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

Hi. I read the responses from others and have to say that my problem isn't all that different. I received my first (and LAST) general flu vaccination from my employer about 5 years ago. I don't remember the injection as far as extra pain (so must have been ok), and placement of needle was fine. However, I have had persistent discomfort at the sites since the day I had it done. When using my arm during the day, it's ok. When I go to lay down (right sided sleeper and it's the left arm that had the shot), I have intense deep aching with a heavy sensation in the left upper arm. It is sometimes relieved with elevation on a pillow to allow the arm to have support, but that is more the exception than the rule. I also notice that when I am feeling cold like tonight when I turned on the heat in the house, my left arm turns icy. Is this an allergic response to the shot?
I was told that by the occ health nurse (I, too am a nurse) and have relayed that information to my family doctor.

Hi Dale - Thanks for writing. We have a number of threads on the site with comments from literally hundreds of people who experienced severe arm pain after getting a shot that may not have been administered correctly. Some people have also developed frozen shoulder due to not moving their arm/shoulder because of the pain. You may find the following article helpful: https://www.empowher.com/frozen-shoulder/content/frozen-shoulder-it-really-frozen-part-1

Will you let us know how your next appointment goes? Good luck! Pat

I had a flu shot in Oct 2009. Shortly afterward, I started having arm pain. I told my Dr in Nov. when I had my annual physical. He blew it off telling me not to move my arm in the directions that caused pain. By March 2010 it was continuing. I found another Dr. and made an appt - which wasn't until May 27. I explained it to new Dr., had an x-ray and MRI, both show nothing. I am going back this week. I still have the arm pain. I would swear it is form the flu shot given to me at work in Oct. I am unable to reach up too high, can't move my arm backwards to tuck my shirt in and it's difficult sleeping because the arm gets twisted. When it goes in a bad twist, the pain is as excuciating as sciatica. Dale

I'm experiencing the same thing but from an "allergy" shot in the fatty part of my arm (back side). If you press on it you can actually feel a lump where the shot was given. I have had shooting pains for the past 5 months and it is definately difficult to put my arm in certain positions. Can't move it towards the back of me to place item in back seat of car or to put my coat on, must first put the bad arm in and then the other arm. Did you find out what you have? Have you gotten treatment and if so what kind of treatment since I do not know who to go see about this? I tried to go to a Chiroprator, but he just wanted to tell me how bad my back and neck are and never dealt with my shooting pains from the shot. I have to take either a sleeping pill at night or something to kill the pain in order to sleep at night. I am considering going to an acupuncturis or perhaps a nerve specialist?

My wife has had a Hep B injection as a precautionary measure due to her job and she has the same problem. Its been 3 years now and she is still suffering as if it was yesterday. She cannot sleep on that side, sometimes struggles to put her coat on, lefting her arms above her head, etc. The GP reluctantly referred her to a physio as he chucked out the idea that it was caused through the Hep B jab and the treatment has made no difference. Ice, exercise and heat has made no difference and GP has basically washed his hands of it. Now i had a flu jab over the christmas period this year and guess what! Now i have the same thing! They injected my arm near the top just as they did my wifes arm.... my doctor.... told me i'm a hypercondriac as i have been back and forth with chest, arm, back and jaw pain. Worried as i am even after a ECG that was clear, still no scan!

I received my flu shot in October and have been fighting the same issues since. I had an MRI this past friday and am waiting to see what the results are? Is there any treatment if a nerve has been damaged?

Hi Anons - There are several others who've had the same experience, and have been treated in multiple ways. You may want to review the following threads for more information:
https://www.empowher.com/community/ask/pain-arm-after-flu-shot

https://www.empowher.com/community/ask/it-normal-my-arm-muscle-my-shoulder-hurt-2-weeks-after-flu-shot