Kenalog side effects

I got my first Kenalog shot a few days ago for allergy symptoms, and I gotta tell you, I definitely regret it! I had asked about side effects before the dr. gave it to me, and she said there weren't any. I feel like I should start a lawsuit!! Anyway, the side effects I'm having are no picnic and have already been changing my life: sleeplessness, anxierty, not breathing correctly, heart pounding like crazy! I'm wondering how long I have to ride this out, as the dr. said this shot is given for allergies 2x a year. I will NEVER get the shot again!!

27 female...after second epidural shot..face swelled up for 3 weeks now..perode for 3 weeks..water retention..weight gain..rash that look like blisters..anyone have this reaction..anyone know how to fix this problem..when and if i will ever be back to normal any help is wanted..thanks ******

D.
long island, NY

Hi, had two epidural shots..first one went fine..worked really well..after the second one..my face has been swallow for over 3 weeks now..rash all over..water weight gain..back of my neck is all swelled up..there are days that i can barely walk on my leg..due to the swelling..i have been to 16 doctors and no one could figure out what is wrong with me..im thinking this is some reaction to the epidural shot that i had..I also have been bleeding..period i guess for over 3 weeks..spotting..does anyone know when and if this ever goes back to normal..what doc i need to be seeing to correct this problem..if anyone has any information that could help me..im 27 female mother of one..that has never had any medical conditions like this ever..so i have to assume that this is from the shot..i tried calling the doctor that did my shot and he said its not because of him and now will not return my phone calls..im at a loss on what to do..please email me at ****** if anyone has been through this and knows if this goes away on its own..what i need to do..anything thank you for taking the time to read my story.

D.
long island, NY

There should be warnings about this! The doctor should have told me that this could happen..it is not worth what we all have been through!! sorry just venting.

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 seem to be the only person on earth who developed fat atrophy in my left eyelid, after receiving two shots of Kenalog for chalazions in said eyelid. I'm just heartbroken at the way I look now. The doctor told me there would be no side-effects except for a possible whitening of the skin, which I was not concerned about, since I am light-skinned. What happened instead is that my left eyelid is now asymmetrical to my right one and worse, it also has a droop. I have consulted an occuplastics surgeon who has just informed me that it's a permanent condition and the only way to fix it is reconstructive surgery, which will be difficult because of the size and delicacy of the location. In other words, it will never be the same as it once was. I really liked my eyes and if I had known that this was a possibility, I would have just left it all alone. It's disgusting that Kenalog is not used as a last measure. It's a very, very damaging drug that has serious side-effects. I have written the FDA.

Headache, nasty huge clot filled period lasted for 6 weeks straite, heart problems with left ventricle - abnormal t wave - invertion - dizziness, shortness of breath, craving water, spilling b12 and vit d, inability to concentrate.... to an other wise health 37 fit female! Oh, and 3 months later, I have a spoon sized dimple on my right arm at the site of injection! I WAS NOT WARNED OF ANY OF THIS CRAP, NOR WAS I GIVEN THE PAMPHLET ABOUT POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS! I AM PISSED THAT SOMEONE SCREWED WITH MY HEALTH AND LIFE! I AM A SINGLE MOM WITH THREE SMALL KIDS!

I had a injection of Kenalog on11/25/2008 since then I bleed for 19 days straight, I notice a white spot and a small indentation with a red spot at the injection site. My doctor refused to listen to my cry for medical needs and even told me his materials to pre form a procedure was expired. I became upset with this and started investigating my drug interaction to learn I had an allergic reaction. I went to him and demanded a MRI. IT was then I learned I had muscle atrophy from a injection of some nature my doctor would get the results and go over them with me. When i asked and basically told him I figured out what happened he became very angry with and such issue and told me I had a mental issue that was incurable and proceeded to call the law on me. I promise since the I have a very large indentation in my right elbow very little muscle left very sensitive very limited use and suffering from major depression over how horrible it looks. And it now is starting to spread to my lower fore arm as well, what can we do. I filed a complaint through the FDA AGAINST THE DOCTOR... ALSO a lawyer here in thr grand rapids area, and my contact the news station to help find answers to WHY SO MANY ARE BEING PHYSICALLY HARMED BY A DOCTOR WE TRUSTED. AND NO REASONS OR EVEN A I'M SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

I just came across this site while searching online for photos that resembled what is happening to my body. I have matching large indentations above both butt cheeks, and after reading this I realize that they are in the same location where my dermatologist gave me "steroid" shots for poison ivy in Sept. of 2008. I have no idea if it was kenalog, but after reading this I'm afraid that's exactly what it was and will be calling his office on Monday to confirm. I too would like to know just how big these will get and if there is any way to correct them. It's all I can do to sit at my desk for 8 hours. I am in great discomfort, and very upset about the appearance of these large indentations.

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

In 2003 I received a single injection of Kenalog in my left elbow for treatment of tennis elbow. Following the injection, the area became red and itched. I called the doctor who told me I was having an allergic reaction and told me to take a Benadryl. For weeks I continued to react with redness and itching. Within months I noticed changes in the areas that were itching. A dent was forming and spreading. My GP was concerned about possible nerve damage so I had several tests to established there was no permanent nerve damage. The dent continued to spread for about 2 years after my single injection. It's about 4 inches long with a diameter of 3 inches. My elbow is severely deformed as a result; it's basically nothing but skin and bone which I have to keep covered for protection. The skin is thin and tends to break open if bumped or turns black from blood vessels breaking if any pressure is applied to the area. Occasionally, the itching will return like it still spreading down my arm. Hard to believe that is the case after five years but who knows with this drug.

Since my experience with this injection, I have refused any treatment involving the use of any steroid. One look at my elbow is all it takes. Kenalog has changed my life and it certainly has not been for the better.

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

I am a 41 year old woman who had an epidural injection using Kenalog in my lower back (for stenosis, disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, etc.). My first injection was on 4/1/09. About two weeks after the injection, my period started a week early. I had light to moderate spotting, not quite like my normal period. I also noticed that I broke out with major acne, had bad mood swings, constant urination and increased hunger. I had a second injection in my back on 429/09. I told my pain management Dr. what I had been experiencing, and he said that it was the side affect of the drug, Kenalog.

I just saw my GYN for my yearly pap smear and told him what I had been experiencing. He said he had never hear of anything like what I was going through as it related to an epidural injection, though he also admitted it wasn't his area of expertise. Due to my age, my GYN commented that the spotting I was having could be due to my body changing and getting ready for menopause. He said that spotting was very common in women my age. He gave me a prescription for Progesterone 100mg to start taking for 15 days to see if that stopped my spotting (and hopefully return my cycle back to normal). He also did a uterine biopsy to rule out any other causes. My uterine biopsy came back normal. I'm currently taking the progesterone and my period seems to be tapering off, but it still hasn't stopped. It went from spotting to more heavy bleeding to spotting again. I'm due to stop the progesterone on Tuesday 5/26/09 so we'll see what happens there. It's officially been six weeks of having a period.

I'm very frustrated that I've had a menstrual cycle this long. I canceled my other future epidural injections as right now, by back in doing much better (the injections did help, though the side affects are the pitts!). If my back flares up, I will seek other solutions as I will NEVER have any Kenalog again.

For those women who've had the same issue with their menstrual cycle, did your cycle ever return to normal? If so, when???

I received an injection of kenalog I.M. on my right bronchial and after a month noticed bruising and dimpling. The dimpling became deeper as the year went by and finally after almost two years it is starting to fill in but the discoloration is still present.

I suffered with huge patches of psoriasis on both elbows which continued to grow larger and larger for years. Numerous treatments of various creams and light therapy had absolutely no positive results on my problem. Then I found a doctor who injected some small amounts of Kenalog directly into the layers of my psoriasis, and FINALLY the psoriasis disappeared completely. It was a MIRACLE for me! My patches of psoriasis now normally remain in remission for about two years. When I notice them to slightly reappear, I got get another Kenalog injection to clear it up for another couple of years. I have never had any side effects with this procedure except for positive ones! My self image has improved, and I can now wear short sleeve shirts without anyone asking me "what's wrong with your elbows?". I think it's the best thing!

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 FOUND A BALD SPOT ON MY SCALP LIKE A QUARTER SIZE. I WENT TO THE DERMATOLOGIST AND HE GAVE ME 7 SHOTS OF KENALOG, THAT MONTH I GOT A YEAST INFECTION AND VERY SEVERE HEADACHES, NOTICED A CHANGE ON MY EATING HABITS I FEEL LIKE I DON'T GET FULL I JUST WANT TO EAT AND EAT AND I DON'T GET FULL. A MONTH LATER I FOUND ANOTHER BALD SPOT LIKE A DIME SIZE AND THIS TIME HE GAVE ME 3 SHOTS ON THAT SPOT AND TEN ON THE OTHER SPOT. YOU CAN SEE MY HAIR GROWING ON THE BIGGER SPOT BUT SLOWLY.. DOES SOMEONE FEEL THE SAME WAY LIKE ME WITH THE EATING HABITS?

It freaks me out to read all of your stories. I'm sorry for each one of you and are going through it as well with my angel. I can't find one that fits my little one. Believe it or not they gave my daughter a Kenalog injection when she had an allergic reaction, SHE WAS 8 MONTHS AT THE TIME. 3 months later an atrophy occurred. We have begun the lawsuit. PLEASE anybody give me info that could help us to make these doctors recognize their mistakes!!!

I am a 44-yr old woman. I went to my dermatologist for treatment of what I thought was an acne cyst on my chin. After 3 injections of Kenalog, and one month after the last one, I am left with atrophy; a severe 'dent' in my chin. I'm wondering if it will go away or if its permanent. I am going to seek legal advice!!!

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 had the injection just over a year ago in my right leg, to help hay fever. since the injection i have an indent 3inch long, doctor didn't know what was going on so referred me to the hospital and a consultant said it would grow back, but within in a month it has got bigger and color has changed and gone black with lots of bruising, anybody know why this is or what i can do?? also its very painful down to the knee.

Kenalog has been a god-send for me. I came to the doctor with extremely infected sinuses. After sinus surgery to clean everything out my sinuses were still very inflamed. I have had about 3 kenalog shots over a time period and they make me feel so good I actually feel like I can live again. Now I have had a hysterectomy so I obviously do not have the bleeding side effects, but I have not noticed any other side effects either. My only wish is I could get a shot every two weeks until my allergies/sinuses calm down!

I have been getting Kenalog injections on and off since I was a teenager. I am now 38 years old. I get these injections about once a year and depending on how bad my allergies get, sometimes twice a year. It is the ONLY MEDICATION that I have ever been able to take that has completely relieved my allergy symptoms. I to have got the "dents" into my skin at the injection sites, which over time have resolved on their own. My hips ache as well but fortunately only just sometimes. Exercise relieves the pain. I am a nurse and know full well the "adverse" side effects from this medication and am reminded by my physician every time I go for the injection. The misery of dealing with my seasonal allergies when nothing either prescription or over the counter helps makes me incredibly grateful for this medication. Everyone will react differently to every medication. People need to realize that it will not work for everyone and there are serious side effects. That is when YOU need to decide if the risks are worth the potential benefits. For me they are, every year I dread spring and summer and will dread it even more if the FDA pulls this drug.

Hi I was given a shot of Kenalog-40 in the center of my hand for a nodule from Dupreytron Contracture two days later my hand swelled to the size of a large boxing glove my fingers were so misformed and pulled apart and I had red streaks running up my arm. It wasn't until they did a echocardiogram of my heart and seen that I had a vegetation mobile mass on the right cusp of the aorta to my heart from this shot. I got my shot at the VA Hampton Medical Center in Hampton Virginia on August 27, 2008
and in the hospital the 29th of August 2008.

There were 11 other people who also had trouble with the Kenalog-40 injection but we don't know who the other eleven are so we could get together and do something jointly about this my husband's hand and his heart are damaged for life this is unforgettable.

I had my kenalog injection over a week ago. The winds here in the desert have been horrible this year and i was experiencing a daily sinus headache and my allergies were beyond what a claritin, allegra and a sudafed combined could combat. Within a day of getting an injection in right butt cheek area all of my sinus problems have ceased. Day three i stopped taking all of my medications for my allergies. I was also able to stop taking an anti inflammatory for my knee and the arches of my feet. They have never felt so good. My excema and asthma symptoms although mild have also cleared up. On the down side. I seem to be eating like a horse, insomnia and wild dreams seem to be plaguing me. But this is also the case when i take prednisone. I had this shot a few years back for the knee and foot arch pain and back then before my hysterectomy i did experience break through bleeding on my birth control pills a week early and very heavy. i decided that was the worse of my side effects back then. now that i wasn't able to have that problem i figured lets go for it again since i recall my sinuses clearing last time too, which was a bonus side effect for me then. overall i have found the positive effects definitely outweigh the negative effects for me.

I used Kenalog once every year for hayfever symptoms for about five years, two years ago I developed these "dents" at the top of the cheeks on my bum, they turned a dark purple/black, eventually filled out and have gone back to being a normal color, but the pain in my hips and knees is starting to become unbearable. I'm waking at night time with the pain and having to take pain killers during the night to ease the pain. While it was a miracle treatment at the time of relieving my hay fever symptoms this pain is definitely not worth it. I'm 32 years of age and sometimes feel like an old woman rubbing her hips and knees.

Im a 28 year old male and i had lipo done on my stomach about a year ago and i have a lot of scar tissue over my abdomen. So i got a kenalog shot(not too much) mixed with lidocaine injected at an angle(just under my skin) to eat away the scar tissue. i did it march 1 2009 and its now middle of April and i see no change in the shrinkage of scar tissue(which is pretty prevalant) however i don't want to do it again to early then have a dent in my stomach. does anyone know how long it may take to see the atrophy of scar tissue is it too soon? hope someone can help :) thanks!

Im a 28 year old male and i had lipo done on my stomach about a year ago and i have a lot of scar tissue over my abdomen. So i got a kenalog shot(not too much) mixed with lidocaine injected at an angle(just under my skin) to eat away i did it march 1 2009 and its now middle of April and i see no change in sixe of the scar tissue that is pretty prevalant however i don't want to do it again to early then have a dent. does anyone know how long it may take to see the atrophy of scar tissue is it too soon? hope someone can help :) thanks!

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 received my first shot on Kenalog three weeks ago, for a bulging disc in L5, and it took me from a 8 out of 10 pain scale, to a 2. After two weeks , I received my second shot, and now I feel about 98% better. As an added bonus, my Psoriasis of 15 years, that no Doctor could seem to control, has all but disappeared! Also a severe pain in my r/foot under 2nd tow area, has completely gone away, after 10 years of misery! I also am seeing my two toenails, and one fingernail restoring themselves to normal again(the nails had fallen off years ago, like a fungus, but it was not fungus). My dermatologist told me it had no cure and that I would have to deal with it! Kenalog benefits have FAR outweighed the negative effects so far... I have lost about 5lbs in 3 weeks, and anxiety is a mild issue, as is mild night sweats, but for me, this is a small price to pay for pain relief that was making my life miserable!

My story started about a year and a half ago. I got my first kenalog injection for ORAL LICHEN PLANUS and was told that it was safe enough to give to his own wife and kids and he convinced to take it. But little did i know that it was going to leave this huge dent in the top part of my right arm. The doctor said it would fill in but would take awhile. So in 4 months i went back for my second injection because it seemed to help my mouth but then strange things started to happen. I take blood pressure meds and have for 14 years and never had any problems until that second shot and my BP started to go up and down and i mean very low and very high. I went to my family doctor and he wanted to try other meds and i said no so he sent me to heart doctor and that was a waste of time and money. I just waited it out and in the mean time i stared to to drop a lot of weight and couldn't figure it out. Now it was time for third shot and by this time my weight started at 145lbs. is now 119lbs. The doctor said my problems are not from the shot. So my health started going down hill and my bp is now very high all the time and still losing weight. Guess what its time for fourth shot and i now weigh 109lbs. and i told myself no more shots because in the end every shot i took started to not help my mouth anymore. Well its been 5 months since my last shot and my bp is normal now and my weight is at 115lbs. I still have the dent in my arm. This is a very dangerous drug and i advise no one to try it. Someone needs to take it off the market. And before i forget- what it has did to me is i have very bad bone and joint aches but i hope in time it leaves and blurring vision and headaches everyday. I just want it out of my system.

gosh im glad i'm not the only one. i've been freaking out for 6 weeks having periods all the time except for like 2 days then it starts again. the told me i'd have some weight gain (which sucks) but not about the periods, it has been stressing me out! i just this morning had scheduled a obgyn appointment but it wasn't for two weeks so i looked up kenalog and menstrual stuff online and i found this. they should TELL YOU the side effects before. i had the shot for gnarly reoccurring allergies and sinus infections. i dont know what i'd rather have... weight gain and everyday periods or gnarly sinus infections... sounds like a lose lose situation to me. sigh. :( how long until the periods get normal, does anyone know? this sucks!

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).

I have got three shots and now have two big dents in my back one on the side of my hip and one on the right side of my lower back. I have been getting very bad back pain and when I push on them I start bleeding a dark blood please help me I have had one sine 2007 and just recently has the one on my hip showed up the hurt and my doctors don't know what to do. please email me if you have any answers ******

Thank you,
A Girl with a lot of issues

I am so glad I found this site. I thought I was alone. I received a steroid shot from a walk in clinic in October 2008 that left a indent and discoloration to my arm, as well as a painful burning sensation. I went to my primary doctor Jan 12, 2009. I was told that this was due to improperly giving the shot in the fatty tissue instead of the muscle. I was also told that I would have this on my arm forever, there is nothing that can be done to correct it. I have been asked several times what is wrong with my arm. I have to stop wearing short sleeves, people think its a disease or something. I spoke with several lawyers and they stated that the case is too small for them to take. I don't know what to do now.

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,

This post is directed to anyone who has contacted me regarding a possible class action lawsuit, which I was trying to initiate, as stated in my Oct 17th, 2008 post.
After contacting as many as 10 law firms, from NY to San Francisco, I have virtually "thrown in the towel". In essence, what they are saying is, this will be too expensive to litigate. The pharmaceutical companies have "teams" of lawyers, and I believe they are reluctant to go up against them.
I find it diabolical that this drug Kenalog is causing so much suffering, some emotional, some esthetic and some, like myself, sheer physical pain...but nothing can be done about it.
For all of you who have emailed me and I was unable to return your ems, I apologize....but I have been waiting to hear something positive feedback to relay. Unfortunately, that was not the case. If anything does develop I have stored your information and will get back to you. I would hope you would do the same.

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

I had a 20 mg shot of Kenalog in 2008 for chronic sinusitis. This year, I had another 20 mg, and a week after another 20mg. My doctor seemed to "throw" the shots at me because he didn't know what else to do. I wish he would have explained the terrible side effects. I have a large discolored indent on my left upper arm and have gained almost 10 lbs.In addition, the skin on my chest is completely broken out, and I almost never get pimples. I am a young active college student who is extremely frustrated by this. Does anyone know when the weight gain will subside or if they have had any similar issues? It is so frustrating that a doctor would give something so harmful to their patients, because it is clear from everyone's posts I am not alone.

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 don't know if this would be a side effort but from what I heard is that a Kenalog injection can get rid of a pimple. I had a pimple on my nose for 6 weeks straight which was red and flared up every few days. I got the injection and within 2 days the pimple was gone! But 2 weeks later, that same (funny as it sounds) pimple rose right back up. I've booked an to get another injection but I don't know if this is the solution. I don't want to keep going back for the injection.

58-year-old female who received five 40 mg. Kenalog shots within a two-month period. I now have full blown Cushings Syndrome and my adrenal gland (I only have one kidney) has stopped functioning. Moon face, barrel belly, weak muscles in hips and legs, weakness, hump on my neck, hairy face. Does anyone know of an attorney in Central California that can help me. This doctor needs to be stopped before he harms anyone else!

hi I got the shot in June "08. I was told there were no side effects. I now have a purplish red indention in my arm. It looks as if my arm is deformed. But waith there's more. Just a week ago I was diagnosed with degenerative bone disease in my right arm and shoulder. Possibly a side effect to the shot. When calling the doctor who admistered the shot she is always"to busy" to get me in for a shot. Now what do I do. I'm only 29 I should not have this wrong with me:(

I have gotten this shot twice. Both times, my cycle has been irregular. From having it for weeks, or having it last 10 days, then starting again after only a week. Weight loss and a change in my thyroid too. Major irritability. Helped my sinuses tremendously, but can't do the shot while trying to conceive.

Hi, I'm so glad I found this side, at least it explained the things happening to my body. I had surgery to remove loose skin in my upper arm, great! but then I had keloids hence my surgeon recommended Kenalog to flatten the scar. I have my first shot in July, then monthly until October. I suffered extensive skin thing beyond the scar and the dents which was outside the scar boundary. I had gained weight and my regular cycle got disrupted. I've had cycle within the space of two weeks, then It lasted for 24 days, sometimes twice a month. Reading the post here it finally made sense. The thing to note about Kenalog is the effect is only noticeable after after months of shots. I've stopped the shots since October and just wondering just how long will the effect continue? does the Kenalog not get expended by the body?

I've received a few Kenalog shots over the past few years for pleurisy. I just got another shot today. For me it's a miracle drug. It relieves the pain within a few hours.

The only side effect I have ever had is a huge dent in my butt cheek where I got the shot. Having a dent in my butt is a small price to pay for relieving the excruciating pain of pleurisy.

I went to the Doctor January 23, 2009 for sinus drainage and congestion. I received the Kenalog 40 shot not knowing what it was they were giving me I just thought it was just like any other shot that I had received. They didn't explain any side effects or anything to me. I knew when I got it that it burned more than usual. I always get a shot in my hip and it never hurt like this shot. I went to bed that night and I woke up out of a dead sleep around 2:00 a.m. and my heart was beating out of my chest. I didn't know what was going on. I then had to calm myself and then I looked up the shot on google and found all these horrible things about it. The past 2 weeks my symptoms have gotten worse. I have felt dizzy, tired, loss of appetite. I just haven't felt myself at all. I haven't been able to drive because of the dizziness. I haven't been able to work, Thank God my boss is very understanding. It just sucks and to read all of your stories it has me really thinking. I really think this shot shouldn't be given to people and it SHOULD be taken off the market.

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.

I was having shoulder pain and carpal tunnel syndrome.Went to see an otho Dr. who gave me kenalog,as I was walking out of his office,I started feeling Irritation in my throat,pain around my chest and difficult swallowing. I went back to the clinic but the dr. did not believe me.One month later I went to see another dr. for my hand and he gave another shut of kenalog on my wrist, one hour later i was having severed pain in my chest that I thought I was having a heart attack.I was rushed to ER and the dr. thought this must be your heart.After blood test -negative for heart problems and then gave me benadryl IV push.Both drs. said thet have never sen this type of reaction before that is why they thought it was something else.Two week s later my wrist area skin turns white{I AM BLACK BY THE WAY] What can I do to correct that and is there a way FDA canput a stop to this before somebody dies.

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

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

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