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Pain in arm after flu shot

By September 16, 2009 - 8:00pm
 
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I had a flu shot Sept. 2008 and remember it hurt when given. Since then I have pain in my upper arm and shoulder (it's now been a year). I believe it is nerve damage from the needle going to deep. I have had an MRI. meds and now going to Chiro with no relief. I cant't put my arm behind my back or lift it over my head and forget about putting weight on it. Does anyone know of relief for this condition?

Thanks

Add a Comment327 Comments

(reply to delliott)

I am a registered nurse and I had my flu shot in September 09, through the staff vaccination clinic.I am so relieved to read that its nots all in my head. I too have bad pain in my arm muscle where I had the shot-At night its really bad , pain killers aren't working, I am on Mobic an anti inflammatory but it still hurts. If I try to place my handbag on the passenger seat when I hop in the car to drive it actually can make me cry. I had an ultrasound and an x-ray both were clear.I was leary of having this years flu shot, so far no ill effects from same.

June 7, 2010 - 7:31am
(reply to effies1961)

I had a flu shot on Aug 21 and am having the same symptoms. I felt the shot was given high up on my arm and had burning upon injection, and lots of pain within an hour. Took Advil and the throbbing subsided, but by the next morning my shoulder joint and upper arm were very sore. I went to my doctor and she didn't seem too concerned. Told me to take two Aleve twice a day and come back if pain hadn't subsided within 2 weeks. I am also seeing an accupuncturist who gave me Chinese herbs. It has been 11 days since my shot and the arm pain is still intense. I'm having trouble lifting my arm and have stabbing pain in the muscle. No one seems to believe I can have all this pain just from a flu shot. Reading the other comments I just pray I don't have this pain for months.

August 31, 2010 - 5:10am
(reply to mmr9390)

Has your pain gone away or at least subsided yet? I received the 2010/2011 flu shot in early October and have been experiencing similar pain in my arm. I'm going to make an appointment with my doctor but i'm not encouraged by what i'm reading.

November 11, 2010 - 5:46am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to cinm)

I am happy to say that the pain in my arm from the flu shot has gotten significantly better. I no longer have difficulty getting dressed. There is still some soreness that i feel on occasion but I believe it will subside in time. I received my shot in early October..so its been about 2 months. I was doing early morning stretching which helped with the soreness i woke up with. Hopefully yours will feel better soon. Good Luck

December 17, 2010 - 1:20pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I got the flu shot at work approx 2 weeks ago and noticed the shot was very high on my arm. after injection there was pain in my shoulder joint that lessened after several minutes but that night my joint became warm and increasingly painful with movement. I have been taking ibuprofen that gets me through the day but at night the pain can get very severe and involves my shoulder and radiates into my upper arm and elbow. In the morning the joint is very stiff. My theory is that the shot was placed intra articular and as a result I am experiencing an inflammatory response. Ibuprofen does help but when it wears off the pain is significant. I am wondering if anyone has had this happen and for how long I can anticipate the pain to last?

October 14, 2009 - 12:30pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I had the same problem with reddness,swelling, and lymph node pain under both arms,weakness, from a flu shot these symptoms lasted for a week. i worked in the medical field at the time and told them about my reaction and I was given a benedryl shot and WoW!! I started feeling better and no problems since but I haven't had a flu shot since. I hope this helps you!!!

September 30, 2012 - 7:20pm
(reply to Anonymous)

I had my shot about 5 months ago, and the pain has only gotten worse. It moved up to my shoulder and now has moved into my neck. It has also moved down into my fingers. At night, the throbbing is terrible. It makes it hard to sleep. I have trouble putting my seatbelt on and off and opening the car door to get out. The pain keeps moving outward away from the site. I am afraid of where this is going. I have 2 doctors tring to figure out what is happening. They are very worried about me. I am seeing a physical therapist on Monday. I wish someone had an idea of what is going on.

December 19, 2009 - 7:18pm
(reply to Anonymous)

I had my shot about 5 months ago, and the pain has only gotten worse. It moved up to my shoulder and now has moved into my neck. It has also moved down into my fingers. At night, the throbbing is terrible. It makes it hard to sleep. I have trouble putting my seatbelt on and off and opening the car door to get out. The pain keeps moving outward away from the site. I am afraid of where this is going. I have 2 doctors tring to figure out what is happening. They are very worried about me. I am seeing a physical therapist on Monday. I wish someone had an idea of what is going on.

December 19, 2009 - 7:18pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

YOU ARE NOT ALONE GOT MY SHOT 11/15/09. HAVE HAD SEVERE DEBILITAING PAIN IN MY ARM, LIKE SOMEONE HAS DRIVEN A RAILROAD TIE INTO MY ARM, THE PAIN RADIATES INTO MY NECK AND SHOULDER. IVE BEEN ON TORDAL, PERCOCET, LIDOCAIN PATCHES, AND LYRICA FOR THE NERVE PAIN. IVE SEEN AN MD THE ER AND THE EMPOLYEE HEALTH NURSE. HOPE WE ALL WILL SOON FIND RELIEFE FROM THIS AND THAT WE CAN GET THE WORD OUT THAT THIS IS A REAL SIDE EFFECT OF THE FLU SHOT.

November 12, 2009 - 2:18pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I have received a flu shot into my left arm/shoulder about four weeks ago and I am still hurting. Especially at nights I wake up numerous times finding myself in pain. I can barely get dressed in the morning. I did bring it to my employers attention that I have been in pain since the flu shot. They just told me to apply heat and to take ibuprofen. I am very active and can't wait for the pain to go away.

October 17, 2009 - 7:28pm
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