Kenalog and ankles

It is scary to read everyone's posts on this drug. I also had two shots of Kenalog within the past 3 months for a problem in my cervical spine. I had mild side effects from the first shot, but since the second one, the side effects have gotten more severe. I've gained 15 lbs (and I've been on a strict diet so there's no reason to have gained that weight). Also, after the second shot I had absolutely excruciating joint pain in my knees and ankles, my face is puffy, I have a hump on my back in between my shoulders, my resting heart rate is up at about 108, and I have random stretch marks on my thighs. I believe that all of these side effects are from the Kenalog because I've always been very healthy and in excellent shape and have never had health problems until now. My dr. did all kinds of blood tests and an EKG and everything came back normal, which also tells me the problems are from the drug. This shot was the biggest mistake of my life! My dr. is still insisting that my problems aren't from the shot and he wanted to do a third injection. I said ABSOLUTELY NO! I went and got a second opinion, and my new dr. said that all of these side effects are from the massive amounts of Kenalog that was pumped into my spine and I'm on a new treatment plan. I am against these types of injections. It has caused me more harm then good.

I received a Kenalog shot a couple of weeks ago. I have been suffering chronic joint pain in all of my joints for almost a year. I've been taking pretty intense doses of painkillers and they stopped working. I'm allergic to NSAIDS so my medication options are limited in terms of anti-inflamation drugs. My Rheumatologist suggested it and at this point I was willing to try anything.

Anyway, it's been working pretty good. I still have pain but it's not nearly as intense as it has been. My feet & ankles were swollen really bad before too. Now they are back to normal again. The pain meds work much better now too.

I haven't noticed any side effects. I had insomina before because of the pain. I still have it but at least now I have more energy. All in all it's helped my condition. After reading some of the responses though, I will keep watch after the next shot. It seems that problems come up after a few shots.

i recieved 3 kenalog epidural injections for herniated disc, 2 weeks apart, followed by a decompression nucleoplasty, also with Kenalog injection. after the first epidual. i began having extreme irritablity which i reported to the pain management doc. he said he couldn't prescribe anything but could refer me to a psychologist, which i declined , realizing i was having a reaction to something. after the 3rd epidural, my irritabilty had increased to the point where i was shouting and screaming, and had completely lost my patience. my face had blown up, and cheeks were hard to the touch, and my neck skin was swollen and hanging down. i described my appearance as "looking like a blowfish".

on the day of the nucleoplasty, i agreed that the doc should go ahead and use it again, since it was important for the procedure, and it was not a "true (anaphalctic) type reaction.

after this last injection of Kenalog, i had a terrible terrible reaction. my face became even larger, with big dark circles under my eyes, and my eyes partially closed, appeared like slits. i was frightened by my reflection in the mirror.

my feet, ankles and legs swelled up to the point where it was painful and difficult to walk.

i also i developed insomnia.

at the same time i was "off the wall" with irritability, anger, impatience, and could not stop crying.

during the day i had a general ill and sleepy feeling, and fell asleep driving, without notice.

throughout this period of Kenalog adminstration, i also had flu like symptoms every morning. sore throat, laryngitis, loose cough, muscle pains. i noticed black and blue marks on my extremities as well.

now i have a full blown flu and full blown bronchitis, and i feel so very very ill.

my feet and calves, hands and fingers are experiencing very painful cramping, intermittantly throughout the day and night. it's happening right now in my left hand, so i have to stop typing. i wait for one minute and try to continue typing, but that causes the painful spasm to return. i try again 2 more times, waiting a minute in between spasms. finally it stops and i can continue typing.

there are probably more symptoms, like the irregular heart beat, and these little bumps on the skin of my right cheek, but i need to rest now.

generally, i feel sicker probably than i can ever recall feeling in my life.

would appreciate hearing from anyone with similar symptoms, and especially how long before my face returns to normal. i live with the fear of what will i do if it does not?

Firstly I am Male, aged 48. Suffer from really bad Hay Fever for years now and the same Doctor has administered Kenalog to me for about 6 years, once a year but twice this year. I am suffering dreadful pains in my ankles and lower back and a different doctor today has suggested it is the onset of Arthritis. After quizzing me more I mentioned having taken Kenalog for several years ( I thought it had no relationship whatsoever my current ailment) she has lectured me NOT to use it again. She suggests that it could be a contributing factor to my "Arthritis"( hope I'm spelling that right) Anyway, now I know! But, trouble is, what to do next summer..I really will suffer without it.

I was referred to a podiatrist on March 1st 06 for a growth on the bottom of my foot. I was given an injection of Kenalog and have experienced severe pain at the injection site. I have broken out in hives all over my ankles, lower and upper legs.My thighs are covered in horrible bruises after the hives went away, but the hive an severe itching returns every evening. I have had severe fatigue, my tongue is raw, I can not eat. I know it is a reaction to the kenalog. I am in menapause, but am having slight bleeding since the injections, I didn't connect it to the kenalog until I read these posting. I have an appt. with my primary care phsycian in the morning, I will never, never have another one of these injections again. Thank you so much for taking the time to post this helpfull info.

Beginning in October of 2004, I had a series of three injections of Kenalog in my left hip for back pain. The shots helped my pain tremendously, however, I had the most severe muscle cramping imaginable. I would get only two to three hours of sleep per night due to the cramping of various areas, such as my stomach, inner thigh close to the knee, ankles, toes etc. etc. etc. The cramping did subside within about four months. Recently I had another injection and of course the cramping is back. Thank you for all of these postings, I had no idea of the possible side effects and will NOT be getting another injection.

I just finished three epidural injections for pain & numbness due to herniated & bulging cervical discs. Kenalog was injected.
I have felt just terrible since mid-week of the first injection ! I have had severe fluid retention. In addition to the retention I also get up 4-5 times per night to urinate with no change in the fluid retention! My abdomen and stomach are distended and very uncomfortable especially after meals. I now have an uncontrollable appetite & eat incessantly. I feel huge! My thirst has increased. I have night sweats. My breasts have been very sore. I am irritable, fatigued, bloated. I have moon face! My neck pain is now constant at the base of my skull with intense pressure, especially when I lie down. Obviously, I do not sleep well. My legs, ankles & fingers are especially swollen.
I wish I had never had the injections of Kenalog. Compared to the side effects I am experiencing from Kenalog, I would have lived with the discomfort and numbness!
What is the time this takes to get out of my system & I can expect to get back to normal?