Kenalog and fda

I'm so glad I found this website - thanks to all of you who have shared. I had a Kenalog injection in May 09 and about a couple of months ago noticed an indentation in the side of my leg. I had it given in my leg instead of buttocks due to other health issues currently going on. It is sore sometimes and hurts sometimes when I bend down or exercise. I also had abnormal periods for several months and didn't realize that it was related to the injection. I had a sinus infection/ear infection and had to get on a plane to go out of the country the next day, otherwise I would have never done this. No one mentioned (or I think knew) anything about the possible muscle/skin side effects. Does anyone know about a class action suit regarding this? I've already made a report with the FDA. I am working with a dr that is doing soft tissue work on it weekly, this does seem to be helping, the indentation decreases quite a bit, but it the indentation increases if I don't have the soft tissue work. I'm hoping I won't have to have plastic surgery to fix this, but looks like I will looking at all the other postings. Does anyone know of a class action law suit regarding this? I tried the person listed in Delaware's e-mail listed on the posting, but it wouldn't go thru.

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? ******

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

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

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

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

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

Please feel free to report this drug to the FDA http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/

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 too received a Kenalog shot for poison ivy in my buttocks. The nurse informed me it may cause a little indent for a few weeks since I am thin, but will go away. I never asked anymore questions b/c I was so desperate to get rid of the poison ivy and she made it seem like it was nothing.

Well it's been 9 months and I have a HUGE indent where the kenalog was injected! AND it's gotten bigger and deeper with time. Luckily it is under my bathing suit bottom and most of my panties. But it's sore to the touch and sensitive.

After reading posts on this, I sent a complaint to the FDA. Has anyone who did this heard back from them? If there is a class action suit, I am in. It's amazing all the blogs I've found on the Internet with people in our same situation. It's about time something was done!!!

I would have NEVER got the injection if I knew this was going to happen!

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.

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.

1 year ago I had an injection of Kenalog in my knee due to a tear and a week after the injection, I had a very light period ( I was 54 at the time and hadn't had menstruation in 6 years). Last week, my PCP gave me an injection for my sinus problems as they were causing significant asthma issues. Once again, I have started having a light menstruation, this time with a lot of cramping. I have also had severe nausea the past 3 days and migraine recurrences that have been pretty well under control with Topamax. I am a RN and started "putting 2 and 2 together" regarding the Kenalog, so googled it and found this site. Definitely NO MORE for me!!! I will report this to the FDA and encourage my doctor to file a report also.

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. 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 had posted my case on May 17th on this blog--as I noted, 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. Also wanted to see if anyone has contacted a lawyer on this issue?

-- By slmgator | Reply | (3) replies | Send Private Mail

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.

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 am thankful to have found this website. It's answered a big question for me as to why my 5 month old son got a large (quarter-size) indentation on the side of his thigh. I thought it was due to a bruise. I took him to my pediatrician and he didn't know what was the cause. Now, it is all coming together. He had an upper respiratory infection in March 07 for which he received an injection...of Kenalog. This was not from his normal pediatrician. I can't believe that this would do this. I will definitely be reporting it to the FDA like some have suggested.

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.

.Hi this is Sue again guest#33546. I am writing to follow up on my previous article, posted on 11/29/06. I saw my gynecologist on 12/1/06, after the prometrium he had me on failed to stop the bleeding. On December 4th I had surgery to stop extremely heavy bleeding and clots the size of a quarter that lasted 24 days. After speaking with Bristol Myers about my side effects, and them informing me this could continue until the drug was out of my system I decided a premarin injection probably would not work either, since the prometrium did not. I could not go on bleeding the way I was for several more months until this drug ran it's course and was out of my system. I was extremely tired, weak, and dizzy due to blood loss. I had a hysteroscopy, D and C , and an endometrial ablation also known as , performed to stop the bleeding. I was dehydrated and was given 5 bags of fluid in the hospital probably due to blood loss. During my pre op testing my blood pressure was elevated to 162 over 90. I have always had low blood pressure. They did an ekg and my heart rate was also elevated. Another side effect I failed to mention in my previous article was severe charley horse type cramping in my calves and feet while sleeping at night. The bleeding has lightened up to a brownish discharge now which is normal and can last for up to 2 weeks post-op. Besides informing Bristol Myers of my side effects I also contacted the FDA.

I urge everyone who has sufferd a side effect to report it to the FDA,you can do this online.Maybe if enough voices are heard something will be done .A safe drug should not deform your body.Everyone please make a report!WE just might be able to spare somebody the side effects we have all suffered.

I strongly urge anyone who has suffered side effects from Kenalog to report it the FDA.Just Google in FDA and it will direct you where/how to make a complaint.Most of us believe Kenalog is dangerous and have suffered serious side effects.Maybe if enough of us voice our concerns about the safety of the drug they may do something about it.This is America ,how can we be given a drug that can permanetly disfigure us?

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.

My 83 year old Mother had a shot of Kenalog in her knee 11 days ago. Her knee had been sore for months, so the doctor drained her knee and gave her 1cc of Kenalog. She has experienced a severe rash over her entire body for 10 days and it is NOT going away. She has been taking Benedryl which a primary care physician prescribed after giving her a shot of Benedryl before she left the office. The physician said she always uses Kenalog and sees no problem with the drug. My mother is calling doctors trying to figure out what to do and how to make the itchy rash go away. With so many side effects this is not a good drug to take! Where's the FDA?
Why aren't the doctors concerned about giving this drug?