mentioned artery.

Prednisone treatments began to control swelling and treat pericarditis (inflammation of the heart) I traded certain death with certain death later on)

I had injections but don't remember the dose. I took 20 to 100 mg daily for 5 years which was how long a Primary Pulmonary Hypertension patient survives.

On the short term Prednisone caused depression. I had bouts of pneumonia and pleurisy (severe) for the next seven years.

Prednisone clearly saved my life. However it impairs the immune system leading to the pneumonias.
I went from 6'1' and 135 lbs to 265lbs and had a classic moon face. Some 30 years later I am a trim 170 with no fat.

I developed osteoporosis (bone thinning) and broke numerous bones including two ribs (one in two places) which happened when my wife clutched my chest during a love making session.. I no longer have osteoporosis, it took seven years to wash the steroids out of my body. You can get better.

Long term effects also includes avascular necrosis (blood vessels dieing in all my joint caps which has led to one hip replacement ( I would rather not have another)
And I have abnormal hemoglobin (beta 2 immunoglobulin) which are precancerous cells leading to Multiple Myeloma which has no cure.

It was discovered in my 30's that you could take large doses of Prednisone every other day and prevent the adrenals from shutting down. I have forgotten doses and have gone into adrenal shock. It takes a very long tapering off of the odd day dose but improved my life greatly. I took Prednisone for 10 years.

It has all kinds of nasty side effect but frankly it saved my life. It is killing me now at sixty; yet, I have had a bonus of 33 years of life and have seen my kids go to college and have a grand daughter 10 years old.

I have been throughly poisoned with steroids as I have with chemicals.

Prednisone has saved my life but it is too dangerous to take without strict medical follow ups. (this is a little hard to find these days)
The topical steroids which you put on the skin, inhale or any non-systemic use are pretty safe.

I don't regret taking them but regret more the fact that I needed them in the first place.

Patrick

I was given 20 mg of Prednisone for 10 days for a rash and joint pain.
The pain went away and I felt great the rash got a little better. Two days ago I took my last pill. I woke up that night and my knees gave out. By morning I was great! Next night I woke with knee problem again had to slide down the stairs to the living room. I got to wondering if the knee thing could be associated with the Prednisone. I got on line and read all this terrible stuff. I am so Horrified! Today I am in pain like my body is bruised and my face is swollen a little. I have acid reflux as well. Non of this is typical for me. My knee thing is ok again, but I am just appalled! I have no MED insurance. I hope this isn't the beginning of worse things I am not taking that drug now. The Dr. didn't say I needed to taper...

I hope I have not damaged myself by taking this drug! My heart goes out to all of you! My question is - Why are the Dr.'s prescribing this terrible drug?

I am 27 years old, male, and have had type 1 diabetes since I was 8.

My doctor prescribed Zocor repeatedly in 2007(for high blood pressure) and I was reluctant to taking it because I have no respect for any of the miracle drug companies and feel that they are only looking to make money, not help anyone with their health problems. I finally started taking Zocor (generic) in Nov 2007, then started getting some strange side effects that my doctor never mentioned when I asked him.

My side effects were, but not limited to, muscle pain in the legs and back. I noticed sharp pains in my knee like arthritis and Charlie horses in the calf during time at sleep. I noticed these after about 1 week of taking the drug and lasted through till the end. I stopped taking the drug in Dec 2007 and been off it since. I have yet to talk to my doctor about it, but I talked to his nurse and she recognized the symptoms. I reached my conclusion long before speaking to her however.

Now 2 months have passed since I stopped taking the drug and the pains in my back and legs have disappeared. The arthritis type feeling in the knee has gone away. I have more flexibility and none of the pain that I felt while taking the drug. I am astounded that the clinical trial for this drug doesn't note the muscle pain; at least the notes from trials I found on the internet didn't note it as a side effect.

I began a new dose of Prednisone yesterday. I was diagnosed w/ RA about 3 years ago. I have been on Embrel (didn't work) and am now on Humira and Methotrexate. I have been having extreme difficulty the last month and finally returned to my doctor for relief. (I have been on Prednisone before and had only the headaches) I was prescribed a higher dose this time (60 mgs 2 x daily) and have been battling with a racing heart that beats so hard it hurts. I have now taken my second dose and cannot walk more than 10 feet without feeling like I am having a heart attack! While it is helping the RA pain in my joints, I am so scared to move and so uncomfortable when I do, I am not sure what is better. The disease or the cure? Has anyone else battled with the racing heart? Oh and I also have high blood pressure and the Prednisone is making it higher even with my meds!
My only other instance with this effect was from a steroid injection about a month ago. That episode placed me in the ER receiving medication to lower my heart rate.

I had the shot for my hayfever in June this year. I week later i started menstrual bleeding and haven't really stopped since. Combined with this i have felt weak, lethargic and depressed.

I saw a guyno and told her about the kenalog. she looked it up in the book and it didn't say that disruption of menstual cycles was a side effect. She then asked a reumatoid specialist who said it was abolsutely a very common side effect of Kenalog and that either heavy / irregular bleeding could occur or no bleeding at all. It is a very strong dose of steroids that they use for severe relief of pain. The bleeding should pass one the steroid injection wears off (3 months) and i have been given some medication to stop the bleeding until then (tranexamic Acid Tabs igm?)

I told the consultants about websites such as this and she said that she would write to the drug company as they would then have to include it as a side effect legally. I hope this is the case.

I can't believe i've been through all this - i would prefer to have my allergies frankly!

Hair loss, which didn't occur to me until I read the postings - my hair is everywhere in the house but on my head! Muscle pain, weakness, and atrophy, itchy skin and eyes, joint pain (from muscle weakness??) is excruciating - after months on physical therapy was pronounced a failure and referred to a pain specialist and another surgeon. Could not raise my arms w/o terrible pain, hurt to drive my car. Nausea, dark urine, alternate constipation and diarrhea, dizziness.

I don't know whether to be excited or terrified after finding this site and reading the postings. At first reading, the only symptom I have NOT had while on Lipitor is the numbness and tingling in legs and feet. I've been concerned I have some terrible, undiagnosed and terminal disease.

Have had surgery on one shoulder and am awaiting surgery on the other, plus a re-do of a scoped knee which is now unbearably painful. Also have had multiple steroid injections at different sites, and am scheduled for another next week - this time in my lower back. Was put on Paxil for pain, but have weaned myself off that. Was diagnosed with spinal stenosis and fibromyalgia. Wouldn't take the meds for the fibromyalgia because of the side effect mentioned in the literature - HAIR LOSS! I was already losing my hair! Finally found a surgeon who told me to GET OFF THE LIPITOR!

Problem is, I had also been on Bextra at least four years, I think, for long term mild lower back pain, and knee pain, so am wondering if arthritis could have set in and been masked by the Bextra, which I came off of at the same surgeon's insistence. One week later it was taken off the market.

Am now off all anti-inflammatory drugs while awaiting my latest steroid injection, and yes, I do fear the side effects of THAT! My pain is back to the "rocking and swaying" stage, and I'm awake in the middle of the night researching Lipitor! Does it ever stop??

my 66 year old diabetic husband took Atorvastatin-10mg for 4 weeks - 3 months later he cannot sleep at night for the pain in his shoulders and neck. he has been back to the doctors 3 times and now they have just done a blood test and given him a steroid injection. He cannot work nothing seems to ease the pain. some days he can't even walk a few steps. the stiffness in his joints is so great. Has anyone found a cure. Our doctor hasn't. she wants him to start taking it again !! NEVER.