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Q: 

severe muscle pain and weakness all over body after flu shot?

By Anonymous October 11, 2009 - 3:46pm
 
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On October 1st, I had a flu shot, not the H1N1, just the regular flu shot. I've had the flu shot many times before with muscle pain and soreness in the arm that the injection was received in that usually subsided within a few days.

This time however, the pain was almost unbearable and seemed to be "spreading" to other parts of my body.

The first night it was just my upper arm. The second night it was my upper arm, pec muscle, muscles of the underarm, and muscles in the upper corner of my back. It was excrutiating and was slightly relieved with 800mg of ibuprofen.

The third night it was also in the muscles on the side of my neck.

The fourth night it was starting to travel down my arm into my hand and wrist. At this point I was also experiencing weakness and difficulty holding or picking up objects.

By the the end of the weak it had radiated to the other side of my body. So basically my entire upper body was painful and weak. Both arms, both upper back, both pec muscles etc... Again I'm taking 800mg ibuprofen around the clock which does slightly relieve the pain. I'm also using heating pads which slightly relieve the pain as well.

It has now been almost two weaks and it has radiated to my lower back, my stomach (as if i just did a hundred situps), my hands, my thighs, my calfs. I feel weak and am having trouble just sitting at the computer typing or picking up a drink.

As far as I know the flu shot can't cause this kind of reaction but, what else could this be??

Add a Comment98 Comments

EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I too am from Canada. I didn't have the flu vaccine. -and I posted my story here to. I had a couple other vaccines. With reactions that come and go, it's been 2 years for me now. With new symptoms then at the beginning. I have seen numerous Drs. -'they all thought i was crazy and said it wasn't the vaccine. I only had one regular dr that blamed the vaccine. I will not vaccine again. It's been a horrible experience.

December 19, 2016 - 2:54pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I too Had a flu shot at walgreens in 2014 and the only I ever got in my Life . I became very sick.... I could barely also walk have pain in my toes , feet, legs . I could also barley stand because my feet feel like they're tearing apart and the same for my legs feels like the meat is ripping away. been diagnosed with myofasciapain syndrome.

February 5, 2016 - 11:39am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

How long did it take you I get diagnosed ? I have been dealing with this stuff for 1.5 years and these drs think I am crazy lol. I am still seeing a dr that is sending me for other stuff . And how did they come up with that?

February 5, 2016 - 3:47pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I got the flu shot and my joints are hurting all over. I'm sluggish and having trouble sleeping. This was my first and to see the other post let me know I'm not just over thinking it.
Thanks for your post!

November 19, 2015 - 10:31am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I know it's ridiculous! I have pain pills left over from surgery and it only takes the edge off. My knees and feet are the worse. I have to use the Electric wheelchair at the grocery store because I can hardly walk. I'm so pissed! My 3yr old pediatrician wants me to get him vaccinated, I said no way. I hope it doesn't last long for you. I'm going to order some glucosamine to see if that helps. My aunt said market America is the best one. If it works I will suggest it on here. Good luck, hang in there.

November 14, 2015 - 6:38pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I got my flu shot over 6 weeks. I had the normal pain which I figured was normal. I'm still waiting for pain to go away. A few days later my finger joints started to hurt then my wrist. After a few more days it went to ankeks, elbows and now knees!! I can barley walk and walk up and down stairs. At the dan time I was tapering off prednisone and this time I thought that was the cause but I honestly don't know. I have an appointment with rheumatologist. I don't know what to do?? I'm hurting and my baby is coming home soon from Nicu. I have to get better, someone please tell me this will go away...

November 6, 2015 - 8:23pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Please go to see a doctor soon. Yes, there are normal side effects with the flu shot. AND some side effects can be life altering. My mother in law wound up getting Guillan-Barre syndrome after receiving the flu shot (her neurologist linked the two years later, long after she qualified to file a report) and is now permanently disabled.

November 7, 2015 - 4:12am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I had something similar last year. I had very painful joints: ankles, knees, hips, but worse in wrists and shoulders. I have also had very painful upper arms (like they both got several tetanus shots) and they felt like they were full of lead. The weird thing was it is terrible at night...I could barely lift my baby, let alone my arms. In the am it got better as I moved around then started again the next night. This started several weeks after getting the flu shot. It slowly got better after several weeks. I wonder if our bodies recouping after having a baby could have something to do with it?

November 6, 2015 - 9:33pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I had a c-section at 27 weeks. I was suffering with terrible crohns flare ups and then told I had an 9cm cyst on ovary. My c-section was in August 17th. Before going in for surgery they told me they were going to remove cyst. After surgery they explained to me that they couldn't remove cyst due to too much scar tissue, they barley got baby out. I had to tell with pain from cyst for another 4to 6 weeks. The next night I was crying in pain due to cyst and Doctor said she will at least drain cyst to give me pain relief. As they were started to drain they noticed it was an abscess not a cyst. They did an emergency hysterectomy ( 3 days after c-section) I was in hospital for 10 days. Went home and after 3 days I developed a fever, went back to hospital and they found another abscess just as big. Was there for a week with a drainage. I was home for a few days and my mom, 3 year old son went to hospital to see my baby and we were hit by an 18 wheeler at the back side, spun 3 or 4 times and hit pole. I wasn't wearing a seatbelt due to my two surgery scars. I was flown from front to back seat. Ended up back in hospital for 4 days with fractured back in three places. Four days after being home had to go back to hospital cause another abscess occurred right under skin where drainage was from before and to top it off it was my birthday. Now we're in October and after a few days of being out of hospital I go my flu shot and now I'm dealing with this joint point. Maybe it's just bad luck, maybe it was from having baby. I just want to feel normal without pain.

November 6, 2015 - 10:11pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

You are amazingly strong! You will get through this momma! My heart goes out to you for all you have had to endure. It will get better. I am sending healing energy your way.

November 6, 2015 - 10:54pm
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