Kenalog and birth control pills

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.

I had this injection for a slipped disk in my L5 lumbar spine. I am a healthy 31 year old female. I had hair growth and non stop periods. I had 4, 9 day periods in 2 months and I now have anemia and low sodium. After going to the gynecologist and running a bunch of tests on me, it has now been confirmed that only the Kenalog shot could have been responsible for this. They had to put me on birth control pills to stop this and now I have side effects from that too. From what I see others have had this side effect too and I believe this is much more than just a menstrual irregularity! I have also gained weight (15lbs) eventhough I was slender, eating very healthy, and exercising everyday.The doctors who gave me this shot said that it wouldn't affect me like other corticosteroids, but apparently they were very wrong. I am definitely letting the FDA know this.

I got the Kenalog shot 4 months ago and I have had irregular menstrual bleeding ever since. I had an almost constant period. Now I have started birth control pills to try to control the bleeding. That works, but I hate the way they make me feel, plus my husband and I would like to have another baby....so this certainly doesn't help. I was informed of the possible muscle side effects, but not this. If I would have known this was going to happen, I wouldn't have got the shot.

Does anyone know how long this will last or how long Kenalog stays in your system? I tried going off the pills this week and the bleeding came back.

I got a shot of Kenalog by my dermatologist on 3/9. The next week I had a severe case of constipation, followed by hemorrhoids. Once those cleared up, I started my period (an unusual thing for me as I have an underactive thyroid and am taking synthroid for that and to help regulate my periods). As of this writing, it has been 28 days and counting of non-stop bleeding. My OBGYN has even put me on birth control pills to try to control the bleeding. Does anyone know if birth control pills will help stop the bleeding or does it need to run its course? How long before this stuff gets out of your system?

I am currently using Kenalog diluted in lotion for topical treatment of eczema. I had used it seven years ago for the same thing but don't remember having any side effects. All I know is that it is the ONLY thing that has made my itchy, weepy/crusty blisters disappear and make my skin soft and smooth again, getting rid of all redness and pain.

FYI - This is copied directly from the pharmacist's information sheet given to me yesterday at Wal-Mart for my prescription of Kenalog.

ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking birth control pills, barbituates, rifampin, or medicine for seizures. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-freeding.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS: Side effects that MAY go away during treatment include acne, nausea, vomiting, changes in appetite, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, headache, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, or sweating. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF: you experience rash; muscle pain or weakness; slow wound healing; fever or chills; sore throat; pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site; changes in eyesight; changes in mood; or seizures. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

CAUTIONS: DO NOT STOP USING THIS MEDICINE without first checking with your doctor. **Serious side effects may occur if you suddenly stop using this medicine. FOLLOW THE DIETARY PLAN as provided by your doctor. KEEP ALL DOCTOR OR LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAKES YOU MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO ILLNESSES, especially if you take it for an extended period of time. Prevent infection by avoiding contact with people with infection. If you are exposed to chickenpox, measles, or tuberculosis (TB) while taking this medicine or during the twelve months after stopping this medicine, call your doctor. Also report to your doctor any injuries or signs of infection (fever, sore throat, pain during urination, or muscle aches) for up to 12 months after stopping this medicine. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE HAVING ANY IMMUNIZATIONS (VACCINATIONS) while you are using this medicine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. **This includes medicines that contain aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. **DO NOT BREAST-FEED WHILE TAKING THIS MEDICINE. IF YOU HAVE DIABETES AND USE INSULIN, this medicine may affect you blood sugar and insulin requirements. Check blood glucose levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your insulin.