Kenalog and insomnia

I had Kenalog injections a few days ago for MyoFacial Pain Syndrome. They are used for Trigger Points in the body that cause severe muscle spasms.
I have experienced these spasms for about three years. The first three times I had the injections I had no side effects. But the relief from the pain only lasted about three weeks.
So the nurse practitioner upped the dosage the other day. Since that evening I have been suffering from chills, sweating, fatigue, lost appetite, anxiety, aching muscles, and insomnia. I wake in the night several times sweating.
The pain in my upper back has subsided now but am not sure it was worth it.
I called their office but have not heard back from them.
Am so tired from suffering already and I hope the side effects subside very soon!

I did a post a few days ago--but must add to it. I have SLE, MS, CAD, HBP, having 5 stents, asoteoporosis, arachnoiditis, cerebritis/vasculitis from lupus, chronic pain(fibramyalgia) and a bucn more that ill give u sum idea. I am also a RN for28 years and KNOW what medications can do. I mena come on lets face it--if we ALL read THOROUGHLY all the inserts with ANY medication--NONE of us wud take any of it. Even ADVIL and ASA have horrific side effect.!! I saw my doctor yesterday afternoon due to this rash--not my typical lupus reash---doesn't look like discoid lupus, it begins on my chest goes uop my face then all down my back then gradually works its way down my leg---it gets rasm, macular and some some end up with a popular looking area. The PAIN from if is almost as bad as the itch from the rash. I have had shingles and it is similar to that pain. I have been putting topical steroid base creams all over to no avail. I begged my doctor for the KENOLOG shot and discussed GREATLY the side effects: I have had a hysterectomy so that is nothing, it cause cause a psychosis, depression, panic racing thots insomnia--basically ALL the side effects everyone has mentioned---but IT WORKS -I JUST GOT UP AND THIS DIFFIGURING DISCUSTING RASH ALL OVER IS ALMOST 90% GONE!!!! Like I said I have been on steroids most of my life--and I KNOW the side effects of them--PERIOD. Educated patients READ the inserts and ask their doctors---all meds have risks but the questio is does the risk outweigh the benefit t
??????????? I am on a mediation that has you with an increase of 10-15% increase of having an heart attack--which I have had two--but I CHOOSE to take it becuz the benefit outweighs the risks. I understand 100% all the complaints concerns and everything, attorneys will NOT take cases where the medication is used and adminierted the correct way--esp. when the side effects are clearly listed. Doctors are TOO freaking bust these days to sit and TALK and explain every side effect with each of their patients. Does each of you know that the average physician HAS TO SEE at least 60---yes sixty patients A DAY???? That is actually in their contract--thata approximately 7 and a half minutes ith each of us.!!!!!!! Make a list of all ur concerns, questions etc for the doctor and I do this ---I manuaver my chair to in feonrt of the door and I DO NOT LT THE DOCTOR OUT until he has answered ALL my concerns---yea they get mad tell me I can't do that--and my response is is IF YOU can make me wait in ur office lobby for more than an hour--I will do what I have to do to get proper CARE!!! Shuts most of them up. But I am lucky I do have 6 of the most careling and compassionate physicians--I have lucked up--I have had my share of "stupid" doctors but-hey WE are the patient-=-go to another one until ya get one ya like. If you go to other website about medicine there are many more complaints and unhappy patients with medications they take. But I understand where all of US are coming from---Doctors are no different than us--and they are not GOD--they make mistakes and as long as they don't KNOWING harm you---or commit fraud--no lawsuit happening---now sueing the MAKER of kenalog MAY be a possibility( my sisiter is an attorny) thats her advice and itd have to be a class action suit and its kinda sad--patients don't ever get much in things like this but its worth a shot!!!

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 myself had this shot kenalog and marvin about 8months ago, got it for chronic back pain, i suffered from herniated disc, degenarate spine, it's no fun getting old. i'm 34 yrs old mother of 16 & 6. i was diagnosed may 2007, from, insomnia, migraine, stiffness of back, sciatica symptoms, depression.
i thought the shots was the answer. it really didn't do nothing for me, but i remember the shot was painful, and they bruised a little, but there was one on my tailbone that bruised last night months, didn't think of anything bad, until i started to notice the white, dented looks like tunnel going in, it sore around it, and it's getting bigger and bigger. Yeah so many things going through my head, is this cancer, some kind bone desease. I see my Dr. next week, and i will ask him for MRI and what can he do to fix this problem...if anyone has any info or in LA< CA.pls forward to me. its good to know i'm no alone and going crazy... thanks

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 the Kenalog shot in my right shoulder for joint pain that other meds could not resolve on September 13, 2007 (tomorrow will be one week ago) After the first 48 hours of injection I did experience the "typical" steriod type side effects being facial flushing, hot flashes, minor anxiety and slight insomnia on the first couple of nights after the injection. I have just recently noticed a hot/burning sensation on the outside of my right ankle, almost like I applied icy hot to that area. Never before have I experienced this, although it is not painful, it is a weird feeling. As I was first reading all of the other postings I immediately became overwhelmed with anxiety because I too asked my doctor the side effects and as all of the others have stated he said "One percent of patients get an infection in the injection site". That's it, he never said one single side effect. My question to all is that I haven't read anyones posting that states an onset time of the side effects they are experiencing. Am I to still expect more side effects? Has the Kenalog not be in my body long enough for the side effect to become apparent? Please advise! Thanks in advance for sharing such personal information with me. BTW- my shoulder pain has resolved for the time being but because of the now known REAL side effects of Kenalog- If I was to have to take this shot again to keep the pain from coming back- I choose the pain. My heart goes out to everyone who has had even the slightest negative side effect from this drug! LJONES/VA

I just read the entire list of side effects on the Bristol Myers Squibb site, and now i realize that Kenalog is to blame for some of my other problems.
I've been suffering from insomnia since the shot i recieved 2 weeks ago, also acne, increased appetite, along with the menstual irregularities. I havn't noticed the indentation on the injection site yet, but that's not to say i wont have that problem as well.

I received a kenalog injection for coccyx pain March 2007. I have noticed the following side effects: nausea,heightened anxiety, insomnia, night sweats, loss of appetite, fatigue and severe generalized itching. It is now August and I am still experiencing these problems.
I have a question. Has anyone out there noticed their blood sugar
increasing? I am trying to see if this is separate or related to the injection.

I received a Kenalog shot a couple of weeks ago. I have been suffering chronic joint pain in all of my joints for almost a year. I've been taking pretty intense doses of painkillers and they stopped working. I'm allergic to NSAIDS so my medication options are limited in terms of anti-inflamation drugs. My Rheumatologist suggested it and at this point I was willing to try anything.

Anyway, it's been working pretty good. I still have pain but it's not nearly as intense as it has been. My feet & ankles were swollen really bad before too. Now they are back to normal again. The pain meds work much better now too.

I haven't noticed any side effects. I had insomina before because of the pain. I still have it but at least now I have more energy. All in all it's helped my condition. After reading some of the responses though, I will keep watch after the next shot. It seems that problems come up after a few shots.

I just got a Kenalog shot for a protruding disk in my L4 and L5
region. I told the doctor before I got the shot that I had recently taken cortisone pills and they had HORRIBLE side effects on me. He said the shot would be nothing like that and I would not have these side effects. Well, I do! For one I have raging insomnia and I can't even sleep if I take two Ambien! I have a horrible headace. I told the doctor about the headache because it started right after I got the shot and he said the headache has nothing to do with the shot! On top of that NONE of my pain is gone! Reading all of your comments on this board, I just want to know what is going on with all of these doctors! They just sit there and lie right to our face! I'm so mad I can't even type anymore! ARRRRGGGHHH!!!

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?

to guest # 3217

THe side effects that we are ''whining''about are caused by Kenalog nothing else.Have you not noticed a pattern in the postings or read the drug warnings?Most of us have suffered permanent disfigurments or terrible irregular bleeding,along with migrains,cramps,mood swings,hair loss,insomnia,ect...I don't know about you but I care about my body and I don't welcome a golf ball sized hole in my hip nor do I welcome flooding,painful periods with blood clots as big as walnuts ,that last 2 to 3 weeks a month.Most of us were not warned about these side effects from the people trying to ''help us''.It appears that these side effecs are common and the doctors failed to give us the choice if we wanted to take the risks.Every woman should have the right to know tha her menstural cycle could be effected or that she may get a disfigurement.Tha alone would have been enough for me not to get aKenalog injection.I only had one injection,how many have you had?I am sure that eventually you will be posting an apology to all of us whiners.Have you had an x-ray yet?

I also got an epidural with kenalog and did not know the side effects could be so severe.I was weak and all my body hurt. i had insomnia, palpitations, anxiety dizziness. i felt like I was going to die. To stay upright took every ounce of strength. I had a holter monitering and tsh done because I did not know it was side effect i was having.It is six weeks later and i feel like I am going to pass out when i stand up.I have lower back pain and my knees are weak. I hope it passes soon because I have to work

I take Kenalog injection fequently for the Horrible rash I have over 90% of my body. The intence itching is unbearable. The side affect I have from this drug are.
I have gained 66 pounds, my stomach is distended to the size I was going into delievery, Sleeplessness, Bad temper. I eat as if I were a great white. it has made me totally out of controll and depressed. If a Doctor reads this and has any ideas that might help me, PLEASE do.

I am forty-seven years old; I have received two Kenalog injections in my lumbar spine with x-ray guided fluoroscopy. I also ended up in the Emergency Room with heart palpatations, high blood pressure, profuse sweating, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, and muscle weakness. I recently had my last injection three weeks ago and will never have another one. Since this injection I have experienced severe bloating/weight gain, fatigue, mood swngs, depression, and anxiety. At the moment I still do have muscle weakness and thought I had the beginnings of a yeast infection. Reading these posts made me feel not so alone. The physicians in the ER made me feel as if my symptoms where in my head and my own physician who performed the injection denies any link between my symptoms and the Kenalog. Each time that I have had these injections, a series of three, I have had to go under general anesthesia and spend several days recovering from the all the side effects of the anesthesia and the Kenalog. My physician never warned me of any of these possible side effects, and when I confronted him about them basically told me it was in my head and ignored me. Has anyone started a class action law suit? Reading these posts where a comfort to me as I felt alone since none of my physicians would acknowledge the link.

has anyone ever recived the injection kenelog in the scalp for hair loss. i did and over the last couple of years i have noticed new changes to my body.twitching under my right eye, rapid breathing, insomnia, mood swings, insomnia, pressure in my back like a sharp object poking my insides, occassional night sweats. i didnt know if this was a side effect or not but i didnt feel this way until after the shots. eventhough the hair grew back i still feel these effects. can someone respond

I have had several kenalog injectins in my lumbar/cervical spine.after the last one I informed my pain mgt Dr. that I do not want anymore as they cause me to swell all over..I have trouble sleeping and my pain worsens and my stomach burns non stop..I suffer mood swings and hair loss..so he agreed no more injections...I was sent out to a different Dr for my ankle...and without telling me at first that it was kenalog gave me an injection..I told him my body response badly to the drug...well after the shot I have blown up again...my stomach is burning i havent had to shave my legs in 2 weeks..and the pains is twice as bad in my ankle...trust me it is a very very bad drug for me...I also have a pain in the area of my kidney that has been there since the day after the last injection..I think to many Practisioners look at this drug like a miracle cure for pain...I will never let anybody give me this drug again

First,

My sympathies to all who have suffered from the side effects of Kenalog. I'm a male in my late thirties. I recieve a DILUTED solution of kenalog injections about once a month. I'm a healthy male, physically active etc..It appears that kenalog wreaks havoc in females and could be tied to high estrogen levels especially during the menstrual cycle.
My side effects: hypertension, insomnia, thining of hair. I've yet to see what it does to my reproductive system, but fortunately I've decided not to have children at such a late age.

Seems like doctors will try anything just to see if it works..Like it were some "Silver Bullet".

Well Wishes to everyone.

I recently recieved local injections into the psoriasis lesions on my hands. The MD used about 3cc. Within 6 days I began to experience insomnia. Being a menapausal women, I have had my share of 3:30 AM sleeplessness and night sweats. This however is different. I cannot fall asleep. My MD prescribed a sleeping pill to use short term. I am wondering if anyone has experienced this?

Had a kenalog shot for poison ivy in December of '02. Within 2 weeks, site (upper arm) became dented & pitted due to "fat necrosis". Upon examination, Doc said I should have had it in the buttocks since I'm skinny and to "put on some weight" to fill out the dent. Shaking, insomnia, feeling like I'm jumping out of my skin, depression/anxiety, total loss of appetite, muscle weakness irregular period. Took a year to feel back to normal. Dent is no longer visible, but can be felt.

the more i read.. the more depressed i get over the use of kenalog. Although it does help take out some of the mystery. I had a kenalog shot just a few weeks ago-- my second one this year. I have developed a big dent in my upper right hip... it's discolored and it hurts extremely bad. My vision has been blurry all year long... i even went back to my eye doctor -- and had another lasik eye treatment. yet i'm still seeing blurry. i've had fever -- chills... insomnia... irritability.. neck pain-- and severe pain in my right leg. i have cut back my workouts and thought my mystery illness and lack of workouts just meant.. a fat pocket. my doctor told me otherwise.. he is sending me to an orthopedic.. and said it's muscle atrophy but made no mention of the kenalog drug.. which the nurse told me on my way out. someone else wrote "moon face"-- not sure what thats but i feel everything has changed. And-- oh.. i have had many bouts of nausea and dizziness. Is there any recourse? does insurance cover any of that. ? someone please write me back.. how long will this last in my body and will this dent go away?

March 17,2004

I received a kenelog injection for severe allegeries last week. After years of different sinus/allergy medications, I was referred to an ENT for care. Within 5 min, of the office visit the dr. numbed my nose and injected each nostril with kenalog. He did not warn me of the side effects. I now have insomnia, dry mouth, frequent urination, and a "larythargic like" feeling that has not gone away. But my allergies are better that they have been in years. I wish I would have done some research before the injections. Not sure if I will try this again.

My husband had 3 epidural injections of Kenalog 10 80mg for a herniated disc in the neck. A few days after the last injection he has muscle weakness, insomnia and severe fatigue. Can this be due to the injections? His doctor said that she had never heard of this happening before. I am really concerned. Also I have read that the patient should eat a high protein diet, and to let the Dr know if you are on a low sugar diet. My husband has been on a low sugar diet also and I am not sure if this is affecting him along with the injections???

I had a series of 3 epidural injections of Kenalog for back pain. After the first one, I experienced increased blood pressure, hyper-irritability, insomnia. After the last one, my period was 2 weeks late and when it started, it was heavy. I have now been bleeding for 18 days. I have severe abdominal swelling and moon face. Medication doesn't seem to help any of these effects, including blood pressure. Anyone else have these problems?

agitation and insomnia