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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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Well, I guess I will join in, too. It's been two week since my shot and I'm having similar pain as all of you. I hate to go to the doctor. My pain is not severe, but it does hurt to put pressure on it or move it a certain way. I was hoping it would get better without having to go to the doctor. My son had the shot the same day and he is fine. I don't know what to do.
October 7, 2009 - 10:51pmThis Comment
I did go back to the doctor still complainig,,The shot on my upper arm for pneumonia was getting worse, and throbbing. Finally, someone said the muscle in my upper arm is inflamed. So I too am taking pregnizone, and it really helped today...It was manageable. She also gave couple of different types of pain pills and I had such a better day. I know this is just for today...but I see hope...having a doctor who really listens helps too. For my\e the pregnizone helped, combined with a pain pill. Thanks for listening I hope that is helpful. Also after the majority of pain subsided using heat around the arm all not long was very helpful too. Let my know how you are progressing
October 7, 2009 - 1:39amThis Comment
I'm kind of relieved to hear that other people have had the same issue as me. It is 4:30am and the pain in my left arm was so severe it woke me up out of my sleep. I had the flu shot almost 2 weeks ago and haven't been the same since. My shot was administered higher up on my arm than usual. I couldn't feel it going in but it felt like the vaccine took too long to administer. It so painful to lift my arm, rotate it, and to even type this comment. I haven't contacted my Dr. as of yet, but I'm going to. I haven't tried warm compresses so I think thats the next step till I hear otherwise.
October 4, 2009 - 2:02amThis Comment
I'm sorry to hear that you are having same problems as alot of the posters here. That is awful I know cause my arm wakes me up out of sleep and it feels like there is no where to put your arm that is comfortable!...I have been eating Motrin like candy, going from heat to cold and nothing seems to help.
October 6, 2009 - 7:32pmI know it is hard to lift arms, undress and other tasks. I have a update on my situation. I called out the docs office and had to leave messege with my docs, medical asst. (the one who gave my injection) so I didn't hear anything back and in a few days my mom had to be at docs and she sees my doc also and here she was never given the messege!....so I went to office and was put on prednisone which I"m not thrilled about cause I'm a type2 diabetic and tomorrow I have to get a MRI....I told the doc that we both know IM injections aren't to be given that high on the shoulder they go in the deltoid...she would not say that is what my symptoms are from she suggested that possibly this was a underlying thing and the flu injection brought it out!....again I repeated the arm was fine until he injected it....so taking the prednisone and tomorrow is MRI and see where I go from there....don't feel at all confident about doc or the office to say the least.....
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Hi I'm new here but found this and I'm having same problem, had a flu shot on 9/18/09 and med asst. did gave injection high up by shoulder and since have been having sharp pain in arm and that heavy feeling, arm is weak and numbness/tingling down to fingers.....told office about it and kind of blowing it off and I'm not liking that.....any suggestions or things that others have done to help with same problem?
October 3, 2009 - 1:55pmThanks
This Comment
Hello everyone! I was so glad to find this site. I just realized today that the stabbing muscular pain that I'm feeling in my upper arm started about the time I got my flu vaccination. I hate to say it, but misery does love company! At least I know that I'm not imaging it. I've always been active and this has hindered my yoga tremedously! I can barely raise that arm over my head! I can't tell that Ibuprofen is helping at all - does anyone have any advice?
October 2, 2009 - 4:27pmThis Comment
I posted in Sept...received the flu shot Sept 11, and remain with severe shoulder pain.
October 1, 2009 - 4:56pmWe all seem to suffer this...has anyone's doctor given any solid information on what we can do to alleviate this pain?
Is it something that has to heal...what are you all doing to relieve your pain.
I am at my wits end...it feels like the inside of my shoulder is tore up!! The pain travels anywhere from inside the shoulder, to the front of my arm to my elbow. Sometimes my fingers tingle as well. Sleeping is a challenge, as it any type of movement!
I've never experienced anything like it and am wondering what doctors are saying. I'm without insurance right now and hoping to get some information before taking on a huge bill.
THANKS!
Nay
This Comment
hello i live in virginia i work at a hospital and the flu vacc was highly recommende i have got them in the past with no problem , but since getting the vaccine on sept 11, 2009 i have had all these same issues with the shoulder pain and all. i went to get a ct of my shoulder today after advising the health and wellness group at the facility i work at and they called today to say that the scan showed nothing and that i would have to go to a nurologist on my own time and with billing my own insurance , of course these places dont want to say anything or anyone is at fault but there is somethuing if this many people have the same thing any help with any diagnosises that anyone has heard would help ... but all these post i am making copies and showing the company i work for ....so it is not only me
September 30, 2009 - 7:12pmThis Comment
I guess then I am the next to complain about pain in my upper arm due to a recent flu shot. It is aching pain, and I have tried muscle rubs, all over the counter, and asper creme...I also have used hot wraps, they help with the pain but it is still bad. Doing any kind of exercise with my arms seems to make it worse, although cardio using the legs seems to momentarily take my mind off it. the pain is not subsiding, so thanks for all your posts. If I have this a couple of more days, (It has been a week), I will complain to the Doctor. Although I have not heard of a cure yet. It helps to know I am not the only one... Thanks for all your posts. and if you do come up with better answers,, I would love to read them.
September 28, 2009 - 2:42pmThis Comment
Anon, thank you so much for writing. I'm very sorry to hear that your pain is not even subsiding. My mother has had some success using ActiveOn (the pain reliever you rub onto sore muscles that is made by that HeadOn company, you know, the one with obnoxious commercials, LOL) when other salves and creams don't work. Do call your doctor before the weekend sets in; sometimes it's hard to get a call back if you wait until Friday. And like you said, at least you know you are not alone. Take care.
September 30, 2009 - 8:23amThis Comment