Kenalog and joint pain

I had that Kenalog and it's been a total nightmare...My doctor Dermatologist injected into my two index fingers on each hand. The itching has been insurmountable and absolutely horrible....I haven't been able to sleep, wash dishes, do anything with my hands....I am telling you I am about to go out of my mind. I went back to her..and now she put me on Prednisone and Singular...now I am reading the side effects of Singular. She never told me what type of shot she was giving me for the pains in my hands that i was getting. I have had cortisone shots for joint pain before...for I figured that what it was that she was giving me...later to find out it was this damn Kenalog. I would have never agreed to such a thing until I had looked up the side effects. This has been a night mare completely...

The itching is so bad, that I have broken the skin, I have a rash completely on both fingers. It so sad...and she's charged me a fortune for it too, and the second time I had to come back for help. What the hell is wrong with people..?

DON'T TAKE THIS DRUG...UNLESS YOU DO CAREFUL CONSIDERATION..!!!PLEASE

I am a physician. Kenalog is one of several injectable steroids that can cause subcutaneous atrophy or lipoatrophy as a side effect. For those who have this reaction, they will notice a dent or divot. This is not dangerous problem and most of the time the dent or divot will fill back in with time. How much time? The range is 3 to 24 months without treatment. However, for many patients this healing process can be speeded up with weekly saline injections that can be safely performed by almost any Doctor and need not be expensive.

The technique was well described in the Journal of Dermatological Surgery in 2006. If you do a google search for the name of the article as listed below you can find the Abstract and take a copy to your Doctor.

Best to all,

T.

Treatment of Local, Persistent Cutaneous Atrophy Following Corticosteroid Injection with Normal Saline Infiltration

Shumaker Peter R., MD*, Rao Jaggi, MD † , Goldman Mitchel P., MD †

Published in Dermatological Surgery, 21 Mar 2006

ABSTRACT
Background. Injections of corticosteroids are commonly used for a variety a dermatologic conditions but may cause local, persistent cutaneous atrophy, with few therapeutic options.

Objective. To determine the effectiveness of bacteriostatic normal saline infiltration on the improvement of corticosteroid-induced cutaneous atrophy.

Materials and Methods. Four patients with corticosteroid-induced atrophy of the skin, two caused by acneiform cysts and one from intramuscular steroid injection, were treated with weekly injections of normal saline directly into the atrophic site. The patients were seen on weekly follow-up visits, and improvement was documented.

Results. All four patients demonstrated complete resolution of skin atrophy and restoration of surface contour within 4 to 8 weeks of initial presentation. Injected volumes of normal saline ranged from 5 to 20 cm3 per treatment session and three to six weekly treatments. The patients were completely satisfied with these results.

Conclusion. Normal saline infiltration offers a safe, tolerable, relatively rapid, and effective treatment for local, persistent corticosteroid-induced atrophy.

Dermatologic Surgery, Volume 31 Issue 10, Pages 1340 - 1343,

I can't believe what I am reading! I have been a competitive runner for over 25 years, and in the past two years I started running mainly trail ultras - races up to 70 miles. This March my husband noticed a huge dent in my left glute muscle that over the course of four races got worse and led to a secondary dent in my hip area. I just assumed I had injured my muscle somehow, but no amount of rest, PT, or stretching has helped.(it's been 6 months now) I developed hip bursitis, medium to severe pain in all my joints, including both knees, my left ankle, and extreme spinal stiffness.

None of the experienced PTs I've been to have seen anything like my dent, and they are baffled by my worsening condition. I'm so scared I'll have to give up running altogether, as my joints are failing me. My PT has advised me to go to my regular doctor to get bloodwork, X-rays, an MRI & all tests done to see if something is wrong with me that is beyond muscle-skeletal. Before all of this, I had low back issues but no joint issues at all.

I found this web site by chance, and suddenly I remembered that several months before noticing the dent, I received 2 steroid injections in my butt, as well as pills & cream for a super severe case of poison oak that covered my whole body and face. Do you think my doctor will tell me if it was Kenalog if I ask?

I, too, am very very interested in any other stories of severe joint pain and inability to run especially after receiving these shots. I hope we can help each other figure this out & get answers.

I have had three kenalog shots: once when i was 15 to combat severe allergies, sinusitis, rhinitis, nasal polyps, and everything else that can go wrong in the nose. I also have moderate to severe persistent asthma. Yet after this shot i was cheerleading, running the mile and 800m in track, and running the 3mile in cross country. I had another shot almost 2 years ago after a severe asthma attack made me go to the hospital and yesterday i had another shot.
I have never had any adverse reactions to Kenalog (besides weight gain, same with prednisone) and i am sorry to hear that so many people have experienced terrible side effects. I have never had any mood swings, period problems, dissolving of my butt cheeks, joint pain, etc.
Kenalog keeps me alive and breathing.

I agree Kenalog has a lot of adverse reactions, being a nurse myself, I suffer from pollen, ragweed, mold, dust mites I can go on and on, and have swollen eyes and wheeze/sob almost on a daily basis from asthma and allergies all yr around, am tired all the time ... I have a heart murmur so I cant take the fast acting inhalers, I also suffer from panic disorder, have 2 benign lung nodules on my left upper lung as of today, still in my 2 yr for the sit back and see if it grows follow up with cat scans every 6 month's, my 19 yr old son passed away from a brain bleed in 06, and am still working in nursing where I want to help out other's, it has changed my thought process to live life to the fullest , try not to dwell on the petty things in life, and yeah every single drug that helps us in one way or another has a side-effect, don't pitty me , just think about this , or at least this is how I get by, I sit and weigh my options, would i rather have sweaty palms, rapid heart rate, tired a lot of the time, mod joint pain, period irr and pit in my butt leg and foot cramps day and night a few, h/a's rather than to, sneeze 24/7, have nasty swollen eyes that burn and hurt to the point I cant see, or not be able to take in one deep breathe and feel like im breathing through a straw, yeah you may not like this post, but to all the people who do not have a whole lot of medical knowledge, I ask you to do your research, don't beg the lawyers to take it off the market, thats what I call petty in my case Kenalog is a godsend!.. have the smarts before you go in, after all they are just Dr's not GOD..we should all re-evaluate what is a priority in our lives, since the death of my son in 06 I have, but please note people , its not the Dr's faults , we need to know what we are taking and have all the info before we take it whether it be the internet, a PDR, they are free to read in the library as well in every doctor office just ask to see one (that might through them into shock making them think your having a part in your health as well), a local pharmacist, because lets face it this world is becoming a fast paced, whirlwind circus and in the end, we all just cant sit back and blame the busy Dr's. I will say one thing though, Kudos to all the Nurses in this world, if it were not for us, now where would the Dr's be :P ..so make the best out of life, we never know whats around the corner, but most of all remember EVERY single drug has a side-effect every one of them, we must realize that we have to take the good with the bad..been there still doing it... take chare of your life, be informed, or get the info, you can do everyone of you! Just food for thought.

It is scary to read everyone's posts on this drug. I also had two shots of Kenalog within the past 3 months for a problem in my cervical spine. I had mild side effects from the first shot, but since the second one, the side effects have gotten more severe. I've gained 15 lbs (and I've been on a strict diet so there's no reason to have gained that weight). Also, after the second shot I had absolutely excruciating joint pain in my knees and ankles, my face is puffy, I have a hump on my back in between my shoulders, my resting heart rate is up at about 108, and I have random stretch marks on my thighs. I believe that all of these side effects are from the Kenalog because I've always been very healthy and in excellent shape and have never had health problems until now. My dr. did all kinds of blood tests and an EKG and everything came back normal, which also tells me the problems are from the drug. This shot was the biggest mistake of my life! My dr. is still insisting that my problems aren't from the shot and he wanted to do a third injection. I said ABSOLUTELY NO! I went and got a second opinion, and my new dr. said that all of these side effects are from the massive amounts of Kenalog that was pumped into my spine and I'm on a new treatment plan. I am against these types of injections. It has caused me more harm then good.

I got a kanalog shot for the first time 2 days ago. About an hour after the shot I began getting welp like rashes. from my scalp to the bottom of my feet. I cant brush my hair or walk without pain. I got shortness of breath and ended up in the ER. My tounge swelled up. I have sever joint pain. today, I was back in the dr... rashed in my ears, throat, mouth, nose and a very intense burning in my stomach. I am lucky that my symptoms are clear. I am covered in the sever rash that cant be ignored. I am trying another antihistamine and not sure what route will be taken if this does not work. My skin feels like fire to the touch. I went to the dr for a simple case of bronchitis and came home with a sever allergic reaction. I would rather be in labor again... I have recieved several types of medications to try. Just hope something works. The dr said the injection can be in my system for weeks. Please anyone let me know what you did or are doing to make you feel better. akzcampbell@suddenlink.net

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 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 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 too had a series of three injections of Kenalog in January & February. I have had itchy skin, a constant yeast infection & the most severe joint pain I have ever had in my life. I have told several doctors & they will not believe that it is a result of those injections. I do believe that I have had a severe allergic reaction to Kenalog & will never let another doctor inject this horrible drug into my body again. I just hope that some day I will feel good again & that this drug has not done permanent damage to my body. Has anyone else had the joint pain? I have read that it can be one of the uncommon reactions to this drug.

I have had 40mg of kenalog every 3 weeks for the past 5 months due to brittle asthma and severe multiple allergies. After seeing my doctor in jan 05 i am now having 20mg every 3wks I have had very bad joint pain my teeth have become loose and are having to be removed my face has swollen and i have noticed facial hair, irregular and heavy periods which is a shame as the kenalog did work anyone know of what else to try? ive tried pred and hydrocortisone

Hi Just wanted to let you know that the patient information sheet from the Drug maker of Kenalog, has every one of our symptoms listed. I have had 3 steroid epidural shots, and my menstrual cycle is so off. I have had my period for 40 days straight now.
The doctors obviously have not read the statements made from the Drug manufacturer, or this site would not be here. It clearly states in bold: MENSTRUAL IRREGULARITIES-- all female patients should be notified.
I also have had severe joint pain, high blood pressure( I was always very low b4 shot), severe panic attacks and mood swings. Our Dr.s are doing us a grave disservice. My Dr actually suggested that I may have Lyme Disease! Which I do not, I had the test just in case!
But ask your Dr.s for the Patient information sheet from the manufacturer of Kenalog, Bristol Meyer Squibb. And know that you are not alone!

I have a tube inserted in between the lung and the lung cavity where excessive fluid is accumulating. I have to drain this fluid daily with special vacuum bottles.

My doctor gave me an injection of Kenalog right in the tube and was deposited inside this space. I waited a few days before draining fluid, and i noticed after a few days, the fluid was not as bloody, and I was draining less fluid so I drained every 3 days. This continued for about 5 weeks with no noticeable side effects. I did have some random joint pain in various parts of my body, but I had not attributed it to the Kenalog. I figure I would need to keep taking this drug about every 2 months and after reading this site, I am more uncomfortable with that now.

Just about everything and anything imaginable.
Severe Joint Pain - throughout entire body.
Swelling in Feet - equallying twice the size
Swelling in hips
Already have Osteroporosis but have recently had
3 broken ribs - 2 had healed and then broke again
Extreme fatigue
Bottom of feet feel like pins and needles and as is both
of them are on fire
Loss of Hair
AND had these shots nearly a year ago.
Now using a cane and homebound most of the time
I have Crohn's and was taking Pred at that time now
they are taking me off the pred, after 19 years of straight
use and now administering a Chemo Drug called 6-MP
or spelled out it is called Mercaptopurine - 50 mg tabs once
a day - making me very sick. Anyone been on this Chemo
Drug or have Crohn's? The shots were for scar tissue build
up after abdominal surgery - It is almost a year now and
still suffering - The pain throughout my body is so extreme
that no words can describe it. It was Kenalog and Depo
Medrol on three different occaisons.
Thanks.........

Hi I get Kenalog injections for my SI joint pain, everytime I get them I loose about 10lbs, and either have heavy long menstrual cycles or I miss them for a few months. My doctor tells me it cant be from the injections but I have the same side effects everytime.