Kenalog and steroids

I am so glad that I am not the only one who has experienced this - not that I want others to experience it, but you know what I mean, it is nice to have some answers!!! I went in to get an allergy shot for my horrible allergies about eight months ago - I have had one done previously a couple years ago, with no problems, and this second one seemed fine too. My allergies are so much better, i can breathe and am not sneezing constantly, etc. However, about a month ago, I noticed this small indentation in my left buttock cheek - I wondered what on earth it could be (cellulite, weight gain/loss from going to the gym I started going to, who knew?) It got bigger and hasn't gone away over these past few weeks, instead getting larger and my skin becoming ever whiter than I already am and the area is sensitive. I had no idea what it was until I stumbled onto this site - I now realize that indentation is the same spot where I received my allergy shot eight months ago!!! I checked my online medical record and sure enough, Tricyclamide Kenalog injection! NOBODY told me that this indentation/muscle atrophy at the injection site was a possible side effect! They warned me about allergic reactions, drug interactions, buildup of steroids in the system, etc, but absolutely nothing about this awful indentation - it is sensitive and unattractive and I really, really hope it goes away or at least shrinks. Not that I am super vain, but it's not all that cute to have a big "hole" in your cheek, especially when that was one of my body areas I actually felt okay about. Just be forewarned allergy sufferers - just because you haven't had a reaction the first time you get the shot, it could happen the second or third or fortieth time. I wish someone had said something about this, so at least I would have been able to make a more educated decision and choose whether to suffer through a few months of allergies or a lifetime butt indentation!

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.

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.

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….

As a fairly healthy 34 year old male, I went to my doctor for help getting over poison ivy mid-July 2008. I received the Kenalog 40 injection without being advised on any potential side effects. Within 36 hours I started having severe anxiety attacks with spikes in my blood pressure and vision problems (spotty, increased sensitivity to light). These attacks continued for 4-8 weeks during which time I underwent an MRI (head), stress test, and blood work to make sure nothing else was causing my symptoms.....conclusion: everything normal. My doctor prescribed me Xanax to help with the out of control anxiety. Started feeling more normal 60-90 days later. I started trying to run on my treadmill to get back in shape at the 90 day mark, and once again....symptoms returned. It's been a couple of weeks and I'm getting closer to being back to "normal", but I have no idea how long it will be before the Kenalog has completely metabolized out of my system, and I can get on with life. This has been a horrible experience and I would caution anyone from receiving this drug!

I too have been injected previously with Kenalog shots for allergies. I never had the site indentation that most of you are commenting on. But I can tell you that the menstrual cycles did change considerably. Kenalog is a steroid, and like oral prednisone it is hormonal. It is just like taking birth control pills, you have the irregular or heavy periods, the excessive hunger, hair growth where you don't want it and weight gain. And as far as my allergies are concerned it never worked. I have excessive sinus disease that has been aggravated by living in a dry windy desert climate. After my second sinus surgery in 2 months the holes in my sinus cavity are starting to close up again. So yesterday my doctor tried a new therapy of injecting kenalog right into my sinus cavity. However it was not injected directly. A small piece of spongy foam was placed into my sinus cavity and the medicine was injected into the foam so my nose would absorb it naturally without the tissue being directly injected. I don't know if it will work or not. I have experienced some unpleasant side effects already, higher blood pressure and increased heart rate. Although the heart rate did come down after a few hours. Any kind of steroid causes this problem. I was hospitalized in January with a severe asthma attack and was given steroids thru a I.V. It was the only drug that opened up my lungs, however by the second day my heart temporarily went into v-tach because I was getting too much too often. As soon as it decreased I was fine. So dosage is a major concern. I can tell you from experience that Kenalog last realistically for about a month even though docs tell you it's good for 3. I would not have multiple injections for any reason. But when you are in pain and hurting and you have inflammation in your body, unfortunately steroids of some kind will always be the drug of choice. I have recently started acupuncture and will see if that helps my sinus problems. I have taken up yoga too to help my breathing. I highly recommend these alternatives to drug therapy. I have been on every kind of asthma and allergy drug out there and I do not trust any of them anymore. But ask the doctor lots of questions and refuse the meds if you are not comfortable. if your doctor is herding you in and out of his office or not willing to explain the meds completely then refuse it and go to someone else.

I don't know if it was the two kenalog injections but I began to menstruate-three years post-menopause. I immediately was seen by my endocrinologist, trans-vaginal sonogram and endometrial biopsy done. i just received a call tonight informing me that a polyp was found and I will need to have a D & C. It sounds like endometrial hyperplasia and this is a very sudden onset - I had the same sonogram in February and all was fine.
I have now found out that steroids can "wreak havoc" with our hormones. I was schedule to have epidural injections of steroids for back and neck injuries. I will not have them now or ever- they are not as benign and helpful as many doctors would have you believe.

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 did a post a few days ago--but must add to it. I have SLE, MS, CAD, HBP, having 5 stents, asoteoporosis, arachnoiditis, cerebritis/vasculitis from lupus, chronic pain(fibramyalgia) and a bucn more that ill give u sum idea. I am also a RN for28 years and KNOW what medications can do. I mena come on lets face it--if we ALL read THOROUGHLY all the inserts with ANY medication--NONE of us wud take any of it. Even ADVIL and ASA have horrific side effect.!! I saw my doctor yesterday afternoon due to this rash--not my typical lupus reash---doesn't look like discoid lupus, it begins on my chest goes uop my face then all down my back then gradually works its way down my leg---it gets rasm, macular and some some end up with a popular looking area. The PAIN from if is almost as bad as the itch from the rash. I have had shingles and it is similar to that pain. I have been putting topical steroid base creams all over to no avail. I begged my doctor for the KENOLOG shot and discussed GREATLY the side effects: I have had a hysterectomy so that is nothing, it cause cause a psychosis, depression, panic racing thots insomnia--basically ALL the side effects everyone has mentioned---but IT WORKS -I JUST GOT UP AND THIS DIFFIGURING DISCUSTING RASH ALL OVER IS ALMOST 90% GONE!!!! Like I said I have been on steroids most of my life--and I KNOW the side effects of them--PERIOD. Educated patients READ the inserts and ask their doctors---all meds have risks but the questio is does the risk outweigh the benefit t
??????????? I am on a mediation that has you with an increase of 10-15% increase of having an heart attack--which I have had two--but I CHOOSE to take it becuz the benefit outweighs the risks. I understand 100% all the complaints concerns and everything, attorneys will NOT take cases where the medication is used and adminierted the correct way--esp. when the side effects are clearly listed. Doctors are TOO freaking bust these days to sit and TALK and explain every side effect with each of their patients. Does each of you know that the average physician HAS TO SEE at least 60---yes sixty patients A DAY???? That is actually in their contract--thata approximately 7 and a half minutes ith each of us.!!!!!!! Make a list of all ur concerns, questions etc for the doctor and I do this ---I manuaver my chair to in feonrt of the door and I DO NOT LT THE DOCTOR OUT until he has answered ALL my concerns---yea they get mad tell me I can't do that--and my response is is IF YOU can make me wait in ur office lobby for more than an hour--I will do what I have to do to get proper CARE!!! Shuts most of them up. But I am lucky I do have 6 of the most careling and compassionate physicians--I have lucked up--I have had my share of "stupid" doctors but-hey WE are the patient-=-go to another one until ya get one ya like. If you go to other website about medicine there are many more complaints and unhappy patients with medications they take. But I understand where all of US are coming from---Doctors are no different than us--and they are not GOD--they make mistakes and as long as they don't KNOWING harm you---or commit fraud--no lawsuit happening---now sueing the MAKER of kenalog MAY be a possibility( my sisiter is an attorny) thats her advice and itd have to be a class action suit and its kinda sad--patients don't ever get much in things like this but its worth a shot!!!

I also received a kenalog injection from a dermatologist for rashes that wouldn't go away. He told me ONLY that it would probably mess up my menstrual cycle. I thought "yeah sure that sounds great" I just wanted relief from all the itching. The rash did go away but i started to notice a dent where they gave me the injection. It has since gotten bigger and I am scared and wondering what is going on with me. My doctor never told me of atrophy or even that it was a possibility. I consulted with another doctor who told me he is not sure how this couldn't happened and that they probly injected in the wrong site. i now know after coming to this site that i am not alone and it is the kenalog that has caused me grief. Doctors need to be responsible in letting patients know every detail about the drug they are using on us. I was reassured by him that my only side affect would be irregular periods. Hopefully one day mine will go away but until the people need to be educated on certain steroids.

This is the fourth time that I've gotten a rash 3-4 weeks after a steroid injection. My dermatoligist doesn't think that's possible since they treat rashes with steroids. But four times is pretty good proof. Has anyone found anything that relieves the rash?

I to have a huge dent in my right butt cheek. I would be interested in a class action suit. This is ridiculous! It has been about three months since I received the shot. Has anyone noticed their dents getting better with time?

I was having Kenalog injections into my knee. On the ninth injection within a years time,with a few Aristospan injections in between, my knee to my foot blew up. Tripled in size, and the skin was bright red with purple marks all over the skin from my upper shin to the ankle bone. I had a big depression in the shin too, which I can not figure out because the injection was into my knee.
I went to my GP who sent me to the ER to rule out a blood clot-ultrasound.
NO blood clot. I was given no medication, nothing, and it was very painful.
Actually, I saw three doctors and not one of them seemed to care. One doctor said, "Steroids are Powerful Drugs" I do not know if this reaction was do to an infection, some side effect, I have no idea. The swelling eventually went down within six months=long time. I still get purple round marks on the skin at the shin, and sometimes my ankle swells. The skin gets red and white marks mixed into the already rash looking skin.
I asked many times what the cause was to this all, and it was like no doctor would say anything negative about the doctor that gave me the injection.
I also discovered that Kenalog is used off label for Epidural Steroid Injections and can cause Meningitis, Arachnoiditis, bowel and bladder dysfunction and more adverse events, because neurotoxins are added to the steroid to make the compound that is injected into the epidural space. Asking other people if their doctor ever told them the drug name they were getting injected by their doctor before this procedure and each and all said "NO."
This is also true for the drugs Depomedrol and Celestone Soluspan. All three drugs are used off label for epidural injections. Neurotoxins do not belong in the spine! If one gets a dura puncture-FOR GET IT!

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?!?

I received a kenalog shot in December for a respiratory virus and began midcycle bleeding in January. I had a normal cycle in February, but then on Feb. 14 I received another shot of kenalog in my knee joint. I had midcycle bleeding again in March and now in April. I called the doctor's who gave me the shot and they said this "could" happen. My gynocologist said that the steriods were probably the reason. Kenalog has really freaked me out!

Over 10 years ago I hurt my back being hit by a car. The Ortho gave me shots of corticosteriods every two weeks and this went on for 6 months. I went into premature menopause and was told, this caused bone loss as well"..I asked this new Ortho "to please not use steriods for this reason and because I now have premature thinning of my bones due to the misguided efforts of the 1st MD. Last week I had reinjured my back in 3 disks, I told the MD about all the side affects from before with injections, but he claimed this was different and new.. He claimed kenalog was "new and not what I had before". I had an intense headache immediately after the procedure and rapid heart beating ever since that hasn't gone away, and every time I lift my head I get the headache.It's been a week today and there is no positive change and still no call back to answer my worries. My BP is through the roof and I've never had high blood pressure in my life. My back still hurts me and he shot the tailbone area, after I asked him "NOT TO inject there because of previous nerve damage by MD #1 from 10 yrs. ago. NO MD will call me back and I'm worried I'll have a heart attack since this chest pain has increased and my PCP will not listen and neither will the Ortho who did the injection and he clearly lied about what it was or it's "new-ness".. anyone else have this painful heartbeat and bad headache after a shot, and when does the CFS headache go away??

Last resort, sent to new pain clinic where for chronic sever low back and leg pain began rec'ing epidural steriod injections. Results were good, but side effects of severe, ex-cruiating charley horse cramps to feet and calves of both legs I felt like cutting them off. Brought it up to doc and he say oh yeah, and prescribed quinine which is helping. But its another pill to take! Its awful to feel like your feet bones are crossing over each other and calf cramps that are so tight your legs feel like splitting open. The pain and soreness lingers for a week or more. Never has steriods of other kinds affected me like this. Its the first time rec'ing kenalog.

I was also unaware of any side effects when I recieved an injection of "steroids" for some scar tissue on my forehead. Within a week the scar and surrounding tissue started to atrophy. The plastic surgeon (who is a true idiot, though surprisingly board certified) suggested Radiesse injections, which she overinjected and charged ME for. She did not admit that it was the Kenalog that cause the atrophy in the first place. Almost a year later, the Radiesse has worn off and now I'm left with a dent in my forehead, it's just skin and bone. I don't know what to do anymore. Some doctors are butchers, and we have to live with the results. And because it was considered a cosmetic procedure, I have no recourse.

I am a registered nurse that works in a pain clinic. We give epidural Kenalog everyday for people with disc problems in their spines. I had been having pain in my left leg and buttock for about 10 months, got an MRI and had a lumbar epidural steroid injection for my disc protrusion. It worked beautifully, still pain free 5 weeks later. However, my period is on its 3rd week now! My GYN gave me Provera pills but it didn't help. My other problem is I have found a lump in my breast. My GYN thinks it is related to the steroids and will do a mammogram in 2 weeks if it hasn't gone away. Has anyone else had this happen after steroids? I am 38.

I had the shot for my hayfever in June this year. I week later i started menstrual bleeding and haven't really stopped since. Combined with this i have felt weak, lethargic and depressed.

I saw a guyno and told her about the kenalog. she looked it up in the book and it didn't say that disruption of menstual cycles was a side effect. She then asked a reumatoid specialist who said it was abolsutely a very common side effect of Kenalog and that either heavy / irregular bleeding could occur or no bleeding at all. It is a very strong dose of steroids that they use for severe relief of pain. The bleeding should pass one the steroid injection wears off (3 months) and i have been given some medication to stop the bleeding until then (tranexamic Acid Tabs igm?)

I told the consultants about websites such as this and she said that she would write to the drug company as they would then have to include it as a side effect legally. I hope this is the case.

I can't believe i've been through all this - i would prefer to have my allergies frankly!

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 ***

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 have received three injections of kenalog over the last two years to control my eczema. My eczema has greatly improved however I did notice a couple of troubling side effects. I too have experienced the indentations where I received the injections. I received the three shots in my right buttock and now it looks like a golf ball. I thought I could ignore it, however I am starting to notice it when I wear tighter pants. I am not sure if it will go away or not.

In regards to my menstrual cycle I actually noticed a positive reaction in that it is much less painful. I have been plagued with extremely painful cramps for all of my life and since I have received the injections it has been much more bearable. I am assuming it is because of the anti-inflammatory properies of steriods. I did however, notice more clotting. And the first time I received the shot, I got my period for two weeks straight.

I also noticed temporary weight gain which took a couple of months to control.

The other more troubling side efffect was recurrent bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections. I couldn't understand why I kept suffering from them until I asked my doctor and she said that steroids lower resistance to yeast infections, bacterial infections and viral infections.

Although my eczema is much improved I think this will be my last injection because the side effects are becoming too irritating and I am concerned about the long term effects on my bone health.

I got my shot a few days before my wedding and it was the best gift ever. Before the shot I spent four years dragging myself around with lupus and chronic fatigue. Prednisone made me insane and miserable. I've felt like my old self again, for the first time in four years. I didn't have to sneak out of my own reception to take a nap. It's only been 6 weeks and I think it's wearing off. I wish it would never wear off. Reading these posts, it appears that as with other steroids, it is a trade-off. I'd gladly walk around with a dent, just to be walking around.

My husband has had 6 shots of kenalog in his lower limbs ( feet and knees) for joint pains. The injections were done on Monday 31st Jan2005. Everything went fine and pain in his feet due to gout appears to gone away. Started feeling ill on Tuesday and Wednesday. Attended Doctors on Thursday, he was rushed into hospital with suspected diabetes induced by steriods. He is still in hospital and been told that he has diabetes type 1. which means his pancreas has stopped working . We are both really confused and need some help to try and find out if anybody knows anything concerning these syptoms. Doctor says kenalog manufacter do not know of this side effect and are refusing to admit that this is due to the injections. Our lives are totally mixed up and we are desparte to try and find out why this has happened. Please email me if anybody knows any answers. Thanks ******

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.

I was taking 50 mg. Kenalog injections intra-muscular for 2 and 1/2 years. When my new doctor found out - he almost went through the roof. He couldn't believe that another doctor would keep a patient on it for so long. Needless tosay, I no longer take them and I have since developed psoriasis, very high rhuematoid 1,738, should be 14 or less and the list goes on and on. I too have the "tatoo indentation" on the butt. I am an absolute mess. I have cuts under my feet and on my hands. To think this all started from bad eczema on my hands. I have never been sorrier for starting the steroids.

I find all the above symptoms/side effects strange.
I have keloids all over my body caused by ingrowing hairs and injuries. My doctor adviced me not to go for surgery as I had 90% chance of the keloids getting bigger. He suggested I tried kenelog injections and cordran tapes and they have worked like a miracle. The keloid behind my ears caused by ear piercing have flattened completely. The only side effects I have noticed are that my menstral cycle goes crazy (which is normal for someone taking steriods), I have increased pimples and the areas injected get slightly thinner and change colour. Asides from this, I believe that the results far outway the sideeffects which a somewhat reversible.
Only problem is that kenalog is a prescription drug and cost me too much to get since I am only a visitor in the UK.

I had severe allergies from hayfever for years, I tried everything from antihistermenes, herbal remedies, ocular steriods and every hayfever product on the market - to no real noticeable effect. Then my doctor advised a single shot of kenelog once a year (this was all she would allow for any patient) - IT WORKED. It was as if there was no such thing as hayfever. The only side-effect was a small dimple on my bum, so if you weigh up a small dimple on bum vs months of misery and lack of concentration etc... that is inothing. A friend of mine is a cellular geneticist at the oxford cellular research hospital and advise that steriods are harmful to your cells, but the frequency and volume I intake should not cause a problem as long as I don't keep taking it year after year (and always depends on your cellular make-up). If you have bad hayfever like myself, you need to retrain your cells to recognise that pollen is in fact a friend not foe. Inducing yoursef full of the local honey, and many herbal products taken CONSISTENTLY for over a year are said to to provide this retraining programme your body needs. I've just started this programme, but I will take another shot of kenelog to get me through this year.