Kenalog and muscle weakness

I had two Kenalog injections the 5th of Dec. '08, one into my right shoulder joint, the other into a tendon anterior to my right shoulder, - oh, and another one in a trigger point at my right shoulder blade. I have been in agony since 2-3 days after the injections. The night of the injections I had severe tachycardia, my heart rate was around 120-140 for three days. I was also flushed and so hot that several people asked if I was ill. The worst part of these injections started, as I said earlier, 2-3 days later. I have horrible pain in my shoulder blade and throughout my ribcage. I have muscle spasms and such burning that it actual causes me to bend to the right, and I could scream with the pain!! Nothing helps other than to put a hand towel behind my neck and pull each end so hard that it takes the pressure somehow off the muscles. I can hardly hold my head up most of the time due to muscle weakness. The Dr. says nothing other than take Advil. My internist, who did not do the injections, thinks I have what is called RSD from the needle sticks.
I don't see that this is easing at all, and I'm really concerned that I'm going to live like this the rest of my life!

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.

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.

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

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