why my shoulder STILL hurts after 2010 flu shot

Good evening everyone,

Not really sure if I should post here, but I could seriously not find any other web board as detailed as this one. I too have experienced this. For me it has been about 3 weeks to 1 month since I received the "triple-flu-shot" administered by the kroger pharmacist. Now I did not go for my shot last year, but I have had a flu shot every year of my life previous to that.

At the time of the injection when the medicine was being injected into me. I felt severe pain...about a 20 (out of 10) for me, and I would say I have an extremely high pain tolerance. I went home that night worked out as usual, and my arm was killing me the whole night. I thought maybe it was my workout. But for the next 3 days my arm was in such pain, it felt as if it was broken. It hurt horribly to move it anywhere, and I would wince whenever I had to move it.

Well following that I was starting to feel slightly better, with no pain for maybe 3-7 days. The pain returned however, in a milder form, but still very uncomfortable to stretch out to the side or raise over my head. Someone commented about being sick after as well. I have not had a fever, but I have had extreme pain in my right ear, and a general feel of lethargy. Making an appointment with my physician for asap. I wish I was, but am glad at the same time to not be the only one dealing with this. Hope everyone feels better soon!

Josh

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Update- got the shot in late Oct., with severe shoulder pain soon after, no change for weeks. Fist saw orthopedist in mid Nov., got a steroid shot, which helped for 2 days, then it returned same as before. Returned to doc & got an MRI, and a second shot (more directed to problem area), which gave me 50% relief for about 6 days. It's been 8 days now since the second shot, and the pain is as bad as ever. The MRI showed several small "intratissue tears" in rotator cuff, but not a tear all the way through; and fluid build up.

I received the flu shot on August 30, 2010 by someone at the Dr.'s office who I suspect is not really skilled at administering this shot. It is now December 15th and I'm still dealing with residual pain. This website is very validating -- knowing I'm not alone in this experience. I had received my 1st flu shot last year (not at Dr.'s office - received it at a Flu Shot Clinic), which affected my arm/neck for a couple of days before dissipating altogether. This year's vaccine has wreaked havoc on my arm -- the pain is slowly, slowly diminishing -- but here I am almost 4 months later still unable to sleep on that side. I have alternated using ice, heat, self-massage & stretching. I still have achiness stretching my arm diagonally up behind me (it's difficult to get my winter coat on).
I am considering going to a massage therapist who specializes in Traeger work, but am afraid of exacerbating the problem. I am also fearful of going back to my Dr. as she tends to treat me like a hyperchondriac (doesn't take me seriously) and I cannot afford a MRI or PT, even if she does take my concern seriously. I consulted with a friend who is a neuroscientist (and used to be a PT), who suggested the icing -- which does work temporarily. She said that there's a lot of "junk" in these vaccines and a lot of people are being affected by it. If I EVER do this again, I will demand a NASAL spray vaccine. But I am thinking I'd rather have the flu for a week and build my immunity up naturally.

It has been over a month and I am still having trouble with my left arm after the flu shot. The pain is in the upper arm leading down to my forearm. I am frustrated because I am alergic to inflamation reducing meds and can only take Tylenol which is like eating jelly beans (no effect on the pain). Heat and/or cold does not work and I am not getting enough sleep because of this flu shot. I am not a happy camper and doubt will ever take this shot again. Thanks for letting me vent.

I got my flu shot at my dr's office 2 days ago. It stung so much I asked the nurse why it stung. She gave me some wierd reason about how the pH was different than my body. I said, well, someone needs to fix that. I mean, that was torture. My arm was very sore that night. Today, 48 hrs later, it is driving me crazy. Feels like a humongous mosquito bite that itches and aches all the time. Am waiting til my Dr. office opens after lunch to call and complain. I usually don't have a reaction.