Exactly. People think we’re thousands of years removed from belief in witch doctors, but we are not. They are hardly right around the corner.
And, don’t neglect the power of The Placebo Effect or The Power of the Mind to control the physical. It can easily be 30% of what you see.
@abasket, I am not putting the blame on the flu shot, but am surprised to find out that it can cause shoulder pain (which I never have any prior problem), and want to see how other people deal with that, that’s all. I never said I will stp flu shots in the future. To me, benefits of the flu shot still outweights the shoulder pain which hopefully can be eliminated by continuous PT.
@JustOneDad, appreciate you taking the time to give input, but your comments for some reason come across very condescending.
Hopeful820, my DH has had these exact same symptoms the past couple of months. He has not had a flu shot. The fact that your symptoms started weeks after your flu shot makes me think that the likelihood of the flu shot causing this to be very very small. I think it’s possible that it was pure coincidence.
The shoulder problems you describe are fairly common, but the cure can be elusive. Have you seen a specialist for this? You may need an MRI or other scan to see if you have suffered some kind of tear. You may need some stronger anti-inflammatory medication, and PT may need to be part of this for a good while.
Good luck. Soft tissue injuries can be very painful and take a long time to heal.
@Hopeful820, I wished you well in your recovery. I never said anything indicating that you were going to stop taking the flu shot. In fact, I referenced going forward, I hope your flu shots are problem free!
We all need to be careful of not reading words into posts that are not literally there to read. 
??
The Placebo Effect is real and Witch Doctors exist. People who believe they are “above” all that could be called “pretentious” or “unrealistic”.
The muscle pain from the injection should go away in a few days, but if it doesn’t, I expect it is something else and a coincidence about timing of vaccine.
I’ve had frozen shoulder, and needed a cortisone shot ( 
) plus physical therapy to regain mobility.
OP- I’ve had frozen shoulder twice once in each shoulder. Not after the flu shot but I can understand the pain you are going through. PT worked for me so hopefully it will work for you too.
My husband did not take the flu shot this year because both in 2012 & 2013 after he got the flu shot he ended up with a collapsed lung 2 days later. While the doctors said it was probably just a coincidence he’s not taking any chances. I think there are side effects for some people and unless there are a lot of people with the same side effect it just doesn’t get reported. So basically in our house the rest of us will to continue to get the flu shot and hope DH doesn’t get the flu from someone else.
If the aluminum injected into you is the potential problem, then google “aluminum detox” and choose some method that appeals to you. It can’t hurt and over time may help. Good luck with getting some relief.
Please submit a report to VAERS: https://vaers.hhs.gov/esub/index
Oh good grief. Aluminum detox?
If it came several weeks after the vaccine, it’s not from that.
I am sorry you’re going through this and I hope you improve quickly. Please don’t listen to things like aluminum detox though. Many of those “detox” things can be very detrimental to your health as they’re created by people with zero training.
Palomina, had never heard of VAERS. Thank you! Yes, all such events should be reported.
EK, yes, tetanus is far worse.
I’ve had a lot of pain with the injections, so I switched to the nasal vaccine. I’ll be aging out of it in a few years. I just had to get the mmr again and it didn’t hurt anywhere near what the flu shot has done to me.
OP here, maybe I need to clarify the timing of the onset of pain, I was only mildly sore after the injection for the first few days which I ignored, then for some reasons pain gradually increased over time. I had no idea what brought on that pain.
Basically there are two opinions offered. After I tried for weeks various mild stretching exercises, Voltaren rub, heat pad treatment etc on my own which offered not much relief, I broke down and went to the doctor, she said it is likely “frozen shoulder”, then my physical therapist thinks it can be due to flu shot and he has a few patients with similar symptoms. The latter thinks anti-inflammatory medication will help ease the inflammation and pain, but my doctor does not think it will help at all, she said stretching exercise, hot and cold treatment, PT will help eventually.
Some of you think that the shoulder pain and the flu shot can be a coincidence, which can be very true.
I will continue the PT and do the prescribed stretching exercises at home.
Thank you for taking the time and share your experience, much appreciated.
I’ve had frozen shoulder. My PT said that it can take 18 months, sometimes longer, for recovery to occur – even with physical therapy and other treatments. Everyone I know who’s had frozen shoulder said it’s taken many months before the pain goes away and full mobility returns. It’s been six years since I had it, and I’m not at 100% – close, but not quite. It took many many months before I could hook a bra behind my back.
I remember doing some research when I was diagnosed, and learned that frozen shoulder can occur with no apparent cause, no prior injury – it just spontaneously happens. My PT said it is a common ailment for women between 40 and 60.
I saw a PT twice a week for a few months, and did exercises daily. I didn’t want injections or surgery, although I’ve known people to get those. The daily exercises are crucial, because limiting movement just makes it worse.
I had a slightly sore arm for almost two weeks which surprised me. But no shoulder issues.
My frozen shoulder only took a week or two before I was back to using it.
The cortisone reduced the inflammation, and once I was able to lift my arm without pain, I just went on from there.
While Im not a fan of steroids, it seems preferable to taking months to regaining mobility.
Inactivity seems to be a major contributor to pain.
When something hurts, then you don’t use it, so it just keeps hurting.
http://www.massagetherapy.com/articles/index.php/article_id/2068/Frozen-Shoulder
I’d also suggest supplements to reduce inflammation, like bromeliad and turmeric.
My primary doctor told me she had frozen shoulder herself, took her about 6 weeks to get over it. I have to check the limit on what my insurance will pay for PT.
@fireandrain, thanks for mentioning it because I was somewhat embarrassed to, I have problem with the bra, even to get my sweatshirt off over my head causes much pain. If my husband is around, he would help me taking coat or vest off my left side.
@emeraldkity4, my physical therapist recommends (actually from his physician patient who is being treated for symptoms like mine) 3 things: turmeric, melatonin and niacin. Since I have stomach problem recently, I try to stay away from any kind of spices. My doctor has not recommended injections yet, she feels that the pain will eventually go away but daily stretching exercise is a MUST. If she feels that cortisone shot will help and recommends it down the road, I will be willing to take it.
Sorry, as an NP who does occupational medicine, and sees a lot of shoulders, this doesn’t make sense. Adhesive capsuilitis is an injury from disuse. OP, have you had any imaging?
I’ve had frozen shoulder twice–once on each side about 6 years apart. First time was more severe, but a shot of cortisone worked miracles (after PT didn’t). The second time I got into PT immediately. It helped but didn’t get back all the way. I had the cortisone shot and it did absolutely no good. Tried accupuncture and it helped more. Still not back 100%. Very little pain, but some restriction of movement.
MRIs are generally not recommended. at least at the outset. Apparently, almost everyone has tears when they get to 50+.
What helps for me (in addition to accupuncture) is a sauna–works much better than a heating pad–and swimming. Range of motion is restricted, but you can slowly build it up.
One thing to check–remote possibility if you haven’t had a physical in a while. Diabetes can cause frozen shoulder. It’s sometimes the first symptom.
Good luck.
OP, I have to say that I am very skeptical about what your PT is telling you. I think you should consult your physician, and let the PT stick to giving you physical therapy.