share: NO PAIN in arm or shoulder after flu shot this year!
I posted the original question, regarding my awful experience last year (2008) with the flu shot I received, and this question/ASK received many responses! Is it normal for my arm muscle in my shoulder to hurt 2 weeks after the flu shot?.
Actually...it ended up hurting for 3-5 months, and was painful enough to disrupt my sleep, prohibit some movement when trying to pick up my 1 year old son, and caused me to wonder if something was damaged in my arm. I did not want to seem like a whiny patient, or to exaggerate my symptoms or anything (or to get on the anti-flu-vaccine bandwagon).
Anyways, I thought it was only fair to share with you all: I had another flu shot this season (yesterday)...and I have NO PAIN IN MY ARM! yeah! I spoke with the nurse about my experience last year, and she said she heard many people complain about this very same thing. In fact, she had the same situation and was in some shoulder pain for 6 months following her flu shot. I showed her the exact location where I had my flu shot in 2008 (it was that painful...I remembered the location if you can believe it, as the shot even hurt when it went in), and she said, "Oh my! That is WAY too far up your shoulder! The needle may have hit something that needed time to heal!".
The nurse told me the proper location for the flu shot in the arm: 3 finger-widths below the shoulder (and, this is approximately 2 finger-widths below my 2008 shot location).
She was WONDERFUL, and the shot was barely noticeable! The shot was like they should be...a little prick, some coldness, then soreness for 24 hours that is mild.
My arm does not hurt at all today...not the site of the injection, not the muscle or anything.
If you are thinking about getting a flu shot, and are worried about what you've been reading regarding the pain people have experienced...please talk with the nurse beforehand! I let her know I was not "high-maintenance" and just worried. If she had not reacted in the way I needed (if she was nonchalant, for instance), I would have declined the shot. Instead, she was reassuring, showed me where the injection would be...and that made all the difference!
It really does pay to advocate for yourself, and I hope others have a better experience this time, as well as knowing the exact location where the injection should be given.
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Add a Comment9 Comments
Free2beme,
Thank you SO much for coming back and updating us!! That original thread is still going strong, and continuing with people's experiences this year. It's very good to know that (a) you were not afraid to get a shot this year, and that (b) you had no trouble with it.
Thank you so much for the information on on location, as well. I can see us all now, going to get our shots and when they raise the needle up to our shoulder, saying "oh, wait a sec" while we put our three fingers from the shoulder up on our arm and then saying "ok, Go!"
October 23, 2009 - 10:23amThis Comment
Hi Free2Bme - I'd like to echo Diane's comments and also thank you for coming back to the site. I too have read the old thread, and wondered how you were doing. I'm glad your experience this time was so much better, and really appreciate your advocating for not only yourself, but also for EmpowHer members by posting this information.
November 2, 2009 - 6:12pmTake good care,
Pat
Thank you SO much for coming back and updating us on how you are doing!! I have thought of you often and have wondered how you were doing. I have to say, you are one brave person for getting the flu shot again this year! LOL! I'm not sure I would have been so brave after what you went through but I'm so glad that this year's shot didn't hurt and I love it that the nurse took the time to speak with you about where it should have gone in. That's great information for us to have too--thank you for sharing that with the EmpowHer community! Big hugs, Michelle
November 3, 2009 - 10:48pmThe shot I was given was not given too high up. It has been almost 6 months. I can't sleep, I can't lift with my left arm, I cannot drive, along with many other important things I need to do. I have seen my regular doctor twice, been in PT and am scheduled to see an Orthopedist. I think my doctor suspects muscle damage.
My major problem is what this is doing to me financially. Thankfully, I work at home and can type with one hand (I have an internet store). My medical cost are killing me. I barely get by as it is. My doctor said I have developed problems in my shoulder and neck muscles from holding my painful arm so close to my body. This is a living nightmare for me and it just seems to be getting worse. I have had shots for many years and I have never had anything like this happen. I have heard people mention the thing about shots being given too high. That may be true for some people; but, it is not the reason for all of these problems.
February 11, 2010 - 9:51pmAnon - I'm truly storry to hear that you've been dealing with these problems for six months, and that in addition to the physical pain you're also dealing with the financial issues. You're absolutely right - not everyone is dealing with a vaccine given in a high location. What's really frustrating is that there are so many different situations, and various types of pain, and so many people aren't finding relief. I hope that the orthopedist you're seeing will be able to help you, and that you'll write back and let us know what you learn. In the meantime, take care of yourself. Pat
February 12, 2010 - 5:03pmI am a nurse who gives the flu immunization so I know the correct location of the injection site. I have had the flu shot every year for 5 years. This year I had the flu shot and it was EXTREMELY painful while being injected and I have had ongoing severe arm pain that wakes me at night since. It has been about a month since the immunization and my arm still is painful.
After the shot the nurse put a bandage on the area so I saw where she injected me. It was high on the shoulder towards the back. I could not believe it, but it was done! I hope my arm starts to feel better...looks like it could be awhile based on the above information?
February 21, 2010 - 5:56amHi Anon - Unfortunately, yes, you're not alone. There are other threads with a lot more information on this that you may find helpful. Please feel free to comment and to ask questions. The more information that's shared, the better.
Good luck to you, Pat
http://www.empowher.com/community/ask/pain-arm-after-flu-shot
http://www.empowher.com/community/ask/recd-flu-shot-december-and-two-mon...
http://www.empowher.com/community/ask/it-normal-my-arm-muscle-my-shoulde...
February 22, 2010 - 5:10pmI received a seasonal flu shot in January 2010 and am STILL experiencing pain that radiates from my shoulder, my elbow and down over the tendons of my right hand. Went back to my physician to complain about arm pain and gently suggested that this began after the nurse gave me my shot. I was shuttled on to an orthopedic who I have seen 3 times now. Xrays show no problems but now suspects paritally torn rotator cuff. I have had to coritisone shots, the first helped for about a week, and the second most recent just made it worse! I am frustrated and depressed. An MRI was suggested but I am severely claustrophobic and must be put out to get such a test anymore. Ortho doc said I could go ahead and pursue physical therapy and think about MRI for awhile. It just seems suspicious that this all occurred after the shot......is there any recent research/studies on this correlation in a respectable medical journal? I need relief and I want answers. Trying to stay calm but tired of taking so much ibuprofen which is barely touching the pain anymore. Sign me - determined mom on a mission.
May 29, 2010 - 5:06pmHi,
May 30, 2010 - 12:33pmI noticed your question was duplicated at another discussion thread, and wanted to make sure you saw the response:
http://www.empowher.com/community/ask/recd-flu-shot-december-and-two-mon...