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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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Hi, I am writing to inquire if your arm pain has gone away, in time. I had a flu shot in November 2009 and it is now July 2010. The delivery was painful and I usually don't complain. But the pain escalated and initially, it keep me from my sleep. It has since subsided a little. I still have difficulty pushing a revolving door or lifting my window. Whenever, I carry medium weight grocery or I jog with my arms in motion (I don't do extreme sport), the severe pain returns. And again, I can't sleep, can't lift up my arm, can't change my clothes etc.
June 24, 2010 - 10:16amI got laid off and have delayed my visit to a doctor, sort of in hope it will go away but it is beginning to worry me after 8 months. The doctor who delivered the injection said such a case is unheard of and accused me of having injured my arm elsewhere. She referred me to a financial assistance program in another hospital but I still have to pay out of pocket after the discount. Could I ask to file an injury claim with her insurance company or her clinic's policy? If they deny, can I sue? Any studies on such malpractice? Please help! Thank you!
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I have the same problem and am having an MRI tomorrow. My shot was given very high and I know it hit something. After 2 months of pain I went to ortho doc and he thinks the shot hit my bursa sac. I may have acute bursitis. May need a cortisone shot...
January 21, 2010 - 6:21pmThis Comment
DO you still have pain? Because I have the same symptoms and it has been about 2 weeks.
October 14, 2009 - 12:34pmThis Comment
I have received the flu vaccine for the past 15 years and I never had this reaction before. It has been 2 weeks since the immunizaiton. The pain is severe in the muscle area where the vaccine was administered. I need help to hold my arm above heart length because of the extreme pain. It feels achey and cold, sharp knife like pain that is increasing each day instead of lessoning. I am not allergic to any thing and I did not favor my left arm purposefly to reduce soreness. I have an appointment next week with my physician.
October 20, 2009 - 1:21pmThis Comment
i have the same thing happen to me please , help, pain is horrific... is there a solution?????
November 10, 2009 - 5:09amThis Comment
DO you still have pain? Because I have the same symptoms and it has been about 2 weeks.
October 14, 2009 - 12:34pmThis Comment
I am sad to say that I do still have a lot of pain. I can't pick my baby grandson up or do anything that overtaxes my left arm. I can't sleep on it. I have spent thousands of dollars on doctors, MRI' and nerve conduction study, medicines and Physical Therapy which I am still in. I got my shot (September 23, 2009)too low and the needle may have been a bit short..makingthe shot more a SubQ than IM possibly. I have found some relief in anit-inflamatories and heat and cold therapies. I know that it is expensive, but I still say that Physical Therapy has been a worthwhile investment. I am working on strengthening other muscles through PT and have been going now for about 16 weeks. I will be adding the B vitamins to see if it helps. I wish that I could say that it all goes away, but I am NOT there yet. I will agree that I will never ever take another flu shot..or any other shot again.
April 16, 2010 - 4:25pmThis Comment
I had mine too low on my arm and ended up needing physical therapy!! Low is even worse!!
June 7, 2009 - 1:12pmThis Comment
I'm also having the same symptoms... I had the flu shot 6 weeks ago and still have pain in my upper arm, deep in the muscle. I spoke to my doctor about it but she brushed it off and said I must have pulled a muscle, but I know that's not the case. I'm not allergic to eggs and have no other symptoms (no redness or swelling, etc).
Any ideas? Has anyone else talked to their doctor, and if so what did they say?
December 29, 2008 - 9:17amThis Comment
geez, I didn't know this was such a common thing. I had my flu shot in late Oct and there is that one side on my left arm that absolutely hurts! I, too, have to sleep on my right side, And not to mention if effects my work as I can't reach and stretch without it hurting. I truly thought I was imagining things! What has everyone one else done? I plan on making a Drs. in a week as I can't live this way as it also effects my dog training at night.
January 9, 2010 - 9:37pmThis Comment