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severe muscle pain and weakness all over body after flu shot?

By Anonymous October 11, 2009 - 3:46pm
 
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On October 1st, I had a flu shot, not the H1N1, just the regular flu shot. I've had the flu shot many times before with muscle pain and soreness in the arm that the injection was received in that usually subsided within a few days.

This time however, the pain was almost unbearable and seemed to be "spreading" to other parts of my body.

The first night it was just my upper arm. The second night it was my upper arm, pec muscle, muscles of the underarm, and muscles in the upper corner of my back. It was excrutiating and was slightly relieved with 800mg of ibuprofen.

The third night it was also in the muscles on the side of my neck.

The fourth night it was starting to travel down my arm into my hand and wrist. At this point I was also experiencing weakness and difficulty holding or picking up objects.

By the the end of the weak it had radiated to the other side of my body. So basically my entire upper body was painful and weak. Both arms, both upper back, both pec muscles etc... Again I'm taking 800mg ibuprofen around the clock which does slightly relieve the pain. I'm also using heating pads which slightly relieve the pain as well.

It has now been almost two weaks and it has radiated to my lower back, my stomach (as if i just did a hundred situps), my hands, my thighs, my calfs. I feel weak and am having trouble just sitting at the computer typing or picking up a drink.

As far as I know the flu shot can't cause this kind of reaction but, what else could this be??

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EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I had a c-section at 27 weeks. I was suffering with terrible crohns flare ups and then told I had an 9cm cyst on ovary. My c-section was in August 17th. Before going in for surgery they told me they were going to remove cyst. After surgery they explained to me that they couldn't remove cyst due to too much scar tissue, they barley got baby out. I had to tell with pain from cyst for another 4to 6 weeks. The next night I was crying in pain due to cyst and Doctor said she will at least drain cyst to give me pain relief. As they were started to drain they noticed it was an abscess not a cyst. They did an emergency hysterectomy ( 3 days after c-section) I was in hospital for 10 days. Went home and after 3 days I developed a fever, went back to hospital and they found another abscess just as big. Was there for a week with a drainage. I was home for a few days and my mom, 3 year old son went to hospital to see my baby and we were hit by an 18 wheeler at the back side, spun 3 or 4 times and hit pole. I wasn't wearing a seatbelt due to my two surgery scars. I was flown from front to back seat. Ended up back in hospital for 4 days with fractured back in three places. Four days after being home had to go back to hospital cause another abscess occurred right under skin where drainage was from before and to top it off it was my birthday. Now we're in October and after a few days of being out of hospital I go my flu shot and now I'm dealing with this joint point. Maybe it's just bad luck, maybe it was from having baby. I just want to feel normal without pain.

November 6, 2015 - 10:11pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Hi, same happened to me in 2007. I did all tests on the Earth and they coudnt find anything. No one had explanation. And it took a while to heal.

November 3, 2015 - 3:43am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I too had a flu shot about 5 weeks ago, I was perfectly fit and agile up to that point, then I developed severe muscle and joint pains which travelled all over my body. I was hardly able to walk and eventually I was admitted to hospital. They can't give an answer but agree it is a bacterial infection and they have tingatetreated me with antibiotics. Not much change though. I do think the flu virus has caused this.

November 2, 2015 - 3:23am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Have they ruled out Guillain Barre Syndrome?

November 2, 2015 - 11:42am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I got the flu shot a little over a week ago and me along with several coworkers have been sick with runny nose, sore throat, cough, and muscle aches. Several said the site was sore for a couple days too.

October 20, 2015 - 9:35pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I am experiencing severe muscle pains all over my body about 9 days after the flu shot. It was my first time getting the shot this year. Everyday it is getting worse and no asprins or pain relievers are helping. How long will this last?!?!? I can't get up or down stairs and am in a ridiculous amount of pain. I can't even write well or make a fist. help!!!

October 6, 2015 - 9:11am
(reply to Anonymous)

Hi I dont think I can HELP but I have never had this kind of reaction before but 4 days after the vaccine /shot i was very very tired .I did have a head ache also before i got tired . but last night i was in pain in my bones i hope this goes away and no more damage to my body organs as i have been reading others who seem to have it worse then me well at least so far how awful. What kind of poison are they give us ... i am scared too . I am 62 ..take care

October 13, 2015 - 8:28am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I had the same thing last year after my first ever flu shot, but the pain was mostly at night. Even Hydrocodone didn't relieve the pain. It lasted 1-2 weeks and then slowly got better. I wonder if it is a mild form of Guillain-Barré syndrome? My doctor said my pain was from a virus...no way, it was the shot. Did you also have a terrible sore throat with no other cold symptoms? I stupidly got the flu shot again this year (last Thursday) and I'm scared it's starting again. I have a horrible sore throat and my arms are starting to feel heavy and sore.

October 7, 2015 - 10:53am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I have gottent he sore throat too also deep hip pain

January 11, 2020 - 3:25am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I suffer with entire body joint pain but since I have gotten my flu shot my joints are in excruciating pain. I am currently on pain medications but now they are not even getting rid of my pain. I feel fatiqued and having headaches. I have taken flu shots before but have never had such a reaction. I work with patients in therapy so we have no choice but to get one to protect the elderly. I caught the flu last year and it was horrible. So damn if you do damn if you don't.

October 2, 2015 - 4:27pm
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