Kenalog and kenalog injections

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 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.

My husband has Kenalog injections to help with his breathing. He has emphysema. Last year he came down with Shingles and the Dr. said it is due to the Kenalog

I'm a physician. Usually Kenalog injections can be avoided and oral steroids used like prednisone. The local dimpling effect may occur if the injection is too shallow, actually there is a temporary "disolving" of the subcutaneous tissue, the muscle and joints are not damaged. It is usually viewed as a "cosmetic" adverse effect. The Kenalog injections was primarily designed for joint injection and the kenalog or similar depo form stays active in the joint for a few weeks. All steroid medications can cause irritability and this is usually temporary for a few days. Steroids can cause muscle weakness- this is usually associated with high doses for prolonged use like being on prednisone for 3 or 4 months. Steroids can have an adverse effect on menstruation, but this is usually associated with chronic use. The most serious problems with the steroids result in bone weakness(osteoporosis) and serious damage to joints like the back and hip. Steroids can also result in weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure and cataract formation. I don't think Kenalog is any different than other steroids such as Medrol or Prednisone in terms of the side effect profile. These are dangerous medications that can also be very helpful in saving lives and diminishing pain.

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.

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 have a giant dent on my left side from kenalog injections I'm not a bathing suit model THANK GOD or my career would be over with my caved in butt it ticks me off every time I see it in the mirror or touch the big giant dent.My doctor never said anything about side effects.

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.

I was given two Kenalog injections during the month of January 2008. My skin had been breaking out in eczema patches all over my body due to a side effect of a sinus infection that I had. My dermatologist gave me two rounds of Kenalog, two weeks apart from each other. The injections immediately cleared up the break outs I was having. Ever since the second shot, I have experienced irregular periods ( My menstrual cycle has always been very regular). The first cycle lasting 15days, which made me nervous. I went to my regular doctor and she said it was probably a side effect of the antibiotic I was given.
My menstrual cycle has been highly irregular. The month of February my cycle ran for 10 days, then stopped for three, started again for another 10days. And now rotates almost every other day. Along with the irregular periods I experience headaches on a regular basis, nausea, anxiety, and I am often feeling lethargic due to the fact that I am probably experiencing low iron.
I was never told the side effects, so I was feeling nervous until I found this website.

Hi everyone!! I have contacted a attorney who is a nationwide medical malpractice. I gave him this web site info so you all may be hearing from them. Hope that helps you all!!

I had a Kenalog injection into my knee joint after my orthopedic removed 30cc of fluid from the knee. about 2 hours later, I began to experience pain around the knee joint. Rapidly, over the course of 15 minutes, I went from mild pain to pain so actuate, I could not function. I could not move, speak, or do anything that might move my leg in the tiniest of motions. The pain extended down my calf, and into my foot. After 30 minutes, I was in such acute pain distress, I was transported to the emergency room. It was by far the worst pain I have ever experienced in my life, worse than labor, and even more severe than a disc herniation four years prior to that. I experienced flushing and stomach pains and it took too pain injections to bring it under control. After ruling out a cartilage tear or fold with an MRI, it was determined that I experienced what is known as a steroid flair. I spent the next day resting and recovering from stomach pains. The pain subsided but left my knee in a worsened state than before the injection, although the inflammation went down. Needless to say, I will not be accepting Kenalog injections again.

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 two Kenalog injections (not sure of the dose) several years ago to help curb the effects of dyshidrotic eczema on my hands ... and wound up not ovulating for about three months. This had not even been brought up as a potential side effect when my dermatologist recommended the injections, and she acted as though it was a very small thing when I called about it later on. I was not given a drug information sheet (nor, I have to confess, did I ask for one).

In my personal experience, though, the relief from the pain, blisters, cracking and bleeding on my hands was worth not having a period for several months, but if you're trying to get pregnant or already have female problems (i.e., PCOS, etc.), I would make a point to discuss these things with your dermatologist and/or your regular care physician before progressing with the injections.

My Kenalog experience has been horrible! I had two in January '07 but had an IUD in at the time so I chalked the side effects (excess facial hair, weight gain, moodiness, depression, etc.) up to that. I had my IUD removed in March and a couple of months later things improved. I thought it was all the IUD.
Fast forward to September '07. I had two more Kenalog injections Well it was horrible. I had every side effect I think except for the indentation. My husband and I were also trying to get pregnant and I had no idea these shots could do so much damage to my cycle. I am not ovulating now and had almost no period for two months and now I cannot stop bleeding. It is so disheartening.
I don't know if I would go through it ever again since the results don't seem to last long term for my pain anyway. I just wish I had read more about it before I had two in a row done.

I received a Kenalog injection in December '06 to provide relief from an allergic reaction. My doctor did NOT inform me of any possible side effects other than drowsiness. Two months later a small dipple formed where the shot was given. I had no idea what it was and just assumed it was a part of getting older (I'm 30). When it began to get deeper, I became extremely worried. It has now been 6 months and the dimple has turned into a very large indentation. I still did not put two and two together and did not think it could have been caused by the steroid injuection. I visited my doctor, the same one who administered the shot in December, to find out what this could possibly be. He said he had no idea!! And even suggested it could be cancer!!!! I came home upset, obviously, thinking I was very sick, possibly even dying!! My sister did some research and found this site, and I am so relieved. But now I am angry at my doctor for not warning me of this possible side effect at the time of the shot AND then diagnosing it as a possible cancer!!! So now I am left with this deformity on my butt and a profound feeling of helplessness. Someone please tell me actions you have taken that have worked, both legally and physically. Will this go away?!?

I just returned from seeing a hematologist for bruising and bleeding under and through the skin of my forearms. Luckily, it is not a bleeding problem, but a dermatological condition known as "cutaneous atrophy". I read on this website that is a side effect of the kenalog injections.

I've been getting the injections in both my knees for the past year (shots every four months). The injections help the pain in my knees, but I think I will just take darvocet for the pain and tell my rheumotologist that I do not want any more of these injections. I've also experienced the excessive sweating around my neck and upper back, not knowing why. Scary side effects.

I have had 7 injections of Kenalog, and if I knew of all the problems I would have I would have never agreed to it. I am having them for pain management all recommended by my workmans comp nurse. I never questioned the treatment as we have sought others witn no success. I first was miserable with stomach and menstral cramps I believed brought on by the first series of shots. My "pain doctor" said that it was not from the medicine and to keep taking my medicine. I am also taking Baclofen a muscle relaxer to help with the cramping the injections may cause. I am so miserable with leg cramps, dizziness, tiredness, arm cramps, stomach cramps, feelings of disorientation, and now a never ending period (I am on day 15). Again the doctor denies any of this relating to the injections. I am going to see my family doctor just to rule out anything else, but after reading this site I am sure that I am right assuming it is from the injections. I am 37, so the pain doctor said I could be starting my "change". I am sooo tired of the denial and as I notice my doctor is not the only one in denial. I am glad I started doing research I just hope it is not too late. I could really use some legal help now.

I have received kenalog injections (only one) per year during allergy season for severe allergic rhinitis. I was recently out of town and was miserable and tha local ER would not give me the injection. The reason was beacause it can cause avascular necrosis especially involving the head of the femur. Which means it can slow down the blood supply to
the top of the femur and cause the bone to die. I had never heard of this before and I will probably still take this injection as planned when I get back to town.

I have also had Kenalog injections. The only side effect I seem to have is the atrophy at the injection site. It suddenly appeared one day about 4 months after my first injection. It was only dime sized and stayed that way for about a year. I thought it was a funny strech mark from having lost a lot of weight. I had another injection about 1 year later and noticed 4-5 months afterward the crater started expanding. It now seems to keep growing and I finally went to the derm and he said it was a side effect from Kenalog. I am using the OTC product Mederma to see if it helps the appearance of the area. Sorry to hear all of your terrible side effects.

I had 2 40mg Kenalog injections in L5 & S1 for a slipped disk a month a half ago. I had a consultation with my doctor beforehand and basically I was told that I may have some mild side effects a couple of days after the injection that would go away in a few days & possibly a bump on the injection site. I am a very healthy 31 year old female so I figured this procedure would cause me minimal problems......Well, I couldn't have been more wrong. 20 days I got my period and it wouldn't stop. It lasted for 9 days and 5 days later I got my period again for 9 more days. It has gone on like this for over 3 weeks now. I have always had a regular period that lasted no more than 4 days. I was completely horrified and thought the worst like cancer or something. My doctor has run numerous different tests on me and everything is normal except that I am anemic and low on sodium. The Dr. can only conclude it was this corticosteroid shot. After reading this message board I am at a lost for words! It seems like others had symptoms like this and even worse! I also planned on getting pregnant soon and no one told me this would be an issue. Now it is. I also read that this drug can lead to osteoporosis so to everyone out there on Kenalog start taking calcium and iron too.

I am a slender, athletic woman who is now potentially scarred for life by this horrible drug. In July 2006 I was given kenalog injections bilaterally for bursitis by a rheumatologist. In early October I noticed the development of a large indentation on my right hip. During a consultation with another doctor regarding my ongoing hip pain, I was told that this dent was caused by kenalog and would likely never go away. I confronted the rheumatologist who administered the injections and she pretended to be unaware of this as a result of injections and ordered an mri claiming that my horribly disfigured hip could be caused by a pinched nerve (said with a straight face). Well, the MRI confirmed the kenalog caused my dent, and I read on Bristol Myers Squibb's kenalog information site that local fat atrophy is caused by improper administration of the injection. Rheumatologist claims a plastic surgeon can fix this. I am consulting an attorney because this screams negligence.

I have been receiving Kenalog injections for the past ten years. The doctor will only give them to me every 3 months. It is the only thing that relieves my dermatitis. It has caused osteoporosis and skin thinning, but it is worth it.

I received 10 Kenalog injections on 9/15 in my scalp to help with hair loss. I am 34; the doctor biopsied and said I had scarring alopecia. I asked about cortisone shots and she elected to give me a series to see if it would help. The shots were painful, of course. But I'd read that steroid therapy can help regrow hair, so I remained hopeful. On my return visit a couple of months later, I pointed out the dent to her, and she said it would fill in in a few months. She gave me a 2nd shot of Kenalog in my left buttock.

I got home that night and looked up the drug and its side effects. I found this board. I cried all night.

It's 3 months later and I have one huge, tender indentation in my scalp--it is BALD; how ironic as there was hair there pre-Kenalog. I also have several less deep dents in my scalp. I've also had the yeast infection, but so far I have yet to develop an indentation or discoloration in my buttock. I am wondering if I should see a lawyer because I was not informed of the risks of this drug. And apparently rather than improving the situation it was prescribed for, it made it worse.

Sigh.

I've had rheumatoid arthritis for about 13 years, and recently was also diagnosed with fibromialgia. I've had many kenalog injections over the years. Until about 8 months ago, the only side affect I experienced was a slight headache the day after. Now, my right hip is totally deformed looking!! I was never informed of this possible side affect. And like most people, I welcomed the relief the kenalog gave me. But, now it scares me. Also, the same hip had become extremely painful. Is this another side affect I was informed of.

I've been taking kenalog injections for several years for my allergies. I had back surgery about 15 months ago. A ruptured disc pressing into my spinal cord causing severe numbness from stomach to toes as soon as I sat down. The numbness is gone but I still have severe lower back pain. Could this be from the kenalog?

I've been taking kenalog injections for appx. 2 years, have 5 bad disc, at first it was good for 3 months and now they last no more than 3 to 4 weeks I've turned down the open up and put in the cage surgery, my insurance want pay for this new Laser Spine Surgery, after kenalog what injection do I go to?

I received Kenalog injections for alopecia. An associate in my dermatologist office thought it would be a good idea to increase the dosage so that i would get better results. Oh I forgot to mention the fact that I had hair all over my scalp. I just had some areas where the hair was thinner than other. However, I had no bald areas. Well that is until I was injected with a larger dose of Kenalog. I now have a dime size bald area in my scalp. The area is also hypopigmented as well. I mean white in color. Oh did I mention the fact that I am african american. So you can imagenine what it looks like. It has been 3 months. I still don't have hair the area and the area continues to be depigmented. I have consulted an attorney.

I believe I must be the exception to the rule for Kenalog. I have been receiving Kenalog injections for allergies and talk about wonders. It has been such a relief to my body. After about 2-3 days, I don't have any symptoms of having allergies. My allergies are really bad and no over the counter or prescription medications seem to relieve the symptoms I have. I have had absolutely no side effects and they last for a really long time. This is my 2nd allergy shot this year and it's September. I will take the shot anyday over taking medications everyday that don't give relief.

I have also suffered severe side effects from Kenalog injections. I had a series of 12-14 injections because of a gynogological ailment. I also asked the doctor. if there were any side effects, she said," no". I was getting the minimal amount of dosage ( 40 MG ). My cheeks started to swell puffy and redness, I was gaining weight and could not concentrate. When I asked her about these problems , she said, " it was not from the injections." I then got a second opinion, and was told to stop the injections immediately ( blood test were done) This doctor also works for the same hospital. The 2nd opinion doctor called my doctor before giving me the results; to warn my doctor. Who then called me and also told me to get more blood test done. Well because of these injections now I suffer from Endocrinogical problems and may possibly have Endo Carsinoma cancer, which the doctors are monitoriing. I suffer from hair loss from the scalp of my head, hair growth on body and face; which I didn't have before. I can die if there is to much stress in my system, hormonal imbalance, irregular periods, loss of muscle, skin tissue, pain and numbness in the areas that were injected, areas that I did not have a problems with before the injection were administrated. I almost lossed my job; for job abandonment. I could not wake up in the morning I would fall into to a deep sleep, or would feel lathargic, disoriented, hallucinations, peranoia, and depression. The worst part about this, is that I cannot sue the hospital because 1. I work for the company 2. The hospital is privately owned and you cannot sue a privately owned hospital, you can only have an arbitration. The most you can get from these cases is $25.000, and no attorney wants to fight the company because it's to expensive to get a outside 2nd opinion, or they just don't think the case is strong enough to win. I'm in a real (rut)! This has also affected my sexual desire (no desire). I am 36, and I am a single parent with all these physical ailments.

Can anyone help ??????

I had a total thyroidectomy last year...long story short, after about 4 months my surgeon said the scar was turning into a keloid ( I now wish I would have just left it alone) So he recommended kenalog injections. I had 3 total over a 3 month period. After a few months the scar had severly indented & it looks horrible...when I swallow it looks like my throat is mangled inside. I hate it & I don't think there is anything I can do about it. I wish I would have been advised about the possible side effects!!! I can 't stand that people stare at my neck when I talk to them...it's very depressing. Not to be so vain, but I'm a young woman!!!

Dr. Melmed in Texas injected my breast with kenalog after an explantation surgery. Now even though I am a young woman, my breast skin is forever damaged. It is discolored .. red and purple and thin! I cry nearly every day about it. He NEVER even mentioned he was going to do this to me! All I thought he was doing was taking the implants out!
Dr.s MUST inform their patients about the up and down side to kenalog injections. AND TELL THEM if they are going to use them!!!

I was given four intra-musclar kenalog injections in my back. For the first day or two it was very achy, but now I feel great. The simple anti-inflamitory did more for my back than a percocet or vicodin ever did.

I was on Nasacort AQ for a nasal drip and then I had a series of Kenalog injections for hip, neck and back pain. They helped somewhat, but threw my glucose levels way up. I was usually in the 110 to 120 range (diabetic, diet controlled), but now it has spiked to 255 and 275. Does anyone know how long it will take to get this out of my system?

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.

Is it safe to have a Kenalog injections whilst breast feeding

I had to kenalog injections in 1998, within a half an hour of having that injections, I started to have a severe headache, pressure in the eyes, severe fatigue, vertigo, blurred vision.

Since those first symptoms I have been diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis... and then hypothyroidism

Would like to talk to anyone who has suffered similar symptoms...

Jeannette

After receiving two kenalog injections in my hip on seperate ocassions, my psoriasis increased ten fold. At first it was like a miracle, no psoriasis. A few months after my second injection, I noticed new areas of psoriasis popping up. For over 30 years I had psoriasis on my elbows and knees, after the kenalog shots I have them on my arms, legs, and head. The worst thing about this is I have no pigmentation in these areas, I probably have 50 or so white spots that range in sizes. My self-esteem has dwindled terribbly because of this. I wont wear shorts or short sleeve shirts because of people staring at me. I went to another dermatologist for a second opinion and she said it looked like my psoriasis rebounded after the shots. If anyone could help I would be so grateful.

I have atrophy of the fat padding of my foot due to Kenalog injections. I was never warned of any side effects. Thanks to Kenalog, I am now practically walking on bone, and I am in more pain that I was before I received the Kenalog injections. The atrophy is permanent. I am no longer able to be on my feet for more than short periods of time. This is a nightmare for me.

i live in england and have been on kenalog injections for 12years i started with 80mg every 2 weeks for about 2 years and has the years have gone on i now have 40mg every 4-5 weeks i have them for my asthma before that i was on predinslone tablets (steriod) for 6years.
i first started with small dipples in my bottom too i now dont have one my bottom is flat in line with my legs i am also now suffering muscle loss which is very painful i have many scars where i have brusied that many times in the same place i also have sleeping problems stomach problem and hair loss and i've only just turned 28
so think yourselves lucky if you have only every needed one injection

I had kenalog injections to both of my eyes. They told me that the injections caused cateracts. Now I have to have new lens put in each eye. Now I cant see good enough out of my right eye to read or see T.V. The last time I went they said I get a free eyelid lift because they found out the injections cause your eyes to fall. My vision is so much worse after the kenalog.

I had moles removed from my face, one scar was raised, so the plastic surgeon gave me a shot of kenalog in my face. I have a crater on my face under my eye from collagen atrophy that was the result of the side effects of kenalog. After consulting with two other plastic surgeons, I was told that collagen atrophy was indeed a side effect of kenalog injections. Treatment includes injections of Restylane( a facial filler) or injections of fat removed from other areas of the body. I am trying the body fat injections. If this does not work, a lawsuit is in the game plan for this freak show DR.

On OCt. 20th, 2005 I received injections of Kenalog with lidocaine and epinephrine (total 2cc.s) into 6-8 sites in atypical scar tissue and lesions. Ten minutes later I went into anaphylactic shock and was given 2 shots of benadryl in my hips. Didn't help much, 911 was called and the paramedics injected me with more stuff and I was taken to the emergency room. Ever since then, the muscles under my left eye constantly twitch. The doctor thinks I was allergic to the lidocaine and wants to give me more Kenalog injections. I have no prior drug allergies. Did anyone else get an allergic reaction to Kenalog?

August 30th this year I received a 40mg injection of Kenalog from my dermatologist, also Triamcinolone Acetonide cream usp 0.1% & Betamethasone Valeraate Cream USP 0.1% to be used on my skin for a terrible rash. Used the cream as prescribed, I also was in severe pain from (nerve cell damage?) in my legs, (no I'm not diabetic) which my primary Dr an internist had diagnosed from blood work? and he had been giving me the Kenalog injections about every three or four months and the last two had not helped the leg pain....trying to make this short-----the amazing side effect, if it was caused by all the steroids was, I had been horribly bloated which we had surmised was from the Kenalog, in a week I had lost 18 pounds of fluid, my legs were back to normal size for the first time in I don't know how long. My sister is an RN and we were baffled. I asked my dermatologist, I've seen a neurologist since then, and they had no clue??? Have you ever heard of this happening???

Jolene ***
****** Ada Ok 74820

my wife got 2 kenalog injections she gained 20 lbs she has been bleeding staining for 5 weeks she feels terrible depressed she does not know what to do how long does it last and when she will feel better if anyone knows please email me a concerned husband thx gary

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 had a series of 3 kenalog injections for pain in my neck at c-4 and c-5. Immediately after the last injection i noticed re blotches under my skin and went to my dr. She said it was blood under the skin from a hit or scratch, which would normally be a regular bruise, blue ot such. I had blood tests and was found to be anemic and have to take iron to rebuild. This was a result of the kenalog. I also have night sweats and terrible mood swings which I am trying to work out without any more drugs. The effect of kenolag on my pituitary gland has stopped hair growth on my arms and head.
The last injection was a month ago and no sign of any regrowth yet. This drug should definitely be taken OFF THE MARKET. It seems no drs. tell us of the horrible side effects and if they know what they are, why are they using this drug on us the patient. Remember, First Do No Harm??? I will never take this drug again and will certainly tell others the same.
L. Boss

I too have been left with a severe indentation from fat atrophy due to Kenalog injections. I have been having Kenalog injections for the last seven years for hayfever allergies. I suddenly noticed this indentation on my right hip last summer and after being referred to a specialist (my doctor didn't know what it was!) she was able to tell me that this indentation was due to the Kenalog injections. I was horrified, I've had seven! I will never have another Kenalog injection again, information should be made aware to the patient before receiving this drug. I shall look to other alternatives for my hayfever alergies in future.

In January, I slipped on the ice and hurt my back and right hip. My family medical doctor took some xrays and did and mri. Could see nothing. He then sent me to about six weeks of physical therapy. No relief so he sent me to a pain management doctor. The first visit with him, he examined me, looked over the mri and xray film, and read the reports from the radiologist. He started me back in physical therapy. The second visit, he injected my facets...still no relief. Back to therapy. The third visit, he injected my SI joints...still no relief. Back to therapy again. My fourth visit, he injected my hips...and it hurt like heck. At that time I was told to walk a lot. The pain in my back and my hip, caused by the accident, was so profuse, I could hardly stand it. But, I went to the mall and walked for about an hour. When I got home, I had to go straight to bed. For three nights and four days, I couldn't get out of bed. I had to keep myself knocked out with pain pills and muscle relaxors. On a scale of 1-10, the pain was a 20. It was terrible. The man kept sending me to therapy though. On my fifth, and final visit to him, he sent me for another mri. Guess what? My back is broken. 16 weeks of therapy and now it is too late to do anything about it. But I am noticing my blood surfacing under my skin in red blotches. My case worker says it could be caused by the kenalog injections. My question is, did anyone else who had kenalog injections experience the pain I had from them...or the red blotches under the skin? Thanks.

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.

This may offer some hope to those who have received Kenalog injections that resulted in dents in the tissue. About 15 years ago, when I was a graduate student, I developed a mild case of cystic acne. By "mild," I mean that I would develop deep, painful cysts after eating or drinking certain foods, like red wine or chocolate (so my acne was somewhat controlable, depending on my diet). I received a few steroid injections (which I believe where Kenalog shots) that worked almost immediately. However, when I switched to a very expensive doctor in Princeton, NJ and asked him to zap a huge cyst, he gave me too much kenalog and I was left with a nice indentation right smack in the middle of my forehead! It was very upsetting, to say the least. When I called him, he assured me that the dent would fill in on its own. And guess what? It did - but it took a while. After a year, it was not as noticeable and as more time passed it was not noticeable *at all*. However, I will say that 15 years later, I can still put my finger on where the dent used to be and I can feel a slight indentation. Also, the skin over the indentation recently seems to be a bit more wrinkled than the rest of my forehead which is quite smooth (I'm 46 so it may just be normal ageing). Anyway, after my lovely kenalog experience, I stayed away from these injections. And after I swore off all chocolate, tea, and red wine, my cystic acne disappeared on its own.