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I took a mandatory flu shot at work Oct. 19, 2009 on my left arm. I had chills and a fever of 102* along with left arm aching pain, and a bout of severe low back pain within the first 2 weeks after receiving the shot. All other symptoms have since dissipated except for the severe low back pain and a strange wobbliness in my legs. The low back pain is bad enough to where I could not move by myself for a week, and now cannot really sit or bend without a high degree of constant pain.
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Your symptoms sound very similar to mine when I got my shot in 2009. You should find out the batch number and the name of the manufacturer of the flu shot that you were given. The following link from the CDC website may be helpful for getting more information on the flu vaccination: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/index.htm
November 5, 2012 - 11:06amYou can also call the number on the website to inquire about the vaccination you got and describe your symptoms, as they keep track and will call you back if they have further information. I found out that I was vaccinated by a bad batch of the vaccine in 2009 manufactured by a particular company. It took six months for my symptoms to get better on their own, but in the interim, my husband had to help me get around as I couldn't walk, or change positions, from sitting to standing or vice versa, on my own without losing my balance or experiencing excruciating low back pain. It was a frightening experience, but I did get better. I am not sure if it has had any long-lasting effects, but do see your healthcare provider if your symptoms persist. Good luck.
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If the pain is in your lower back it might involve your kidneys. It could be a form of glommerulonephritis - IgA nephropathy. Basically, when you inject an Antigen into your body (which is what vaccinations do) your body produces antibodies. The antibodies combine with the antigens to form large molecules called immune complexes. These can get stuck in the small vessels of your kidney (amongst other places such as joints) and cause an inflammatory reaction. There is a growing body of research on this side effect of vaccinations. I don't mean to frighten anybody - I think vaccinations are very safe for the most part. Certainly, for some individuals the risk benefit equation makes them truly a life saver (the elderly, immune compromised individuals, etc). Also, the anti vaccine brigade is largely uneducated and potentially dangerous. Imbibing the polio antigen, for example, is FAR safer than contracting the disease. The risks of childhood ilnesses also outweight those of the vaccine. However, making flu shots mandatory for healthy individuals presents an interesting ethical debate. Personally, I am against it. (P.S. I am pretty sure it has nothing to do with lymph nodes!)
November 26, 2011 - 7:39pmThis Comment
Probably the lymph nodes in your lower back swelling, which can cause severe lower back pain.
November 1, 2010 - 5:03pmThis Comment
I have back pain and paresthesia in my legs since 12-30-09. I received a shot on 11-26-09. Now I have burning pain in my shoulders and arms.
March 12, 2010 - 8:01pmThis Comment
I am having back pain after my swine flu shot. Not severe, but enough so I am up at 2am reading this post.
December 3, 2009 - 11:39pmThis Comment
Hi, I'm sorry to hear that. I actually had severe pain for almost 6 weeks. It's better now, but only after I took 800mg of ibuprofen almost everyday for about two weeks. I didn't go see a doctor, so I am not sure what caused the pain. Hope you feel better soon.
December 4, 2009 - 12:33pmThis Comment