Shoulder & Arm Pain long after Flu Shot / Vaccine

[Myarmhurtstoo]

got the flu shot this year as I do every year. That was over 3 weeks ago and my arm/shoulder still hurts. It was so bad that last week I went to the doc after reading threads online. He said we could spend a lot of money on tests (which may come back inconclusive) and physical therapy (which may not really speed up the healing process) but in the end it is probably just a matter of time. He DID give me a steriod pack which I finished yesterday morning...the last pill. The steriods helped immediately, however yesterday when I woke up the stiffness is back in the shoulder and has gotten worse. Today I could barely get dressed.

At its worst, the pain was so bad that when I tried to remove my gown over my head I doubled over...unable to the complete the task. I had tingling and numbness in my arm and fingers, and down into my shoulder blade. At times the pain travels down into my pec muscles and into my arm pit. I have never had anything like this from past flu shots other than a little arm soreness that lasted a couple of days. This is different. We believe (at my office) that the shot was a little high and also a bit further towards the back of the shoulder than in past years.

Right now I can apply pressure to the spot where the shot was given and feel a dull pain all the way down into my shoulder muscle and arm. Cannot sleep on my left side and simple things like carrying a purse or pulling the covers up cause intense, shooting pain. Had to get groceries last nite and was able to do it (even though it REALLY hurt) so there doesn't appear to be a lot of weakness right now. The pain seems to be worse while in bed trying to sleep and in the morning. Esp in the morning...

Because of a lowered kidney function my doc has told me to limit NSAID intake. This is bad news since that is the only thing that actually helped the pain. Since I can't afford expensive tests or PT right now (and from reading the blogs they don't really seem to help much in the diagnosis or recovery) I'm gonna give it a little time...unless it gets worse and becomes unbearable again. I plan to keep checking back here and reporting the progress. I DID feel better after reading the posts because I realized this was apparently not just some funky anomaly that only I was experiencing.

I am probably going back in to see my doc to let him know about the result of the steroids (immediate relief) as well as the sudden return of the pain as bad as (or worse) than before when the steriods were stopped. This is very depressing...I try to do what I can to be healthy and I actually wind up causing a problem. I have read that it could be needle placement (i.e. nerve, punctured bursa, muscle hematoma) or a reaction to the vaccine itself (preservatives, etc.). I am a 51 yr old female always received a flu shot never more than soreness for a couple of days. Guess I'm hoping for a miracle...everyone else reporting these symptoms indicates that recovery is VERY slow and takes many months up to a year. However, I have yet to see where someone pinpointed EXACTLY what the problem was...

[ricklester]

If the severe pain started within 48 hours of getting the shot and has lasted more than 6 months, you can file a claim with the (National) Vaccine Injury Compensation Program VICP.  You should also file a report with the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System VAERS.

[ricklester]

It was not the flu shot's contents that was the problem.  Almost certainly the needle went through the muscle and into the bursa.  This causes what the doctors call deltoid bursitis, inflammation of the trapezoid muscle area's bursa (a sac containing lubricating fluid).  The shot is supposed to go in at an angle not perpendicular to the arm and the needle should enter 1/3 down or more of the trapezoid muscle.  I asked the INTERNET, which knows everything, and that is what it said  lol.

[ricklester]

Make damn sure they give u the shot 1/3 or more below the top of your trapezoid muscle.  Otherwise the muscle may be thin enough that the shot goes through the muscle and into the bursa. That seems to be what causes all this severe pain and immobility.  The bursa is a sac filled with lubricating fluid.  

[ricklester]

Make damn sure they give u the shot 1/3 or more below the top of your trapezoid muscle.  Otherwise the muscle may be thin enough that the shot goes through the muscle and into the bursa. That seems to be what causes all this severe pain and immobility.  The bursa is a sac filled with lubricating fluid.  

[ruinedmyarm]

I got my shot on October 8 2014. Today is Oct 30 2014 and it still hurts. It was given high on my arm. Went to the Doctor and he says the shot probably hit a nerve. He prescribed naproxen 500 mg twice a day. It helps some. I went to an accupuncturist and it did not help. Going back next week to see it the treatment helps on the second visit. I will stop if it does not help cause it is costing me 40 dollars a visit. I have been massaging it my self under hot water in the shower. Then I put olive oil when I get out of shower. This has helped more as I can move my arm a little more with no pain. I still am careful when I dress as I want to keep it movable but do not want to aggravate the pain. Still having trouble sleeping. Going to try sleeping with a sling. Hopefully it will go away. A friend at work tells me her sister's shoulder was also injured with the flu shot and her arm still hurts after 15 yrs. This is scarry. HEB pharmacy in Texas adminstered the shots at our work site. Will never get the flu shot again,and I warn everybody that I can. HELP

[AEHVTHM]

I got my flu shot Sept 2012 and left arm & shoulder have never been the same. For the longest time I could pin point exactly where the needle went in.  Pain would shoot out of the spot but Dr couldn't feel anything & gave me a strange look. As time has gone on, my shoulder aches all the time, arm is weak & forget about raising it up.  Getting my top off is a whole new procedure for me.  I have mentioned to several doctors & they say apply ice & then heat. Lately my left side has been aching & my back on left side.
Aleve is the only thing that works for me. I only take when I would like a break from the pain.  This is just too weird!