Kenalog and migraines

I was given a 2 Kenalog shots in my lower back to treat a pain in my sacroiliac joint, which refers to the front of my leg/groin area. My doctor barely examined me, I was sent for no scans or other diagnostics. He said that the shots should bring down the swelling. They didn't work at all and yesterday, a couple of months later I felt a significant indentation on my back - precisely at the injection site (just where my lower back meets the top of my buttock). I have also suffered seven weeks with no period, coupled with nausea (thanks for the pregnancy scare!) then very heavy periods. I am a migraine sufferer and my migraines have increased in intensity. I also have constant, painful eczema, where before it was sporadic and light.

I am not sure how many side effects can be attributed to the injection - but the indentation at least is a definite. I live in the UK - I wondered if there are any other Brits here who have had the injection, or anyone generally who had it in the same place as me - I'm worried about what happens from hereon in. Can it affect my mobility? The original problem (still undiagnosed, but after a year of begging I am being sent to a hospital next week - to a Rheumatologist - is that even the correct field of expertise?) causes me huge amounts of pain anyway.

I also have a great number of the conditions the doctor is supposed to make sure that you don't have - why did he just "do it anyway?" In the UK it is difficult to bring any kind of action against a doctor >:-(

I'm relieved to find this board - best wishes to you all :-)

I wish I could say that my symptoms are something new but they're not. I can only thank God that I found this site and finally feel like I'm not totally crazy! I received a cortisone shot (kenalog and Lidocaine) on June 15th. June 17th I started experiencing tingling down my arms,across my shoulders, serious heartburn, change in tastebuds (sour tasting all the time), which progressed with a sudden case of high blood pressure. My period also came a week late and has not left yet but only taken short vacations (3-5 days of light to no bleeding, followed by a regular flow with some gushes all over again). Two weeks ago I started having a tight sensation in my jaw and cheek with sensitivity right under my ears. I've had periods of dizziness, severe migraines as well as heart palpitations (fluttering in my throat). Added to this is swelling down one side at any given time, changing back and forth with no reasoning. I had severe gastritis and GERP as a result as well.

I too was living a healthy life and regret the moment I agreed to that shot. Does anyone know how long these side effects last? Who do you see to deal with them? Are they mimics of real situations (do heart palpitations turn into heart attacks? gastritis turn into ulcers?)

Unfortunately, I researched Kenalog post-injection. Had I known about the side affects, I never would have received the injection. I am a 31 year old female who had one Kenalog-novacaine injection into my left and right side trapezius to try and reduce muscle tension. I hadn't made the connection to my constant menstral bleeding for the last month and a half until reading this site. I had my normal period which started two days after being injected and then had 3 days off before I started bleeding again. I've only stopped for a total of 5 days in the last 50. I've also had extreme migraines. I've had migraines for the last 10 years just prior to and post my periods but only needed 2 of my migraine pills a month. Now, in the last 45 days, I have used 12 pills (sometimes needing 2 or 3 in a day to actually get rid of the pain which
I have never needed to do before). I am shocked at the side effects of this drug as my pain specialist did not ever warn me about them(even when I asked). I just hope that this fixes itself eventually and doesn't keep me from being able to have children soon as
I had intended. You'll have to excuse me, I have to go and call my best friend who is a drug rep for the maker of Kenalog.

to guest # 3217

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

Epidural Cervical Injection in January. Immediately: Migraine headache, extreme excess salivation for many hours, BP 150/100, trouble breathing. Dr. told me I was having "stress" from the procedure. Bulls_ _ _! and lies. Menstrual irregularities for 4 months. Had to have uterine ultrasound and endometrial biopsy to rule out more severe conditions unrelated to Kenalog. PLEASE - EVERYBODY READ THE BURTON REPORT which relates to informed consent. I had nothing that even looked like INFORMED consent. I was told no side effects. Be careful for the fluoroscope patients: WHAT TYPE OF DYE WILL BE USED??? VERY IMPORTANT. MANY SIDE EFFECTS TO THAT AS WELL. I have more frequent migraines, food sensitivities, caffeine intolerance, etc., etc. These doctors suck. Funny thing: another "pain" doctor wants to shoot me full of Botox for the muscle spasms. Yeah, right. Let him shoot himself full of (himself) whatever! BE CAREFUL. THIS IS A SERIOUS DRUG AND THEY DON'T TELL US THAT!

Can anyone help me?!? I received a 40mg Kenalog injection n February 27 from a dermatologist for severe eczema on my hands. this was the first time I had seen him and he didn't even want to try any other treatments. I've now had my period for 27 days straight, I've had migraines about 4 times a week and I've gained 17, yes 17 pounds in the last month. This dermatologist pretty much told me to go away when I questioned these problems as side effects of the steroid. Has anyone else expereinced this? My family practice Dr. is 99.9% sure this if from the steroid but he also did some blood work to rule out anthing else. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

I received very low-dose injections for migraines above my eyebrows on two separate occassions (about 4-5 months apart). The injections work VERY well, but after each course, I have had one dent in my forehead appear. The first dent has mostly disappeared (after 10-11 months). However, the second one is still sticking around. I like the therapeutic response I'm receiving, but I obviously do not appreciate the cosmetic side effects. I'm hoping the second dent will start diminishing soon, as the first one did. Did anyone else have the dent disappear over time?

Two years ago I received a shot of Kenalog in my shoulder (40 mg) to relieve calcified tendinitis. It worked wonderfully--all pain disappeared for more than a month (even my migraines). However, my period went berzerk: I bled for weeks on end. It finally stopped, then a week later it started again. I suspected the Kenalog was the cause since the period problems started at the same time as the injection, but 2 different doctors (family physician and gynecologist) both told me that "no way" could Kenalog cause excessive menstrual bleeding. My orthopedic doctor, who gave the injection, said "well, maybe." My periods went back to normal after a few months and I had no other side effects.
Now it's 2 years later and my shoulder was hurting a lot again, so I went for another Kenalog shot. I was hoping that it was just a fluke the first time. Also, this time I received much less: only 10 mg of Kenalog vs. 40 mg. last time. Well, the shot relieved about half of the pain, which was still enough to allow me to do physical therapy, which will provide a long-lasting solution to the pain. But once again my periods are all messed up! I have been bleeding for 6 weeks now, with no end in sight! I was prescribed progesterone (10 mg, once per day for 10 days) several days ago to stop the bleeding and re-set my cycle, but so far, the bleeding hasn't even slowed down. I take Tylenol and naproxen for the very painful cramps. This time my gynecologist DOES think the bleeding is from the Kenalog, but he is also checking out other possibilities. They did an ultrasound and found a small fibroid, but they don't think that's the cause. I have to go back in 6 weeks for a follow-up. No matter what, I will never take Kenalog again!!

I got multiple injections at the sub-occipital area (base of skull, top of neck area) to reduce migraines. Works GREAT, but I can smell a funny smell, especially after a workout. I don't care though, the lack of migraines is GREAT!