Yes. Issues With Kenalog

Posted over a year ago

I received my first shot a few years ago as I have chronic sinusitis brought on by allergies and they said the kenalog shot would help. Almost immediately I started having problems with my period, abdominal cramping and the such. I went to my doctors and they said I needed a hysterectomy. I was 35 at the time. I did find a doctor that does what is called intervention procedures. I did not have a hysterectomy but he did an abdominal embolization. This did help with both the pain and menstruation. Last month I had been suffering with sinus infections almost constantly and went back to the doctor. They gave me the Kenalog shot. I had just had my period 2 weeks before getting the shot. 2 days after having the shot my period began and lasted one week. Lots of back pain and head aches. Now, 2 weeks after that period ended I am starting again. I have never had issues with menstration until having the first klog shot. Now, I am having the same issues again after receiving this shot. I clearly see the connection now. It is ridiculous this shot is still being administered!!!
Gail Beyer
Nebraska

4 Replies

Kenalog Sufferer1 - Hi Gail, I agree that it's ridiculous doctors continue to administer Kenalog, particularly in such an overall irresponsible way (criminal in my opinion). I had a number of Kenalog spine injections this past January and have suffered from a range of debilitating effects including menstrual irregularities (bleeding for months), insomnia for months, hair loss (half my hair fell out), nerve pain which is ongoing, muscle weakness which is ongoing, weight loss, general fatigue which is ongoing, skin thinning, wounds not healing, getting infections (still occurring). Since January I've been absolutely miserable. I didn't initially connect side effects with the injections and although I immediately explained what turned out to be side effects to the injection doctors, they didn't make any connection (note: all my side effects are listed in the manufacturer's package insert material, not supplied by docs to patients, but found online). Too bad, because I wouldn't have agreed to further injections after the first one. In fact, if side effects had been explained in advance, I would never have had these injections. I should note, before the injections, doctors didn't mention the possibility of any of the side effects I'm experiencing (all they noted was possible facial flushing) and I specifically asked a number of times - I was told the injections are "very low risk" and "safe." It seems this is a common, inexplicable scenario that makes me wonder if most doctors who administer these injections are incompetent: doctors not informing patients about long-term, systemic, serious side effects; doctors being far to cavalier in administering these very lucrative injections; doctors denying side effects patients experience (some patients are told that they have "anxiety issues" or it's all in their heads! - read reviews elsewhere, the level of medical incompetence is truly amazing); and doctors being completely uneducated about side effects. I hope you're feeling a lot better by now! p.s. google this paper: "Understanding Potential Complications Of Epidural Steroid Injections" which covers the general risks of corticosteroid injections, not just epidural (unfortunately this website does not allow for the posting of links).

Posted over a year ago - Reply

Kenalog Sufferer1 - Continued from directly above: I should note since medications.com does not post dates, my last injection was Jan. 20, 2012 and it's now Sept. 29, 2012. Still suffering from Kenalog injections.

Posted over a year ago - Reply

Kenalog Sufferer1 - PLEASE, everyone who has experienced serious adverse reactions to corticosteroid injections, file a report with the FDA: [link removed] or call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report by telephone. If the FDA link is removed here, google "FDA MedWatch" to find the form. I had trouble filing online and sent a hardcopy to the FDA (which was acknowledged by letter from the FDA). Lawsuits are very difficult to bring, and the only way to force responsible administration of these potent drugs is for EVERYONE who has suffered serious side effects to report to the FDA. Corticosteroid use (abuse) is now booming business for doctors and drug companies, and it seems that the administration of these drugs has become unbelievably irresponsible. MANY people are suffering from the cavalier administration of corticosteroid injections and you can help put an end to the irresponsible administration of these medications by reporting your experience to the FDA.

Posted over a year ago - Reply

Renad - Kenalog is the only steroid I can use. I do get severe cramping for a week after the epidural including such severe cramps in my feet that I actually cannot straighten out my feet to get out of bed to run to the bathroom in the middle of the night for the 3rd time because it gives me diabetes like symptoms, but after that first week of HELL after the initial injection, it works. I do have constant adrenaline fight or flight responses to a small bump or noise, but again, it works - I have been putting off a 3rd cervical surgery because I own and run a cafe, and kenalog has kept me running my business! I wait until I absolutely have to have an injection, and then I load up the side of my bed with smart water, get the epidural, clear the path to my bathroom so I don't trip in the middle of the night on one of my many pee breaks, and eat a lot of fiber to counter act the cramps. I put up with all of this so I can get the pain relief I need including less numbness in my fingers and swelling in my arms, etc. and be able to get the 3 - 4 months of relief I do get from this steroid. I HATE having to do this, but, it's the only thing that helps other than surgery, and we all know how that goes. Rena in SacTown - peace and painless to y'all :)

Posted over a year ago - Reply

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