Recd flu shot in December and two months later still experiencing pain at the site of injection; could muscle or tendon or nerve been damaged from flu shot administration
February 3, 2009 - 3:56pm
1269 reads
15 comments
The pain I am experiencing is preventing me from reaaching my arms above my head; putting my jacket on and off; twisting or turning. The pain is wincing at times. I cannot sleep on that arm.
Add A New Comment Report Abuse
Conditions:
Add A New Comment15 Comments
Momdi: I am sorry to hear about your experience with the flu shot. Although not a common occurance with this type of vaccine, it is possible that the neddle may have injured a nerve and it will need time to heal. Are you experiencing other symptoms besides localized pain? I suggest icing the area for 20 minutes for a week to see what happens.
Momdi, Thanks so much for your question.
You are not the only one that's experienced this kind of after-effects of the flu shot. I thought I'd refer you to the following thread, where other writers have encountered the same thing. One woman says her doctor believes the flu shot was injected too high in the arm:
http://www.empowher.com/community/ask/it-normal-my-arm-muscle-my-shoulde...
Hi momdi,
Yes, I was the original poster in the link above. It was the strangest thing, as I work in the medical community and receive a shot every year. This year, the (new) nurse did give me the shot in a different location in my arm: higher and more center instead of off-center.
I had my shot in November, and just within the past few weeks my shoulder feels better. I started wondering if something permanently disabling was happening to my arm, but didn't want to be dramatic about it, you know?!
At the worst, I was not able to move my arm/shoulder in certain ways, or would have a sudden, sharp pain. Also felt weaker in that muscle.
So, now that it has been 3 months, I have no pain any longer, and my arm/shoulder is back to normal.
Very strange!! I haven't gathered up the nerve yet to ask the nurse about this, b/c I believe it is important to get a flu shot every year-- but this has definitely made me more timid.
Do you think your shot was given too high up in your arm? Have you had anything like this before?
Never experienced anything like this before. You describe the same results that I have from the flu shot. This is the first time I went to a pharmacy clinic rather than my MD and she(nurse or tech) did administer the shot in the center of my arm versus the rear. I have received allergy shots for years and have always recd them to the rear of my upper arm. The pain occurs in certain positions; I cannot reach up for anything without a sharp pain. It is now two months since the shot. I did not want to be a complainer as well;however, I feel like this has sidelined me. The inability to do certain things because of this has made me gun-shy about a shot next year.
I have spoken to many, including first responders and medical staff. as they are the first to get the shots. then we, the target group. since then, they and I have come down with arm pain and weakness. to the point we had to seek medical help from our doctors. and now it seems, there is some reason for cover-up ? bad batch, or the live virus, or who knows ? but, now we are really paying the price for being cautious, and believing in the shots !