Kenalog and doctor who

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!

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.

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!

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:(

As a fairly healthy 34 year old male, I went to my doctor for help getting over poison ivy mid-July 2008. I received the Kenalog 40 injection without being advised on any potential side effects. Within 36 hours I started having severe anxiety attacks with spikes in my blood pressure and vision problems (spotty, increased sensitivity to light). These attacks continued for 4-8 weeks during which time I underwent an MRI (head), stress test, and blood work to make sure nothing else was causing my symptoms.....conclusion: everything normal. My doctor prescribed me Xanax to help with the out of control anxiety. Started feeling more normal 60-90 days later. I started trying to run on my treadmill to get back in shape at the 90 day mark, and once again....symptoms returned. It's been a couple of weeks and I'm getting closer to being back to "normal", but I have no idea how long it will be before the Kenalog has completely metabolized out of my system, and I can get on with life. This has been a horrible experience and I would caution anyone from receiving this drug!

I have contacted an attorney in Delaware who is willing to pursue a possible class action suit. I explained my side effects from this drug and told him of the countless others that are suffering as well. He said if I was willing to do the "legwork" and gather up names of others who would like to join this suit, perhaps we could get a class action started. If anyone is interested please reply by contacting me at ***** Please be sure to type "Kenalog" as the subject and include your name, email address, and a description of your experience with Kenalog. I will than gather your responses and forward them to the attorney. He will than contact you individually, so please include a contact number. This will take some time. So please be patient, as you know these cases take time. I have spent 15 months trying to get some kind of help from various doctors, to no avail. Someone needs to step up and take responsibility.
Hope to hear from many of you. Thank You

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.

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'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.

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?

I also received a kenalog injection from a dermatologist for rashes that wouldn't go away. He told me ONLY that it would probably mess up my menstrual cycle. I thought "yeah sure that sounds great" I just wanted relief from all the itching. The rash did go away but i started to notice a dent where they gave me the injection. It has since gotten bigger and I am scared and wondering what is going on with me. My doctor never told me of atrophy or even that it was a possibility. I consulted with another doctor who told me he is not sure how this couldn't happened and that they probly injected in the wrong site. i now know after coming to this site that i am not alone and it is the kenalog that has caused me grief. Doctors need to be responsible in letting patients know every detail about the drug they are using on us. I was reassured by him that my only side affect would be irregular periods. Hopefully one day mine will go away but until the people need to be educated on certain steroids.

Wow - I had a great experience with kenalog in suppressing my allergies. They have been unbearable until getting the shot. I sat down with the doctor who went through the list of pros and cons with the drug. He said, and I agree wholeheartedly (I'm sure we all do) that no is more interested in or more responsible for my health than I am, so he said after going through the risks of meds that I should verify it for myself and if I felt comfortable with the shot he would give it. Can you imagine how much better off the world would be if we all took responsibility for ourselves - actually did our own homework? I've seen doctors before who don't really take the time to discuss side effects so I'm glad he did (but then, how many people ever read the drug information that the pharmacist gives out - can't really blame the doctor for that...). Anyways, given that I had severe symptoms that was affecting sleep and very low risk for osteoporosis I got the shot and man do I feel great!

HI, i too have to say i am kind of relieved after reading this website that i am not alone with my experiences of the kenalog injection. I was given kenalog injections to treat hayfever, although i wasn't told the name of the injection. They did help and i probably would of continued this year if it wasn't for the side effects.
I was told that to have one a yr was safe, then just before xmas i noticed a dent on my hip, this started getting larger and looked almost like scare tissue, I too was worried i had some sort of flesh eating disorder. The dent is still there and i will never have that injection again. I also have been experience problems with my hips and pain around my coxis,i am not sure if this too is related to the injection. I was told by my doctor who is very good that the kenalog had eaten my fat tissue causing a dent and that it will get better in time.

I am freaking out!! I just found this site and can't believe what I'm reading. I have a huge crater in my right buttock as well. This is the second time it has happened to me. After the first incident, I went to the doctor and she said she didn't know what it was, that it must have been due to trauma. This is the same doctor who prescribed the Kenalog shot for my allergies. It started out as a large bruise, so I assumed I must have hit something really hard and damaged the tissue. Now, a couple of yrs later, I have another, larger crater. I thought something really bad was wrong with me, so I decided to google and see what I could find. I am truly blown away by this and VERY upset that they did not warn me of this. I called the doctor, but they haven't returned my call yet. I'm concerned is this going to continue to get deeper? I also believe it affected my period as well. I have always been very regular, but for several months after the shot I would start my period every couple of weeks.

I to have a huge dent in my right butt cheek. I would be interested in a class action suit. This is ridiculous! It has been about three months since I received the shot. Has anyone noticed their dents getting better with time?

I had the shot in the spring two times and now have a huge indention at the top of my hip it looks horrible what can we do about this I would never have deformed myself this is awful!!!

update to June 14th. For everyone who has just gotten the shot and think they don't have atrophy. My daughter's didn't start to appear until a few weeks after. It just looked bruised at the begining. Doctors don't want to beleive the Kenalog has done this. Gyn doctor did ultrasound and said everything looked normal, so no reason for the bleeding other than the Kenalog. It has started to get better after 4 months. Now there is a 5-7 day break between her periods. I have refused to put her on birth control to stop the bleeding. I couldn't stand for her to suffer any more side effects. The atrophy looks awful. It is such a bright purple. Doctor said it should not get any worse, but I don't think they really know. Doctor did say it would fade in color, but will never get better without plastic surgery. I can't even find a doctor who is familiar with Kenalog or the side effects. I also just found out that the Kenalog stays in your system for 3 months. Of course another thing I was never informed of. I have been taking pictures and keeping all Doctor visit paperwork. I suggest everyone do the same. It has got to be a matter of time before a lawsuit is brought against them.

I am a 50 year old post menopausal woman with osteoporosis. I had 3 injections over a 3 month period for degenerative disc disease (cervical). Last injection was done 1/12/07. I was not warned about increasing osteoporosis as a side effect of this medicine even though they knew I had it and was taking medication for it.
I experienced the following side effects:
extreme sweating around head, neck, and torso
extreme mood swings where I actually became violent (I'm really a passive person), hitting loved ones, throwing and breaking things (completely out of character for me, in fact I've never behaved in this manner)
extreme depression where I tried but failed to commit suicide (I was hospitalized in a psychiatric facility for 9 days)
huge face
huge hump on my back
I now have extremely high blood pressure (was normal before)
I experience confusion and memory loss (sometimes I'm in the middle of a sentence and forget what I'm talking about and I am normally a pretty sharp person.)
I now have adrenal insufficiency and am currently scheduled for an MRI of my pituitary gland next week so they can figure out why my adrenal glands are no longer producing natural cortisol.

Went to see the doctor who gave me the injections about these side effects (before the suicide attempt) and was told these side effect would go away in 3 or 4 days! He gave me a prescription for 5mg valium and told me not to eat so much!

After my stay at the psych facility I again called the doctor who gave me the injections to try to find out if the injections had caused all of this. This doctor would not order any tests but thankfully his nurse (behind the doctor's back) told me to call my primary doctor and explain the situation and ask for a cortisol level test. My cortisol level was so low that I got an appointment with the best endrocrinologist in town the next day.

I am currently on a prednisone taper to try to stimulate my adrenals to produce the correct amount of cortisol.

Has anything like this happened to anyone else? I am so angry with the doctor I want to sue him but I'm sure I signed something protecting him.

I'm not sure my doctor used Kenolog as I was not told exactly what drug name it was, but I had a cortisone shot in both hips. Just after the shots, the room started spinning and I had to lie down for two hours in the Dr's office. I had started my period that morning when I went for the shot. It has been almost 4 weeks and I am still bleeding. It's not heavy but it's just there. The other side effects I had (and am still having some of them) are: facial flushing, night sweats, trouble sleeping, leg cramps, headaches, watering eyes, vision problems, and stomach burning, The doctor who gave me the shots told me that the menstrual bleeding was not a side effect of the shots. Well, it all changed after the shots. He suggested I go and see my gynecologist. I'm not going. I'm just wondering when it all will end. My hips are much better but you shouldn't have to go through this kind of thing to get something else fixed. I should have been told of the side effects that could happen with this. I didn't know what was happening to me. If I hadn't had the internet, I wouldn't have known and it would have driven me crazy.

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?

I am a 62 yr old post menopausal woman.In June I received my first Kenalog shot in my knee, and had relief from pain by the next day. In August I was having the same pain again and a different ortho doc gave me another injection in my knee. 10 days later I started having vaginal bleeding, and bled for 9 days. I was told by the doctor who gave me the 2nd shot of Kenalog to follow up with my primary care doc. I had a negative pap test, but the pelvic ultrasound was abnormal and I was referred for an endometrial biopsy. My results of the biopsy showed no atypical cells and no abnormality at all. I've been told by the gynecologist that it was most likely the Kenalog shot that made me bleed. I had not had vaginal bleeding for 15 yrs previously.

I wish I could turn back time and Not get that damn kenalog shot. Since August 2006 I have gone through dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, blood sugar imbalance, pitts in some areas the shots were given, 10 pound weight loss in one week, flushed skin, anxiety especially throughout the night when sleeping, poison feeling, hot and painful hands and cold feet, terrible taste in mouth. I have seen numerous doctors in one month. I have been in the hospital twice. I was told to see a therapist since my tests showed negative.
Finally, I found a wonderful doctor who performs muscle tests (shows what vitamin your deficient in and fixes the problem with supplements) She has improved my condition greatly. I believe I would be living handicapped without her or maybe would not even be living the way my body started to shut down. I could not work and dropped out of nursing school (I had a scholarship). I will pass her number on if anyone is interested Dr.******

All I can say is that I sound like guest no. 2kclark. Same age etc. I have 3 herniated discs, need artificial disc surgery but thank god i have been scared and skeptical since law suits are coming out on the charite disc. further i was then diagnosed with CFS (EBV) and fibromyalgia and AS (ankylosing spondilytis). I also apparently have a rotator cuff tear....all because of incidents at work...of which i am embroiled in a heated law suit over. my rheumatologist has given me 2 shots over the last 90 days. this last one was 2.5 weeks ago and i am still hardly walking around because of it. i feel like i have the flu and any act of normalcy is completed with shear painful effort. i called another doctor who wanted to inject my spine and told them that i was not having any injections for awhile bc of the reaction that i had to this 'kenolog' shots. to my surprise the lady said yes she had heard about those - the are like 'chemo'. her friend has lupus - she said others patients have had something but not sure what, and they are having a hard time with the shots. apparently 3 bad weeks then 1 good week just to go back and get another shot. well not me. just thought yall might want to know this. it apparently is for the pain? which is what i got it for....which it helped that but the fatigue and numbness across my entire body and the feeling of dying, i think i would rather have the pain. and no, i was not told of the effects either.

I posted last month about the indention in my hip and the terrible periods.The dent in my hip is 2 inches wide and 2 inches long now and the periods are not as irregular but extremly heavy,I don't want to leave my house in fear of bleeding through my pad and tampon onto my clothes.I had a consultation with a plastic surgean today and he told me the atrophy is permanent and will possible get worse.He is going to refere me to another plastic surgean that is familiar with sculptra because he has not had any luck with any other type of fillers not even fat injections.I have an appointment with an attorney next week to discuss a possible lawsuit against the doctor who did this to me.I don't see where it makes a difference if the atrophy is in the arm or the butt it's still a permanent disfiguration.The doctor who gave me the kenalog injection told me that in most cases the atrophy repairs itself in about a year.I have spoken with 2 other doctors and both have said it is permant and it takes a series of Sculptra inections to fill it and that is only a temporary fix.

Just a quick update about my husbands law suit with doctor who gave him 6 shots of kenalog for gout in his feet, legs, and knees. Russell ended up rushed into hospital with steriod induced diabetes and was told he would be inusulin dependant for the rest of his life, although his records went missing from hospital shortly after he was admitted. the doctor acting for the solictor came to examine him and has told us he has found letters from the hospital to our doctors and the interesting fact that I think everyone should know, he told us that the manufactors of kenalog suggest a maxium dose of 80 ml he told us Russell was injected with 320ml. We were also told that even though what he went through was very frighting because he did not die, we haven't got a positive case for sueing the doctor. ( but we still are continuing with the law suit)
Russell is not using insulin anymore as the steriods have came out of his body and his pancreas started again, although he is now classed as diabetic type 2 ( diet controlled)
Regards
Tina and Russell ***

i have had few shot of kenalog. its work for hayfever where all else failed. The doctor who used to administer it have retired. I would be rateful if any one can inform me as to where i can have kenalog adminitered once a year.
Thanks

I haven't had a problem with Kenalog. In fact, it worked very well for me with no side effects at all.

However, I'm surprised at people who would ask if they should just stop going to the doctor who is prescribing this medication. In my opinion, asking a group of non-professional total strangers whether one should take or stop taking a prescribed medication seems extremely dangerous.

If one is worried about side effects, one should ask a different professional. A second, or even a third, opinion from a doctor is much wiser than taking advice from people one has never met.

I'm not a doctor, don't know any doctors socially or by family relationship and deal only with my own doctor. I'm probably as intelligent as the average person and I have experience with Kenalog but I would NEVER suggest that any of you start, stop or change any prescribed medication.

Nor would I ask Internet strangers what I should do about a medication. A site such as this is very useful for gaining many-sided, experiential information but I wouldn't use it in place of a medical professional and I'm sure that the site owners agree.

BTW, I once got a permanent injection site indentation from a simple pain shot. Some people are just prone to get these things. I didn't blame either the doctor or the medication and a dimple on my butt hardly seems earth-shattering.

Hi
I posted on this site in Jan 05, after my husband was rushed into hospital 3 days after multiple kenalog shots for his joints ( gout) He was told he was diabetic type 1 and would be using inuslin for the rest of his life. His body had started closing down his organs. He was on drip for 6 days, lost a stone in weight in 3 days prior to getting into hospital. I kept saying it was the injections, Cut a long story short he stopped using insulin injections within a month and his bloods have came to nearly normal. He is still treat as diabetic ( type 2) no medication, diet controlled. You cannot go from Type 1 to Type 2. We are in the process of going to court with the doctor who gave him the shots, we were not warned of any of this side effect. We have been told it will take a long time to sort out, but what really worrys me, if Kenalog came make the pancreas stop making insulin, and thank -god his started working again. What in the future if it is badly damaged and stops altogether? Can I thank the person who put the information on the site about dosage and side effects. Would you believe the hospital has lost my husbands records. I hope if this happens to any-one else this piece of informtation may help. Not only did Kenalog change my husbands life but 4 months later I had a heart attack and they have put it down to stress ( I am 44 and my husband is 45)We both had no serious illnesses ever but now!!!!! WHO KNOWS
Regards
TINA

I had a kenalog injection in my elbow July of 2005. The next time my period came along I was in sad shape with bleeding and clotting. Not only the heavy bleeding and clotting, but I had it for 6 (SIX) weeks straight! For the next four months, my periods lessened in length and flow, but were still at least two weeks long and heavier than normal.
The doctor who sent me to the ortho-surgeon laughed in my face when I told him what happened. He said "I don't believe that for a minute!"

I was given a kenalog shot in September 2005 Late October I noticed that my arm had become disfigured. They gave me the shot in my upper arm above my deltoid. It looks like my bone is sticking out of my arm now. My period has not stopped since September. I have a loss of apetite and I am not sleeping well. I went to a plastic surgeon and he said that he could take some fat brom my belly and inject it into my arm. This will require general surgery. He has suggested that the doctor who gave me this shot should have to pay for ALL problems that I am having. Will it ever wear off? Does anyone know?

My heart goes out to everyone who has been left with severe indentations from fat atrophy due to Kenalog injections. I was left with a golfball sized, deep indentation on my left hip from two Kenalog injections given one year apart, in the exact same place. It did not fill in by itself like doctors kept telling me it might. The good news is that I found an attorney to represent me against the doctor who did this (actually an assistant did it under the doctor's care), as well as a filler substance called Sculptra that has helped tremendously. Sculptra is a filler substance that has been used in Europe (where it's called New Fill) for about seven years and in the USA exclusively for AIDS patients with fat atrophy in their faces for a few years now. It was recently approved by the FDA (I think in summer 2004) for use in cases such as mine, as well as for minor cosmetic reasons, like how Collagen has been used. Sculptra lasts longer than Collagen, possibly up to two years I'm told. It works by stimulating your body's collagen growth wherever it is injected. I had one fill procedure with it in April 2005, and within three months my concavity has been reduced by fifty percent. It takes a couple months for the collagen growth to take place. The doctor said I had an unusually good response from it, and that it works differently from person to person. It may take several sessions to fill an area. I just had another fill procedure a couple days ago which I hope will be all I'll need to keep the area filled for a couple years, but since it behaves differently in every person, only time will tell. I know that I will have to keep having it filled for the rest of my life, but it beats not having anything to fill it with. As far as the legal side goes, I believe there is a two year statute of limitations on filing a claim against a doctor, and I hate to say it, but I think that's why so many doctors keep telling victims of this to keep waiting - that it will fill in by itself. If you wait long enough, you won't be able to take legal action against them! When the statute starts running is something doctors and lawyers will argue about, but it can be when you were injected with it, when you first noticed the indentation, or when you noticed the indentation was not going away. But I think it's worth checking into for anyone who has been damaged. Even if you can't take legal action, this new filler substance is helpful. It works in the face too - it's been used in AIDS patients' faces for years now. I hope this helps some of you. Good luck.

Why aren't doctors discussing the possible side effects of Kenalog injections with their patients? If a doctor did not obtain your "informed consent", and you would NOT have consented to the injection had you know of the side effects, and your injury is directly related to the Kenalog injection, then it may be possible to have a lawsuit against the doctor for lack of informed consent, pain & suffering. Document everything. Request your medical records from the doctor who injected you (you have a right to obtain copies of your medical records within 30 days of a written request). Contact an attorney for a consultation.

I know many of you are suffering from pain (physically and/or emotionally) due to the injury caused by receiving a Kenalog injection. Atrophy is a serious side effect, and all patients should be informed that it is a possible side effect before making a decision about whether or not it is worth taking the risk to receive the injection.

I feel for all of you who have been experienced serious side effects of a Kenalog injection(s). I have been seriously injured as well.

Two years ago I received a shot of Kenalog in my shoulder (40 mg) to relieve calcified tendinitis. It worked wonderfully--all pain disappeared for more than a month (even my migraines). However, my period went berzerk: I bled for weeks on end. It finally stopped, then a week later it started again. I suspected the Kenalog was the cause since the period problems started at the same time as the injection, but 2 different doctors (family physician and gynecologist) both told me that "no way" could Kenalog cause excessive menstrual bleeding. My orthopedic doctor, who gave the injection, said "well, maybe." My periods went back to normal after a few months and I had no other side effects.
Now it's 2 years later and my shoulder was hurting a lot again, so I went for another Kenalog shot. I was hoping that it was just a fluke the first time. Also, this time I received much less: only 10 mg of Kenalog vs. 40 mg. last time. Well, the shot relieved about half of the pain, which was still enough to allow me to do physical therapy, which will provide a long-lasting solution to the pain. But once again my periods are all messed up! I have been bleeding for 6 weeks now, with no end in sight! I was prescribed progesterone (10 mg, once per day for 10 days) several days ago to stop the bleeding and re-set my cycle, but so far, the bleeding hasn't even slowed down. I take Tylenol and naproxen for the very painful cramps. This time my gynecologist DOES think the bleeding is from the Kenalog, but he is also checking out other possibilities. They did an ultrasound and found a small fibroid, but they don't think that's the cause. I have to go back in 6 weeks for a follow-up. No matter what, I will never take Kenalog again!!

I started suffering from hay fever the summer between my jr. and senior high school year; I am now 48. When I was about 20 my cousin referred me to his doctor for a Kenalog shot for the hayfever. For several years I took at least one, sometimes two shots in the fall. I never had any problems that I couldn't live with...the only thing I noticed was irregular monthly cycle (especially the years I had 2 shots) for several months following and loss of smell. However, for anyone who suffers from hayfever, irregular periods and not being able to smell are gladly sacrificed for the relief Kenalog provided. I never experienced the dents or other problems I've read about.

As I got older I've "outgrown" hayfever. I'm really glad as my original doctor died and it became difficult to find a doctor who would administer the injection. I'd hate to still be suffering from the sneezing, watery eyes, etc. I do notice my skin is much more sensitive to plants and grasses now.

Two of my children developed hay fever about the same time as I. I'm ready to tell me son to ask the PCP about Kenalog but after reading other people's experiences, am reluctant. As my daughter is pregnant, I won't say anything to her.

OK, I'll stop.

I share the story of many others on this site...

Severe fall allergies, despite years of ineffective perscription allery pills and steroid nasal sprays. Nothing seemed to work. A doctor at my University health clinic suggested the shot (actually Triamcinelone). I've been getting the shot (now Kenalog) every September for 10 years, and absolutely love it. In fact, my wife and kids can't wait for me to get it, because allergies turn me into a grumpy, tired monster! Over the counter pills make me extremely sluggish and irratable.

10 years, no dents or headaches! Just pure relief... if you can't find a doctor who will give it to you, keep searching. I've also been able to convince a doctor or two by suggesting that I will only need 1 low dose shot. Many are hesitant (in my opinion) because they're afraid you'll keep coming back to ask for more. Just 1 a year does it for me. Hope this helps.

For years, I suffered from terrible allergies. Constant sinus drainage, watery eyes, itchy eyes, headaches, (I should have been able to lose wt. because of the amount of fluid running out of my body!!!) I dreaded Spring because I was miserable for months!! My doctor recommended I try Kenalog. After about 24 hrs., I could breath, my nose stopped running, my eyes didn't itch and water. I've had absolutely no problems, at all, with the shot. I get 1 shot a year and manage the fall with antihistamines... No side effects, no dents, nothing. It's the only thing I've found that works. After my original doctor retired, I went with a younger, "smarter" doctor who refused to administer the shot, inspite of my history of success with the medication. They wanted me to take inhaled steroids, instead. I've finally found a family practice that will give me the once a year injection. It works, I don't abuse it, it's given in small amounts and I love the fact I feel great after the allergies clear up!

I had a kenalog injection for severe hayfever several years ago when I was getting married and it was the first summer I ever experienced and enjoyed as a normal person...it was utterly fantastic. A year later my NHS doctors said they no longer supplied it but couldn't give me reasons why...the only side effect I had wondered about was whether it affected your immune system since I had flu twice that winter despite never having had flu before or since. Anyway...a few miserable kenalog-free summers later I have given up trying to find any other solutions and went this morning to a private doctor who gave me a shot for 20 quid. I'm glad i didn't read all the stuff above before going! Just be careful though....I am pretty sure I won't suffer anything since it went so well before but I have to say I was pretty shocked by the lax attitude of the doctor who didnt even ask me if I was on any other medication, if i could be pregnant etc etc...!!