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I was happy to receive the flu shot this year, as I feel like it's "doing my part" to stop the spread of the influenza virus. Plus, any inoculation that can either prevent, or lessen the symptoms, of flu is motivation to me!
I've received the flu shot annually, for the past 10 years. I have the typical soreness at site, possibly a little tired that evening. But that's it.
This year...my shoulder muscle (at the site of the injection) is still painful, so much that I can't move my arm forward at shoulder-level, or lift my arm up over my head, without a sharp pain in that one muscle. If my arm is still, it does not hurt. It is affecting my sleep, as I am confined to sleeping on only my right side (it is my left arm that hurts).
Are there any other reports of this flu shot symptom? Did I just not move my arm enough after the shot (kind of "favored it"), or is there something else wrong??
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I have posted here many times. I do have a good report this time. I am doing much better. I still have pain in my arm but very little now in comparison to what I did have. I never did opt for an MRI . I just kept waiting it out. One thing I would like to share with all of you though is a couple of weeks ago I started taking B-Vitamin Complex and along with that an extra Vitamin B-6. I did this because I was told it would help with nerve damage. I guess several people with Carpal Tunnel have had successful pain relief taking it. So, I tried it and I really feel it is what is helping and each day gets better. I have no other explanation for it. I got my shot on 10-2-09 and nothing else has worked except this. I would encourage all of you to try it. I still stand behind my choice to never get another flu shot again but that is an individual choice each one of us have to make. I just know for myself I can never got through this again. Best Wishes to all of you out there. ML
February 10, 2010 - 11:01amThis Comment
Anon - Thanks for coming back to let us know that you're doing better, and for sharing what's worked for you. I hope you continue to feel better and keep us posted. Pat
March 2, 2010 - 5:09pmThis Comment
I am the one who mentioned having a similar problem, but in my buttocks where the shot was given (January 2010). This was an hcg shot, not the flu shot. Anyway, I wanted to follow up and say that after about 2 weeks, the pain finally subsided. It's not completely gone, but I don't feel anything most of the time - only occasionally when I'm sitting down and putting pressure on the site. And it's not severe any more. So this is probably not the same problem as all of the posts here. Sorry to have confused that. But the pain was very bad for a while and I was really worried, so when I found this thread I started reading about everyone's problems from their shot.... I still worry for all of you and hope some Dr. can finally figure this out! It's ridiculous that no one is getting real answers! Good luck to you all.
February 10, 2010 - 6:54amThis Comment
Hi blueyes - I'm sorry to hear that after all you've gone through you are now going to have to go through surgery and the recovery process. We wish you the best, and that you find relief. Please keep us posted, and thanks for your contributions to the discussion to help others. Take care, Pat
February 3, 2010 - 5:08pmThis Comment
Hi all, I've posted a few times on here before. Just to update my situation, 2/15 will make 5 months since the flu shot injection injury. I have exhausted all treatment/palliative options from my orthopaedic and physical therapist. I am now scheduled for arthroscopic surgery. I have trouble just doing day to to day tasks like dressing and cleaning. I know the surgery will increase my pain at first, but hopefully it will be over after that.
February 3, 2010 - 1:51pmThis Comment
Rhonda, I know what you feel like ......... at one time, I thought the same thing about the heart attack scenario and then I thought about Lou Gherig's as a friend mine and same age had that. I havent' come across a definite diagnosis yet from my Dr. I am still on the anti-inflammatory and can't say that 800mg 2x's a day is really helping. But I am supplementing it with ice therapy 2-3 times a day and also some anagelsic lotion............I am bound and determined to feel better! I am a single female at age 57 taking care of myself and my 4 dogs; 2 of which are seniors. They are my children! I am also trying NOT to get depressed and eat right and do *some* cleaning around the house, but my bubble/enthusiasim gets bursted quite often. I wish ....................
January 24, 2010 - 5:08pmThis Comment
This website has been a god send for me too. I find it very comforting to know that I am not alone in this battle to find answers. I have told several people I will nver get another flu shot and they all tell me how silly that it. Well the way I see it if I get the flu I will get over it or I will die from it. The pain in my arm is begining to feel like a life sentence. I am still hoping to hear from someone who can tell me what an MRI showed if anything because I am going to have to get one. I am also sad to say I am getting so accustomed to the pain that when it subsides a little I consider that a good day and I am so happy. I long for the pain free days. I cannot lift my arm above my head without sharp stabbing pains, I cannot take my arm and point in a direction without sharp stabbing pains. By the end of the day I am pretty much beside myself in pain. So, I take a pain pill. I cannot take a pain pill and work so I use ibuprofren which helps a little. Thanks to all of you who post. We have to keep on encouraging one another and pray for light at the end of this dark tunnel. ML
January 22, 2010 - 10:54amThis Comment
I posted a few months back as well. i was in ER last night thinking I was having a heart attack, pain in arms, mostly left where the injection was done, and it really hurt especially around the upper arm and under the armpit. I have had almost every test done. CBC, ESR, CRP, Rheumatoid Arthritis, ECG(2 hours worth), Lymph node test, all came back negative except for one. ANA(Anti-nuclear anti-bodies) of which they say very unlikely any auto immune diseases as my ESR and CRP(inflammatory) tests came back okay. They figure it is a false positive.
This all started 3 days after my shot. I even get this pain shooting down my arms, mostly my left and in through my breasts to my under arm. This is driving me crazy, but I am not going to give up. I will get this taken care of. I am going to go see a naturopath this week because the doc's aren't doing anything to help me. Anyway any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Rhonda
January 24, 2010 - 3:03pmThis Comment
Rhonda...
Did you get some help with your pain? I have been posting for a while now about my flu shot experience. All of my test did not tell me anything either and getting a doctor to agree that this was caused by the vaccine is nearly impossible. I am in physical therapy right now and I have found help, hope and relief. I am am using heat, ice and electrical muscle stimulation as well as prescription anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxers. I am finally feeling better. I hope that you are too....
February 9, 2010 - 8:21pmThis Comment
This is for Rhonda posted Jan.24,'10 Boy sounds like you are having a bad time. I had a pretty bad time also. Got my flu shot Oct. 2009 and my arm hurt 2 1/2 months, no kidding. I am OK now, hooray. Couldn't raise my arm without hurting, couldn't sleep on that side, couldn't raise my arm to comb my hair or put things into microwave. I thought what in the world happened. I did see my DR. not much help from him. Anyway, I truly hope your pain will go away soon! Take Care, Gloria from Brentwood, Ca.
January 24, 2010 - 4:03pmThis Comment