Improved
6113 HealthChanged
3786 LivesSaved
3568 Lives0 lives impacted in the last 24 hrs Learn More
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??
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment735 Comments
I went to the doctor last night at the walk in clinic where I had my flu shot. Pain in deltoid area of shoulder since Oct. 26. He talked to the manufacturer of the flu vaccine. Though very rare, they though it could be an inflammation in the muscle which impacts the nerve. That makes it difficult to raise the arm. They gave me a four-day prescription to Prednisone, and two weeks of Naproxen. Anti inflammatory. After 24-hours, I feel such relief. Hope this helps.
November 14, 2014 - 11:38pmThis Comment
I had my flu shot two weeks ago. I googled this because I am amazed at the pain I am experiencing. Very hard to sleep on my left side at night. Cannot raise my arm above shoulder. It is relieved by ibuprofen, but I don't' want to take this everyday. Will this go away?
November 11, 2014 - 11:04pmThis Comment
I am a year since I got my flu shot and it still hurts. Better then in the beginning. I got my primary doctor to write me an exemption this year. I will not experience this ever again. Good Luck.
November 11, 2014 - 11:41pmThis Comment
The same thing has happened to me in the past. I usually do not get the shot but I started a new job in healthcare and it's required or u have to wear a mask. When I told the nurse why I do not get the vaccine; she told me tha sometimes people have that reaction because if the preservative Thimerosal. She gave me the vaccine with out the preservative and I did not have any problems this time!
November 9, 2014 - 6:29pmThis Comment
I had the flu injection 5 weeks ago and have been in agony ever since. I am sure he injected far too low so I went back to my surgery only to be dismissed as having arthritis and my gp said it has nothing to do with the vaccine.
The pain was instant and I screamed out when he injected me. I haven't slept properly since and he says he will refer me to a rheumatologist as it's arthritis (which I have never suffered from) He refused to send me for a scan. Then I get a letter from my gp stating that as I ahve issues with the surgery he suggests I leave! Next letter I presume he will strike me off.
So in constant pain from my shoulder to wrist, no scan, and because I suggested it was the way he administered the vaccine I am going to be struck off and will have no gp. Great system we have here. Needless to say I wont be having another flu injection. I've heard that only one third of cases like this recover. My gp said it's a load of rubbish being injured like that from the flu jab.
November 7, 2014 - 11:15pmThis Comment
See if you can get into a neurologist and get some Steriods they calmed it down a little for me. I did not get the flu shot this year had my doctor exempt it for me.
November 10, 2014 - 9:26amThis Comment
Did the steroids help you? I saw a neurologist last week who gave me a second dose of steroids, the first round helped but the pain came back after I finished the 6 day dose. I am going on 2 months of pain, the neurologist referred me to an orthopedic doc for bursitis. The steroids aren't working as well this time, but there is some minor improvement.
November 10, 2014 - 2:36pmThis Comment
I went to get the flu shot with a friend the other day, my arm it hiring to the point I can't even use it to pick up my iPhone. My friend has no muscle ach or anything, she said it just feels s little brused around the injection. I noticed mine was much higher up on my arm than usual.
November 1, 2014 - 5:35amThis Comment
Got a flu shot two weeks ago. As many others have noted, I believed that the shot seemed to be pretty high up on my arm, really more in the shoulder area. For a few days after the shot, I just thought the arm and shoulder pain was something expected. Then it dragged on for a week, then ten days, then got worse to the point where I could not raise my arm above chest high level without causing extreme pain. There was a definite tender spot on the corner of my shoulder, from which the pain radiated on certain movements. Trying to get dressed became a real adventure, particularly attempting to put anything on over my head. Went back to the doctor and was diagnosed with supraspinatus tenosynovitis. I am being put on a steroid and will start PT next week to prevent ending up with a frozen shoulder. What a miserable result for just trying to avoid the flu.
October 30, 2014 - 8:50amThis Comment
I had my injection 8 days ago and can only describe symptoms as arthritic, pulsating pain in my hands, and then in both upper arms. It's driving me crazy!! I work for the NHS and thought I was doing the right thing...never ever again!
October 30, 2014 - 8:34amThis Comment