Improved
6112 HealthChanged
3785 LivesSaved
3568 Lives0 lives impacted in the last 24 hrs Learn More
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??
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment98 Comments
HI DIANE AND EVEYONE.
WELL I DID GO TO MY DOCTOR THIS PAST MONDAY AND SHE HAD NO IDEA WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS GOING ON. SHE DID A QUICK PHYSICAL AND TOLD ME I DO NOT HAVE ARTHRITIS, SINCE THAT PAIN COMES FROM THE JOINTS AND BONES, BUT THAT MY PAIN IS MUSCULAR.
I GOT THE FLU SHOT IN THE REAR OF MY LEFT ARM, WHICH IS THE ARM THAT I COULD NOT DO ANYTHING WITH, NOT EVEN TIE MY SHOES LACES.
SHE DREW SOME BLOOD TO SEE MY WHAT MY RED AND WHITE BLOOD CELLS COUNT IS AT, TO SEE IF I HAVE SOME MUSCULAR THING (SHE USED A BIG WORD AND I DON'T RECALL WHAT IT IS, SORRY) AND ALSO TO SEE IF I WAS SWOLLEN ON THE INSIDE. ACCORDING TO HER, IF I WAS SWOLLEN OVER AT A 100% OR OVER, THEN I WOULD NEED TO TAKE SOME MEDICATION TO BRING DOWN THE INFLAMMATION.
WELL TODAY IS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 05, 2009, AND I CAN PROUDLY SAY THAT I CAN USE MY LEFT HAND AND THAT THE PAIN IS SLOWLY, BUT SURELY, GOING AWAY. I FEEL THAT I WAS ONE OF THE ONES THAT THE FLU SHOT DECIDED TO TAKE ITS LEISURE IN ADAPTING TO MY BODY PROPERLY.
BUT I CAN TELL YOU THIS, I WILL NOT GET THE FLU SHOT NEXT YEAR. THIS PAIN WAS INCONVENIENT AND TO A CERTAIN POINT I COULD NOT WORK.
TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE STILL IN PAIN, I KNOW IT'S EASIER SAID THAN DONE, BUT HANG IN THERE. MY DOCTOR DID GIVE ME A PERSCRIPTION FOR NAPROXEN. SHE SAYS THAT IT'S THE ALEVE PILL, BUT DOUBLED.
I WILL GET BACK YO TOU WITH MY BLOOD RESULTS TO SEE WHAT THAT SHOWS.
GOOD LUCK AND THE BEST TO ALL, E.-
November 5, 2009 - 4:32pmThis Comment
An update on my condition:
I have been to the doctors twice. They do not believe it has anything to do with the flu shot despite the fact that I do. They have run every blood test possible and the only thing that is abnormal is my ESR which is elevated which they believe to be due to a virus.
I am still experiencing all the same symptoms as before but only in my upper body... At this point I am just learning to live with the pain. If anyone has found an answer please share.
November 2, 2009 - 4:56pmThis Comment
IM CURRENTLY FEELING YOUR PAIN, BUT DONT BELIEVE FOR ONE MINUTE THAT THIS IS PERMANENT IT WILL SUBSIDE. USE ICE CONSTANTLY AND REAL TRUE DOWN TIME REST. YOU SHOULD GET YOUR MD TO GIVE YOU A NARCOTIC FOR THE DURATION OF THIS, ITS THE ONLY THING BESIDES THE ICE THAT HELPS TO RELEIVE SOME ON THE PAIN.
November 12, 2009 - 1:57pmThis Comment
HELLO TO ALL. I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN.
I MYSELF GOT THE FLU SHOT IN MY LEFT ARM ON MONDAY 10/26/2009. ON TUESDAY, 10/27/2009, MY LEFT HAND AND ARM STARTED TO HURT. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GRASP, HOLD, PUSH OR EVEN TIE MY SHOE LACES WITHOUT PAIN. THEN THE PAIN GOT MY THIGHS, LEGS, CLAVES, FOREARMS AND RIGHT HAND, THROAT AND RIGHT HAND AND ARM AS WELL. THE FLU SHOT ALSO GAVE ME A HIGH FEVER FOR 2 DAYS.
TODAY IS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 02, 2009, EXCATLY ONE WEEK FROM THAT DAMN SHOT, AND I STILL HAVE THE PAIN. I DO NOT THINK THAT THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM. WHAT I COINCIDENCE THAT AFETR THE FLU SHOT, ALL THESE WEIRD THINGS BEGAN ARISING.
I TOOK ADVIL AND TYLENOL AROUND THE CLOCK AND THOSE DID NOT EASE THE PAIN.
I HAVE A DR.'S APPOINTMENT TOMORROW, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 03, 2009 TO GET SOME BLOOD WORK DONE. I'M HOPING THE CAN SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.
I JUST WANTED TO SHARE MY INFO. WITH THE REST OF YOU.
THANKS, E.-
November 2, 2009 - 4:45pmThis Comment
I had my flu shot Oct 3 and the same thing happened to me, except mine started in my thighs, then down to my calves and now my arms. Glad to know I am not the only one. I think it does have something to do with the flu shot, not just coincidence that we all got the shot and the same symptoms.
November 2, 2009 - 6:27amThis Comment
You are not alone, I got a regular flu shot last week (Oct 1st) and have the almost same symptoms as you do! I am wondering the same...
October 12, 2009 - 9:52amThis Comment
Anon, please call your doctor's office and report your symptoms. They may want to see you. Will you come back and update us on what happens?
October 13, 2009 - 9:42amThis Comment
Please call your doctor, as any time pain is "radiating" through your body...including your arms, back, chest and stomach...this could be a problem with your circulatory system and needs to be checked. Weakness and trouble sitting are VERY concerning symptoms, and could be signs of a heart attack or stroke.
Please call your doctor immediately (or, go to the nearest clinic) since this has been occurring for more than 2 weeks and sounds like the symptoms are getting worse (and have now traveled to your calf and thighs). These are not flu shot symptoms.
October 11, 2009 - 7:48pmThis Comment