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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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Hi blueyes - How awful that you've been dealing with this for some four months, and have been in such pain and through so many medical treatments. I believe you're the first person whose doctor has considered surgery. Will you please let us know the results of your MRI and the next steps you take? There are many others also experiencing pain following a flu shot who will be interested in your outcome. We wish you the best in finding relief! Take care, Pat
January 4, 2010 - 5:17pmThis Comment
Does anyone have any answers as to why this is such a terrible problem and is being experienced by so many people? I have always taken the flu shot with little to no pain, but this has been a horrible experience for me. I will never take another vaccine.
Thank you,
January 4, 2010 - 7:24pmVictoria
This Comment
^^^^^^I am finally painfree after 4 months. However, it took me going to an orthopedic doctor, having an MRI, a cortizone shot and physical therapy. The MRI showed inflammation in the rotator cuff tendon. I know this was caused by the shot even though the doctor thought I had injured it. Still once I got the cortizone shot, most of the pain left. The physical therapy helped, too. Good Luck everyone~
December 31, 2009 - 6:32amThis Comment
Anon,
What wonderful news! I'm so sorry you had to endure four months of pain and discomfort, but it's wonderful to hear that you are now painfree. How long should the cortisone shot last? Did the doctor expect any of the pain to return once the cortisone wears off?
December 31, 2009 - 8:35amThis Comment
Well,I have posted on this topic before, and am back to update. I received my shot in Sept. Had no pain before the shot, but have been in pain since. It is much improved, but not completely better. It still has a dull ache in it, and it hurts sometimes when I move it. I've asked many people (nurses, too) and they all say it is nerve damage. I'm assuming it will go away on it's own since it is better than it was.
December 30, 2009 - 7:45pmThis Comment
No one really knows why. Wish somebody knew.
December 26, 2009 - 11:07amThis Comment
I had a flu shot in Septermber it is now December and my shoulder still kills me. Had to stop doing some of the sports I'm into. Nobody has an answer. Would love to know why.
December 26, 2009 - 11:02amThis Comment
Well, I had my flu shot on Oct 6, 09, and have posted on here before, the pain, limited mobility, the every day things that I couldn't do, or at least without pain. The good news, about 1 week ago, like magic I woke up and my arm is 99 percent better! I am so excited and relieved that it went away!!! I can now do the things I need to do and love to do (volleyball) without much limitation and pain. This has happened to me before, years ago, so I knew it would end, but it was a long 2 1/2 months! I am hoping I get back to 100 percent but it feels so much better now that I am happy. Hang in there, it will get better....
December 24, 2009 - 7:22amThis Comment
I have set up an e-mail account. If I recieve enough response then maybe we can start an online support group and newsletter. We need each other to get through the circumstance we now find ourselves in because of a flu shot. ML
(Personal email removed by Moderator, per EmpowHER posting guidelines)
December 20, 2009 - 5:36pmThis Comment
Dear ML and others,
I am so excited that you are energetic, excited, motivated and driven to begin advocating for this issue; this is exactly why EmpowHER was created!
The best way to begin a community forum on EmpowHER is to register as a member, where other members may discuss next steps in the advocating process, along with Moderators and Health Experts. Discussing important health issues will only get us so far when we post as "anonymous", and if you are ready to take the next step into ACTION, let's help you by creating an online forum at EmpowHER.
If you would like to talk with me about how to go about doing this, just click on my name at the top. Otherwise, once you register as a member, others can contact you directly by clicking on your member/username to get the ball rolling.
Thank you for your motivation and drive to do something together as a community. Please let me know how I can help make this happen (I, too, had this experience, and have written about it numerous times..I'm on board!).
Alison Beaver
December 20, 2009 - 6:58pmEmpowHER Guide
This Comment