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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

By February 3, 2009 - 3:56pm
 
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The pain I am experiencing is preventing me from reaaching my arms above my head; putting my jacket on and off; twisting or turning. The pain is wincing at times. I cannot sleep on that arm.

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EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I got my flu shot in September. Since then I have had a really bad pain in my upper arm--not in the injection site, but more sort of mid-upper arm. It varies between feeling spasm-my and achey, is worst at night, and causes terrible pain when I try to lift my arm out to the side and over my head. I only got the shot because of pressure from my employer (a hospital). There will be pressure again next year, and maybe even a legal requirement. I can't imagine signing up for this again!

January 29, 2013 - 10:42am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Report the reaction to VAERS. I Receivedg flu shot 11/16/12. It hurt from my shoulder to just below my ear when I was receiving the injection. Next day shoulder was red and you could see a red line that went up my neck. Pain was so bad I couldn't put a shirt on. By 11/19/12 it faded to a dull ache. By 11/21/12 it came back and has become progressively worse. On 11/26/12 I went to the doctor he prescribed physical therapy to start on 12/3/12. The pain has intensified since 11/30/12.

December 1, 2012 - 9:40am

I received my annual flu shot at my doctor's office at the end of August 2012 and now it is November and my left arm is still in a lot of pain! The pain is not only in my bicep area but it radiates up my shoulder and neck and down to my elbow. I cannot lift my arm over my head without a lot of pain. I work at a fitness studio and it has greatly affected my productivity since I can't lift weights or move my arm around. It bothers me the most when I sleep at night because I sleep on my left side, so now I toss and turn to keep from putting weight on my arm. I told my doctor about it last week and she said that I possibly could have gotten some scar tissue in my muscle at the sight of the needle and it will take time to heal. I am miserable, been taking tylenol, advil everyday! Heat helps a lot and I even wrap my arm on the days it is intolerable. Next year I plan to get the nasal spray flu vaccine or none at all!!! I'd rather have gotten the flu!

November 14, 2012 - 10:53am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to cassyb)

have you gotten any relief yet

February 11, 2013 - 1:40pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I've experienced a milder ache version of the same thing. Still there four months after the Flue shot, and has actually gotten a little worse over the past month.

February 15, 2012 - 10:23am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Burning nerve pain months after 3 months still.

November 28, 2011 - 1:45pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I feel so all alone, because I am in such excruciating pain, and have not read about any symptoms such as mine. I got my annual flu shot a couple of weeks ago. Since that time I have experienced horrible pain in my wrist and forearm. It only happens when I lift my arm up from a side position. I can only describe it as an intense burning, seering pain. I went an orthopedic doctor, who is sending me to a neurologist, as he determined this is not an injury, but a nerve pain. When my arm is at rest I feel a nagging burn type pain on the inner wrist. What could be happening? I have taken antinflammatories, but that gives me now relief. I cannot tolerate the pain when it happens.

November 6, 2011 - 9:09am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

same thing happened to me. My family thinks I'm nuts. My arm turned black, blue and yellow after the 2010 h1n1 flu shot. Got the regular flu shot in my other arm a month later, and the arm that had the h1n1 arm----------TURNED BLACK AND BLUE.

March 24, 2011 - 6:23am

I have same pain in shoulder after first attempt to administer flu vaccine failed due to weird muscle flinch. The nurse then successfully administered the vaccine in my other arm with no side effects. Has your shoulder pain subsided yet?

January 10, 2011 - 12:36pm
Expert HERWriter Guide Blogger

Piscean - I'm not a medical expert or able to give medical advice, but I can tell you that what you're describing sounds more like a circulation or nerve problem than an allergy problem, just based on some personal experiences that I've had. I know you're a nurse and I'm a lay person, but I hope that helps you.
Let me know what you think. Best, Pat

September 17, 2010 - 5:44pm
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