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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??

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EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

23 Oct 2014 Had a flu jab.
24 Oct till now (5th Nov) feel as though I have been hit with rubber truncheons on the muscles of my neck, arms and legs. No high temperature nor high blood pressure. Pain held in check by alternate 400 mg doses of Ibuprofen and Paracetamol at 4 hour internals, and hot poultice. Doctor merely irritated when I suggested it was the jab. "Come back in two weeks if pain does not subside." Is this it for rest of my life? My kidneys are working hard: deep colour and evidence of passing protein.

November 5, 2014 - 6:55am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I received the flu shot on October 21, 2014, and am experiencing the same things that you have been describing so I know I am not crazy. I have been having muscle spasms in my neck on the left side and constant back pain, which the pain also moves through my entire body and are quite bothersome. On Friday, I had a terrible pain on my left side which ran from my head to my toes, with my hand feeling somewhat numb and I could hardly move my fingers. Now constant stomach problems. Whatever is in this vaccine, God help us all.

October 27, 2014 - 10:08am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I had mine around the same time as you. Today I can barely keep my head up. I'm scared ! After reading some of these posts I'm really worried. Are you any better ?

November 19, 2014 - 6:29am
(reply to Anonymous)

This started with me on Thursday of this we and it is 2 weeks since flu shot on this coming Monday.

November 29, 2014 - 12:24am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

After about 4 weeks the pain has subsided and I am now down to 400 mg Ibuprofen every 12 hours. The recovery is deceptive though. After about 2 hrs the Ibuprofen works and I am deluded into thinking "what pain?". Then it starts to come back, but not as bad as in the beginning. Overall, I think I am improving but it is a slow process. And in the meantime I am as weak a kitten. M

November 19, 2014 - 7:34am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I received the flu shot Nov 2013, and the first sign that something was wrong was I had to have my ring cut off my very fat finger. My hands continued to swell until they looked like a cartoon. The weakness followed, and by the end of Dec I was unable to manage stairs or to get into a car. It was unbearable! I tried everything, Doctors said that it could not possibly be the flu shot - but it was the only thing that was different from my usual routine. I tried everything the doc's prescribed - to no avail, went to accupuncture - no help, chiropractor, no help - and finally I found a guy that does Electro-Shock Therapy - this was the saving grace. He stated that my muscles had contracted and he gave me several "shocks" (it is virtually painless) and I was much improved in days. I'd rather have the flu than go through what I have been through in the past months!

July 23, 2014 - 7:15am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I got a flu shop in August of 2012. It is now 2014 and my pain is still all over my body. I guess it is reassuring that other people have similar problems. My pain is from my neck to the tips of my fingers and all the way to my toes. I am hoping it will just go away like some of you say, but this has been going on for such a long time. My doctors take blood tests and say there is nothing wrong with me. I have been taking meds that help a little but with out them the pain would be unbearable... even for this long of time. Anyone have any thoughts? :(

May 22, 2014 - 12:31pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Not sure if anyone will see this post after so long, but I have the same symptoms after the flu shot 2013. Feel like I will never be the same, doctors say it is unrelated but I know better. Did your symptoms eventually resolve?

March 24, 2014 - 4:06pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I just got the flu shot, yesterday, & feel awful. Aching all over & sore to touch. I am in bed, with heat pad & taking ibuprofen . Husband is bringing Tylenol , home. I will NOT take it again!

January 14, 2014 - 1:09pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

My dad and I are both experiencing horrible symptoms after the flu shot this year. I work on the neurological symptoms constantly and he is of the old school and doesn't believe it came from the flu shot. Anyway we both started with severe lower back pain, and mine has been with me for 4 months. It has attacked all my organs, have pin prick hot feet and hands. My urinary has gone crazy with pain and urgency. If you do too much you start feeling pretty bad.

April 23, 2013 - 2:45pm
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