Kenalog and doctors

My husband and I were going to try to have a baby and then I was rear ended in a car accident causing nerve pain in my lower back. I had the injection without being told of the irregular period side effect even after the doctor knew we were trying to have a baby. I am very upset. Has anyone had luck regulating their period after a Kenalog injection? I had the injection 4 weeks ago. I had very predictable periods prior to the injection. I missed my period 2 weeks after the injection and then a week later began spotting that hasn't stopped for 4 weeks. It gets light and then heavy with no indication prior to being heavy. There are clots. How long does it take for the cycle to return to normal? I think I am getting depressed worrying about if I will ever be able to have a normal period and have my baby.

My daughter had a kenalog shot for itching on May 2009. The doctor never mentioned any side effects to her. Now she has a huge indentation in her left buttock. She is only 18 yrs old and she is scare and afflicted because the dent is getting larger and disfiguring that part of her body. I read enough complains. There must be an action lawsuit against the company distributing, selling and benefiting from this drug. Some doctors also should be liable for neglecting to release the accurate potential damage (as it is known) cause by this drug. It is causing mental pain and anguish due to the disfigurement that it leaves and also constant concern about the growing destruction of the muscle cells.Enough damage have been done. Who will pay to correct the damage? ******

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 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???

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 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 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.

Just to let most of you know, that Kenalog will only last several days to a month, if you continue to have symptoms, you need to see your doctor. If you receive kenalog inject frequently then the symptoms and side effects may continue, not letting your body rid of it before your next dose. You should always ask your healthcare provider what it is that you are about to receive, and what the side effects are, it is also up to you to make your healthcare choices, become informed. And never let anyone give you a steroid inject in your arm, unless its for your joints, thats why they are given in the gluteus muscle, because it can cause indentations, and the arms are more seen than the buttocks.

I had the shot administered in my butt On November 2008. I now have a huge indent, on my butt, t is also discolored. This is ridiculous, we need to file a Class Action Suit, and have this shot off the market.

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 posted my side effect 4 month ago hopping that someone will have some answers, the dent keeps on getting BIGGER it’s already the size of a lemon. Since the doctors or FDA don’t want to give us a strait answer I suggest that we all try to contact our local news ASAP.

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

Hi a little over a year ago i received a kenalog injection for allergies and have been having a lot of the same side effects you all have been having. I have a very large indentation on my butt. I have an appointment with a plastic surgeon to see about have the indentation fixed just out of worry that it will keep getting bigger because it has over the last 12 months. I have also had problems with my period. I have went from having extreme bleeding to 2 periods a month to now bleeding for 3 weeks at a time. I have also lost a ton of weight and am down to 115 pounds even though I eat all day long. A drug of this kind should not be on the market!!!! ON THE PACKAGE INSERT FOR THIS DRUG NONE OF THESE SIDE EFFECTS ARE LISTED. Somebody should be held liable. If any of you have any information on a class action lawsuit please let me know. Surgery to fix this is very expense not to mention just looking at it in the mirror and knowing that it could have been prevented if someone would have informed me that it could have possible happened.

Hey all,
i had the shot about a couple of months ago to help with my allergies. The shot did not seem to help and the nurse who administered it said nothing about any side effects, so i figured it was completely safe. A couple of weeks ago in the shower i noticed an indention on my right butt cheek where the injection site is. I had no idea what was going on until my mother told that she had heard that it was one of the side effects of the shot. After reading the many postings on this site, i feel as though to many women have had to experience the same thing, with no doctors every telling of the side effects. I don't believe it is right for a shot to be administered if the patient has not been informed.

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

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

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

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

I don't know if it was the two kenalog injections but I began to menstruate-three years post-menopause. I immediately was seen by my endocrinologist, trans-vaginal sonogram and endometrial biopsy done. i just received a call tonight informing me that a polyp was found and I will need to have a D & C. It sounds like endometrial hyperplasia and this is a very sudden onset - I had the same sonogram in February and all was fine.
I have now found out that steroids can "wreak havoc" with our hormones. I was schedule to have epidural injections of steroids for back and neck injuries. I will not have them now or ever- they are not as benign and helpful as many doctors would have you believe.

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

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

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

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

Yes, kenalog has many side effects with SOME people. I'm both a patient that takes kenalog and a third year medical student. I've been receiving kenalog injections twice a year during allergy season for the past 5 years. All I can say is THANK GOD. I can deal with a itchy/running nose, the sneezing, and the itchy eyes. What I cannot deal with are the asthma symptoms that act up whenever my allergies do. I get little enough sleep as is, what I do get doesn't need to be interrupted by waking up not being able to breath.
What must be realized here is that however many posts are on this and like sites, the people who suffer from the side effects are in the minority. For most patients this drug provides great relief with little to no side effects.
For those who said that their doctors did not tell them what they were being given, or warned about the side effects, yes, those physicians should have warned their patients about the possible side effects. HOWEVER, it is also YOUR responsibility as a patient to ASK what you are being given, and what the possible side effects are. Never let anyone just stick a needle in your butt without asking what the heck they're doing first. I'm not defending those physicians that don't tell the patient what they're doing; they are in the wrong. But they see tons of patients very day, most of it route. And many patients lack the knowledge to ask what they are being given, and what might happen from it. Even if the physician took the time to explain, a lot of people wouldn't understand or simply don't care. Don't be one of those patients. Ask your PCP: what is this drug? what does it do? what are the possible side effects? what percentage of patients experience these side effects?. Take some responsibility for yourselves.

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

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

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

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

I had the same steroid injection for tonsillitis this past January in both cheeks. I now too have noticed a large indentation in my right butt cheek. I was never informed of this possible side effect either. I would definitely be interested in pursuing a class action regarding the disfigurement of my previously favorite body-part. Had I been informed of such, I would have just had my tonsils removed!!

I am a 54yr old male and recently I have had a low impact fall and

fractured my Tibia and Fibia (the bones below in my knee on my left

leg) and also dislocated my foot at the same time. The surgeons

were most interested to find out that I have had Kenalog injections

for hayfever for the last 35 years. Two years ago the doctors

refused to prescribe Kenalog anymore as they said it can cause a

thinning of the bones. I was not told of these side effects

previously.
The surgeons said that I have osteoporosis as I had only had a low

impact fall. So I would be interested if anyone else has been

diagnosed with osteoporosis due to this Corticosteroid injection.

Having been informed of the side effects of this medicine I would

have not had it. I would advise anybody to seriously consider the

side effects before taking this product.

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.

I had a Kenalog injection in November to try to get over bronchitis. About three months later I noticed an indentation on the right side of my butt. I went to the doctors and she said that that can happen and it will probably come back. It is now June 2nd and it is way worse than it was then. I don't know what to do now. I think they should be responsible to fix it. It's disgusting.

I am 56 years old and have gone thru Menopause and have not had a period for 5 years. I just had 2 epidural injections of kenalog for my L4, L5, S1., I just had a period!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The doctors say it's not from the steroid shot. I take a sleep aid pill to help me sleep. Good news is my pain is gone.

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!

I am also a victim of having the Kenalog injection administered over 8 months 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 8 months later and the indent appears to continue to deepen and lengthen. The dermatologist who administered the injection stated that there was nothing I could do to reverse such effects. I reported my case to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) Med Watch. I urge others to report their adverse event to the FDA--just click on this link and complete the form: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/. The FDA is responsible for assuring safety of medications. Therefore, it is imperative that the FDA recognize the adverse effects to provide any credibility to a class action suit. Please consider forwarding your case to the FDA to force them into action and begin addressing these atrocities. Such documented cases and recognition by the FDA will provide leverage for attorneys in pursuit of a class action suit.

I got a shot in early January for a severe tonsillitis infection. I was so sick at the time, that I consented to the shot because I thought it would relieve the swelling. The doctor never mentioned any side effects. Unfortunately, the shot did not help at all. Even worse, I noticed a few months after I received the shot, that I had developed a dark indentation at the site of the shot, on my butt cheek. Since then, I have noticed that the dent has gotten bigger and uglier. I'm very upset about it. I went to a dermatologist/cosmetic surgeon, and she advised that I do nothing. She said it would fill in with time - 6 months to a year. We will see.....it doesn't seem to be getting any better.

The worst and most distressing side effect, is this month I had two periods, two weeks apart. I've never been on birth control, and my periods have always been very regular. I had been reading about this side effect a few months ago, and was relieved that at least my periods had not been affected.....well, I was wrong. 4 months after the shot, I've been affected. I had noticed in the past several months, that my periods had gotten shorter, lasting only 2-3 days as opposed to 3-5. They have also gotten lighter, except this most recent irregular period which was a bit heavier.

Along with the dent and irregular periods, I've been experiencing back aches, extreme fatigue and some nauseau - all symptoms which I've never experienced before. I'm a runner and in pretty decent shape and good health. Now I feel like my body has deteriorated due to one small but devastating shot!

I'm very upset and distressed about these side effects. I'm afraid of what other side effects I might not know about yet.

I contacted a lawyer that I found on this website, who is helping a client with these symptoms. I want to join a class action suit. This is unacceptable!

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 have severe allergies and have tried many different allergy medications, but none seemed to work. My doctor decided to give me the shot. At first I was getting the shot every 2-3 months. I started hearing bad things about the shot such that it makes your bones weak and brittle. I was hesitant about getting the shot again so I waited for almost a year before getting my last shot. I was suffering with so much with my allergies that I decided to try the shot again. When I was at the doctor's office the last time, I asked for the shot and this time he told me about the side effects and said that he could only give it to me no more than 2 times per year. He didn't make it seem like it was a very bad drug. He calmly said that it's not good to get too much of it, but in my case, I can get it 2 times per year. Due to my allergy symptoms being unbearable, I decided to get the shot. Now I have bad joint problems on my knees and my wrists. I can no longer wear high heel shoes or type as much as before. I also have insomnia, which even with sleeping medication it still does not help 100%. I have had these symptoms before with my previous shots, but did not know what have caused it. Now I know the source of my continuing pain problems. I was hoping to find a solution to my allergy problem, but now have inherited more problems from this drug.

I received a shot on the 21st of march and was told by my dr that the side effects were minimal and I have now been on my period for 18 days straight called my dr and they said thats not normal call your ob dr. Now that I have found this web site I see that I am not the only one who has had this problem. I have always thought it was a dr responsibility to worn you about side effects like this but I guess NOT. And to top it all off the shot didn't even work for me I am stili in alot of pain in my back. THIS SUCKS

About two months ago, i noticed an indentation forming on my right glute. I am very active in running and figured that it was possible to have pulled or injured the muscle somehow. I began to massage the area thinking I could repair this "knotted muscle", but to no avail. Instead it became worse and more indented. About a week ago, I went to a regular family practice doctor to check it out after two other doctors we're stumped. She immediately recognized it and called it 'lipodysmorphia', a complication caused by the Kenalog shot. The steroid breaks down the muscle and the body then absorbs it. Everything suddenly clicked! About 5 months ago, I had a steroid injected in that very area to treat a bout of Sinusitis. When asked if the muscle would ever come back, she said that my best bet would be to see a cosmetic surgeon and request filler of some sort. What?! I work out almost everyday to get the perfect glutes and now I have to get filler!! I'm very self- concious now because of the look of it. It looks like a handful of muscle has been removed from my butt. I no longer can wear tights or fitted jeans because to me it looks so obvious. I will do my best to build it back up with weights, but i'm not too hopeful at this point. I just wish that I was aware that this could've possibly happened. I would have never sacrificed my womanly and curver posterior. Jamie, 28, Henderson, NV

I had what the doctor told me was cortisone injections on my scalp and elbows for psoriasis which i later found out was kenalog...i now have had my period for 4 weeks ..i got my reg. period on feb.5th then went to the doctor and got the shots on feb.14 by feb21st i started my period again and haven't stopped after going to my obgyn and having many test that all have been fine . the first 2 weeks after the injections i had lower back pain, headaches the lower back pain is now gone but i am still getting the headaches every now and then. when will this all go away and it would be really nice if the doctors told you about this ...i take med. for high blood pressure and asked my doctor if this was safe ..he told me yes i have been back to the same doctor just last week who told me he has never heard of this happening how is it that we all are having the same things happening and the doctors say they have never heard of this happening?

I too have a huge indentation in my back for about six months, and I've been worried that it was cancer or something. I have no insurance so never went to the doctor, but did call a nurse at the time, who said she had never heard of it and it didn't sound like anything to worry about. If she had actually seen it, she might have thought differently. I had an injection in the same spot last August, and never even correlated the two. After my son gasped in horror today when he saw it and insisted that I go to the doctor, I decided to Google "indentation by shoulder blade" and ran across this website. I immediately called a nurse and asked what injection I had received, and it was Kenalog and two other drugs. I asked if she had heard of this before and she said no, but that she would have the P.A. who administered it call me tomorrow. I'm so mad about this. I will not be able to wear the same clothes or dresses that I normally wear in the summer, because it is hideous and disgusting and huge. If anyone has spoken to a lawyer or if there is a lawsuit pending, please count me in! There must be something we can do, because this has obviously affected many people.

Even more information regarding subcutaneous atrophy and the class of drugs which Kenalog fall in to:

"Subcutaneous atrophy developed in a 36-year-old woman at the site of a triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog) injection for subdeltoid bursitis. Occurrence of local atrophy after corticosteroid injection is relatively frequent yet unappreciated. It is more common in young women and girls who are given preparations with a lesser degree of water solubility. Although the condition is often reversible, instances of long-term disfigurement are well documented. This complication of a useful treatment method can be avoided by following a set of precautions for local injection of corticosteroids."

The above excerpt from a 1986 article in the U.S National Library of Medicine. There is also an article as far back as 1967 in the British Medical Journal (10/14/1967) that puts forward the same theory (though it is argued about in the editorial of the Journal).

Anyone who has experienced this problem should print this out and show it to their doctors. Presumably and hopefully your doctor is aware of medical journals and respects the DATA!

I've had a "dent" for about four years now, and had no idea what it was until now. I'm relieved to find out that it isn't anything like cancer.....but will it ever go away? Are there any known treatments or cures?
I'm very upset that my doctor gave me no warning of side effects of the Kenalog shot. I was only told that it would aid in my relief from allergies. I have now received the shot for five years in a row, and have two "dents" on either side of my lower back. Any advice on legal action?????

Correction: Doctors Can not be sued for a Properly delivered shot where the patient reacted badly.

Kenalog Warning! Please think twice before letting Anyone inject this drug into you!! I am a new nurse, I had only been working as a nurse for 4 months on May 31st of 2007 last year when I let my NP of 7 years give me a Kenalog injection to my Left elbow for severe tennis elbow brought on my 16 hour days of charting by hand as a new nurse. As with any drug, we should always be on guard and informed, and I feel twice as dumb for being a nurse and letting this happen, but I was so busy and in demand that immobilization of my dominant arm at the time simply was not an option to my employer.

By October of 2007 I had a literal "crater" in my elbow. I went to an ortho doctor and when he walked into the room he looked at me and said I was the worst case he had ever seen. I still didn't believe him until he sent me for xrays and an MRI. I have NO fat left on my elbow. I have total muscle necrosis and wasting away. Basically the Kenalog shot ate away all but 2millimeters of my elbow muscle and the xrays showed so much inflammation and irritation that the doctor was afraid that the bone had become infected as well. So I had to endure a bone biopsy of the elbow 3 weeks ago before he would even agree to do the elbow muscle transfer which I have to have done this Friday.

I was a new nurse and did not even get to work for a year on the floor before loosing full use of my arm and being forced to give up my nursing job. This elbow muscle transfer requires 3-6 weeks of immobilization, then 4-6 months of physical therapy, then another 4-6 months before you can expect your arm to be back to pre-surgery condition.

Basically I can not work as a nurse for a year, and will not be able to type, write, sign my name, use my cell phone, drive a car, wash my hair, or even pull up my own pants after I go into surgery this coming Friday.

And no, Doctors can Not be sued for an improperly delivered Kenalog injection if the intention was good and the shot was in the right place and did not hit the bone. I have been turned down by 3 lawyers.
Please be careful and try physical therapy, ice and immobilization first!

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 received the dreaded Kenalog shot from an ignorant Doctor blinded by the $50 - $100 a pop(shot) insurance pay out. The foolish idiot failed to advise me of the horrible side effect which includes a half grapefruit size indention that is taking over my right butt cheek. This really sucks. Thanks a lot, 10 years of school, THE MAKERS OF KENALOG AND RETARD DOCTORS NEED TO GET SUED BIG TIME. WHO IS WITH ME?

I had the shot mid August 07 for a case of poison ivy. At first nothing seemed wrong. A month later, I was still itchy, but not where I had poison ivy, on my scalp, elbows, and my right palm. My period was off by two weeks, but nothing like a 4 week period. Yesterday I had severe aching in my left quad and hamstring area, though I haven't done anything strenuous lately. Tonight I noticed the huge (maybe two inches long, not really round, but sort of like a finger was pressed into my skin) indentation and got really scared.

Just as so many others have posted, I was not warned of the risks of receiving this shot. I am a little scared about the indentation continuing to grow. I can't believe so many people have been adversely effected and so many doctors downplay it as just one shot. I feel like I've been duped and conned. I will definitely tell all of my family and friends never to try this snake oil.
What can we do? Has anyone contacted a lawyer for a class action?

I was having Kenalog injections into my knee. On the ninth injection within a years time,with a few Aristospan injections in between, my knee to my foot blew up. Tripled in size, and the skin was bright red with purple marks all over the skin from my upper shin to the ankle bone. I had a big depression in the shin too, which I can not figure out because the injection was into my knee.
I went to my GP who sent me to the ER to rule out a blood clot-ultrasound.
NO blood clot. I was given no medication, nothing, and it was very painful.
Actually, I saw three doctors and not one of them seemed to care. One doctor said, "Steroids are Powerful Drugs" I do not know if this reaction was do to an infection, some side effect, I have no idea. The swelling eventually went down within six months=long time. I still get purple round marks on the skin at the shin, and sometimes my ankle swells. The skin gets red and white marks mixed into the already rash looking skin.
I asked many times what the cause was to this all, and it was like no doctor would say anything negative about the doctor that gave me the injection.
I also discovered that Kenalog is used off label for Epidural Steroid Injections and can cause Meningitis, Arachnoiditis, bowel and bladder dysfunction and more adverse events, because neurotoxins are added to the steroid to make the compound that is injected into the epidural space. Asking other people if their doctor ever told them the drug name they were getting injected by their doctor before this procedure and each and all said "NO."
This is also true for the drugs Depomedrol and Celestone Soluspan. All three drugs are used off label for epidural injections. Neurotoxins do not belong in the spine! If one gets a dura puncture-FOR GET IT!

I had a Kenalog shot march 07, and it seemed to work wonders. In September, my allergies came back with a vengeance, so I returned to the same doctor. I was given another shot, in the same spot on my buttocks. I started having my period every two weeks. Normally very skinny, I have gained about 10-15 pounds. I started to notice facial hair. I went to an OBGYN and was tested for PCOS. A weeks ago, my boyfriend noticed a large indentation in my buttocks, with some bruising at the site of the injections. One of our friends mentioned a similar side effect from allergy shots. After researching and reading all this... I believe both of these to be side effects from the shot. I was never warned of any side effects, only told it would be better than taking a pill every day. I am so terrified and so depressed about this, I wish I would have been warned. I am not sure what to do!

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.