Got a flu shot - now my entire arm hurts

Nurses General Nursing

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Has anyone experienced this? I had a flu shot yesterday. Last night, about 9 hours afterwards, the injection site became very sore (which I expected). But soon after and since then, my entire right arm down to the fingers has these flare-ups of pain. Sometimes the pain will originate at the elbow, sometimes at the forearm. Sometimes my upper arm. These areas of my arm will start to hurt, last a few seconds, then it goes away.

The soreness is almost gone from the injection site, but although the other pain abated somewhat this morning, now it's back to the way it was last night. I asked some people at work about it today and only one person said that their whole arm ached after a flu shot. I'm not sure that I'd describe this as an "ache." It is pain. My movement is not restricted.

Any ideas??

Update: The soreness of my arm resolved after 3-4 days. I also had a headache. Other people I know who have gotten the H1N1 vaccine have said their arm got very sore as well.

My arm was sore for about 3 days after getting the seasonal flu shot. It hurt more while it was being injected as well. I have had little to no pain in the past. I think it has something to do with the "mix" in the vaccine.

Haven't gotten the H1N1 because my MD is out. But I have heard of complaints of nausea and headache after from people that have received it.

I couldn't believe how bad my arm hurt after the H1N1 shot. Like some of the other posters, had pain all the way down my arm to my fingertips, couldn't sleep on that arm, had trouble dressing b/c it hurt so bad to lift my arm. I have never had a problem with a flu shot hurting so much.

I heard the H1N1 was more potent than the seasonal flu shot this year- anyone know if there is any truth to this. Is this maybe why it is causing so much arm pain?

Specializes in NICU.

My seasonal flu shot made my arm pretty sore.... Just typical muscle soreness after an IM injection... My H1N1 did not hurt at all and my arm was never sore.

I think it has to do with shot placement.

Specializes in acute rehab, med surg, LTC, peds, home c.

I have witnessed the flu shot being given and I have often thought that it looks wierd the way it is being given. Correct me if I am wrong but whenI give an IM in the deltoid I use the armpit as my lower border(I draw an imaginery line from the part where you take a axillary temp) across the arm and 2 fingers below the acromian process as the upper border. I try to shoot for right in the center of these 2 landmarks. Did anyone learn a different way? I see it being given as if it is a subq more towards the back of the arm or too low on the humerus. This is just one more reason (forme personally), to never get the flu shot.

I got a seasonal flu vaccination in my left arm about a month ago. There was nothing remarkable about the injection or site selection at all. No immediate pain. A few days later, my left elbow began hurting. It's a dull, achy pain that does not go away. Not sharp or stabbing. It continues to hurt, especially if I am attempting to lift something with my arm extended. Grasping a cup of coffee with my left hand extended hurts a great deal and it seems that I've lost strength. My right arm is fine. I am concerned that I've developed arthritis (I am in my late 40's) as a result of this flu shot.

I have had weakness and sharp pains running down my arm since I had the flu shot. My husband said you probably slept on it wrong. It has now been over a month and it aches and very heavy with weakness. I work in Clinical Research and asked my supervisor which stated the shot could have possibly hit the nerve and to make sure to call Employee Health and report the incident in case I made some type of therapy later. I am just glad I asked after the continued symptoms, so I didn't just look like I am neurotic.

Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

WOW! This is an OLLLLLDDD thread!

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hopefully, everyone has recovered from the 2005 flu shot.

However, we can't provide medical advice and encourage you to seek care.

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