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Pain in arm after flu shot

By September 16, 2009 - 8:00pm
 
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I had a flu shot Sept. 2008 and remember it hurt when given. Since then I have pain in my upper arm and shoulder (it's now been a year). I believe it is nerve damage from the needle going to deep. I have had an MRI. meds and now going to Chiro with no relief. I cant't put my arm behind my back or lift it over my head and forget about putting weight on it. Does anyone know of relief for this condition?

Thanks

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EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I had the flu shot on December 14th and right after that my shoulder started feeling heavy. As the days went on it became painful .Almost 1 month later I could not lift the arm. The pain was so severe I cried myself to sleep. I couldn’t sleep on that side and it was very difficult to get in and out of bed. It is now 3 months later 1 cortisone shot and still can’t lift my arm or stretch without pain. It is like I am learning to use that arm all over again. If it wasn’t for my primary care doctor recommending an MRI I would not have exactly known what it was that causing me all this shoulder pain. This is now like the 3rd, time this has happened to me but the first time knowing and getting a diagnosis stating it was a direct result of the flu shot. I use to keep going to emergency room every year afther getting the shot but I never thought it could have been. the shot and those doctors never bother to ask if I had a vaccine all they kept asking if I had hit my arm, Once they said we have too give you antibiotics , because you work in a hospital and we are not sure if you picked up a bacteria . The arm even had bursitis back then.They then placed an ivy in my arm for like 6 hours. This has weakened my arm so severely. The problem now is yesterday I was given four more weeks to try and get the shoulder straighten or else surgery. This incident happened at my place of employment and people were skeptical of my report thank God for the MRI. This is now 4 doctors including and IME who concludes my injury is a result of the flu vaccine. I do go for therapy but the process is slow but it’s coming along but not where it should be .I am asking everyone to keep me in their prayers? because I am out of work on Workers’s Compensation and it’s not easy.

March 29, 2018 - 5:08am

I am a registered nurse recovering from rotator cuff surgery (June, 2017) from a flu vaccine I received last October 2016. SIRVA - Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration. If a vaccine is injected wrong it could cause bursitis, brachial neuritis, shoulder tendonitis, Impingement Syndrome, rotator cuff Tears, and Adhesive capsulitis (AKA Frozen Shoulder). there is a knowledge deficit in the medical community and few orthopedics have awareness. Hope this helps.

September 28, 2017 - 1:05pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

My name is Michele and live in Lawrenceville, GA.. I had a Flu Shot OCT / 2016 and I have been experiencing severe pain in my arm sporadically since then, just recently I couldn't sleep because every position I laid my arm hurt so bad that it bought me to tears. I haven't follow up on it because I thought pain medicines would relieve it but the pain hasn't gone away. So, I am now doing some research on what to do next. If anyone knows of any resources please email me @ [email protected].

Thank you

April 11, 2017 - 5:36am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I am sorry to hear about your painful condition. Unfortunately I have it too. I have been searching the internet on where to get treatment or find a dr who can realize this is from the flu shot I received. Let me no. Sincerely Roberta Lender in Florida

May 26, 2018 - 9:08am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

You need to contact an attorney. It is a very real injury, you need to seek help for this. Just write in any search box, pain in arm from flu shot, almost two years ago! Can an atty help?

September 8, 2016 - 5:52am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I have posted on this site several times. I got my flu shot December 30, 2015 - 17 months ago. Still having pain. Also, had a frozen shoulder from the lack of use and went through cortisone shots. At this point in time it appears to be getting worse not better. The sad part is no matter what kind of Dr. you go to, they all think your nuts and no one believes me.

May 23, 2016 - 11:36am
(reply to Anonymous)

Hi, I've had the same experience, and found answers at ( mctlawyers.com) or call them @ 888-952-5242. There is no charge by them for their services. Best of luck to you.

April 12, 2017 - 4:38pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I had my flu shot one week ago. Pain in left arm. Extreme pain...not at the injection site but about 2" below and to elbow area. Figured I would let my doctor know and I also had Neurontin on hand. I was told to use my 300 mg 3x day. It is not helping. Pain is like ice to the bone. Miserable. Never will have another shot. This is for the birds. No relief from NSAIDS...nothing touches it.

November 17, 2015 - 9:38pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

How are you now? What helped? I had the vaccine on December 1. Extreme pain from mid bicep into forearm started on the 9th. EMG fairly normal. Getting US of the area in 2 days. Then an MRI of Brachial Plexus. I’ve lost the ability to be able to bend the 2nd knuckle of my thumb and to pronate (turn inward) my forearm. So writing and typing are very difficult. I was just put on very high doses of steroids. It’s been horrible living like this. Really taking a to on my mental state!

January 5, 2019 - 1:32pm
Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Hello, Anon.

You can report this reaction to the CDC. The pain might also be related to how or where the injection was administered rather than the vaccine itself. We cannot know. Has your doctor given you his or her thoughts on this?

We hope you feel better soon!

Helena

January 5, 2019 - 7:10pm
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