Kenalog and kenalog shot

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? ******

Hi All, we definitely need a lawsuit. I am finally my old self again after 2 years of hell. My nose shut down after moving into my new house 2 years ago. Went to a local clinic here. My Dr. gave me the Kenalog shot for "inflammation", she did not tell that it was a steroid. I am allergic to steroids. I was suicidal, depressed, had a breakdown, lost 10 lbs. in one week from not eating. Menstrual cycle went from 3 days for 35+# years to every other week for 7 days. OMG, I went thru 2 years of sheer hell. Finally had to have a partial hysterectomy this past May I AM SO ME AGAIN! WE NEED A LAWSUIT against Bristol Meyers. Thank God my husband was beside me, or we would have divorced. Poor Guy.

Had a steroid shot combo of Kenalog and something else for allergies about 3 years ago. Didn't make the association then about the deep indentations on my upper buttocks and the shot I had in that same area a few month earlier until I found this website. I just had another Kenalog shot (in my arm) for allergies about 5 weeks ago. Since then I've had two periods the second of which is dragging on and on. I was a bit panicked until I searched and found this website and another and found others who had the same symptoms. I called my primary doctor and they had no idea of this side effect. He said to come in for a follow up if my symptoms continue. Meanwhile, it is really stressing me out due to a family history of cancer. ******

i must tell you that I had a kenalog shot in my hip 10days ago to try to relieve a terrible case of psoriasis on my fingers that not only was hideous to look at but i couldn't pick anything up without my hands my fingers cracking oe bleeding. in these ten days the psoriasis has totally cleared up but I do have a severe metallic aftertaste in my mouth. No other severe side effects as of yet.

I have been getting kenalog injections for about 4 years now. I am 38 years old and have been in pre-mature menopause for about 3 years. I just received another shot last Monday and noticed I have been spotting a little bit. My pap came back normal. I have to get more blood work this week. I am growing more and more concerned that this whole "early" menopause may be from kenalog. I have been "freaking out" a little bit this past week because I haven't felt well either. I've never had a problem with weight gain until i started these injections and now I am over-weight and tired all the time. I'm starting to think that this whole kenalog shot is a big mistake.

I received a kenalog shot in my hand 2 months and it killed the pigmentation in my skin. It now looks like i have vitiligo.Was not made aware of side effects. Doctor also states he doesn't know when the pigmentation would return

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 just got back from the doctor's office to examine the mysterious "dent" in my left buttocks. He didn't know what it was but I just googled the problem and confirmed it is from a Kenalog injection on 10/29/08. At Christmas time I just noticed rough looking skin but in the last couple of weeks I noticed the the "dent" was getting larger. I cannot believe the number of side effects for this drug. I was given the injection by my allergist for inflamed sinuses. What a price to pay huh? I only read one article that said her "dent" was filling in after a year and one half. Is there anything that will stop the growing of this "dent"?

I got the Kenalog shot in my wrist to treat tendinitis. The area turned white and noticed my wrist bone (what I thought) was sticking out. Went to a dermatologist and she said that one of the side effects of the shot is that it turns the skin white if it's too close to the top of the skin. Another side effect which I think you all are referring to (indentation) is that it eats away the fat in the area. That's why my bone was sticking out. Couple of months after that, it was fine. I've just recently got the shot in my knees and my doctor was trying to make sure he went deep enough away from my skin. It hurt like hell but it's been almost a month and haven't seen or noticed any of those side effects as of yet.

Just to let most of you know, that Kenalog will only last several days to a month, if you continue to have symptoms, you need to see your doctor. If you receive kenalog inject frequently then the symptoms and side effects may continue, not letting your body rid of it before your next dose. You should always ask your healthcare provider what it is that you are about to receive, and what the side effects are, it is also up to you to make your healthcare choices, become informed. And never let anyone give you a steroid inject in your arm, unless its for your joints, thats why they are given in the gluteus muscle, because it can cause indentations, and the arms are more seen than the buttocks.

Wow…I was doing so much research today and was so excited to find this website and seeing all the responses from everyone below. My daughter had a really bad allergy attack last 6/2008 when there was a lot of smoke in the Sacramento, CA Valley from surrounding fires. The smoke was so bad for a couple of months. I took my daughter into an urgent care Med 7 of Folsom per the advise nurse line provided by my health insurance co. Nothing had changed in my daughters diet or environment for the hives to occur, other than the smoke that was really bad outside. So the doctor came in and looked at my daughter and then he said they would be administering a Kenalog shot and that would help the hives disappear for what ever reaction she was having. I was a bit concerned because my daughter was only being 2 years old and there is steroids in this medication. Normally when we have ever got any type of injection from a doctors office they have always given you a side effects form for you to review and a form for you to sign an authorization to CYA. Unfortunately, due to me being so concerned with my daughter I didn’t realize it until I had to take my daughter an hour later after we got home the hives did not disappear they got even worst, so we rushed her Mercy of Folsom, CA and I gave my daughter benadryl only to settle the hives because she was so uncomfortable and itchy. Finally after waiting for about 2 ½ -3 hours in the emergency room the hives settled down for a short period of time. Finally we got in to see the doctor I explained everything and realized that the paperwork I had for my daughter didn’t have the side effects paperwork from Med 7 or the amount of the kenalog shot they administered to my daughter. The only thing the doctor could recommend was Zyrtec and to follow up with my daughters primary physician. So, we went to the store and purchased this over the counter medication for her allergies and it worked great for her. About a month after the kenalog injection in her upper left thigh I noticed she had these small white/purplish color marks on her leg and then it turned into a dime size indentation. Over the last 7 months that indentation has grown into the size of a quarter, maybe a bit bigger than that. We didn’t think anything of it until recently we called the advise nurse and she said to make an appointment with our primary physician to have him look at it. When we came into our appointment I explained the long story to him about the shot she received and why she received it, so he referred me to a dermatologist who really couldn’t give me any advise other than it was a lipoatrophy? He said he couldn’t recommend anything other than to watch it over time and if it gets bigger to go back to her primary physician. He stated that she could probably get surgery to have the muscle in her leg pulled together or add filler injections. He said I can’t really suggest anything if it is not effecting her general health. From what I see when I touch this area of my daughter softly she doesn’t even want it to be touched as if it is very sensitive? This is truly unacceptable and I plan on coming after the Med 7 clinic for not providing me any side effects paperwork before administering the shot and they have a rate us 1 - 10 website. I rated them a couple of days later and from what I heard from their Folsom, CA office is that they have the board of directors for these clinics and managers review what is sent on this rating website and someone would follow up with the client. Unfortunately, that was not the case because nobody ever called me back or was concerned. I will never go into a med 7 clinic for assistance again and I will continue my mission to make sure my daughter and others are aware of what could happen to them as well.

PS. To the writer slmgator Thank you!!! I will report my message to the FDA as well….

I have severe allergies and cronic sinusitis... like a lot of people on here I have taken all the allergy drugs they make for the past 9 years... Ive had tons of procedures done and sinus surgery last Feb '08. Nothing helps. Ive taken oral steriods many times but recently my new ENT decided to give me a Kenalog shot in Sept. Nothing was explained to me other than it was a steroid. The nurse put it in my left shoulder. I have had all the symptoms people are describing on here except the indent. I have been progressively getting sicker and feeling worse and worse over the past few months. I feel like I could go to bed and just stay there. Now this past Monday he gave me another Kenalog shot in my left shoulder. I heard something on a tv show that it causes depression so I jumped on this site and feel sick about all the messages I have read about people's terrible side effects. I feel like my doctor who I trusted let me down. I am so worried that my shoulder is going to have a big grey dent like everyone is describing on here. I am just so tired of being ill.

About every 2 years I'd get a kenalog shot to wipe out the eczema I had on my hands. I never had an adverse side effect that I can think of.
An alternate remedy is to use "DOMEBORO" solution. You can find it at any drug store. It comes in packets in a box. It is a powder that you mix with water and can either soak your hands in it or use a washcloth soaked in it and resting it on the affected area. It truly is a miracle - it immediately relieves the itch and aggravation of the pain. It costs about $14.99 for the box.

I had Kenalog shots many years ago, beginning in 1969 for the initial onset of terrible hay fever when I was a senior in high school. It was wonderful at the time because the shot cleared up all hay fever symptoms. I probably had the shot, in the hip, once a year for a couple more years. I did not notice any dimple or change in the skin or muscle at the injection site. I stopped getting the shot because I didn't have any medical insurance. Then around 1993, with medical insurance restored, I decided to have a Kenalog shot again when hay fever symptoms kicked in (August). The hay fever symptoms were relieved, but to my surprise, my leg and feet muscles were cramping terribly off and on all day for several weeks. My legs have been very sore to touch now for many years and I wonder if it is a result of the shot. My understanding is the Kenalog medicine is in an oil base and is stored in the fat tissues of the body or the liver for slow release over a period of a few weeks. As with everyone else who has listed here, any potential side effects or instructions to be on the look-out for side effects was not communicated or initiated by my physician.

I had a Kenalog shot about a month ago, due to having more phlegm than even the doctor could believe. My allergies are heinous. However, I felt no relief from the congestion or mucus from the shot. (He also put me on Nasacort, which I've noticed, in my week of use, has improved things slightly.)

Anyway, for about a month, I've been feeling exhausted. This remarkable fatigue has been plaguing me. I can't get out of bed, I fall asleep any time I sit still for too long. And I get plenty of sleep.

So here I am, on the internet, looking up causes, thinking I could have thyroid problems or cancer. Until my chiropractor mentioned that it might be the shot. So I researched it, and have seen that other people are having fatigue and sleeping problems, as well. Now I think I know the cause.

In conclusion, the shot rarely helps anyone and mostly only causes problems. I suggest moving to California for allergies.

I have the dent at the injection site too. I have been so worried it was skin cancer. I recently saw the same doctor and asked about it and she told me it was probably a scar from when I was little! I told her it showed up in August. She said not to worry and she would do a biopsy if it got bigger. She even had in her records I was there for the kenalog shot in summer. I had the shot in early July. Please inform me of any class action law suit. I am now wondering if this also was the cause to my lack of sleep and loss of 20 pounds over the summer. I was not informed of any negative side effects.
Thanks
******

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).

About 3 weeks ago I was given a Kenalog shot for head congestion. I felt good for aprrox 24 hours, then back to my ears and head being plugged up. I am not sure if these are effects from this shot or not, but I now feel like my skin is crawling, chills, loss of appetite, lack of focus ... I could go on and on. My face feels like I have been crying for hours, that puffy feeling, but at the same time my skin feels tight around my face and head with tingling. Does this make sense? It is better if I move around and try not to sit still for too long. But that really doesnt help me at work since I have a desk job. I am returning to the doctor tomorrow to ask what the heck is going on with me and what did they give me. I will keep you all posted. I am thankful that I found this site and all your postings. It makes me feel like I am not alone.

Wow, I am surprised to hear all the comments on Kenalog. Is it just me, or does it seem like it really effects females negatively? I am a 43 yr old male that has the worse year round allergies known to man. I have had sinus surgery, and been on every known allergy drug that is available. Went to an allergist and started the drop therapy under the tongue, which seemed to make my allergies worse, so after 9 months I quit the drops. I had tried everything, including air cleaners in every room of the house, no pets, and no carpet.
I went to an urgent care one day because I was 100% blocked and would have been happy if my nose was severed from my face at that point. My doctor asked if I wanted to try the Kenalog shot, and I replied give it to me , give it to me!
This was several years ago and I now receive the shot 3 times a year and have never been happier. The only thing that has ever helped my allergies! I don't have any dents in my rear, so maybe it effects females differently than males.

My hair is falling out too!! Since January I have had 2 kenalog shots for allergies and 2 shots for poison ivy. My side effects are hair loss, depression, headaches, bruise easily, swollen joints, weight gain, and a dent on my rear. These effects did not start until I had 2 shots, now it is so severe. I was so scared when my hair started falling out but knew that I didn't have Lupus or Diabetes which could cause the same side effects...I have been tested for both and do not have either.

Please let us know if there are anymore out there who have hair loss because of the Kenalog Shot.

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 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 have contacted an attorney in Delaware who is willing to pursue a possible class action suit. I explained my side effects from this drug and told him of the countless others that are suffering as well. He said if I was willing to do the "legwork" and gather up names of others who would like to join this suit, perhaps we could get a class action started. If anyone is interested please reply by contacting me at ***** Please be sure to type "Kenalog" as the subject and include your name, email address, and a description of your experience with Kenalog. I will than gather your responses and forward them to the attorney. He will than contact you individually, so please include a contact number. This will take some time. So please be patient, as you know these cases take time. I have spent 15 months trying to get some kind of help from various doctors, to no avail. Someone needs to step up and take responsibility.
Hope to hear from many of you. Thank You

This has happened to me as well. I too have a dent in my right glut that appeared along with a bruise a few weeks following the Kenalog shot for poison Ivy. If anyone knows how to move forward with a class action lawsuit, PLEASE let me know.

October 3, 2008...went to doctor and received a Kenalog shot..because 20 years ago I had started with spots on my arms and foot. Of course I have diabetes Type I (25 years today). Also I have been born deaf too. :)
So the first time I have taken a shot. The skin problems i have called is gluc (spelling?) anoroma (I can't spell) anyway. This year few of them came back on my feet. It seems so long time I haven't studied them and I asked my sister about them, She sent to me about website. To see internet about treatment called Kenalog...I feel want to try one. I hope not to see any side effect or more spots come back on my arms and feet.
if you know about this, please tell me about them.
Thanks.

Im also a victim of the Kenalog shot. I was having pain due to what fibromyalgia. I couldn't see my regular doctor because she is a great doctor and its very hard to get an appointment with her so I took an appointment with another doctor at the same office because I needed relief from the pain soon. This doctor said the steroid shot would kill the pain right away so after the visit with him the nurse gave me the shot. Ever since then I haven't been the same. My hormones are all out of whack, with 2 long periods a month , bad migraines, hot flashes. Not to mention the ugly deformity I have from the sight wear I got the shot on my butt. The dent started small and is now bigger. Im so upset. I had no plans of becoming a model or anything but this is my body and now I feel uncomfortable in the nude!!! Im outraged and hurt. If I knew that this would happen I would have never excepted this stupid shot that didn't even really help me!!!! I have self esteem issues like most women now I have to add this pointless deformity on top of everything!!!

I got a couple of kenalog shots in 2004 and 2005 following a surgery that left scar tissue on the bridge of my nose. I never had any bad side effects. I wanted to follow up and get more but the cosmetic surgeon that previously gave me those shots what not accepting my insurance any longer so I went to another plastic/cosmetic surgeon. He told me that I would need a revision and a Kenalog shot would not be beneficial. I pointed out another area on my face that I was concerned with and he agreed to inject the kenalog into a scar on my eyebrow which caused an indentation on my forehead! He won't admit this is a side effect from the kenalog shot. He even tried to convince me it was a frown line, but I know better. I have it all the time even when I'm not making expressions and it's only on the side of the injection.

I can't attribute this directly to my cortisone shot - however, I've noticed that the past few months I have been losing my hair. I can pull it out virtually by the handfuls anymore! I am only 24 - this doesn't seem normal and the only change I could point to is the shot. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD HAIR LOSS THEY CAN TIE TO A CORTISONE SHOT?

I also noticed a change in my period. Nothing as extreme as I'm reading here - but I'm so glad to have read this - puts my mind more at ease to know have a cause for that.

I have tried other remedies - but the cortisone shot has been the only thing to actually work. Any other ideas?

I've had one Kenalog shot per year, during hay fever season, for at least 20 years. It's the only thing thing that has allowed me to function during hay fever season.

I've had three instances of the "butt divots" mentioned by others here. I learned at some point that it was because the nurse hadn't injected the cortisone deeply enough. The divots each lasted 1-2 years, but finally filled back in.

I also had one instance of feeling terribly jittery, my heart racing. That happened when the dosage was too high.

I went back to every doctor who had ever given me a kenalog shot and asked what dosage was given to me. Anytime I get a shot now, I remind each doctor or nurse exactly how much kenalog I should get, and how deeply it should be injected.

I hate taking any cortisone, but I haven't figured out how to live a functional life from mid-August to mid-October without it.

I received a shot of what I thought was my regular prednisone steriod in November 07. Obviously, that wasn't the case. I must have received this Kenalog shot because now I have a golf ball size dent in my upper buttocks. It is not going away and I think it could be getting worse more than 9 months later. I would be interested in a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer of this product and/or my allergist. Please contact me with possible ways to make this look less obvious. ******

Thanks
Tori C.

Unbelievable... I took a Kenalog shot in March for spring allergies, and have had continuous bleeding ever since, went to my OBGYN, he said it would not have been the Kenalog shot that caused this.. and he scheduled me for a hysterectomy because we couldn't get the bleeding to stop... i'm still bleeding, however I have canceled the procedure. I'm sorry that so many people are suffering from this, and the Doctors keep telling us it isn't causing all these horrible side effects. I hope mine passes soon, cause all this bleeding is about to get me down... but I don't want to have a hysterectomy for just no reason........ GOOD LUCK TO US ALL!!!!

I can't believe that so many doctors don't know about the side effects of Kenalog and/or don't advise their patients about them. It's unbelievable!!! My father was a very well-known rheumatologist in Puerto Rico (he passed away in 1994) and I worked with him for many years. And one of the first things I learned about Kenalog (and all corticosteroids) were its possible side effects, the most common ones being redness or pain at the injection site, headache, menstrual period changes and/or post-menopausal bleeding, easy bruising and/or bleeding, swelling of the ankles/feet, persistent weight gain, puffy face, unusual hair growth and thinning of the skin, among many others. In case you want to learn more about this, you can visit ******.

I myself am post-menopausal although I'm only 51, and haven't had my period for over two years now. Two weeks ago I got a shot of Kenalog for my back pain and about three days later started spotting, and right now I'm having full vaginal bleeding. I don't worry cause I know it was the Kenalog, but since I have an appointment on the 29th with my gynecologist, she'll tell me if anything has to be done.

Anyway, I hope to have helped the soooo many women who have soooo many doubts about Kenalog. Take care, friends! TutiMM from Florida

thank you soo much for posting this!!!!
I had my first Kenalog shot on June 4th 2008. My periods were scheduled for June 13th and it came on the day. It ended on june 18th. On june 24th a week later, I started having pain in my uterus, i thought it was strange tht i was having period pains after i had finished my period. I am very regular..every 28 days..so im on day 3 of my second period for the month and I am doing my research...and i came across this website. I am stopping the injections right awayyy never again. I was never told of the side effects...I am soo angry!!

I received my first kenalog shot around the 25th of May. I was due to begin my period around the 1st of June. I have always had regular periods. Since this shot, it seem like I was going to start like normal. There were signs of red and brown blood. For around 3-4 days I would bleed very very lightly. Then, now going on for about 3 weeks I am continuing to spot bleed. The blood seems to be old blood, because it is brown. The only thing that has been different to my body is the shot. I am assuming it is from the kenalog shot. My doctor did not tell me that this would occur.

march 17, i was given a kenalog shot. it is now may 15th and I have had a been going through bad bad pain, weakness,cant carry a conversation. Around 21/2 weeks ago had a bad period. I haven't had one for three years. It lasted for 5 days. now I am going through severe PMS. I am post menopausal, now the kenalog messed my body up on my body and mental functions. I had a TIA 6 years ago. I can not take any HRT.. . I have been very dizzy,very weak, cant drive because my motor skills are not right. I taught aerobics for 24 years . so I was very fit. Im now 53 years old, had very little side effects from my TIA. this horrible shot has now has hampered all the hard work I have done to recover from my past illnesses. This shot has put my body into peri-menapose again..

Kenalog-40 I was never told what I was being given in my bottom, just that it would help with seasonal allergies. FDA site "Neurologic-Psychiatric: Psychic derangements may appear when corticosteroids are used, ranging from euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, personality changes, and severe depression to frank psychotic manifestations. Also, existing emotional instability or psychotic tendencies may be aggravated by corticosteroids." FDA More "Neuro-Psychiatric: Convulsions, depression, emotional instability, euphoria, headaches, increased intracranial pressure with papilledema(pseudotumor cerebri) usually following discontinuation of treatment, insomnia, mood swings, neuritis, neuropathy, paresthesia, personality changes, psychic disorders, vertigo. Arachnoiditis, meningitis, paraparesis/paraplegia, and sensory disturbances have occurred after intrathecal administration."
I went to an Urgent Care Clinic for allergies. My skin was crawling every time I left the house so I was told the cause was environmental allergies. The Benadryl wasn't helping. The nurse noticed my skin was patchy and swollen. Another nurse returned to the room and said this shot would help with the reactions. I was not told what it was till it was done and she mumbled the word Kenalog. Three hours later I was anxious and talking irratically. Pressured speech, I could not stop talking. I called Nurse Advice line, then told to call a Pharmacy Help Line, who in turn said to go to the ER but to not drive myself in such a condition. I was talking as if I was on speed or manic. The ER said to go home it was just an anxiety attack. I took 2mg Clonzepam to calm down and sleep. In the morning, the symptoms returned. I called the hospital pharmacy and was told to go in immediately to see my doctor, that it is a steroid and causes psychic reactions. My regular doctor didnt have an opening so I saw a different doctor who wasn't familiar with my normal personality. She said she saw nothing wrong no matter that she couldn't get a word in unless I physically put my hand over my mouth. She sent me to a Nurse/psychiatrist next door to her. He said there was nothing wrong also. I had to keep repeating myself, speeding along, stuttering because I was talking so fast, telling him I was going 100 miles an hour in my head and out my mouth. I thankfully had an appointment with my psychologist a few minutes later in a different part of the hospital. I see her weekly. She immediately saw my change in mood and personality and called the clinic nurse/psychiatrist and told him to prescribe clonzepam. I did some reading about kenalog 40 injections. The clinic doctors didnt have the same list of side effects as their own pharmacy. I should never have been given the shot because I already have an emotional/mood problem and have epilepsy. I have to increase my anti-convulsants for at least two weeks and watch my mood very very closely. Some days I "fly" then "crash" now. This is all new, extreme symptoms of an already existing condition. This Urgent Care Clinic nurse was told all these things by me, repeatedly because of all my allergies to drugs, daily convulsions and counselling I already undergo for PTSD. I was never seen by a doctor that day or counselled. I will never take a steroid again based on the information I now have on its effects on psychiatric and seizure conditions. I am already disabled because of daily seizures and now I have even more daily seizures. These mood swings and seizures will be abnormally high for over 3 weeks I was told by the doctors but the more reading I do the longer I find that the steroid will cause side effects. Epileptics or those with a low seizure thresh hold, anyone with psychiatric conditions, emotional problems such as panic attacks or anxiety, PTSD, depression, Please use caution with kenalog. My friends are very helpful and supportive during this time. They can see the emotional impact the steroids are having on me. They will tell me I am speeding and I say "sorry, its the 'roids talking" Now, I will be watching my butt, too. Its been 7 days since the injection.

I had a huge allergic reaction from a bee sting so the urgent care Dr. prescribed a Kenalog shot. I thought that if it would reduce my huge arm it sounded good. Well, not so good as others who have had the shot have described. I am so happy to read the side affects of others because I was starting to think that there was something serious was going on with me. I started mt period after a week after my previous one and have had this period for seven days. I usually only have five day periods and have been very regular. I called my obgyn and they said that the pharmacist stated that this is not a side affect of Kenalog. This is obviously not true and the medical professionals should be aware of this awful side affect. I have also had a dull headache for a week which has also worried me. I guess I will try to wait it out. How long does this crazy shot stay in your system?

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 received a shot on the 21st of march and was told by my dr that the side effects were minimal and I have now been on my period for 18 days straight called my dr and they said thats not normal call your ob dr. Now that I have found this web site I see that I am not the only one who has had this problem. I have always thought it was a dr responsibility to worn you about side effects like this but I guess NOT. And to top it all off the shot didn't even work for me I am stili in alot of pain in my back. THIS SUCKS

My whole life I have lived with a huge dent in my left butt cheek when i asked my mother what happened to me she told me that I was born with it
since i was born with pneumonia it makes sense that I may have received a kenalog shot as a newborn, I am 37 now and just had plastic surgery and the doctor administered 100cc of fat (fat transfer) and was still not able to fill in the dimple cause it was too deep. now I have to pay for the procedure again in order for him to complete filling the dimple ($3000.00), I hope he plans on giving me a discount but my butt feels fuller and the dimple is only on the surface now, and much less noticeable than before.

I received the Kenalog shot in January. I started feeling tired and muscle aches, which I thought was just a virus. Then a dent appeared on my arm 2 weeks ago, and my muscles surrounding the maroon color dent began to tighten. I now have tendinitis in my shoulder and arm and I have lost all strength. My doctor said it could be from the shot, but stopped seeing me. i am going for an MRI on Monday because of the damage and pain that is non stop, and they are trying to figure out what is wrong. I have had several blood test because they swore I must have Lupus, or Rheumatory arthritis which came back negative.
I am very frustrated. I am a server by trait, I am a mother of 5, and it seems like my life is changed. I can't work, no one can give me answers, and I would like to know if these symptoms will go away or if I am stuck with this arm atrophy forever.

I am freaking out!! I just found this site and can't believe what I'm reading. I have a huge crater in my right buttock as well. This is the second time it has happened to me. After the first incident, I went to the doctor and she said she didn't know what it was, that it must have been due to trauma. This is the same doctor who prescribed the Kenalog shot for my allergies. It started out as a large bruise, so I assumed I must have hit something really hard and damaged the tissue. Now, a couple of yrs later, I have another, larger crater. I thought something really bad was wrong with me, so I decided to google and see what I could find. I am truly blown away by this and VERY upset that they did not warn me of this. I called the doctor, but they haven't returned my call yet. I'm concerned is this going to continue to get deeper? I also believe it affected my period as well. I have always been very regular, but for several months after the shot I would start my period every couple of weeks.

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.

Curious what to do about this Depressing problem......
I too am going through what everyone else is explaining. On September 25, 2007 I was given an 80MG Kenalog shot in the right buttocks, for what the doctor thought was an allergy. I now have a huge crater in my rear where the kenalog shot was injected. It doesn't seem to be getting any better either. I was wondering if there was a class action lawsuit on this or NOT??? Or if anyone has contacted a lawyer, and what the lawyer might have told them to do? If someone would please contact me the help would be greatly appreciated.

I've had a "dent" for about four years now, and had no idea what it was until now. I'm relieved to find out that it isn't anything like cancer.....but will it ever go away? Are there any known treatments or cures?
I'm very upset that my doctor gave me no warning of side effects of the Kenalog shot. I was only told that it would aid in my relief from allergies. I have now received the shot for five years in a row, and have two "dents" on either side of my lower back. Any advice on legal action?????

I have active Rheumatoid Arthritis and am currently on Methotrexate, Celebrex and Vicodin to alleviate the symptoms. My rheumatologist at the beginning of December gave me a flu shot due to low immune side effect of Methotrexate and also gave me an injection of Kenalog (80 i think) for the pain. She told me it was a cousin to the cortisone shots I had in the past but that it was much more effective and with a lot less side effects. I did feel better after a few days. But now 2 months later a large apx 3" long by 1 1/2 inches wide jagged edged discoloration has appeared the entire area is indented almost to the bone apx 1/2 inch deep in the center. This occurred during one week time. last week was not there, this week it is. Very worried looks just like some of the melanoma pictures on the internet. Glad to have found this site. I am seeing a doctor tomorrow morning will update this site once it is diagnosed, hopefully it is from the Kenalog shot - it is in the same area, left arm starting just below the ball and joint of the shoulder.

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!

Early June of 2007, I was given the Kenalog shot for Hayfever and like all of you I was NOT told of the possible side effects. About 3 months ago I noticed a dent in my left butt cheek where the shot was administered. I have noticed it getting worse. What can be done to rebuild the muscle decay and how can we stop this from happening to others? Please help!

I have recently discovered that I too have had a major side effect from this drug. I only received one injection 5 months ago in the buttocks for an allergic reaction I was having and now I have a huge indention like crater in the area that looks like the tissue has been eaten away. I did not even know it was from that since it has been a while and only one shot. After finding this website and talking to my doctor's office. They did confirm that the shot given was Kenalog and in that spot which I was certain of after reading so many others who have this side effect as well.
I am very interested in joining a class action lawsuit. People need to be warned of these major effects. I would have NEVER allowed the injection to be given had I been warned.

Hello! I just got a Kenalog shot on my wrist on 1/21/08 . I have not felt any different yet but I just read every one else log's and that is scary, hopefully it gets better for everyone and I don't experience any of those side effects. Alex