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why my shoulder STILL hurts after 2010 flu shot

By September 26, 2010 - 5:48am
 
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I started this new share because I got the new flu shot 3 weeks ago- the one that contains the reg. flu and the H1N1 combined. I got it done at Walgreens. When the Dr (pharmacist, actually) put it in, it did not hurt. Even though it felt like it was in the bone and very high up. The actuall dispensing of the vaccine felt like it took longer than usual. Since then, my shoulder still hurts and I complain about it several times a day. I cannot sleep on it at night and everytime I roll over in bed, it wakes me (all night long). I have rec'd the flu shot for years and I never got this pain. For this reason, I will NOT be forcing my 10 yr old to get it because she could not tollerate this pain and would have missed many days of school thus far. Comments?

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Anonymous

I wrote several months ago after noticing my shoulder hurting after a flu shot. What I had forgotten was that I had overstretched after swimming laps and immediately felt a pop and sharp pain in my shoulder. I got the flu shot that day right after swimming. The pharmacist did administer the shop high up in my arm, almost in my shoulder, and the medicine burned while going in, something I'd never felt before when getting my annual flu shot. Then the pain in my shoulder grew worse over the next weeks. The doctors said it could not have been caused by the shot. The orthopedist prescribed physical therapy for six weeks, which helped immensely. So did swimming. If I do my PT exercises regularly at home, my shoulder is just fine. If I go for a week or two without it, my shoulder freezes up again. It's important to keep it moving. I finally realized that the pain was caused by my injury (also, I had overstretched my arm decades earlier while trimming trees and went to a doctor who diagnosed bursitis). I guess my shoulder pain, which still exists now, almost a year later, was initially caused by the injury. The shot probably just aggravated the inflammation from the fresh injury. As to the woman who doesn't want her child to suffer the same pain, DO get her vaccinated!! Just go with her and make sure they put the shot into the right place, not up high in the shoulder. I took my granddaughter to CVS to get her shot and explained my situation to the pharmacist. She did it right, and my granddaughter did not suffer any problems whatsoever.

October 7, 2015 - 8:33am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I also had the flu shot and experienced discomfort and pain however I would recommend that you vaccinate your daughter not just to protect her but to protect the kid around her like my son that could die from diseases such as he flu. My child is neutrapenic so his body CAN NOT naturally fight off infections. He had the flu once 2 years ago and it landed him on the hospital for 5 days. I pleed with you to not just think of your childs temporary discomfort but for the other children like my son and so many others that have cancer and are currently in treatment. Your daughters temporary discomfort could save their life.

October 7, 2015 - 4:40am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

You're not a very responsible parent are you? Yes, your child could have a sore arm and miss some school (which is doubtful and even if it's true, who cares?) your child's life and health should be more important than school. She's 10 years old.. What is she going to miss? Finger painting? Get your kids vaccinated. Stupidity of adults these days.

April 30, 2015 - 3:29am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I had my shot 11/4/14. I am now recovering from surgery done 02/17/2015 as the result. When the resident at my doctors office injected the needle i noticed she was pretty high up on my arm near the top of my shoulder. She then when to plunge and nothing came out so while with the needle still in my arm she moved it and the fluid came out. I had he normal pain after, but after about 1-2 weeks I was in so much pain I could not lift my arm. I had gone back to the doctors had a xray and was told it looked fine in the xrays and to ice it and sleep in a chair. I could not sleep, i could not wash my hair, I was in so much pain I wanted to chop off my own arm. So I went to another orthopedic dr and he gave me a cortisone shot and sent me to physical therapy 12 times. Long story short after 12 pt and 2 cortisone shots and nothing helping I had surgery. He cleaned out the bursa and for the first time in almost 4 months I do not have that constant "charlie horse" feeling anymore thank god!!! Worst pain ever had in my life from a shot!!! Next year it will be nasal mist for me or nothing.....

February 26, 2015 - 8:52am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I am so glad I found this post & your comment. For the first time, I feel somewhat hopeful that I can get rid of this pain. I got my flu shot in Sept 2014 & after a 5day round of steroids, a cortisone shot, & a dozen or so PT sessions, I gave up on thinking it would get better. I felt like the orthopedist & his PA thought I was bananas. They had never heard of anyone being injured from a shot. I never had an MRI done & now wish I had. The physical therapist just called it "shoulder impingement". My symptoms are exactly as you described. Have you filed a claim with the vaccine injury compensation program? I think that is my next step. I hope your recovery is swift! Was that surgery done with a scope?

April 10, 2015 - 8:04pm
(reply to Anonymous)

I did file a claim after I had my surgery and was verified that it was from the flu shot. I was out of work just a couple weeks from the surgery. They made 3 incisions cleaned out the bursa and some other things. I am still in therapy and hope to be done in a few more weeks. I felt like I was crazy at first because no one thought I could have that much pain from the shot but I knew i did and I am so glad I had the surgery.

April 21, 2015 - 10:18am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

My surgery was done with the scope. I had 3 incisions made and they cleaned it out. It still hurts, but not like before. I am still in therapy and still have trouble sleeping on my right side. I do have a lawyer and hopefully it will help pay for my therapy and pain. I will have about 50 therapy copays at 25 bucks each time. Sucks to know a stupid mistake from a flu shot injection could do so much damage...

April 17, 2015 - 7:36pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I to had a flue gab months ago and it is still very painful. It still hurts to lay on or touch. The nurse seem to throw at me saying you had this before not taking any care what so ever throwing at great speed like a dart. I'm in my 70's and suffer form very acute COPD.
I was knocked over by a car about 20 years ago that left me with damage spine and neck. I'm now in wheelchair as I cannot walk and only just stand only holding on to something. I fell I must have it again this year but frightened. Any help or comment please.

February 26, 2015 - 7:29am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Went to a neurologist today for flu shot related pain in shoulder....now I'm finally getting some answers. Had flu shot in September 2014 and still having pain and mobility issues. Neurologist is leaning towards autoimmune disease caused by the vaccine. My symptoms were very similar to others I've seen online.

February 17, 2015 - 3:32pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

Look up SIRVA Caused by flu shot give to high up.

March 2, 2015 - 12:04pm
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