Kenalog side effects

I too have been injected previously with Kenalog shots for allergies. I never had the site indentation that most of you are commenting on. But I can tell you that the menstrual cycles did change considerably. Kenalog is a steroid, and like oral prednisone it is hormonal. It is just like taking birth control pills, you have the irregular or heavy periods, the excessive hunger, hair growth where you don't want it and weight gain. And as far as my allergies are concerned it never worked. I have excessive sinus disease that has been aggravated by living in a dry windy desert climate. After my second sinus surgery in 2 months the holes in my sinus cavity are starting to close up again. So yesterday my doctor tried a new therapy of injecting kenalog right into my sinus cavity. However it was not injected directly. A small piece of spongy foam was placed into my sinus cavity and the medicine was injected into the foam so my nose would absorb it naturally without the tissue being directly injected. I don't know if it will work or not. I have experienced some unpleasant side effects already, higher blood pressure and increased heart rate. Although the heart rate did come down after a few hours. Any kind of steroid causes this problem. I was hospitalized in January with a severe asthma attack and was given steroids thru a I.V. It was the only drug that opened up my lungs, however by the second day my heart temporarily went into v-tach because I was getting too much too often. As soon as it decreased I was fine. So dosage is a major concern. I can tell you from experience that Kenalog last realistically for about a month even though docs tell you it's good for 3. I would not have multiple injections for any reason. But when you are in pain and hurting and you have inflammation in your body, unfortunately steroids of some kind will always be the drug of choice. I have recently started acupuncture and will see if that helps my sinus problems. I have taken up yoga too to help my breathing. I highly recommend these alternatives to drug therapy. I have been on every kind of asthma and allergy drug out there and I do not trust any of them anymore. But ask the doctor lots of questions and refuse the meds if you are not comfortable. if your doctor is herding you in and out of his office or not willing to explain the meds completely then refuse it and go to someone else.

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.

I made an appt. with my gyno. about six weeks ago because my period was going on for two weeks at a time. Around that time my husband noticed a dent in my butt cheek, and since then it has gotten worse. I was looking up indentation on the butt and came across this information. I JUST called my Dr. and asked them when I was in there for poison ivy what they gave me for a shot, you guessed it KENALOG 80MG. This was five months ago. The indentation is getting worse. Will it ever stop, and what kind of Dr. do I go see about this? Will my periods ever regulate?

My sister had this exact thing happen to her and the nurse who posted the saline shots is totally right. It took three doctors to find the one that knew that injecting the site with saline to clean off the crystals that eat at the flesh is the solution. Apparently most doctors have no idea what this is. It takes about 8 sessions, and once the crystals are wiped from the skin, then the body will begin to fill in the dent. No one ever mentioned this as a side effect and apparently happens when you tense up and the shot is improperly administered

I posted my experience with Kenalog in my chin area and my bad atrophy results. Has anyone tried the saline infiltration treatment? If so, did they have good results?

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!!!

I was injected with Kenalog in Mid July 2008 to reduce the swelling in my tonsils (I had a bad case of tonsillitis). I was asked if I have allergic reactions to steroid injections, and to my knowledge, I don't. So I was given a shot in my upper right buttock on Thursday (mid July). On the following Friday I was no better (still mid July). I was still not able to swallow my own spit, let alone eat or drink, so I went back Friday morning. I got another shot in the same location of Kelanog. I was not told of side effects; I was told the swelling would go down in my tonsils/throat. Again, no results.

That Friday afternoon I was admitted into the hospital for care. A weekend of fluids and other drugs got the infection out. I stayed infection free for two weeks. It hurt for a week afterwards on my right buttock, but no bruising. I healed up, had my tonsillectomy (sp), and healed fine after that.

I noticed nothing wrong with my upper right buttock until about two weeks ago. I am in the process of getting a large rib/hip tattoo piece finished, and about two weeks ago I noticed a spot that looked like a small bruise a few inches from my tattoo in the spot where I was administered the Kenalog shots. I didn't put it together then. Two weeks later (This past Thursday, September 25, 2008), my tattoo artist was about to work on me and said, "You have a dent in your butt, what happened?" I had no idea it was even a dent. The "bruise" like mark now looked like a burn scar, red, and smooth and deep--dented.

The red mark is still dented and the same color. It's about the size of an inch from one side to the other. However, each day since it has been dented, the dented area has expanded fairly rapidly. The dent is now not only in that red area (the injection site), but also along my hip/upper thigh. It's getting deeper and traveling outside the red area, and the red area is the same color. This discoloration just started. I heard this is called Tissue Atrophy due to a misadministered Kenalog injection.

Does this dent go away or stop "spreading" by itself? How will I know if it will stop spreading; is it different for everyone? How can it be properly diagnosed as well? Can a biopsy be done to prove that this it what it is? Does anyone have any insight?

Also, it's been 2 1/2 months before I saw any of these effects...why does it seem like my effects came later than others? Is that possible?

Thanks.

I had one injection of Kenalog to treat anal itching. Doctor did not know how to treat it and used Kenalog as her last resort. It did not make any difference. Eventually another doctor diagnosed me with Herpes Cold Sore and treated me with Valtrex.
However, Kenalog messed up my menstrual cycle so badly and I haven't had ovulation for the last three months. What's upsetting is that my doctor knew that I was trying to get pregnant and did not inform me of such side effects. When I called the doctor later and told her what happened, she sounded very surprised and said that she had never heard of such a thing.
Doctors need to be better informed about side effects before recommending any medicine to their patients. And the lesson learned for me is to not trust doctors any more, always do research beforehand. Oh well, hopefully the ovulation will come back soon, it has been way too hard emotionally to deal with the overall situation.
Hope it's helpful.

I just received a kenalog injection a week ago when I went to the doctor for sinus problems. My regular doctor was not in,so I saw a different doctor who is an allergy specialist.He spent a whole 60 seconds with me and stated that I needed an injection of kenalog.I didn't question him,as I knew that kenalog was a steroid and I had taken oral steroids before with few side effects. The injection itself was not painful,but the next day,I felt terrible and have ever since.I ache,I feel very nervous and have been crying for no reason. My blood pressure is up.I have weakness in my muscles and heart palpitations,and a constantly upset stomach.I also have had a flare -up of irritable bowel syndrome and yet even with the stomach and intestinal pain,I cannot stop eating.I am also constantly thirsty and have excessive urination.I have a pins and needles sensation in my hands and feet and I have blurry vision and confusion and forget things easily.I have trouble typing,as I have to spell-check everything.I am going crazy wondering how long these side effects will last.I am the primary caretaker of my mother,and I now cannot take care of myself.Why do they not tell a person of the possible side effects? I would never have let that nurse give me the shot had I known that it could cause such horrid side effects. And my sinuses are no better.I have an infection and now need antibiotics,which is what I told the doctor in the first place.I don't know what to do,I feel like I am going to die.

WOW. I am so glad I came across this shot. I received two injections of kenalog to prevent a keloid from returning after having it removed. I had menstrual spotting for two weeks followed by no period at all for months. My face began to break out. I went to the gyn to see whats up and when I told him about the injections he immediately told me to stop them. I wish the doctor that gave them to me told me the side effects. I would rather have a keloid than become a man!!!

Kenalog needs to be sued! I had the flu back in November of 07' and my internist had her nurse give me a shot of Kenalog. Come to find out through my own research (not anything my doctor warned me about) that kenalog causes all kinds of hormonal irregularities. On top of that horrible feeling, I have a HUGE dent on my left butt cheek. It started out small and is now huge with lighter colored skin tissue deep (1.5 ") in the middle of it. I feel very embarrassed being nude, and very paranoid about clothing. I know it is very visible in a bikini and under A-line fitting clothing. I went to my doctor and asked her about it and she said "it is normal, and that was one of the side effects." BUT the nurse who injected the shot did not say a word about any side effects when she saw the dent nor did she admit to any error of the injection. The Dr. said I will now have this crater/dent for the rest of my life. It all smells fishy to me. My doctor didn't mention one single word about a possible side effect. I would NEVER have had the injection. We trust our doctors to tell us side effects that may cause us emotional stress, and possible disfigurement for the rest of our lives. Has anyone had any luck with getting a lawyer involved. I want compensation. I want to try the saline injections and don't want to pay for the treatment. AND I want to STOP this from happening to other women. This is not a vain issue. It is an outright disfigurement/deformaty.

my 11 y/o daughter has a chronic headache condition (NDPH), a non-stop headache since Oct.29,07. She had a supraorbital nerve block, occipital nerve block using Kenalog. Her first injection was only the occipital nerve block, then 2 weeks later, repeated the occipital nerve block and added the supraorbital (above eyebrow) nerve block. This was July 2nd. On July 10th, she started her first period...it lasted 19 days! Then, she had a week off, a week on, a week off, a week on, a week off........now, it's been 2 weeks since her last one. NOW.....I am seeing that the period was probably brought on by Kenalog and that the irregularity was too!
The other thing: She developed INDENTIONS across her forehead, they showed up on Aug.6th. One if very significant, the other 3 are smaller. There is some discoloration (greyish) and there is scarring at the injection site. We took her to the pain mgmt. doctor who did the procedure and she had researched it, after our call, and told us SALINE INJECTIONS would help to plump the indentions back up. She sent us to a Cosmetic Dermatologist b/c she'd not seen this or treated this before and he had. We saw him and he is waiting to talk to our pedi-neurologist to find out if she is a candidate for Saline Injections without effecting the nerves that are already messed up from the NDPH.
I am very upset about the side effects....we were NOT informed this could happen!!!!! The indentions are VERY TENDER! They are already at the site where her headache/nerve pain was severe..now you can't even touch across it! Hopefully her periods will regulate and stabilize! What a way to start your first one!!! UGGGHHH!!!! No one told us that could happen either! We had a doc fixing to put her on hormone therapy (BCP's) to regulate her! We are now waiting to see if it stabilizes.
My daughter has a great attitude about it, she has bangs and just said, "I'll just keep my bangs long enough to cover it up!!!"

I would NOT have taken the chance on this and do NOT recommend anyone with a child to take the chance with it! It wasn't worth what we ended up with!!!!

My daughter has Aloepecia Areata. Has anyone taken Kenalog to grow hair back. My doctors saying this may work and did mention about the dimpling effect. Not in the detail I read here, though. He made it sound like it would just be a dimple. I did not get the shot in his office, wanted to research some more. By the way, she is only a 11 yrs old. Not sure whether to try this stuff after reading all this.

I am a 33 year old mother of 2 and i just been diagnosed with disk protrusion from L5-S1. as i worked for an ortho froup my doctor advised me to get an Epidural injecting which has relieved a lot of my pain especially in my legs and feet. unfortunately 2 days after receiving the injection i have started a menstrual that has now lasted 14 days ( i just finished my cycle a week prior from getting the injection). im also experiencing anxiety attacks whereas i cannot sleep at night. My husband and i are considering having another child and this whole situation is very frustrating. Im going to physical therapy 2-3 time a week for 3 weeks and i hope it will be of some help. My surgeon doesn't feel i should have back surgery he states im to young...help!!!!!

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.

I thought I had Lupus because I had complete body aches for weeks. My bicep muscle in my right arm would feel like it was locked. I would wake up every morning feeling like I was in a car accident the day before. Once the body aches went away, I got blurred vision, burning in my eyes, headaches, fatigue, depression, problems concentrating... I just got this shot in June. I hope it metabolizes quickly and leaves my system w/o further side effects. I hope the indentation at the injection site fades away in time but I think it's permanent because the tissue has dissolved and the fat cells were destroyed. I wouldn't feel so bad if the indent wasn't in my face!

I got a couple of kenalog shots in 2004 and 2005 following a surgery that left scar tissue on the bridge of my nose. I never had any bad side effects. I wanted to follow up and get more but the cosmetic surgeon that previously gave me those shots what not accepting my insurance any longer so I went to another plastic/cosmetic surgeon. He told me that I would need a revision and a Kenalog shot would not be beneficial. I pointed out another area on my face that I was concerned with and he agreed to inject the kenalog into a scar on my eyebrow which caused an indentation on my forehead! He won't admit this is a side effect from the kenalog shot. He even tried to convince me it was a frown line, but I know better. I have it all the time even when I'm not making expressions and it's only on the side of the injection.

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 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. 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. I urge others to report their adverse event to the FDA--just click on 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. Such documented cases and recognition by the FDA will provide leverage for attorneys in pursuit of a class action suit.

I can't attribute this directly to my cortisone shot - however, I've noticed that the past few months I have been losing my hair. I can pull it out virtually by the handfuls anymore! I am only 24 - this doesn't seem normal and the only change I could point to is the shot. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD HAIR LOSS THEY CAN TIE TO A CORTISONE SHOT?

I also noticed a change in my period. Nothing as extreme as I'm reading here - but I'm so glad to have read this - puts my mind more at ease to know have a cause for that.

I have tried other remedies - but the cortisone shot has been the only thing to actually work. Any other ideas?

I HATE Kenalog! I had the flu back in March of 08' and my doctor gave me a shot of Kenalog. Soon after I had a horrible period that was totally out of the blue which made my husband I think that I may have miscarried. Come to find out through my own research (not anything my doctor warned me about) that kenalog causes irregular periods, but for months I went through the pain of thinking my body had miscarried. On top of that horrible feeling, I have a HUGE dent on my left butt cheek. It started out small and is now huge with a blue bruise in the middle of it. I feel very embarrassed being nude, and very paranoid about clothing. I feel like everyone can see it. I went to my doctor and asked him about it and he said "it is normal, and will go away with time." BUT the nurse who injected the shot in the first place, came in after he left and asked to see the dent and then apologized with a look on her face that made me realize I will probably be sportin' this dent for the rest of my life. It all smells fishy to me. My doctor didn't mention one single word about a possible side effect. I would NEVER have had the injection. We trust our doctors to tell us side effects that may cause us emotional stress, and possible disfigurement for the rest of our lives. Has anyone had any luck with getting a lawyer involved. I want compensation. I want to try the saline injections and don't want to pay for the treatment. AND I want to STOP this from happening to other women. I know it might be vain and I know my husband loves me for who I am, but I am a woman and don't want the freakin' Grand Canyon on my butt cheek!!!!

I have had my kenalog shot last April '08 for allergy relief. After a few months, I have noticed an indention and discoloration where the needle was injected; it is an ugly sight. After reading this article, I could assume that my menstrual irregularity, my period would come twice a month, was also another side affect of Kenalog.
Just like a lot of you, I would be interested in a class action against Kenalog, pls contact me.

Just a quick addition to my post - my injections were simultaneous; and they were VERY shallow. When they didn't work I was told that more would be dangerous (he refused to say why). I was also not told anything about side effects. In fact, I had to have an argument with the surgery to find out the name of the drug that the doctor used.

I was given a 2 Kenalog shots in my lower back to treat a pain in my sacroiliac joint, which refers to the front of my leg/groin area. My doctor barely examined me, I was sent for no scans or other diagnostics. He said that the shots should bring down the swelling. They didn't work at all and yesterday, a couple of months later I felt a significant indentation on my back - precisely at the injection site (just where my lower back meets the top of my buttock). I have also suffered seven weeks with no period, coupled with nausea (thanks for the pregnancy scare!) then very heavy periods. I am a migraine sufferer and my migraines have increased in intensity. I also have constant, painful eczema, where before it was sporadic and light.

I am not sure how many side effects can be attributed to the injection - but the indentation at least is a definite. I live in the UK - I wondered if there are any other Brits here who have had the injection, or anyone generally who had it in the same place as me - I'm worried about what happens from hereon in. Can it affect my mobility? The original problem (still undiagnosed, but after a year of begging I am being sent to a hospital next week - to a Rheumatologist - is that even the correct field of expertise?) causes me huge amounts of pain anyway.

I also have a great number of the conditions the doctor is supposed to make sure that you don't have - why did he just "do it anyway?" In the UK it is difficult to bring any kind of action against a doctor >:-(

I'm relieved to find this board - best wishes to you all :-)

I am a retired Psychologist and former nurse. In April 2008 I went for a post -op check-up following ankle reconstruction surgery in July 2007 ( nine months after the surgery). I was still having a little pain and a lot of swelling in my ankle. The Orthopedic MD gave me a 1 c.c Injection of Kelalog and 3 C.C. of Lidocaine. He knew I am diabetic and didn't take this into consideration.He didn't tell me what he was injecting just got the shot and put it into my ankle with no information or explanation, telling me about risk factors or getting my consent .Three days later my lower legs became very heavy, weak and numb. The next day these feelings moved 12 more inches up my legs, and continued to move up my both legs anf then up body until it got to the middle of my chest and I was having a hard time breathing. I went to the local University hospital and was admitted to the neurology unit. After three days they couldn't figure out what the problem was and discharged me falsifying the discharge diagnosis saying that I was getting better. The neurology residents and their attending MD's emphatically refused to even consider that the injection of Kenalog was the problem.And so it was with another three neurologists I was referred to see. From then until now six months later my life has been hell. My diabetes has been out-of -control ( I had it under good control before the shot). My electrolytes are crazy, calcium high, potassium low, I have had three MRI's, 2 CKat scans, 2 EMG tests, nuclear scans of my para thyroid glands, at least 100 lab tests, dimpling in both my ankles and lower legs, and the heaviness, weakness and numbness coming and going in my legs so bad that I can hardly walk at times. I contacted Bristol-Myers to ask if there is any treatment. Their response was to get records form my doctor--I thought to help me--- but a phone call to their office made me realize it was to cover their own ass's and they don't give a S--- about me or how this drug had messed up my life.I had to cancel two consulting jobs to do Professional presentations costing me over $5000.00. I am 75 years old and now six months later all I can do is wait until this crap gets out of my system and hope I can get my diabetes back under control. I have been put on at least 6 more medications to control my symptoms including insulin shots. What a nightmare!

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.

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.

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 agree with "future doc" about asking questions before agreeing to a procedure. I did some general research before even going to the pain mgmt doctor and then I questioned him - he told me the procedure was "very safe" and re: side effects he only mentioned bloating and some possible hair growth on the face - both of which we joked about being the last thing a woman needs. I am also someone who used to work for a surgeon and at a well known medical facility in NJ - so, while I'm not a medical professional, I'm also not a rookie about things medical. As with everything, these procedures don't work for everyone 100% of the time - BUT, I maintain that your healthcare provider should apprise you of all risks.

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 had the Kenalog shot 3 weeks ago - lumbar region for bulging L5 disk pressing on nerve causing burning pain in my right leg from knee to ankle. 1st shot was DepMedrol - left me worse off than when I started. Next the Kenalog: the fist week afterwards I lost strength in my leg and couldn't walk up the stairs, plus pain worsened and I lived on Percoset. Then into the 2nd week the pain lessened and last week I felt great. Today am feeling some pain again and I've been bleeding since Saturday (I'm post-menopausal). Called my GYN and will need an endometrial biopsy just to make sure it's not something else. Was never told about potential side effects - was told this was a "safe" drug and a safe procedure. I am due for a another shot 9/8 - will cancel it after reading all the posts. I'll probably need surgery - but rather that then some of the horrible side effects I'm reading about. Good luck to all of you.

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've had one Kenalog shot per year, during hay fever season, for at least 20 years. It's the only thing thing that has allowed me to function during hay fever season.

I've had three instances of the "butt divots" mentioned by others here. I learned at some point that it was because the nurse hadn't injected the cortisone deeply enough. The divots each lasted 1-2 years, but finally filled back in.

I also had one instance of feeling terribly jittery, my heart racing. That happened when the dosage was too high.

I went back to every doctor who had ever given me a kenalog shot and asked what dosage was given to me. Anytime I get a shot now, I remind each doctor or nurse exactly how much kenalog I should get, and how deeply it should be injected.

I hate taking any cortisone, but I haven't figured out how to live a functional life from mid-August to mid-October without it.

I had a shot of Kenalog into my knee for a torn meniscus. About 2-3 hours after the shot, I started feeling very jittery and nauseous. Had to have someone drive me home from work. Called the doctor who administered the shot and he said it had nothing to do with the injection. Within 1 hour I barely had any strength to lift my arms. Called my primary doctor and she said to come right over. She said my heart murmur which is usually very soft and can barely be heard, was quite prominent now so she did an ekg, took blood and urine. The next day she called and said my sugar level was high. I had fasting blood tests taken 2 months earlier and never had a problem with my sugar level. Four days after the injection, I got my period so heavy (I'm 53 years old and before the injection my period was almost stopping). I have never in my life had a period this heavy. Neither doctor will admit that it had anything to do with Kenalog, but I'm certain it did. If this shot gave me diabetes, I will never forgive myself for getting it done... But, funny thing, the shot actually helped my knee and I can walk without pain. I'd rather have pain in my knee than diabetes and heavy periods.

I can't believe what I am reading! I have been a competitive runner for over 25 years, and in the past two years I started running mainly trail ultras - races up to 70 miles. This March my husband noticed a huge dent in my left glute muscle that over the course of four races got worse and led to a secondary dent in my hip area. I just assumed I had injured my muscle somehow, but no amount of rest, PT, or stretching has helped.(it's been 6 months now) I developed hip bursitis, medium to severe pain in all my joints, including both knees, my left ankle, and extreme spinal stiffness.

None of the experienced PTs I've been to have seen anything like my dent, and they are baffled by my worsening condition. I'm so scared I'll have to give up running altogether, as my joints are failing me. My PT has advised me to go to my regular doctor to get bloodwork, X-rays, an MRI & all tests done to see if something is wrong with me that is beyond muscle-skeletal. Before all of this, I had low back issues but no joint issues at all.

I found this web site by chance, and suddenly I remembered that several months before noticing the dent, I received 2 steroid injections in my butt, as well as pills & cream for a super severe case of poison oak that covered my whole body and face. Do you think my doctor will tell me if it was Kenalog if I ask?

I, too, am very very interested in any other stories of severe joint pain and inability to run especially after receiving these shots. I hope we can help each other figure this out & get answers.

I received a shot of what I thought was my regular prednisone steriod in November 07. Obviously, that wasn't the case. I must have received this Kenalog shot because now I have a golf ball size dent in my upper buttocks. It is not going away and I think it could be getting worse more than 9 months later. I would be interested in a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer of this product and/or my allergist. Please contact me with possible ways to make this look less obvious. ******

Thanks
Tori C.

I regularly got steriod injections for my allergies. This last time I went to my allergist to get my "regular" injection, I noticed that it stung pretty bad going in. I didn't think anything of it and left. About 3 months later I noticed a small indention under my skin at the injection site. Now, 9 months after my last injection I have a huge golf ball size dent in my upper buttocks. It is not going away or getting any better. I would be interested in a class action lawsuit against the company and any advice to possibly take action against my allergist. You can reach me at ******

Thanks for reading

not sure if my symptoms are from my kenalog 10 injection but right after my injection I lost 15 pounds in about a month and all my muscle mass in my legs, arms, and butt. I then got tingling in my hands and feet which have advanced to my arms and legs as well! My face burns as well. I am now on Neurontin hoping this will get under control. Does anyone know how long this will last???

not sure if my symptoms are from my kenalog 10 injection but right after my injection I lost 15 pounds in about a month and all my muscle mass in my legs, arms, and butt. I then got tingling in my hands and feet which have advanced to my arms and legs as well! My face burns as well. I am not on Neurontin hoping this will get under control. Does anyone know how long this will last???

I am so thankful I can end my search for what has been wrong with me. I have an indention in my right butt and now my hip and lower back are hurting and aching all the time! I have asked my ob and primary care doctor and everyone has been at a loss not knowing who to refer me on to. I can now put an end to that search but now am curious if anyone has filed a class action suit? I would like to be a part of it. I am a runner and now can not continue due to my lower back hip pain. I was never warned or told any side effects of this medication!! I am curious if this continues to get worse or if it will heal itself eventually. It has been a year ago since I was given the shot and nothing has changed! Is the drug in my system for this long to continue to worsen!?? Who can we talk to for justice!>??

I just had a IM kenalog80 injection in my butt with no problems yet. but I thought some would find useful these very clear warnings on a Canadian site after much searching. Too bad US patients can't find the same info as easily.

******
"Unless a deep i.m. injection is given, local atrophy is likely to occur. (For recommendations on injection techniques, see Dosage.) Due to the significantly higher incidence of local atrophy when the material is injected into the deltoids area, this injection site should be avoided in favor of the gluteal area."

"injection should be made deeply into the gluteal muscle (see Warnings). For adults, a minimum needle length of 4 cm is recommended. In obese patients, a longer needle may be required. Use alternative sites for subsequent injections."

I've been trying to find out how long the shot will last. Some sites seem to say 30 to 40 days and others say longer but don't say how long. How long does it last?
- a new user

I have had three kenalog shots: once when i was 15 to combat severe allergies, sinusitis, rhinitis, nasal polyps, and everything else that can go wrong in the nose. I also have moderate to severe persistent asthma. Yet after this shot i was cheerleading, running the mile and 800m in track, and running the 3mile in cross country. I had another shot almost 2 years ago after a severe asthma attack made me go to the hospital and yesterday i had another shot.
I have never had any adverse reactions to Kenalog (besides weight gain, same with prednisone) and i am sorry to hear that so many people have experienced terrible side effects. I have never had any mood swings, period problems, dissolving of my butt cheeks, joint pain, etc.
Kenalog keeps me alive and breathing.

A plastic surgeon injected Kenalog in two places underneath my chin to dissolve small spots of scar tissue. The result is a disaster. I have a dent on one side and a large burned looking, atrophied area on the other. He did not advise me that there was any possibility of this drug eating my healthy tissue -- said it would probably not do anything. I did this on the spur of the moment and am angry with myself for not researching the drug first.

Has anyone who has had these "dents" had their atrophied area fill back in?

Has anyone gotten the injection in the arm?? I did for allergy symptoms on April 1, 2008, from an ENT doctor. It seemed to help for a while but I have since noticed I have become depressed and worried about dying. I also had really bad muscle spasms/cramping in both upper arms, which have finally gone away, but I still have a fullness feeling in my armpit area. I have had my regular doc check it a couple of times now and he can feel no lumps. I wish I never would have gotten this shot!!

When I was visiting him for something unrelated, my doctor pointed out the bags under my eyes and said he could eliminate them with a Kenalog injection. He did not mention any possible side effects. Worst case, he said, would be that the injection would have no effect.

That's the last time I consent to a treatment on trust without first researching it thoroughly myself. The injection did nothing for the bags, but did cause atrophy of my right cheek at the injection site, resulting in a severe indentation in the middle of my cheek which continued to get worse as the weeks went by.

Attempts to fill out the sink-hole have resulted in a lopsided appearance to my face, which is quite demoralizing.

Hi, Had a KENALOG injection about 2 months ago for chronic hayfever, since about a week after I had the shot, I have had various joint pains in the leg in which I had the injection. It started in my hip, then my ankle, even at times my big toe joint! Has anyone else had a similar experience, if so how long should this last? I can't exercise, even walking a short distance is painful. I have 2 young kids and this is not helping!!
Sarah, Hampshire, UK

I had the shot twice. The first time my butt turned black and blue, and it lasted a while. I told my doctor about it when I went for the second shot. He told me that it was normal, and also about the dent and how it happens in some cases, but not all. I never noticed that I had one until last week. It is about the size of a golf ball, maybe a little bigger. I am so upset over this. I am just glad I am not alone in this situation. I am shocked at how many posts there are. I read somewhere where it is curable. They inject some kind of saline into the injection site. I am definitely going to ask about this, and I will NEVER get the shot again!! I'd rather take Allegra!! Good luck to you all :-)

I took Kenolog 80mg injections back in 05-06. Towards the end of 06 I noticed a nickle sized crater on my right butt cheek. I am brown skin and the crater is pink/beige in color. I get sick and sad every time I look at it. I was never told of this side effect. It is shocking to read that so many others have experienced the same misfortune. Someone needs to be held accountable for unleashing this dangerous drug on unsuspecting patients.

Unbelievable... I took a Kenalog shot in March for spring allergies, and have had continuous bleeding ever since, went to my OBGYN, he said it would not have been the Kenalog shot that caused this.. and he scheduled me for a hysterectomy because we couldn't get the bleeding to stop... i'm still bleeding, however I have canceled the procedure. I'm sorry that so many people are suffering from this, and the Doctors keep telling us it isn't causing all these horrible side effects. I hope mine passes soon, cause all this bleeding is about to get me down... but I don't want to have a hysterectomy for just no reason........ GOOD LUCK TO US ALL!!!!

I can't believe that so many doctors don't know about the side effects of Kenalog and/or don't advise their patients about them. It's unbelievable!!! My father was a very well-known rheumatologist in Puerto Rico (he passed away in 1994) and I worked with him for many years. And one of the first things I learned about Kenalog (and all corticosteroids) were its possible side effects, the most common ones being redness or pain at the injection site, headache, menstrual period changes and/or post-menopausal bleeding, easy bruising and/or bleeding, swelling of the ankles/feet, persistent weight gain, puffy face, unusual hair growth and thinning of the skin, among many others. In case you want to learn more about this, you can visit ******.

I myself am post-menopausal although I'm only 51, and haven't had my period for over two years now. Two weeks ago I got a shot of Kenalog for my back pain and about three days later started spotting, and right now I'm having full vaginal bleeding. I don't worry cause I know it was the Kenalog, but since I have an appointment on the 29th with my gynecologist, she'll tell me if anything has to be done.

Anyway, I hope to have helped the soooo many women who have soooo many doubts about Kenalog. Take care, friends! TutiMM from Florida