Kenalog and sleep

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

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

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

I have had 6 kenalog shots in both my upper theighs fot bursitis and although I am long past menstrual periods I too have experienced some harsh symptoms. Before the doctor only did one theigh per appointment but this time she did both. I have had sever flushing, night sweats (thought I was over them) and after reading some of the others wonder if the weight lose I've experienced is due to the kenalog. Insomnia has been a problem with these injections too and am lucky to get 4 to 5 hours of sleep. I was only told any symptoms could possibly be soreness at sight, bruising and bleeding at sight....why oh why...are we all given such a small amount of information on these drugs and what is the long term effect going to be?

I got my first Kenalog shot a few days ago for allergy symptoms, and I gotta tell you, I definitely regret it! I had asked about side effects before the dr. gave it to me, and she said there weren't any. I feel like I should start a lawsuit!! Anyway, the side effects I'm having are no picnic and have already been changing my life: sleeplessness, anxiety, not breathing correctly, heart pounding like crazy! I'm wondering how long I have to ride this out, as the dr. said this shot is given for allergies 2x a year. I will NEVER get the shot again!!

Been taking this for the past ten years and it is the only thing that allows my skin to quickly recover from eczema. Eczema started at age 22. After my first injection I felt more powerful than Darth Vader and noticed an increase in energy and stamina. A few weeks later, a crash begins and I feel the side effect of lethargy. Consistently, after each Kenalog shot, my skin will develop several pimples around my buttocks area and sometimes on my back after a month or two. I would prefer never to use Kenalog, but it has been the only thing that relieves the patches of skin that become red and flaky due to stress, lack of sleep, and a poor diet. Ultimately, I did develop 'hypercutia' which is a skin condition which allows my dermis to bleed more easily. After stopping the Kenalog injections for a few years, my entire dermis still remains thin and more vulnerable to bleeding. I make my living as an actor and it is part of the reason i still rely on Kenalog whenever an audition comes up and I need to show my body. The pimples eventually become little scars, which eventually become little darker spots on my body. I still believe that in spite of all the side effects, it is worth it if you make your living as an actor or model.

I went to the Doctor January 23, 2009 for sinus drainage and congestion. I received the Kenalog 40 shot not knowing what it was they were giving me I just thought it was just like any other shot that I had received. They didn't explain any side effects or anything to me. I knew when I got it that it burned more than usual. I always get a shot in my hip and it never hurt like this shot. I went to bed that night and I woke up out of a dead sleep around 2:00 a.m. and my heart was beating out of my chest. I didn't know what was going on. I then had to calm myself and then I looked up the shot on google and found all these horrible things about it. The past 2 weeks my symptoms have gotten worse. I have felt dizzy, tired, loss of appetite. I just haven't felt myself at all. I haven't been able to drive because of the dizziness. I haven't been able to work, Thank God my boss is very understanding. It just sucks and to read all of your stories it has me really thinking. I really think this shot shouldn't be given to people and it SHOULD be taken off the market.

I've been suffering from hair loss and on my 2nd visit with the dermatologist he gave me 10 shots of that kenalog crap in my scalp. When the doctor came in the room he said I'm going to give you several shots in your scalp and I said what kind of shots and what are the side affects. His answer was there are a few side affects like headaches and etc., but no major side affects you're in good health you'll be fine. I've been having severe headaches, vomiting, losing more hair then I did before I received the injections and diarrhea. I cannot sleep at night and my whole body is severely sore. If I sit longer than 10 minutes when I get up I feel pain all over my body. I feel like an older person. I trusted this punk and I can't believe that he would violate me like this. My body has not been normal for the last 3-4 days. I don't feel like myself. After reading about the indentations, I'm hoping I don't get one on my head where he put the injections. Sheeeez! Unbelievable.

I was given a shot in I think January of 2008, not knowing exactly what it was, because I had a fever and the doctor said it would jump start my recovery. At first there seemed to be no problem with the injection site and I felt great just days after.

A couple of months later, when I was working out and losing weight and keeping a very close eye on my body because of it. Suddenly, I noticed that I had a deep indentation and discoloration on the left side of my lower back - right where they gave me the shot. It seemed like it appeared over night. It got deeper, and darker as time passed.. I was scared to press my finger in it because when I did, it just kept going in..as if there was no fat OR muscle in that spot.. I was FREAKED out. I'm a model so this fact that there was a bottomless whole in my lower back was devastating. I also feared that there may be something life threatening going on. I mean, a chunk of you just doesn't disappear overnight..Unless someone stole your kidney, but, I didn't wake up in a bath tub full of ice.

I typed in "Injection that causes Indentation in the lower back" and I found this board. Everyone here suffered the same exact symptoms from this shot and worse. I was certain that it had to be Kenalog. It seemed to cause death of all tissue at the injection site, depression, lethargy, moodiness, insomnia, pain and all sorts of other symptoms after this shot. I started to suffer from all of them soon after the shot and I didn't really know why or where it came from. I was in so much pain and was so tired.. I stopped doing everything I loved and I could barely sleep because of the pain.

I don't know what to do about this. I'm extremely broke and I don't have health insurance(and they wouldn't fix anything considered to them as "cosmetic" anyways).. My parents are in no position to help me anymore and I could never afford an attorney to try to claim against this.

How can I go about fixing this with no money? Is there any way to fix this to begin with?

Any advice, insight or experiences would be GREATLY appreciated!

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
******

Hi a little over a year ago i received a kenalog injection for allergies and have been having a lot of the same side effects you all have been having. I have a very large indentation on my butt. I have an appointment with a plastic surgeon to see about have the indentation fixed just out of worry that it will keep getting bigger because it has over the last 12 months. I have also had problems with my period. I have went from having extreme bleeding to 2 periods a month to now bleeding for 3 weeks at a time. I have also lost a ton of weight and am down to 115 pounds even though I eat all day long. A drug of this kind should not be on the market!!!! ON THE PACKAGE INSERT FOR THIS DRUG NONE OF THESE SIDE EFFECTS ARE LISTED. Somebody should be held liable. If any of you have any information on a class action lawsuit please let me know. Surgery to fix this is very expense not to mention just looking at it in the mirror and knowing that it could have been prevented if someone would have informed me that it could have possible happened.

I am a 33 year old mother of 2 and i just been diagnosed with disk protrusion from L5-S1. as i worked for an ortho froup my doctor advised me to get an Epidural injecting which has relieved a lot of my pain especially in my legs and feet. unfortunately 2 days after receiving the injection i have started a menstrual that has now lasted 14 days ( i just finished my cycle a week prior from getting the injection). im also experiencing anxiety attacks whereas i cannot sleep at night. My husband and i are considering having another child and this whole situation is very frustrating. Im going to physical therapy 2-3 time a week for 3 weeks and i hope it will be of some help. My surgeon doesn't feel i should have back surgery he states im to young...help!!!!!

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 had the same steroid injection for tonsillitis this past January in both cheeks. I now too have noticed a large indentation in my right butt cheek. I was never informed of this possible side effect either. I would definitely be interested in pursuing a class action regarding the disfigurement of my previously favorite body-part. Had I been informed of such, I would have just had my tonsils removed!!

I went to see my PCP in March 25th 2008 because my allergy. My pcp told me she'll give one injection since it's allergy season and it would make me fell better. She didn't tell me what kind of injection it was and I trust her.

The next day I was having panic attacks while I was outside on the street.
I couldn't breath because my heart was beating so fast, and I felt "pacey" all day. I just went home hoping the symptoms go away but it only got worse. I couldn't even walk because I was out of balance, my vision got blur and I had massive headache. I assume it was happening because the injection so I called my PCP, but she told me she didn't do anything different. My PCP had a day off so I went to the ER that afternoon. I had cat scan done in case I had stroke but my cat scan was clear. The ER dr think it's side effect from the shot.
I called my pcp 2 days later after my visitation to the ER but she never returned my call. Somehow, I couldn't trust my pcp I didn't go back to her.
I was hoping the injection fades away and try to manage my body. I start notice I had anxiety and couldn't sleep at night. I had pretty regular period but I had very irregular period following month and that drove me crazy because I had 2 full periods within a month and I had blood spots. I barely had period following month. I notice that I gain so much weight. I always watch what I eat so I never get out of control with my weight but I couldn't fit into my jeans I used wear. I also notice that I get back pain the side I had shot if I seat for long hours which I never had before. Now my legs are swelling ,numb and have tingling sensation. I was really concern so I call my pcp today to find out what kind of steroid she injected me. The medical assistant told me that doctor can't not give the name and he was giving me ridiculous excuses to not to give me the name of the injection . I was so upset and didn't make sense to me. I asked for the dr. and asked my pcp the name of the shot. It was "Kenalog". I googled the name and I found this site. I am really scare and I am upset at my pcp that she never mention what the injection was and never discuss the side effects with me. If I knew about the side effects back then I would never let her give me the shot.
I never signed anything with my pcp. My pcp promise to call me back today. I even left her a message again to call me but haven't heard from her yet.
I believe FDA is responsible for this steroid but doctors are holding great responsible also!

How long dose it takes to get back to normal? I would greatly appreciate for any information!
Dose anyone knows powerful lawyer?

I am 56 years old and have gone thru Menopause and have not had a period for 5 years. I just had 2 epidural injections of kenalog for my L4, L5, S1., I just had a period!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The doctors say it's not from the steroid shot. I take a sleep aid pill to help me sleep. Good news is my pain is gone.

Wow - I had a great experience with kenalog in suppressing my allergies. They have been unbearable until getting the shot. I sat down with the doctor who went through the list of pros and cons with the drug. He said, and I agree wholeheartedly (I'm sure we all do) that no is more interested in or more responsible for my health than I am, so he said after going through the risks of meds that I should verify it for myself and if I felt comfortable with the shot he would give it. Can you imagine how much better off the world would be if we all took responsibility for ourselves - actually did our own homework? I've seen doctors before who don't really take the time to discuss side effects so I'm glad he did (but then, how many people ever read the drug information that the pharmacist gives out - can't really blame the doctor for that...). Anyways, given that I had severe symptoms that was affecting sleep and very low risk for osteoporosis I got the shot and man do I feel great!

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

i had this shot last June. i would never do it again. i had insomnia and night sweats for a month. i was up every hour on the hour wiping my self dry i was dripping wet from head to toe.. i had to wear my husbands running clothes for the sweat. the sweat was making me cold with my pj's. had to sleep w/ towels.every morning i would be so depressed from not sleeping i couldn't function at work. had severe anxiety( had to go on Xanax) had hair thinning, I lost 6 lbs went down to 100lbs and I'm 5 ft. become severely anemic the doctor wanted to do a blood transfusion. i could not stop bleeding for months clots galore. this is just a short version of the problems. the drug finally stopped working after 9 months.doctor wants to give me depo medrol. i don't think so!

I recieved this shot on July 2, 2007 for a frozen right shoulder and on July 9th a period began that lasted a total of 4 weeks, if was the most unusual period I have ever experienced. It would be heavy for 4 days taper off and then begin heavy again, it was like I was having several periods within a 4 week period. I ended up in the Dr's office because it was such a scary experience, I have never had a period for more than 5 days. I had several tests and ended up in the emergency room 2 days before the period ended because I was passing huge clots. I now have to make a decision on whether to have a D&C. I worry each day that I will begin bleeding again and not stop. I also experienced an extreme depressed feeling the next day after the shot and was unable to sleep soundly for about 2 weeks, I have also had headaches charley horse pains in my right calf, and pain in my left jaw. I am also having at least two to three heart palpitations each day. Of course today I cannot prove that the shot has caused all of these symptome and my OBGYN seems to know nothing about the effects of steroid shots, I have not spoken to my ortho dr. about this but they never mentioned any side effects with this drug, I was only asked whether I had diabetes or not before the shot was given. I would strongly recommend that if anyone is contemplating on having this shot to please do your research. After reading all of the comments here and hearing that alot of the symptoms that everyone has had mimic mine, I am convinced that the shot has probably created these adverse efffects which has lead to alot of worry and expensive tests to rule out cancer and other diseases that could have been prevented had I not taken this drug. Whether or not this drug created these effects will lead me without hesitation to never take this drug again and pray that the side effects that I am having are only temporary.

Just a quick update about my husbands law suit with doctor who gave him 6 shots of kenalog for gout in his feet, legs, and knees. Russell ended up rushed into hospital with steriod induced diabetes and was told he would be inusulin dependant for the rest of his life, although his records went missing from hospital shortly after he was admitted. the doctor acting for the solictor came to examine him and has told us he has found letters from the hospital to our doctors and the interesting fact that I think everyone should know, he told us that the manufactors of kenalog suggest a maxium dose of 80 ml he told us Russell was injected with 320ml. We were also told that even though what he went through was very frighting because he did not die, we haven't got a positive case for sueing the doctor. ( but we still are continuing with the law suit)
Russell is not using insulin anymore as the steriods have came out of his body and his pancreas started again, although he is now classed as diabetic type 2 ( diet controlled)
Regards
Tina and Russell ***

I share the story of many others on this site...

Severe fall allergies, despite years of ineffective perscription allery pills and steroid nasal sprays. Nothing seemed to work. A doctor at my University health clinic suggested the shot (actually Triamcinelone). I've been getting the shot (now Kenalog) every September for 10 years, and absolutely love it. In fact, my wife and kids can't wait for me to get it, because allergies turn me into a grumpy, tired monster! Over the counter pills make me extremely sluggish and irratable.

10 years, no dents or headaches! Just pure relief... if you can't find a doctor who will give it to you, keep searching. I've also been able to convince a doctor or two by suggesting that I will only need 1 low dose shot. Many are hesitant (in my opinion) because they're afraid you'll keep coming back to ask for more. Just 1 a year does it for me. Hope this helps.