How many kenalog injections are safe

That said, every person is different, and the number of cortisone injections your doctor recommend will vary, depending on such factors like your overall health and pain tolerance.

Taking corticosteroid tablets on top of injections greatly increases your risk for adverse side effects. Additionally, taking a corticosteroid orally instead of injecting cortisone at the site of the ailing joint reduces the pain relief you might experience.

The pill is a broadband treatment for the entire body, one that does not address the specific area in pain. There are also more potential side effects and risks to oral steroid use. Cortisone injections, like many treatments, have their side effects despite great benefits. These health risks include:. Patients put themselves at greater risk for contracting these side effects if they receive cortisone treatments more often than their physician recommends.

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Kenalog injection is given by injection into the muscle of the buttock in situations where a lasting corticosteroid effect is needed. The triamcinolone is slowly absorbed into the bloodstream from this area, so one injection produces an effect for about three weeks. If necessary the injection may be repeated, in which case it should be given into alternate buttocks.

For people suffering from severe hay fever, that is not controlled by the usual treatments, one injection can relieve symptoms over the entire hay fever season. What should I know about Kenalog injections? If you've been given more than one Kenalog injection during a three week period, or are having long-term treatment with Kenalog injections it's important that the treatment is not stopped suddenly.

Long-term use of steroids can stop your adrenal glands producing natural corticosteroids this is called adrenal suppression , which means that your body becomes temporarily reliant on the medicine.

This can also happen after repeated joint injections. When it's time to stop treatment your dose should be reduced gradually, to allow your adrenal glands to start producing enough natural steroids again. Always follow the instructions given by your doctor or pharmacist. Long courses of steroids may increase your susceptibility to infections and can also mask the symptoms of infections, making you think they are less serious than they are.

So it's important to see your doctor if you get any signs of infection while you're having Kenalog injections. If you've never had chickenpox you should avoid contact with people who have chickenpox or shingles while you're having Kenalog injections. You should also avoid contact with people who have measles. If you're exposed to these diseases either during treatment, or in the three months after stopping treatment, you should consult your doctor urgently.

This is very important as these diseases can be life-threatening in people having long-term treatment with corticosteroids. Corticosteroid treatment, especially with high doses, can sometimes cause changes in your mood and behaviour when you first start treatment and some people may experience confusion, irritability, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, mood changes or depression, or suffer from delusions and suicidal thoughts.

In a few cases these problems have happened when stopping treatment. It's important to let your doctor know if you notice any change in your mood or behaviour, particularly if you begin to feel depressed, or have any disturbing thoughts or feelings. Most of these problems go away if the dose is lowered or the medicine is stopped. However if problems do happen they might need treatment. If you have more than one Kenalog injection you will be given a blue steroid card that contains details about your Kenalog treatment.

This needs to be carried with you at all times because the effects that corticosteroids can have on the body may affect other medical treatment you may be given. You should show this card to any healthcare professionals treating you. Who shouldn't have Kenalog injections? People with widespread infection, unless this is being treated medicines such as antibiotics. Kenalog injection must not be injected into unstable or infected joints, or directly into tendons only into the tendon sheath or into the achilles tendon which doesn't have a true tendon sheath.

Kenalog injection is not recommended for children under six years of age. Who might need a lower dose or extra monitoring? Elderly people, children and adolescents. Steroid side effects are more likely in the very young and very old. Long-term use of steroids has the potential to slow growth in children, so if your child needs treatment with Kenalog for a long time your doctor will want to keep an eye on their height and weight.

People with diabetes , or a family history of diabetes. Steroids can raise blood sugar levels and long-term use can sometimes cause diabetes or make diabetes more difficult to control. People with a stomach ulcer. Steroids can sometimes cause or worsen peptic ulcers so you may need to take an extra medicine to help protect your gut. People with a personal or family history of psychiatric illness, including depression , bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

People with or at risk of osteoporosis , including women who have passed the menopause. Steroids can sometimes cause weakening or thinning of the bones. People with kidney or liver problems. People with heart failure or who have recently had a heart attack. People with high blood pressure hypertension. Your doctor will want to monitor your blood pressure. People with cataracts , glaucoma , or a family history of glaucoma. Steroids can cause or worsen these eye conditions. People with an infection, particularly people with herpes simplex virus infection of the eye or who have had tuberculosis TB in the past.

People with inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or diverticulitis. People who have recently had a surgical procedure called intestinal anastomosis, which involves the joining together of ends of the intestine after a section has been removed. People with an underactive thyroid gland hypothyroidism. People who suffer from epilepsy.