Got a flu shot - now my entire arm hurts

Nurses General Nursing

Published

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??

0 Votes

I also got a flu shot Wednesday. They came around all the floors in the hospital and said "who wants a flu shot?" So I got one. That night and the next day it hurt like I had been hit with a large rock. I could not sleep on that side (left). Still hurt the next day. But the pain is slowly getting better. But the pain stayed only in my upper arm. Curious that yours went so far. It is still somewhat sore to the touch but not painful as it was. The thought came to me that that theyadd different strains each year as new viruses come on. Do you think that might be it? I don't remember having that pain before. Of course, nobody you ask at the hospital would probably know.

I think you will be allright.

0 Votes

I had that happen with the flu shot about 3 year ago. Took a few days but then it felt better. My arm felt really heavy too.

0 Votes
Specializes in OB, ortho/neuro, home care, office.

Me and several of my coworkers got the shot, all were complaining of pain in the arm for the next couple of days. Went to the doctor and she had had one too, somewhere else, and she had the same sore arm. I think it's something in the mix

0 Votes
Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.

that's funny, I got a tetorifice shot in my left arm and a flu shot in my right, but the tetorifice shot side is what hurts, not the flu shot. The pain has actually subsided some now though.

0 Votes

I got my flu shot a few weeks ago at Employee Health. That night I woke up at 0200 with suh pain that I had to pick up my arm with the other oe just to move it. I had pain radiating to my elbow, shoulder, and side of my neck for three days.

Most of my coworkers who got their shot from the same RN had identical complaints. The supervisors determined it was related to poor placment by the nurse- most of us got shots way too high- missing the deltoid and going into the joint (even with such a short needle). Yeouch.

0 Votes
I got my flu shot a few weeks ago at Employee Health. That night I woke up at 0200 with suh pain that I had to pick up my arm with the other oe just to move it. I had pain radiating to my elbow, shoulder, and side of my neck for three days.

Most of my coworkers who got their shot from the same RN had identical complaints. The supervisors determined it was related to poor placment by the nurse- most of us got shots way too high- missing the deltoid and going into the joint (even with such a short needle). Yeouch.

Hmmm...where did the person giving those shots get his/her nursing license? Walmart or a Cracker Jack box? Anyone that cannot properly give an IM injection does not need to be working as a nurse, IMO. It is not a difficult task and the deltoid is a large enough muscle that proper placement should not be a problem for anyone.

0 Votes

I received the H1N1 vaccine 24 hours ago and my left arm also feels sore, kind of tingly and numb the entire arm, and the injection site still hurts as well. I've had other flu shots over the years and my arm has hurt for longer than the 1-3 days that they always tell me it will, but it has never felt like this! Thanks for this forum so we can compare side effects.

0 Votes
Specializes in pulm/cardiology pcu, surgical onc.
I received the H1N1 vaccine 24 hours ago and my left arm also feels sore, kind of tingly and numb the entire arm, and the injection site still hurts as well. I've had other flu shots over the years and my arm has hurt for longer than the 1-3 days that they always tell me it will, but it has never felt like this! Thanks for this forum so we can compare side effects.

I got mine yesterday and can't feel a thing.

0 Votes

Several of my coworkers had sore arms after getting this year's regular flu shoot (nothing like the OP describes though!). When I went to get mine, the nurse that gave it to me told me that the more I moved my arm afterwords the less likely I'd be to have pain. And she also humbly mentioned that the person giving the shot could have quite an effect on whether or not there was pain after. I was sure to move my arm all about after every time it crossed my mind (I'm sure I looked like an idiot-oh well), and really didn't have any soreness whatsoever. Not sure if it was that or the nurse though...

0 Votes

I got the flu shot nearly 6 weeks ago. It was higher up on the arm than usual. Felt fine when it was injected, but after a couple hours and ever since, my arm is sore. I cant put my arm under my pillow at night, work up 4 times last night, and have problems dressing (pulling stuff over my head). I never get the shot but was talked into it. Dont tell me to go to doctor cause I have no insurance. ANY SOLUTIONS?

0 Votes

My flu shot didn't hurt (regular or H1N1) What REALLY hurt was my pneumovax!!! I still have a 2.5cm knot in my arm and I got the shot 6 months ago!

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment