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Is it normal for my arm muscle in my shoulder to hurt 2 weeks after flu shot?

By December 7, 2008 - 7:32am
 
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Pain from flu shot

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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EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

You mentioned that you had this before. It took six months and then nine months until the pain subsided. Did it go away on its own or did you take something or exercise to help it along? It has been over two months since I got my flu shot. Any info would be appreciated.

November 26, 2014 - 9:00am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I received the flu shot in my left arm on Friday Nov. 14, by Tuesday Nov 18 , I could not lift my arm, reach or turn that arm without severe pain. So far the only thing the nurse said to do was use ice pack and take Tylenol, which as failed to provide relief. I completed and submitted the online CDC form detailing the reaction to the shot.

November 20, 2014 - 11:32am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

THANK YOU FOR THE INFO, IM THE NOV 19 POST, JUST BEFORE YOUR POST AND I WILL BE FILLING OUT THE CDC FORM AS WELL. I AM SO ANNOYED BY THIS AND I THINK I SHOULD GO TO THE DOCTOR, HAVE YOU AS OF YET?

November 20, 2014 - 1:11pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

What is a CDC form?

November 23, 2014 - 1:37pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

IF YOU GO TO THE CDC WEBSITE YOU CAN REPORT A VACCINE ADVERSE EVENT (VAERS FORM) I am unsure if what I am experiencing is an adverse reaction or the person that administered the vaccine shot too high on my arm and hit something ( I think the latter) but I thought I should report it as should everyone else because every one thinks I am exaggerating that I got the flu shot and now can barely move my arm after 3 weeks. After reading all these posts obviously there is some sort of issue and the CDC should be aware of it.

November 24, 2014 - 2:58pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

No, I have not gone to see my doctor. I only talked with a nurse. I will call my doctor tomorrow and see what she may suggest. Since it will be Friday, I know I will have to wait until Monday to see anyone. I'm praying that over the weekend I'll get better.

November 20, 2014 - 2:25pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I had a flu shot on Nov 6, 2014 at a CVS Pharmacy. It has been two weeks and I have limited mobility in my right arm when I raise it at shoulder level and above. I am amazed to see all these posts about the same subject. I have received flu vaccinations for many years and never had a problem. Again the shot seemed higher up on the arm than usual and I did feel the needle and the vaccine entering which I normally never feel anything. If pain doesn't go away next week guess I will be making a Doctor Appt (this is ridiculous)!

November 19, 2014 - 2:53pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I had my flu shot more than two weeks ago (early Nov 2014) at a national drug store chain for free as part of our healthcare plan. The injection site was very high up on the shoulder where the joints connect (I've since learned it should occur 2-3 finger widths down from the joint). It was bruised for several days but that's not uncommon. However, the muscle has not been the same since and pain does not seem to be lessening; chronic shoulder pain. Reaching over to put on deodorant, lifting my shirt over hear (especially sports bra), and sleeping on the side of injection-site (left) are some of the things that cause pain. Have had the flu shot regularly for many years now with only the usual mild soreness for a couple days afterward and maybe a little fatigue. This bothers me and I may never get another one since I only ever had the flu every ten years or so.

November 19, 2014 - 4:07am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I had my flu shot more than two weeks ago (early Nov 2014) at a national drug store chain for free as part of my healthcare plan. The injection site was very high up on the shoulder where the joints connect (I've since learned it should occur 2-3 finger width down from the joint). It was bruised for several days but that's not uncommon. However, the muscle has not been the same since and pain does not seem to be lessening; chronic shoulder pain. Reaching over to put on deodorant, lifting my shirt over hear (especially sports bra), and sleeping on the side of injection-site (left) cause pain. Have had the flu shot regularly for a few years now with only the usual mild soreness for a couple days afterward and maybe a little fatigue. This bothers me and I may never get another one since I only ever had the flu every ten years or so.

November 19, 2014 - 4:05am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I had my flu shot by the nurse on work on Oct 7th, now Nov. 14th and site where I received the shot is still sore. I have a very physical (warehouse) job, and have never before experienced anything like this. Arm is fine until I do something that uses that specific muscle. Don't know what to do other than wait?

November 14, 2014 - 5:23pm
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