Has anyone developed shoulder pain after a flu shot? What treatments have been prescribed for the condition and were they helpful? How long did the pain symptom last? I have had flu shot for many years and never had any problem until this time, have a few physical therapy sessions so far, also stretching exercises at home, no improvement yet.
When I first went to see my doctor for the pain, her diagnosis was frozen shoulder and I requested physical therapy. My physical therapist told me he has four patients in recent weeks who exhibit the same symptoms and he felt that it was likely due to the flu shot.
Please share your experience if you have had similar problem. Thanks.
I had frozen shoulder one year that appeared shortly after my flu shot. Went away after several weeks of PT. I still get my flu shot every year (but have switched to the other arm, and have had no problem in the 7-8 years since the original problem). No flu, either, except the year there was no vaccine for that darned H1N1. Still completely worth it to me to get the flu shot. Influenza can kill you, and others around you – frozen shoulder is uncomfortable and annoying, but it generally clears up.
Huh? Frozen shoulder is a joint affliction. The most you should get from a flu shot is localized muscle pain where you got the injection. If you are afraid you got the shot in the bursa, you should be seen by an orthopaedist.
Well, considering how many people get the flu shot every year, it is a given that some of them are going to post-injection, develop a frozen shoulder, because a certain number of people develop frozen shoulder every year, and some of them are going to have just gotten the flu shot. It would be more unlikely for there to be a season of flu shots, where none of the recipients got frozen shoulder afterwards. If that were the case, someone would be claiming that getting get flu shot prevents one from getting frozen shoulder.
There’s no direct causation in these anecdotal stories.
Well, makes sense, as some people do have very sensitive upper arms after the flu shot for a few days, and if they don’t move the arm, frozen shoulder can result. It is a risk with pacemaker insertion as well, which is why some of us dealing in these things urge the recipients of pacemakers and flu shots to move the affected arm. Though in the case of pacemakers, no elbow over shoulder height for a month.
So, no risk from the shot itself, but a risk to those who don’t move that arm sufficiently due to discomfort.
I got my flu shot at work. Usually I get my shot in the left arm, with the rationale that I don’t want my dominant arm to be sore. This year, I purposely asked that my boss give it in my right arm (I’m right handed) so that I would be sure to work my arm most of the day. My job is very physical, so I knew I’d get a workout that day. I had ZERO soreness, a first!
Not me, but a good friend had a serious problem from a flu shot. It turned out that the person who gave it to her put the shot into the deltoid muscle.
Ability to tolerate pain/discomfort varies a great deal. Usually flu shots are given in the non dominate arm, and for some it may just discourage movement enough to cause frozen shoulder.
Frozen shoulder is an odd phenomenon, regardless, sometimes occurs without an evident cause.
Now, if it went into a ligament, I can see that causing an unexpected problem.
That being said, I often wonder about the training pharmacists get in giving injections. It has been interesting to see how many pharmacies now offer vaccines. I prefer to stick (no pun intended) with someone who does this all day long.
Whoever mentioned above not feeling sore after this year’s vaccine - count me in that category. Didn’t feel it at all that day or the next. That was a first for me.
^^ Funny you should say that. I have always gotten my flu shot from the health dept nurse (different nurse every year) at work. It has always hurt and my arm has always ached for days. However, the last two years I have gone to Walgreens and it has been great. No real pain and no achy arm.
this reminded me of a few years ago when I reminded D (at college) to get a flu shot on campus. She told me that she had done with a bunch of pre med students–all of whom dropped to the floor right after getting the shot, and did some push ups. What for, I asked. She said they claimed the vaccine would disperse faster and they wouldn’t have a sore shoulder. She said it worked for her.
I haven’t had the nerve to do it…don’t want the people at Costco pharmacy to think I’m a crazy old lady…
“OMG, what percentage of people who get flu shots have so much “pain” that they don’t move their arm for …well…days?”
@JustOneDad, you may be a superman or ironman, unfortunately I am not. I am hoping the good folks on CC share their experience and how to cope. Even if it is 1% of people who end up having the problem, it is definitely not fun if you happen to be in that 1%. I sure do not wish that on you. Your sarcasm does not help.
I consider myself having a pretty good tolerance of pain. I have flu shots for over 15 years, never had a problem, no muscle soreness, no flu symptoms. The pain actually started a few weeks after the shot, I ignored it but gradually got worse, hence a trip to the doctor. I have had the pain for over 2 months now. My left shoulder and upper arm are achy 24/7, sleeping is a problem. No pain killer seems to work. It got to the point I could not turn my left arm back to dress myself. Some times a little move can send shooting pain down my upper arm.
My physical therapist explained about it can be problem with the bursa, he said something about some aluminum alloy in the vaccine that can cause symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (his physician patient told him), if PT does not work over time, then I have to seek other options. Because of the insurance, I probably have to finish the prescribed PT, then get referral to an orthopedic doctor for further review, but hope PT will help over time.
Sorry that you are having this pain/condition Hopeful. Interesting that the pain did not start until a few weeks after you got the flu shot - with this delay, the medical staff still considers the flu shot a possible culprit?
I think what gets frustrating - especially for those of us who work in health care/scientific research/etc. is that the train of thought that the flu shot - or immunizations in general - are the root of all medical evil. People in general are SO quick to put the blame somewhere for what ails them. No immunization or medical intervention can be 100% effective or 100% reactive in the same way for all people.
Moving forward with treatment is your best bet of course right now. If you have had years of flu shots with no adverse effects, likely going forward, your flu shots will be problem free. Hoping you have good results from the PT!
Still completely worth it to me to get the flu shot. Influenza can kill you, and others around you – frozen shoulder is uncomfortable and annoying, but it generally clears up.