Kenalog-40 and Red Face: What Users Say

• H-M...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2019

For Frozen Shoulder "If I could give this zero stars, I would. I have been dealing with shoulder pain for 5 years. And I have been to as many different doctors. This past week, I visited an orthopedist, and he told me I have shoulder impingement syndrome. He told me I could have Kenalog shots every 3 months or have a surgical procedure. So I took the initial injection, and I have regretted ever allowing this in my body. The next day, my face was red, hot, and burning. I started crying for no reason and having hysterical thoughts. Dizzy, confused, elevated blood pressure, anger. My pain level skyrocketed within the first two days and is now at the level it was before the shot. Was NOT worth it. I wasn’t informed of the side effects, and when I called the doctor, they basically told me that this happens to less than 10 percent of patients, but I have read so many stories like mine. DON’T allow your doctor to give you this if you haven’t already. Just awful stuff."

• H-M...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2019

For Frozen Shoulder "If I could give this zero stars, I would. I have been dealing with shoulder pain for 5 years. And I have been to as many different doctors. This past week, I visited an orthopedist, and he told me I have shoulder impingement syndrome. He told me I could have Kenalog shots every 3 months or have a surgical procedure. So I took the initial injection, and I have regretted ever allowing this in my body. The next day, my face was red, hot, and burning. I started crying for no reason and having hysterical thoughts. Dizzy, confused, elevated blood pressure, anger. My pain level skyrocketed within the first two days and is now at the level it was before the shot. Was NOT worth it. I wasn’t informed of the side effects, and when I called the doctor, they basically told me that this happens to less than 10 percent of patients, but I have read so many stories like mine. DON’T allow your doctor to give you this if you haven’t already. Just awful stuff."

• Sty...
• September 2, 2015

For Osteoarthritis "No one warned me that there were any side effects to worry about. I was given 2 injections into my left hip of Kenalog-40. Later, the first evening, my face was hot and turned scarlet red. The red swelling went into my right eye and felt like sand. Then I started getting dizzy. My blood pressure was off the charts, and my blood sugar doubled! I had to lay down, and all I did was sweat. I thought I was having a heart attack! The next day, the facial rash was better, but the dizziness turned into violent shaking! When sitting very still, it felt like my whole body was on top of a paint shaker. I got horrible diarrhea that lasted for days. My OLP flared into a bloody mess. It took 12 to 15 weeks to even feel kind of normal again."

• Jas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I'm a 24-year-old female and have had RA since I was 8 years old. I had an 80 mg IM injection in December, and within 24 hours, my face was red and burning. 5 months later, I am still suffering the horrible side effects of this. I constantly have hot flushes, nausea, irregular menstrual cycles, and unwanted hair growth. I have no idea if and when these symptoms will subside and completely regret taking it. With regard to my joint inflammation, it has eased the pain, but I still have residual swelling. My fatigue has also worsened since the injection."

• BKG...
• December 27, 2019

For Inflammatory Conditions "Years ago, I fell and broke my hand and have a tear in my rotator cuff. My hand healed fine, but for years I have pain in my shoulder. My physical therapist helped me gain my motion back. The shoulder is still painful, so at least twice a year I need to get Kenalog-40 injections for pain. Thank God the only side effect I have is, around 4 days after, my face gets red and hot for 2 days. I have a sensitive stomach and am unable to take Aleve, Aspirin, etc., so between physical therapy and this injection, my life is back."

• BKG...
• December 27, 2019

For Inflammatory Conditions "Years ago, I fell and broke my hand and have a tear in my rotator cuff. My hand healed fine, but for years I have pain in my shoulder. My physical therapist helped me gain my motion back. The shoulder is still painful, so at least twice a year I need to get Kenalog-40 injections for pain. Thank God the only side effect I have is, around 4 days after, my face gets red and hot for 2 days. I have a sensitive stomach and am unable to take Aleve, Aspirin, etc., so between physical therapy and this injection, my life is back."