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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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Had my flu shot in early November. It was manufactured by a company named Sanofi Pasteur. I was told it was an intradermal injection (just under the skin). I could swear the injection went deep into the muscle. My arm was swollen and feverish for about 6 to 7 weeks. The clinic told me it was normal. No other flu shot I received was ever sore more than a couple days. For about 2 months now I can hardly move my arm... deep upper arm muscle pain. It is at it worse when reaching or lifting. The clinic and Pharmacist bot said they never heard of this before (which I believe is a medical conspiracy) so I told them to look at this web site and both showed no interest.
February 9, 2015 - 7:08amThis Comment
I'm so concerned now that i have read all of your comments. Unlike you who went to get the shot by your own means, I had to get it because it was one of the vaccines required by the government when filing for your residency . I had never had the shot before, I never really got sick. My husband is totally against getting vaccines that the government imposes on you. So when i was told I needed it, I thought "oh well so many people get it, what could happen? " But I had to keep it a secret Now i regret it because my shoulder started to hurt last week and my Husband thinks I pulled a muscle . I know I didn't, the pain is exactly where the pharmacist gave me the shot (upper shoulder) and it feels like a stab every time I want to lift it. It really hurts on the rainy days. I agree with having the medical field tell us how long I'd the pain going to last for or if there is any permanent damage. let's hope we all get better.
February 8, 2015 - 12:05pmThis Comment
it really is horrible. I recieved my shot oct 22. still in a ton of pain. was put on naproxen which helps a bit. but like now ... the Rx ran out and I'm back to square one. my dr suggested physical therapy ...
February 8, 2015 - 12:48pmI heard that after 6 months of pain you can report it to the CDC because there actually is a segment dedicated to vaccination injuries. wasn't planning on feeling so bad 6 months later but I'm well on my way there sadly. good luck. oh and yeah my dr didn't really believe me because she's "never heard of such a thing " and usually says "oh it still hurts? yeah ... I'm sorry... you need to just wait it out..." grr.
I just can't believe they haven't mentioned any of this on the news or anything ....
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I'm having similar symptoms. Its affecting my sleep. Its been four days. But is worse at night. I will update of this pain continues.
January 24, 2015 - 6:18amThis Comment
This is happening to me too. I got the flu shot in October 2014 and not it's January 2015 and my left arm is still hurting. I cannot lift it past my shoulder and at night it wake me up hurting so bad. I am definite going to the doctor this week.
January 19, 2015 - 7:36amThis Comment
Here is my update. Flu shot Oct 26. Arm is still in pain. Cannot lift to take off a t-shirt without excruciating pain. I am offended when doctors say, "well...hmmm...I've never heard of that before." They should peruse this website. I have been on steroids (helped till they wore off), have had an MRI (didn't show anything) and visited my regular doctor and a shoulder specialist on Christmas eve, just hours before I had 12 people showing up for dinner (was that desperate). (I am a person who never goes to the doctor.) Finally went to my trusty chiropractor -- who listens and takes this seriously. She thinks it may be a form of bursitis...not sure how that happens with a shot, but this will take time. I have stopped taking anti-inflammatories, bc I don't think that is good to do ad-infinitum. I am icing the shoulder and trying to stay patient. I wish the media would pick up on this and advise as to whether there is a better way to get a flu shot (how bout in the rear-end)? Based upon what I have experienced, I am loathe to ever allow someone to jab a needle into my arm again.
January 19, 2015 - 12:09pmThis Comment
Omg, cant believe how many people reporting this, i had mine at work oct 29th 2014, and still in agony, i train a lot and am restricted to what this arm can do, reading all these reveiws, and no one seems to have suggestions or help, on how to overcome it. i got doctors appt friday, but am wondering what he going say.
February 10, 2015 - 12:17pmThis Comment
Omg, cant believe how many people reporting this, i had mine at work oct 29th 2014, and still in agony, i train a lot and am restricted to what this arm can do, reading all these reveiws, and no one seems to have suggestions or help, on how to overcome it. i got doctors appt friday, but am wondering what he going say.
February 10, 2015 - 12:17pmThis Comment
To Kerry Harrington Morrison: I've been posting this information below, since 2011 when I had an adverse reaction to the flu shot, like many who have posted on this blog. The pain you are suffering from is as a result of the flu shot. its an "adverse reaction" and there is another place you can get a flu shot and it is in the "gluteus" area, or you can do the intranasal flu preparations.
Hello Anonymous:
I'm a board certified internist and pediatrician. Over the past several years I got the flu shot however 3yrs ago after getting a flu shot the injection site swelled, I developed a large bruise and then what is called "petechia" at any rate, the pain was so intense my doctor and i thought I may have a "septic joint" but after a CT scan of my shoulder and an MRI, it appeared that I had "acute tendonosis" which is just an "inflamed tendon" in my shoulder. Like you, I had trouble raising my arm and getting dressed. I had to modify how I slept, using a pillow to prop my arm. We tried a litany of medications from steroids to NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs....Motrin, Naproxen, etc....... and even hydrocodone which only helped me sleep.
There is a government program "VAERS" or Vaccine Adverse Event Report at: https://vaers.hhs.gov/index
In order to file a claim, you have to have had symptoms for at least 6 months. Keep track of everyday that you experience pain and/or how it is causing limitations to your everyday work/activities, or if you missed work or had to quit work.
My severe symptoms lasted for 2yrs, and now 3yrs later the pain is very minimal, and the pain has extended to my thumb, I wear a special thumb brace (thumb spicca) purchased at walmart, this splint helped relieve the pain by immobilizing movement, and after a few days, my thumb would be fine for another 1 -2 wks, then back wearing the splint.
UPDATE as of January 2015:
On 12/30/2014, I received a check for $92,000.00 from the Dept HHS as compensation for wha I had experienced, and still am experiencing from the flu shot! I don't get flu shots EVER!!
January 23, 2015 - 9:27pmThis Comment
I had the flu shot 3 weeks ago and my left arm still feels like someone punched me. My question is will this pain ever go away and if it eventually does how long can it take. Is there any remedy to speed up the healing.
January 12, 2015 - 5:31amThis Comment