Is it normal for my arm muscle in my shoulder to hurt 2 weeks after flu shot?

I just wanted to update everyone, as I am the person who first ASKED the question!

I received my flu shot this year (2009), and experienced NO PAIN! I spoke with the nurse about my previous awful experience, showed her the site of injection, and she said, "oh, no! that is way too high up on your shoulder! the needle must have hit something that needed healing!"

The proper place for the injection is 3 finger-widths below the shoulder (about 2 finger-widths below my previous injection in 2008).

I got the flu shot yesterday, and did not have that sickening feeling as the needle went in. I have NO PAIN from the injection, nor in my muscle. It is great to advocate for yourself! The nurse was reassuring, showed me the site in advance on my arm, and made me feel comfortable that she understood.

Please...if you have a nurse that is trying to hurry through your injection, ask when a non-rush time is to come back. Ask in advance where on your arm the injection will be, as you had a bad experience last time (I did tell the nurse that I may sound like a "high maintenance" patient, but let her know this was very unusual for me! Seemed to put her at ease a little, too. I believe advocating for yourself does not necessarily mean the other person is on their defensive).

Anyways..I'm just excited to share that it is possible to get the flu shot if you are interested, and not have residual pain. Yeah!!! Find another nurse if you need to, come back to the location at another non-busy time...but make sure you feel comfortable about the situation if you've had a previous bad experience (or, to prevent a first-time bad experience).

If you want to follow the thread, I posted this as a separate SHARE: No Pain in arm or shoulder after flu shot this year!

I'm off the pred pac but still have pain, in both arms, even the flu shot one... the flu shot arm is in the upper part of the arm, the pneumonia shot is in the shoulder, oh happy days!

I've already posted with symptoms the same as everyone else, except that I have no shoulder pain, only from the injection site to the elbow. I've read all the posts on this, and I could be wrong, but I think it's something in the vaccine that has caused this. I don't really think my injection was that high. My daughter got one the same day, and her arm was fine in less than a week, but she's 12 years old and so she was given a vaccine from a different batch. The government pays half on the children's vaccine, so they keep that separate by giving their vaccine from a different batch. I don't know if that batch is weaker for children, or if it is the same as the batch the adults get. My daughter thought I tensed up, because I don't like shots. But I have been getting a flu shot every year with no previous problems, and I don't think I tensed up any more than other years. I think there is something different or stronger in the vaccine this year, and that's why so many people are experiencing problems. They're not going to tell us. I've been using my arm normally, so I don't see physical therapy working. My pain is not severe, but it does hurt, and if I use my arm too much, it hurts more. I can sleep on my shoulder now, where I couldn't before, but I do still get tingling and numbness in my fingers at night. I guess in 2 weeks it has gotten somewhat better, but still having problems with aching, loss of motion, trouble lifting, mostly around the elbow area. I'm not sure if I'll get a flu shot next year. Also, I'm not wanting to get the swine flu shot after this. From everyones posts here, I don't see any reason to go to the doctor. I don't like taking pills, so I'll just have to wait it out and hope my body cures itself. I still think the vaccine must be different this year.

I got the flu shot 2 weeks ago, and my left arm still hurts from the injection site to the elbow. I can't sleep on that side either, and I can't lift anything slightly heavy with the left arm (jug of milk, etc). It has never done this to me before, so I'm comforted somewhat to see that other people are also having this problem. I've worked on a farm lifting hay bales, so I'm not a wimp about these things, but I can't lift a hay bale with this arm now. I'm wondering whether I should go to the doctor about it, but I don't want another shot.

SO glad to hear your rotator cuff is ok....hope things start to improve.
I'm on 5 weeks with pain, it feels like it's getting better and then drops right back down to no ability to move it without wanting to scream!
Sleeping is a major issue and every morning is a battle to get it moving again, the pain is incredible.
My pain is mostly in my shoulder....
I have found icing it helps a great deal...anti-inflammatory pills...heat and just trying to keep it in motion so it doesn't freeze up.
thanks for your tips...the more we can offer each other the better!
Nay

ok just got back from the orthopedic dr about my arm. First no rotator cuff injury or issues. 2nd he believes that the shot could have irritated something that caused my arm to get so sore with such pain. The anti-inflammatory medicines are helping me alot. Continue those, then switch to Aleve 2 times a day for one week and I should be good. Hopefully he is right. However the drugs have helped the pain and movement issues are much better. Also gave me some light exercises to do to get the movement back as before. He did not want me to get frozen shoulder that some people can get. I am diabetic and this is an issure with diabetics. I am happy to see and know that this is almost the end. The pain I know each of you have felt is overwhelming! Would rather have another child! At least that pain has a happy ending and something to look forward to!

ok just got back from the orthopedic dr about my arm. First no rotator cuff injury or issues. 2nd he believes that the shot could have irritated something that caused my arm to get so sore with such pain. The anti-inflammatory medicines are helping me alot. Continue those, then switch to Aleve 2 times a day for one week and I should be good. Hopefully he is right. However the drugs have helped the pain and movement issues are much better. Also gave me some light exercises to do to get the movement back as before. He did not want me to get frozen shoulder that some people can get. I am diabetic and this is an issure with diabetics. I am happy to see and know that this is almost the end. The pain I know each of you have felt is overwhelming! Would rather have another child! At least that pain has a happy ending and something to look forward to!

so glad to find this! Typed in google "muscle pain from flu shot normal?" and found your site. I have had lots of flu shots but I feel like I was in a car crash! Thought it was psychosomatic. Now I don't think so. My arm is swollen near the inside of my elbow on the arm which the shot was given.??

I am so glad I found this site. Today marks 3 weeks ago I got the flu shot in my left should. Obviously too high because I am having all of the same symptoms as many of you. I cant wash my hair, sleep, put on a coat. Basically any movement kills me. I called my GP (where I got the shot) and even though I told them I was having a flu shot reaction, they could not put me in. Luckily I have a friend who works at an orthopedic office who was able to squeeze me in today. The doc told me the person who gave me the shot probably went too deep, and put it in my rotator cuff. He gave me a cortisone shot in my shoulder and told me if its not better in a week to come back because I might need physical therapy. NOT GOOD. I am hoping I will feel some effects of the cortisone shot by tomorrow when I wake up. I cant live like this. I am scared now reading these posts about this lasting for months.