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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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I got my flu shot Oct.2,09 and today is Oct.24,09. My arm is killing me. I sit here at my computer, its 1:30 AM, can't sleep. I was told people over 65 will get arm pain and also the shot was given too high, what a cop out. I can't raise my arm to get dressed or fix my hair. Taking Tylenol helps a little. PLEASE does anyone have any answers what happened. Gloria
October 24, 2009 - 1:40amThis Comment
Hello all,
I had a tetanus shot yesterday (Friday morn) and I'm experiencing bad arm pain/muscle pain that some of you have mentioned and that I've also seen posted about on other sites. I know it seems early to be concerned but I had a tetanus shot more about 12 years ago and I had NO reaction to it except for a bit of slight soreness for a few hours. This time, I have pretty bad pain and I cannot get my arm above my head. The pain started about 3 hours after the shot and is mostly when I move my arm.
The shot was given about an inch and a half from the top of my shoulder, so like some others here and elsewhere I'm wondering if it was given too high in the arm and maybe that is the cause of the pain? I'm trying not to baby it too much, using it as much as I can and taking Tylenol. I have also been massaging it as well as using a heating pad. I will try and post next week to report the results which I hope are good and I wish all of you the best.
May 30, 2009 - 3:01pmThis Comment
I to had a tetanus shot on May 11, 2009 and am experiencing the same pain described by you and others who have commented about the flu shots. I have extreme pain during the night in the muscles of my left arm down into my elbow, there is also a pressure point near my spine of the upper back when massaged with deep massage relieves the pain in my shoulder arm and elbow, but does not last long enough to bring my arm and range of motion back to what it was before the shot.
August 29, 2009 - 7:12amThis Comment
I am having the same arm pain after receiving the flu vaccine at my doctor's office on Feb 4th.
May 24, 2009 - 5:11amIt is now May 24th & the pain & weakness are still present. (Some days are better than others.)
In early April I phoned my dr's office to report the pain & weakness just in case they report to the CDC. They seemed a little puzzled that I would call...
I am glad to read that for some of you the pain has gotten better.
This Comment
The public and health care providers can report an "adverse event" that occurs from a vaccine at the CDC website. If you feel that your doctor's office is not going to report your symptoms, you can report them at the website below with their help (you need specific information about the vaccine, I believe). I hope everyone on this list talks to their health care provider about jointly filing a report with the VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System)!
According to the CDC, "VAERS is a national passive reporting system that accepts reports from the public on adverse events associated with vaccines licensed in the United States. VAERS data are monitored to—
* Detect new, unusual, or rare vaccine adverse events
* Monitor increases in known adverse events
* Identify potential patient risk factors for particular types of adverse events
* Identify vaccine lots with increased numbers or types of reported adverse events
* Assess the safety of newly licensed vaccines"
(click on orange links to access websites)
May 24, 2009 - 6:18amThis Comment
Note that if you've experienced side effects for six months or more, you can also file a report with the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (HRSA).
December 13, 2009 - 11:05pmThis Comment
You're so welcome. Please come back and update us about what your doctor said and whether he was able to help with your medicine and your pain. I hope that he was able to be of some help. And you know what? If it continues again for the next 3 or 4 days, I'd call again. You're being your own advocate here, which is what you have to do.
Eager to hear an update from you. Hoping it's still sunny there for you, too!
Love back, from sunny Dallas, TX
April 24, 2009 - 3:26pmThis Comment
hi sorry i have left it so long to report back,i am now pleased to say that im 95% pain free it lasted about 7 weeks in total, i sill get some very minor pain in my arm and shoulder when i am at work or doing housework but its so much better now i am also not taking any pain killers , i hope you all get better very soon, thank you very much for your kind words .regards sue in still sunny england xx
May 24, 2009 - 10:14amThis Comment
hi i am in london ,i had a tetanus injection 3 weeks ago after cutting my finger open, when the injection was given it was a little sore and heavy but nothing really bad, that night i had to call nhs direct because i was having really bad deep pain in my arm, they advised pain killers and to see gp the following day. two days later i went back to gp i couldnt stand the pain any more ,gp thinks injection was put into a nerve by mistake and offered more pain killers and signed me off work for two weeks.. im now 3 weeks in and still in really bad pain, i cant lift my arm above my head at all ,i cant drive, cooking is a problem with one hand too . im very worried today because my are seems really weak sometimes when i try to move it it will go in another direction !!! has anyone out there had the same problem ? please help x
April 21, 2009 - 5:22amThis Comment
Hi, Anon, I'm so glad you found this thread. But I'm so sorry for the reason why. It sounds like you've had an incredibly tough time with your tetanus shot.
It may help you to know that you are not the only one who has had this kind of reaction. A site I found states that for some people, tetanus is among the most painful shots, and that the pain can last for quite a while. Here is an excerpt:
"The truth is that the tetanus vaccine is often singled out as a particularly painful shot to receive, and the residual pain can last for days or even weeks. Some people report feelings of numbness in the receiving arm within minutes of getting a tetanus vaccine booster shot. Others claim to feel a sensation like a hard marble at the injection site itself, accompanied by radiating pain throughout their arms, neck and back.
"Some also complain of general fatigue and muscle weakness after receiving a tetanus vaccine. The usual course of treatment involves taking OTC painkillers such as ibuprofen until the pain subsides, generally within a few day or a week. More serious reactions to a tetanus vaccine booster shot could be hives, rashes or pronounced muscular weakness."
Here's the whole page:
http://www.wisegeek.com/why-does-the-tetanus-vaccine-hurt-so-much.htm
While that doesn't make your arm hurt any less, perhaps it relieves a little bit of your stress.
Do you notice any redness, heat, or fluid leaking from the site of the injection? Is it swollen? Those are things that could indication that you've developed an infection, which would indicate a return to the doctor, most likely for a round of antibiotics.
Has the pain moved? For instance, has it gone from the site of the injection up into your shoulder or neck or upper back? There is a possibility of allergic reaction (though you would probably remember this from the last time you had a tetanus shot). Please ask the gp about this the next time you go back or call.
If the shot hit a nerve in your arm, that too will heal, but it will take a while. And I know nerve pain is especially excruciating. Taking a B-vitamin complex will help, as it helps with nerve issues. Do you have a pharmacy (or do they call it chemist in London?) near you where you could ask about the most trusted B-vitamin complex they have? You want one with good quality control.
Please keep monitoring yourself and don't let yourself believe you need to suffer in pain. Every few days that the pain doesn't recede, I would call your gp's office and let them know.
Please write and update us. I hope you feel better soon.
April 21, 2009 - 6:28amThis Comment