I got a flu shot the first week of November. Since that time I’ve had a constant dull ache around the site of the shot, that also radiates slightly down to about the elbow, and up into the shoulder. The arm also seems to be a bit weaker than normal. The pain becomes more intense if I lift my arm straight up or if a carry a heavy load.
The shot was administered by a traveling clinic that came to the company my wife works for. I thought this would go away in a few days, but it has lingered for more than a month. I have not been to see my doctor yet.
Is it possible the needle could have caused some kind of minor nerve damage? Any other ideas?
Yup - sounds like a neurapraxia. Injection site should be high up on the deltoid near the should and yours was likely a bit low (or just blind luck). Will eventually go away, but can take several weeks.
“sounds like a neurapraxia. Injection site should be high up on the deltoid near the should and yours was likely a bit low (or just blind luck). Will eventually go away, but can take several weeks.”
Thanks. Is there anything I can do to speed up the process?
No, not really. Nerve injuries (if so) heal pretty slowly, but they do. If you want to go the “holistic” route, you can try some extra Vit. B12/folic acid