I had a flu shot Sept. 2008 and remember it hurt when given. Since then I have pain in my upper arm and shoulder (it's now been a year). I believe it is nerve damage from the needle going to deep. I have had an MRI. meds and now going to Chiro with no relief. I cant't put my arm behind my back or lift it over my head and forget about putting weight on it. Does anyone know of relief for this condition?
Thanks
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Hi, Ouch2. Welcome, and thanks so much for your question.
I'm so sorry you've dealt with this pain for so long. You are not alone -- in fact, EmpowHer has an entire thread of conversation between those who have experienced the same thing:
http://www.empowher.com/community/ask/it-normal-my-arm-muscle-my-shoulde...
Are your doctors sympathetic? Do they believe your symptoms?
September 17, 2009 - 8:53amThis Comment
I am having the same problem after having the flu shot a month ago and it's not getting any better. I have had the flu shot many times before and never had a problem. I have trouble sleeping, getting dress and doing everthing really! I have taken pain meds. such as motrin and tylenol. Does anyone have any suggestions. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rhonda
October 26, 2009 - 3:03pmI have since found out what my condition is, I have what is called adhesive capsulitis, or more commonly known as "frozen shoulder"-reading all the other posts again I believe that there are a number of women with the same problem.I believe the flu shot was either a "red herring" that just confused the picture or it actually contributed toward my condition. Read up ladies, x-rays and U/S look ok, but the physio I saw had the condition herself, first in her right arm and then her left. It has an 18 month duration, the pain eases after the first 9 months at night, so I can sleep now, my range of movement in certain positions still sucks but apparently will get better.Chins up, if its frozen shoulder there is an end in sight eventually.
November 1, 2010 - 2:25pmTHANK YOU SO MUCH for this post! I got a shot in the arm 4 months ago and have been having terrible pain and loss of motion. None of my doctors recognized this condition. If not for this post, I woundnt have had a clue about Frozen Shoulder.
You are a life savor!!!
November 29, 2011 - 7:24pmTHANK YOU SO MUCH for this post! I got a shot in the arm 4 months ago and have been having terrible pain and loss of motion. None of my doctors recognized this condition. If not for this post, I woundnt have had a clue about Frozen Shoulder.
You are a life savor!!!
November 29, 2011 - 7:24pmIve had these symptoms for 4 months The e.r. said im narcotic shoping.
March 22, 2011 - 6:58pmI got the flu shot at work approx 2 weeks ago and noticed the shot was very high on my arm. after injection there was pain in my shoulder joint that lessened after several minutes but that night my joint became warm and increasingly painful with movement. I have been taking ibuprofen that gets me through the day but at night the pain can get very severe and involves my shoulder and radiates into my upper arm and elbow. In the morning the joint is very stiff. My theory is that the shot was placed intra articular and as a result I am experiencing an inflammatory response. Ibuprofen does help but when it wears off the pain is significant. I am wondering if anyone has had this happen and for how long I can anticipate the pain to last?
October 14, 2009 - 12:30pmI have received a flu shot into my left arm/shoulder about four weeks ago and I am still hurting. Especially at nights I wake up numerous times finding myself in pain. I can barely get dressed in the morning. I did bring it to my employers attention that I have been in pain since the flu shot. They just told me to apply heat and to take ibuprofen. I am very active and can't wait for the pain to go away.
October 17, 2009 - 7:28pmTry applying ice verses the heat; heat brings blood flow to that area and the ice will decrease the inflamation
October 31, 2009 - 12:07amYOU ARE NOT ALONE GOT MY SHOT 11/15/09. HAVE HAD SEVERE DEBILITAING PAIN IN MY ARM, LIKE SOMEONE HAS DRIVEN A RAILROAD TIE INTO MY ARM, THE PAIN RADIATES INTO MY NECK AND SHOULDER. IVE BEEN ON TORDAL, PERCOCET, LIDOCAIN PATCHES, AND LYRICA FOR THE NERVE PAIN. IVE SEEN AN MD THE ER AND THE EMPOLYEE HEALTH NURSE. HOPE WE ALL WILL SOON FIND RELIEFE FROM THIS AND THAT WE CAN GET THE WORD OUT THAT THIS IS A REAL SIDE EFFECT OF THE FLU SHOT.
November 12, 2009 - 2:18pm