Kenalog and headaches

My hair is falling out too!! Since January I have had 2 kenalog shots for allergies and 2 shots for poison ivy. My side effects are hair loss, depression, headaches, bruise easily, swollen joints, weight gain, and a dent on my rear. These effects did not start until I had 2 shots, now it is so severe. I was so scared when my hair started falling out but knew that I didn't have Lupus or Diabetes which could cause the same side effects...I have been tested for both and do not have either.

Please let us know if there are anymore out there who have hair loss because of the Kenalog Shot.

I thought I had Lupus because I had complete body aches for weeks. My bicep muscle in my right arm would feel like it was locked. I would wake up every morning feeling like I was in a car accident the day before. Once the body aches went away, I got blurred vision, burning in my eyes, headaches, fatigue, depression, problems concentrating... I just got this shot in June. I hope it metabolizes quickly and leaves my system w/o further side effects. I hope the indentation at the injection site fades away in time but I think it's permanent because the tissue has dissolved and the fat cells were destroyed. I wouldn't feel so bad if the indent wasn't in my face!

I can't attribute this directly to my cortisone shot - however, I've noticed that the past few months I have been losing my hair. I can pull it out virtually by the handfuls anymore! I am only 24 - this doesn't seem normal and the only change I could point to is the shot. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD HAIR LOSS THEY CAN TIE TO A CORTISONE SHOT?

I also noticed a change in my period. Nothing as extreme as I'm reading here - but I'm so glad to have read this - puts my mind more at ease to know have a cause for that.

I have tried other remedies - but the cortisone shot has been the only thing to actually work. Any other ideas?

I was given a 2 Kenalog shots in my lower back to treat a pain in my sacroiliac joint, which refers to the front of my leg/groin area. My doctor barely examined me, I was sent for no scans or other diagnostics. He said that the shots should bring down the swelling. They didn't work at all and yesterday, a couple of months later I felt a significant indentation on my back - precisely at the injection site (just where my lower back meets the top of my buttock). I have also suffered seven weeks with no period, coupled with nausea (thanks for the pregnancy scare!) then very heavy periods. I am a migraine sufferer and my migraines have increased in intensity. I also have constant, painful eczema, where before it was sporadic and light.

I am not sure how many side effects can be attributed to the injection - but the indentation at least is a definite. I live in the UK - I wondered if there are any other Brits here who have had the injection, or anyone generally who had it in the same place as me - I'm worried about what happens from hereon in. Can it affect my mobility? The original problem (still undiagnosed, but after a year of begging I am being sent to a hospital next week - to a Rheumatologist - is that even the correct field of expertise?) causes me huge amounts of pain anyway.

I also have a great number of the conditions the doctor is supposed to make sure that you don't have - why did he just "do it anyway?" In the UK it is difficult to bring any kind of action against a doctor >:-(

I'm relieved to find this board - best wishes to you all :-)

I can't believe that so many doctors don't know about the side effects of Kenalog and/or don't advise their patients about them. It's unbelievable!!! My father was a very well-known rheumatologist in Puerto Rico (he passed away in 1994) and I worked with him for many years. And one of the first things I learned about Kenalog (and all corticosteroids) were its possible side effects, the most common ones being redness or pain at the injection site, headache, menstrual period changes and/or post-menopausal bleeding, easy bruising and/or bleeding, swelling of the ankles/feet, persistent weight gain, puffy face, unusual hair growth and thinning of the skin, among many others. In case you want to learn more about this, you can visit ******.

I myself am post-menopausal although I'm only 51, and haven't had my period for over two years now. Two weeks ago I got a shot of Kenalog for my back pain and about three days later started spotting, and right now I'm having full vaginal bleeding. I don't worry cause I know it was the Kenalog, but since I have an appointment on the 29th with my gynecologist, she'll tell me if anything has to be done.

Anyway, I hope to have helped the soooo many women who have soooo many doubts about Kenalog. Take care, friends! TutiMM from Florida

I had what the doctor told me was cortisone injections on my scalp and elbows for psoriasis which i later found out was kenalog...i now have had my period for 4 weeks ..i got my reg. period on feb.5th then went to the doctor and got the shots on feb.14 by feb21st i started my period again and haven't stopped after going to my obgyn and having many test that all have been fine . the first 2 weeks after the injections i had lower back pain, headaches the lower back pain is now gone but i am still getting the headaches every now and then. when will this all go away and it would be really nice if the doctors told you about this ...i take med. for high blood pressure and asked my doctor if this was safe ..he told me yes i have been back to the same doctor just last week who told me he has never heard of this happening how is it that we all are having the same things happening and the doctors say they have never heard of this happening?

I was given two Kenalog injections during the month of January 2008. My skin had been breaking out in eczema patches all over my body due to a side effect of a sinus infection that I had. My dermatologist gave me two rounds of Kenalog, two weeks apart from each other. The injections immediately cleared up the break outs I was having. Ever since the second shot, I have experienced irregular periods ( My menstrual cycle has always been very regular). The first cycle lasting 15days, which made me nervous. I went to my regular doctor and she said it was probably a side effect of the antibiotic I was given.
My menstrual cycle has been highly irregular. The month of February my cycle ran for 10 days, then stopped for three, started again for another 10days. And now rotates almost every other day. Along with the irregular periods I experience headaches on a regular basis, nausea, anxiety, and I am often feeling lethargic due to the fact that I am probably experiencing low iron.
I was never told the side effects, so I was feeling nervous until I found this website.

I am so glad that I found this site.In Aug 07 I went to my doctor with complaints of headaches and severe allergies.Next thing I know a nurse comes in and tells me she is going to give me a shot and that she is best on the right buttcheek.My only answer was "ok" there you have it! It wasn't any more painful than any other shot I have received in the past.The next day was a different story.It was very painful to sit down or to put any pressure on my right side.Then in Oct I noticed a very small indent.Just like someone else had posted, I just figured It was coming with age.Now in Feb 2008 it has progressively gotten larger is discolored and aches.I have been very worried that there is something seriously wrong with me so to find this site was a little comforting although I do not wish this upon anyone!!

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.

It has been seven months since I had a one time Kenalog injection for a Sinus Infection. The constant Menstrl bleeding which was non-stop for the first two months when to three periods a month, then two and now back to normal. The leg cramps have slowed down as well as the headaches(I think they were from the menstrl irregularities, hormonal) I still have a dent in my left hip at the site of the injection. My doctor said the indent was from the shot and said that it shouln't have happened after one shot. He sent me for all kinds of tests for the bleeding and they came back negative for everything. I recently went back to the doctors office for something minor and asked the nurse practioner about the side effects that I had and she said that they can most certainly come from that Kenalog Injection. Bristol Myers also confirmed that all the side effects that I had are listed on their insert for the drug. I wish I had known this. I wonder what else will creep up? This drug seems to cause extreme hormonal reactions in some people. I am not a complainer and hardly ever go to the doctors. This is just so wrong! I was specifically told that there were no side effects with this shot when it was administered. I wish something could be done about this.

I got a shot of Kenalog in my back last December and then again in January. Then in February my face, nec, and legs starting swelling up. The doctors could not figure out what was wrong with me. I had blood work done and found out that I was going through a adrenal insuffiecency and had cushings disease and hormonal problems. They did a cat scan and found a sist on my pituaitary gland. I was sent to a endroconoligist who told me it was all from the Kenalog injection. It took close to a year to go away. Well guess what I was just giving another Kenalog injection even though I told the doctor I couldnt have one. And now my face is starting to swell again. I am soo mad I called the doctor and wouldn't you know it he is on vacation for a week. I have been getting bad headaches also which are probably from that darn shot.

I'm not sure my doctor used Kenolog as I was not told exactly what drug name it was, but I had a cortisone shot in both hips. Just after the shots, the room started spinning and I had to lie down for two hours in the Dr's office. I had started my period that morning when I went for the shot. It has been almost 4 weeks and I am still bleeding. It's not heavy but it's just there. The other side effects I had (and am still having some of them) are: facial flushing, night sweats, trouble sleeping, leg cramps, headaches, watering eyes, vision problems, and stomach burning, The doctor who gave me the shots told me that the menstrual bleeding was not a side effect of the shots. Well, it all changed after the shots. He suggested I go and see my gynecologist. I'm not going. I'm just wondering when it all will end. My hips are much better but you shouldn't have to go through this kind of thing to get something else fixed. I should have been told of the side effects that could happen with this. I didn't know what was happening to me. If I hadn't had the internet, I wouldn't have known and it would have driven me crazy.

I received 10 Kenalog injections on 9/15 in my scalp to help with hair loss. I am 34; the doctor biopsied and said I had scarring alopecia. I asked about cortisone shots and she elected to give me a series to see if it would help. The shots were painful, of course. But I'd read that steroid therapy can help regrow hair, so I remained hopeful. On my return visit a couple of months later, I pointed out the dent to her, and she said it would fill in in a few months. She gave me a 2nd shot of Kenalog in my left buttock.

I got home that night and looked up the drug and its side effects. I found this board. I cried all night.

It's 3 months later and I have one huge, tender indentation in my scalp--it is BALD; how ironic as there was hair there pre-Kenalog. I also have several less deep dents in my scalp. I've also had the yeast infection, but so far I have yet to develop an indentation or discoloration in my buttock. I am wondering if I should see a lawyer because I was not informed of the risks of this drug. And apparently rather than improving the situation it was prescribed for, it made it worse.

Sigh.

I hate Kenalog and would never recomend it to anyone.There has to be a safer alternative.I had on shot of this stuff and it really messed me up.I had severe muscle cramps shortly after the shot,I could barely get out of bed or move.I have had a never ending period,severe mood swings,cystic acne,paranoia,stomach pain,headaches,I can't sleep,weakness,and I have a huge discolered dent in my butt.STAY AWAY FROM KENALOG!!!!

I went to see an orthopedic doctor yesterday for pain in my wrist and elbow. Arthritis and carpal tunnel runs in my family. After a few minutes he decides I have carpal tunnel and tennis elbow. He tells me what he will do is give me a brace to wear to bed and at work if needed along with an injection to ease my mild pain. I ask him how long this should last and his response was "hopefully forever". I was unaware there was a miracle shot out there? I am having pain in the injection area, off and on headaches and terrible stomach cramping. I called them back and was told none of these is a side effect and to call my MD.
If anyone has gotten one injection for the same reasons please email your experience to me ga_christie_04@yahoo.com.
I just cant believe a doctor would give an injection without disclosing what the injection was or the side effects.

I am a 62 yr old post menopausal woman.In June I received my first Kenalog shot in my knee, and had relief from pain by the next day. In August I was having the same pain again and a different ortho doc gave me another injection in my knee. 10 days later I started having vaginal bleeding, and bled for 9 days. I was told by the doctor who gave me the 2nd shot of Kenalog to follow up with my primary care doc. I had a negative pap test, but the pelvic ultrasound was abnormal and I was referred for an endometrial biopsy. My results of the biopsy showed no atypical cells and no abnormality at all. I've been told by the gynecologist that it was most likely the Kenalog shot that made me bleed. I had not had vaginal bleeding for 15 yrs previously.

I had two cortisone shots in my foot for relief from plantar fascitis. My doctor never warned me of the side effects, nor told me the name of what I was getting (just "cortisone")! I've had THREE periods in ONE month! That is *very* unusual for me, so unusual that it scared me into researching the shots I'd been given. Guess what!? Kenalog...also known as "triamcinolone acetonide."

What's worse is that I'd had numerous (30-40) shots of the SAME STUFF in my scalp for psoriasis in between the time I had the shots in my foot...neither doctor bothered to ask me if I was currently taking anything else, or had any other injections, or at least tell me about the side effects!

I am pumped so full of this stuff that I am scared I'll never stop bleeding. Headaches, back pain, abdominal cramps, abnormal vaginal bleeding, and a yeast infection to top it all off!

BEWARE OF KENALOG!!

I'm a 59 yr old women who had a Kenalog shot July 31st 06, a few days later I started bleeding. I am post menapausal also. I waited a few weeks called the doctor she said call back if I continued which I did so a week later I called and had the ultra sound done which showed there was no other problems, I was relieved, I was not aware of the side affects. I had the shot for splits on the bottom of my feet which I had for weeks and all the oninments I tried did nothing. Today is Sept 1st and still spotting on an off. Hope it will end soon, also have headaches and lower back pain. I will never get another kenalog shot. My doctor did say the injection could of caused the bleeding but offered no releif so guess I have to just sit it out.

i had a kenalog shot 2 weeks ago and since that time ive had a period and i am 49 and not had 1 for 13 months.and now i am having a yeast infection,headaches and moody.i will never have a nother 1.so far not having indention in hip yet

Within an hour of the injection I suffered a headache which progressed to a severe migraine headache. I also experienced very high blood pressure and broke out in sweats. The blood pressure did not begin to normalize until 5 days and I am still experiencing a headache (although not a migraine. This is the fifth day after the injection. I was not aware of any of these side effects so I was hospitalized due to the extreme blood pressure and extreme headaches. A cat (sp?) scan and spinal tap was done in an effort to determine the reason.

I want to cry I took a Kenalog shot because of a keloid on my hand. My hand has no pigmentation in that area and it looks worse. I have night sweats,headaches and pain in my joints. I has been 2 months now. I want to sue this company but My lawyer says there are not enough complaints. He needs to look at this sight. Any suggestions?

Second shot has not worked as well and I'm having a bout of depression that I haven't had for 15 years! Headaches, also.

What's another option for calcification of the hip bones with bursitis?

I WAS GIVEN KENALOG 240 MG FOR 6 WEEKS, FOR THE TREATMENT OF SARCOIDOSIS - I WAS EXPERIENCING CONGESTION IN MY NASAL AND THROAT AREAS - I HAVE CHRONIC SINUSITIS AGITATED BY THE SARCOID - WHILE IT IS WORKING DAY BY DAY AND I NOTICED A SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT IN MY SINUSES, I AM BREATHING BETTER AT NIGHT AND MY THROAT IS ON THE MEND, I AM SLEEPY ABOUT MIDDAY AND GET SLIGHT NAGGING HEADACHES. JUDGING ON WHAT I HAVE READ HERE, I AM IN PRAYER NOW...

I had a couple of shots injected to my left shoulder at this time the doctor that is treating me advice me to have them one of the shots was kenalog,because of those shots now i have been diagnosed with cushioning syndrome,at no time was i ever informed of the serious side effects that it has cause and the ones that i do not know. If you could answer me ,is this permanent i also have the headaches,sore throat dry mouth.thank you.

Had Kenalog injection and have headaches,red face like flash burns,Was not told by Dr. what i was having or what the side effects were.makes me mad to thing they can get away with this.I will never have another one.He gave me 6 injections at one time.

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.

I live in the UK and receive an annual kennalog injection for hayfever.

Described as using a giant hammer to crack a nut! my first injection was about 10 years ago and the effect was absolutely amazing, my hayfever cleared up instantly.

During the first few years the only side effects i noticed were increased agression ( i am normally calm !! ), really bad headaches and the increased number of bugs/colds due to my immunity system being broken down. What i did notice is after a few years the injection has a lesser effect, it still works wonders but not as good as the first few times.

Last year i had a massive bust up with my doc as he refused to give it to me. I cannot do my job with hayfever so eventually he gave it to me on the condition i signed a disclaimer as it is no longer recommended for hayfever.

I usually dismiss all normal hayfever tablets but this year I have decided take docs advice and am using tablets first before i go back begging for my injection.

The tablets i am using are called Neoclarityn and are only available over the counter.

Into June and all is ok so far apart from a bit of asthma.

Anyone else using anything else other than kenalog for hayfever??

******

For years, I suffered from terrible allergies. Constant sinus drainage, watery eyes, itchy eyes, headaches, (I should have been able to lose wt. because of the amount of fluid running out of my body!!!) I dreaded Spring because I was miserable for months!! My doctor recommended I try Kenalog. After about 24 hrs., I could breath, my nose stopped running, my eyes didn't itch and water. I've had absolutely no problems, at all, with the shot. I get 1 shot a year and manage the fall with antihistamines... No side effects, no dents, nothing. It's the only thing I've found that works. After my original doctor retired, I went with a younger, "smarter" doctor who refused to administer the shot, inspite of my history of success with the medication. They wanted me to take inhaled steroids, instead. I've finally found a family practice that will give me the once a year injection. It works, I don't abuse it, it's given in small amounts and I love the fact I feel great after the allergies clear up!

IN 1999,I had two epidural kenalog injections, which brought temporary relief of lower back pain,but returned after a few days. Then, I underwent a discogram, revealing two herniated and torn lumbar discs. I had two,two-level decompressive laminectomy surgeries in 2000, followed by three caudal-epidural Kenalog injections. Shortly afterward, I developed terrible burning pain from my lower back, through my pelvis and down both legs. I was referred to a neurosurgeon who implanted a spinal cord stimulator, then five months later, he opened my lumbar spine up a third time and he fused the L4-5, L5-S1 levels with allografted donor bone and implanted rods and pedacle screws. I have a strong suspicion that I developed Arachnoiditis as a result of the ESIs, but my doctors ahve all clammed up. Kenalog's data sheet states that it is NOT RECOMMENDED for epidural use, as it is neurotoxic, but doctors continue to use it on peoples' spines. I am now permanently disabled, in constant neruopathic pain and my future looks bleak. DON'T get epidural steroid injections of kenalog or Depo-Medrol, they'll mess you up for life! DON'T DO IT!

I received kenalog for planters faciaitis...one shot in each foot. I also received an injection in the buttocks over a year ago...for edema of the legs. Each injection served its purpose, but both times I have experienced vivid dreaming, strong emotional swings (anxiety to what I would call depression), and headaches due to tension in my neck (related to anxiety??). I will not take another shot unless it is absolutely necessary...I hate feeling like it makes me feel. I cannot wait for the medicine to pass through its active existence in my body. I asked a nurse and doctor about such reactions to Kenalog and they confirmed that it is very possible for people to experience such side effects.

headaches and nervousness