Kenalog and heart rate

Wow....sounds like Kenalog is not a drug to be administered without careful consideration of the pros out- weighing the cons. I had a Kenalog injection in my elbow at an urgent care center while on vacation about 8 mos ago (painful elbow was impacting vacation activities). It took my pain away 100%. Never gave it another thought even until just recently when it began hurting again. Did, however, notice the atrophy at injection site...and a grayish tone to skin. Indentation has not grown, but certainly has remained. My elbow is also super sensitive. Feels like the nerve is right there under a thin layer of skin.....so sensitive. I also have leg shakiness, hip weakness, anxiety, nausea, and increased heart rate....I assume these are related as I did not have these issues prior. These issues bother me way more that the indentation on my elbow. Dont like not feeling well. I guess the learning is that all medications are foreign to your body and thus have potential side effects. One needs to ask questions and or do own research on their own prior to consenting to take a mediation to be sure the benefits are worth it.

I too have been injected previously with Kenalog shots for allergies. I never had the site indentation that most of you are commenting on. But I can tell you that the menstrual cycles did change considerably. Kenalog is a steroid, and like oral prednisone it is hormonal. It is just like taking birth control pills, you have the irregular or heavy periods, the excessive hunger, hair growth where you don't want it and weight gain. And as far as my allergies are concerned it never worked. I have excessive sinus disease that has been aggravated by living in a dry windy desert climate. After my second sinus surgery in 2 months the holes in my sinus cavity are starting to close up again. So yesterday my doctor tried a new therapy of injecting kenalog right into my sinus cavity. However it was not injected directly. A small piece of spongy foam was placed into my sinus cavity and the medicine was injected into the foam so my nose would absorb it naturally without the tissue being directly injected. I don't know if it will work or not. I have experienced some unpleasant side effects already, higher blood pressure and increased heart rate. Although the heart rate did come down after a few hours. Any kind of steroid causes this problem. I was hospitalized in January with a severe asthma attack and was given steroids thru a I.V. It was the only drug that opened up my lungs, however by the second day my heart temporarily went into v-tach because I was getting too much too often. As soon as it decreased I was fine. So dosage is a major concern. I can tell you from experience that Kenalog last realistically for about a month even though docs tell you it's good for 3. I would not have multiple injections for any reason. But when you are in pain and hurting and you have inflammation in your body, unfortunately steroids of some kind will always be the drug of choice. I have recently started acupuncture and will see if that helps my sinus problems. I have taken up yoga too to help my breathing. I highly recommend these alternatives to drug therapy. I have been on every kind of asthma and allergy drug out there and I do not trust any of them anymore. But ask the doctor lots of questions and refuse the meds if you are not comfortable. if your doctor is herding you in and out of his office or not willing to explain the meds completely then refuse it and go to someone else.

I have been on prednisone on and off most of my life. I have sysyemic lupus and many other medical diagnosis--but I had a svere rash all over that didn't respond to PO steroids--even high doses--100 mg a day. I saw my dermatologist and she said the Kenalog wud clear it right up--not once did she mention ANY side effects. Now, I know me--and how I respond to medications. While on prednisone--I have to take sleeping pills, and anti-anxiety agents or I become truly psychotic. But I am telling you what--I have NEVER had such a psychotic--nervous reaction to anything. I was like a different person and taking 10 mg of valium, ambien and resperdal did NOTHING to combat theanxiety and psychosis caused by the kenalog---not sure if its metabolized differently than the PO steroids but I truly could not sit still for days after getting the injection. But I am telling ya--IT WORKED!!! In about 72 hours this horrific psoriasis looking rash was drying up and disappearing. I had no problem with it leaving a mark in my buttocks either--I just checked to make sure--but--this is a miracle medication--but the side effects are HORIYFYING!!!!!! iN FACT, i HAVE THE RASH BACK--MY pcp THINKS ITS FROM LUPUS AND ONCE AGAIN THE PO STEROIDA SRE DOING NOTHING--SO i AM GOING BACK TO THE DERMATOLOGIST TO GET ANOTHER SHOT--BUT WILL DEFIANTLY GET A PRESCRIPTION FOR xanax, valium AND ANYTHING TO MAKE ME SLEEP AND NOT GET THE PSYCHOSIS.Oh---it does causeyou to gain weight---I gained close to 25 pounds in 10 days and have yet to lose it. and I have been on steroids most of my life and not gained that much--EVER!!!!! And LASIX does nothing for the fluid retention and swelling. MY heart felt as tho it was gonna beat out of my chest--and my heart rate and blood pressure went sky high--and I am on caridzem 120, and toprol for HBP. If you can tolerate the side effects--than this medication will treat whatever ails ya!!!

I have a herniated disc in lower back.Been dealing with it for about 7 yrs 3 of which have been chronic. I had a series of 3 shots in 3 weeks one year ago and had instant relief for about 2 months. My pain came back after this short pause with a vengeance. I just went back to the doctor for my second series of 3 shots but he really knocked the hell out of me this time. I have had a accelerated heart rate, puffy face, huge weight gain, anxiety, insomnia, incredible appetite, cotton mouth and some digestive problems as well. One good thing about it is that I do not have any pain(for now). I am scheduled for surgery in a month hopeful to get away from all drug treatments.

I received four injections of kenalog into the spiny processes in my lower back on May 26th 2005. On waking from the procedure, my heart rate quickened, my blood pressure fell drastically, my oxygen saturation in my blood fell to 84%, and I was in and out of consciousness. Two hours later, I began vomiting, developed a migraine, and began having heart palpitations. I was admitted to the emergency department the following morning where I was diagnosed with UNCONTROLLED ATRIAL FIBRILLATION and had to be cardioverted twice to get my heart working correctly. I was on betablockers for my heart for 2 months and am fine today. Like other posters, I also had erratic and extended menstrual cycles for about 3 months post injection. At the time, I was a 32 year old, healthy female with no history of cardiac problems.