Kenalog and steroid

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.

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?!?

If you are a woman or have a daughter PLEASE READ.......

Please be very careful before getting a Kenalog injection especially if you are a woman or for your daughter. In March my 13 year old daughter received one Kenalog injection for hay fever. Now almost 4 MONTHS later it is a 2 inch indentation with dark bruising all around it. She has also had her period the entire time with maybe a 1-2 day break between them. It has taken this long for the doctors to say the bleeding is from the Kenalog injection. I never would have allowed them to give this to her if I had known of these side effects. She has been put through test after test and no end in site. Now my 13 year old will have to go on birth control to stop the bleeding and there will prob. be side effects from that as well. I was shocked to find this site and now how many lives this drug is hurting. Now my daughter is suffering, all from 1 SHOT.

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 also had a reaction to a kenalog injection in my upper right buttocks area. I have a HUGE discolored indention that has not gone away. It has been a YEAR!! I also had irregular periods for three months with ultrasounds, etc. to make sure I was alright. My doctor did not think to ask me if I had had a steroid shot lately. I sure didn't tell her because I had no clue it was a side effect. I had the shot for severe allergies and was not warned of the side effects either! I am very against having another shot, even though it cured my severe allergies last spring. I look deformed!!

I have recently (one and half weeks ago now) had an epidural spinal injection to help alleviate severe lower disc and leg pain. I was not told what steroid was used but have recently learnt that it was probably Kenalog.

The pain has almost totally alleviated which is great and long may it continue but I have had some very strange side effects. I seem to have a permanently salty taste in my mouth and I cannot easily tolerate caffeine or alcohol in any small quantity (one glass of wine). I have also been feeling very tired due a constantly heavy menstrual period that has now lasted eleven days which is very unusual for me as I am pre-menopausal and they usually last around 3 to five days max. I have also had a couple of dizzy spells and feel quite nauseous sometimes during the day. I have not been able to sleep very well at night (insommnia) - my sleep patterns seem to be all out. I get tired during the day and am wide awake until four or five a.m. in the morning. I also had several hot flushes just after the injection (far more than usual and of longer duration) but these do seem to have alleviated now. I have lost some weight and have little appetite although I do try and eat as I am not overweight at all and need to keep to a normal weight.

All in all, even though the pain has gone, I seem to have acquired different problems which I was unprepared for and not informed about from my consultant or hospital staff. They just said I would feel tired from the sedative for a few days I had at the time when the injection was administered.

Does anyone have any idea how long the menstrual problom will last???

Kenalog is a steroid. I am diabetic and steroids really increase my glucose, the elevated glucose levels can cause heart palpitations, high blood pressure, etc. I check my blood glucose often after my injections and cover it with Insulin. This does decrease my heart palpitations and other side effects. The only other bad side effect is the severe depression after the shot. I was going through a particularly bad time anyway, and after the shot I was suicidal. The doctor should have warned me about depression, it would have helped to know it was caused by the kenalog.

I recently had a kenalog injection in my buttock for hayfever. I have very serious hayfever, and nose sprays do not work for me. It worked very effectively for a 2 weeks, but has now worn off completely. The steroid has given me unusually heavy periods lasting for over a month at a time and i now have a serious iron deficiency which has caused aneamia due to the blood loss.

I got my kenalog shot for allergies on march 30th. At the time I was on my period. On the 14th of April I got my period again and is still going. My allergies came back after 20 days. So it didn't last too long. I was thinking that I may be starting menapose since I am 47 but I didn't have any symptoms of it. I am very disapointed with my GP who didn't tell my about side effect of this drug, he didn't tell me that this is a steroid at all. This will be a last time I was coming to seek his help. I am going to look for a phisician who care about people more than making money for a drug companies.
I just want to warn others not to take it.

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 had a kenalog injection in a sternal scar from a previous surgery. This caused a serious cellulitis infection I had two emergency room visits and a four day hospital stay with intravenous antibiotics before the infection cleared up. I will never take this steroid again

On October 4th, I received a Kenalog shot of 80mg to help with my severe sinuitis. I was told I would be spotting for 2-8 days. It went on for two months. It recently quit on December 7th. I am fortunate that that has been all. Kenalog needs to be rethought about. I am surprised also that my ENT doctor also did not freely give any information about this steroid.

I have severe allergies that aggravate Meniere's Disease (acute vertigo attacks). My suffering had me at wits end and my Doctor gave me a Kenalog shot in the shoulder. My symptoms cleared up in a couple days with no side effects other than the typical steroid effects of weight gain, hunger, irratability, etc. My allergies disapeared. It's lasted about 5 weeks and I'm trying to get back in for another shot.

I am not sure if the steroid shot I received in my foot in February 2005 was Kenalog or not. However, In the past 3 weeks I have a light color streak halfway down my foot from the toe almost to my leg. Near the 2 & 2rd toe there is a deep indention. I saw my primary care doctor today and she basically was taking up for the podiatrist who shot this steroid in my foot. I told her he never told me I would have this type of side effect or damage to my foot as a result of getting the steroid shot to relieve pain. This happened at a VA Hospital. Does anyone know if I can sue the government or that doctor?

Pain at front of left shoulder, so Doctor wrote prescription for Voltaren, which I then read up on at this site. Too many side efects so I told Doctor no. He then said a steroid shot would be quicker and easier with 'no side effects' as it would be injected deep into the shoulder, not near the surface. I read your side effects long list, called the Doctor's office back, and canceled my shot appointment tomorrow. The Doctor said I may only have to have 1 or 2 shots. There is no way I would take the "chance" of getting any of these side effects to lessen my shoulder pain, especially now understanding this is not a cure but apparently just a temporary relief which means I may have to keep taking these shots to keep the pain down. I'll put up with the pain until it either heals or I get surgury. My Doctor applied for permission from my insurance company to get an MRI but they declined saying that it wasn't the 'proper procedure', that drugs or steroids must be used first. Seems like the MRI would be least invasive and provide the more exacting diagnosis. I shouldn't have to subject my entire body to drugs and inject steroids wih known bad side effects just to get an MRI from an Insurance company. I intend to write the insurance company a letter contesting their decision. There must be a better way!

For anyone who is taking steroids of any kind, injections such s Kenalog apply, should be having their eye doctor monitor their eye pressure. About 8% of the population will have their eye pressure (IOP) go up. This is damaging to the optic nerve over time. In my opinion, ANY doctor giving these shots should be required by law to inform patients of this potentially harmful side effect. Because there are no visible effects with the vision until it is too late, no one has their pressure checked. I heard one study say that one out of 2 people will have this side effect with long term usage. Take it from someone who is a steroid responder.

My body grows immune to any allergy meds, so I took steroid shots for the past three years. This year the doctor gave me Kenalog and I cleared up but I have been on my period for ten days. Not heavy, just persistent. I am fatigued and have moderate diarrhea. I wouldn't bother with it again no matter how severe my allergies are.

Hi Just wanted to let you know that the patient information sheet from the Drug maker of Kenalog, has every one of our symptoms listed. I have had 3 steroid epidural shots, and my menstrual cycle is so off. I have had my period for 40 days straight now.
The doctors obviously have not read the statements made from the Drug manufacturer, or this site would not be here. It clearly states in bold: MENSTRUAL IRREGULARITIES-- all female patients should be notified.
I also have had severe joint pain, high blood pressure( I was always very low b4 shot), severe panic attacks and mood swings. Our Dr.s are doing us a grave disservice. My Dr actually suggested that I may have Lyme Disease! Which I do not, I had the test just in case!
But ask your Dr.s for the Patient information sheet from the manufacturer of Kenalog, Bristol Meyer Squibb. And know that you are not alone!

In December 0f 2002, I badly herniated L4-L5 and bulged L5-S1. The pain in my low back and left leg was almost unbearable. I received my first Kenalog epidural on January 28, 2003. There was some relief but the pain was still severe. I was coping with it via two Hydrocodone 10/650's, four times a day. The second injection on March 26, 2003 produced a great deal of relief and I cut down on the Hydro's considerably. On June 10th I received another Kenalog injection and it waslike a miracle. As the steroid was being injected, i felt instant relief and was pain free for a considerable time. As the relief wore off the Hydrocodone regimen had to begin again. I have now begun another cyucle of Kenalog epidurals and I am looking forward to the same relief. I have noticed no side effects, only pain relief.

I am a 34-year-old, white female, who received a Kenalog shot over a year ago. Since that time, I have noticed a casual indenting and now it is about the size of a 50 cent piece with no fat, kind of white appearing in the middle with a dark circle that looks bruised going around it. I have been to about six doctors not knowing for sure what it was from. The biopsy showed steroid atrophy and anetoderma. I was told that there was nothing that could be done for treating this. It is now getting very painful like it is in my muscle with like a tingling sensation like worms in my legs. I am not sure what to do. I was told to give it another month and see how much more it grows. The derm did suggest may be filling it in with fat but was not sure if it would last or not. If anyone can help or have any ideas, please e-mail me. ******