Improved
6113 HealthChanged
3786 LivesSaved
3570 Lives0 lives impacted in the last 24 hrs Learn More
I was happy to receive the flu shot this year, as I feel like it's "doing my part" to stop the spread of the influenza virus. Plus, any inoculation that can either prevent, or lessen the symptoms, of flu is motivation to me!
I've received the flu shot annually, for the past 10 years. I have the typical soreness at site, possibly a little tired that evening. But that's it.
This year...my shoulder muscle (at the site of the injection) is still painful, so much that I can't move my arm forward at shoulder-level, or lift my arm up over my head, without a sharp pain in that one muscle. If my arm is still, it does not hurt. It is affecting my sleep, as I am confined to sleeping on only my right side (it is my left arm that hurts).
Are there any other reports of this flu shot symptom? Did I just not move my arm enough after the shot (kind of "favored it"), or is there something else wrong??
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment735 Comments
Reta: I wrote a couple months ago. Going through the same thing. Since my shot, I am unable to go to PT. Can anyone give us some ideas of what excercise helps the arm? My arm is much better now, but still very weak. I force myself to work it and streach it daily, but if there is a certain exercise that would help, I would love to know. Thanks, This website has been a God send for me.
January 22, 2010 - 9:54amThis Comment
I wrote sometime back . My MRI "FINDINGS" on copy of report I requested is as follows:The tendons of the rotator cuff muscles are intact. A small amount of fluid is noted in the subacromial and the subdeltoid bursa. The tendon of the long head of the biceps is located in the bicipital groove. IMPRESSION: Since the tendons of the rotator cuff muscles appear intact, this may represent isolated bursitis or otherwise the possibility of a pinhole tear of the rotator cuff is difficlut to fully exclude........ So since they can't see a pinhole tear, it's bursitis. AAGGHH! My injection was high and towards the rear of my shoulder with a needle that was not the right size...it was for the buttocks muscle not the arm. Likely put in too deeply and too high. Docs really don't feel it's necessary to agree with my feeling that the pain was caused by the injection. They just put it off to basically...not wanting to admit it. Was at a most prominant HMO in So.Calif. Anyways, I went for the first time to Phys. Therapy. He said my tendons are super tight at the shoulder and my muscles weak. Need to strengthen them and put back in balance. He put me on a low impact excercise because he believes that I'm still inflammed. Here's what I am doing per P.T. exercise sheet:
January 24, 2010 - 2:43pmyou can see how it helps you...Realize though a visit once to a P.T. will give you a Personal Exercise Program addressing your exact needs...and then you just do those excercises at home.
1. Bend affected elbow and hold in front of body. 2. Grasp the arm with the other hand. 3. Try to rotate the arm outward, but resist the movement with the other hand 4. Hold 5 seconds. 5. 15-20 repetitions, 2-3 times per day. Next one: 1.Lie on back with both arms pointed upward as if you are reaching for a baby. 2.Raise shoulder off floor as you push fist toward ceiling. 3. Hold 5 seconds and repeat 15-20 times 2-3 times a day. Next one: 1. Lie on belly with arms resting at sides. 2. Pinch shoulder blades together. 3.Now, raise arms off floor keeping them straight back along your sides. 4.Hold 5 secons and slowly lower. 5.Repeat 15-20 times, 2-3 times per day. GOOD LUCK TO YOU. Hope it helps some. He also told me to ice it every few hours.
This Comment
Anne: I feel your pain..I am right there with you..I want my life back! ML
January 21, 2010 - 9:04pmThis Comment
Well, back again and blood tests they took showed nothing as I pretty much figured and still hurting. But the Dr. DID prescribe an anti-inflammatory ( skelexain @ 800mg 1 tablet 2x's a day, if needed ) and it IS needed. And this is my own totally additive, as in my previous post that I mentioned I do train dogs and sometimes their muscles get sore. So, what I have been *rubbing* on my arm is a topical analegsic which amounts to anything you would get over the counter. It is a herbal gel which warms nicely to promote circulation to speed heeling. Don't know how long it takes for the anti-inflammatory to kick in ....... and I am going to mention this is my massage therapist on Monday to see what she thinks. They also do accupunture .......... so, I don't know. I wish I were better. This is soooooo tiring and painful!
January 21, 2010 - 6:25pmThis Comment
I feel your pain too Anne. I am blaming this problem on the drug manufacturer because I AM a drug manufacturer as well and I think they had a problematic batch or moreout there. Too many people, identical symptoms, lengthy time frame. My pharmacy would be sued if we had inflicted this kind of problem on people. I have it on paper by both my orthopedic and the Neurologist and my bills have now gone over the 5,000.00 mark. This is rediculous and it is also why they make you sign a paper saying you know the risks. I really want to impress on you, physical therapy is a must folks. It will help. I am finally making progress. The injured nerves will eventually heal, we hope! But get into PT and be faithful with your appointments and exercises, please. Here's to recovery folks!
January 22, 2010 - 6:29amThis Comment
Its me once again..Anyone have any results from an MRI they are willing to share? I went to a different chiropractor and he feels the shot was given to low in my arm and therefore created damage to the muscle and nerve damage.Since the pain radiates into my shoulder and neck that is a good indication its nerve damage. He does feel I would benifit from Chiropractic. They have a special machine to relieve the tension and pain. It has little pads and it stuck to the areas of pain and sends a slight electical feeling through the muscle..I do have relief tonight in the shoulder neck area now but still deep throbbing stabbing pain at the injection site deep like it is to the bone..An x-ray showed no damage to the bone..My chiropractic wants me to go ahead with an MRI through my regular MD just to make sure we know what we are dealing with. Then after that I can prodeed with more aggressive chiropractic treatment..He also feels I would benifit from a muscle relaxer for a short time to calm things down. So, now its back to my MD for a MRI and see if he will prescribe a muscle relaxer. I currently am taking Darvocet which provides very little relief but does allow me to sleep at night. Keep posting you never know what might help someone and I will do the same. Best Wishes to all..ML
January 20, 2010 - 9:45pmThis Comment
What he's using is probably a TENS machine, it could help. If you go to the doc as for Flexiril, it's a muscle relaxer. I've had the same problem for months and it is getting better with going to Curves exercise for women.
Good luck!
January 20, 2010 - 10:05pmThis Comment
I think I am experiencing the same thing, however, my shot was given in my gluteus (buttocks). This was not a flu shot or any vaccine, it was an hCG shot. I have been on the hCG diet for 3 weeks and alternate sides each day for the shot. One day I felt quite a bit of pain during and after the injection. I avoided the shot on that side for a few days and then resumed alternating. The pain initially went away after about 2 days, but then came back a few days later and it seems to be getting worse each day. I have stopped the shots just for this week because I am menstruating, and I was hoping it would start feeling better. I agree with some of the other posts, where it feels as if the needle is actually still in there (which of course I know it is not). But that's the best way to describe the pain. It also increases / decreases depending on the way I'm sitting. It especially hurts first thing in the morning when I roll over to get out of bed. There was no bruising on any of the days following the initial painful shot. I'm wondering about the injection going too deep that day, or nerve damage. I found this blog while searching for an answer, but I'm having a hard time finding much on the web about it. It's a bit irritating to hear how many people have told their Dr. and just get an "I don't know / never heard of it" kind of answer when this is happening all over the place! Come on someone!!!
January 20, 2010 - 5:42pmThis Comment
Hi dLanie, and Welcome to EmpowHER! We're glad to have you with us, but sorry to learn of the reason that led you to our site. We have several threads going with men and women who've had arm and shoulder pain following a vaccine, but I'm pretty sure you're the first person to write in about pain following an injection in the buttocks. Have you talked to your doctor about this? If so, are you getting the "I don't know" answer that others are getting about arm injections?
I tried to research this for you, and while I found references to gluteus nerve pain I wasn't able to find any references about this being caused by an injection. I'm going to check some additional sources. In the meantime, is there anyone else on this thread who's ever heard of this or had this experience? We'd love to hear from you.
January 20, 2010 - 6:30pmTake care, Pat
This Comment
I read on the Internet that nerve damage can happen in either the arm or the buttocks. My neurologist said that nerve damage is more common when the injection is in the buttocks and it affects the sciatic nerve. He said that is the more common of the two sites as well.
April 17, 2010 - 7:18pmThis Comment