The following story was submitted by a 47 year old member of the U.S. Air Force. If there are any other members of the military out there who would like to share their stories we would love to hear them. This disturbing story should cause us all to stop and think about what they are doing to our boys and girls in the military: I am 47 years old and am active duty Air Force. I got the H1N1 vaccine because it is mandatory for all active duty military personnel, as is the yearly flu vaccine. To give some background: I am very (or was) very healthy. Before my symptoms started to develop, I was running 3-4 times a week, lifting weights twice a week and I have played racquetball for the past 23 years (the past three years playing 1-2 times a week). I ran a marathon last September, and consider myself in excellent condition. I even scored 100% on my military physical fitness test last September. I now find it difficult to do every day things, like walking, driving, drying off from a shower, dressing and undressing, etc. I don’t sleep at night because I toss and turn in my sleep because of joint pain. If I stay in one position too long, the pain gets too bad. Then to roll over, the pain is terrible to move to a different position, which wakes me up.
I got the annual flu vaccine (intranasal – MedImmune, Inc.) on 16 Oct 09, and the H1N1 vaccine (Novartis Pharmaceuticals) on 13 Nov 2009, and started having joint pain around Thanksgiving day. Now it’s the worst pain of my life. I also starting taking Provigil on 13 Nov 09 for a sleeping disorder I was diagnosed with last September. I went to the doctor on 11 Dec 09 for severe pain in both shoulders, both elbows, both hips, both knees, both wrists, with a lump on the inside of my left wrist. I had 6 vials of blood drawn and x-rays taken of my shoulders and left wrist, and my doctor prescribed Ultram for the pain. The blood work and x-rays came back normal.
I went back to the doctor on 28 Dec 09, and she told me to stop the provigil for 30 days, as joint pain is one of several side effects I had from it. I stopped the provigil on 28 Dec 09 and my minor side effects went away after about 4 days, but my joint pain has not stopped, it has drastically increased. Two weeks ago I developed pain in both thumb knuckles, and now I am getting pain and losing strength in my hands. I now have pain in both bicep muscles. I also have jaw and neck pain and have had a headache for the last 3 weeks that won't go away. I also have times when I find it difficult to concentrate. I can no longer play racquetball or lift weights, and have a difficult time running longer than 20 minutes. I fight through the pain just to run that long. I was planning on running another marathon this coming March, but that’s pretty much out of the picture now.
To top it all off, I have had a severe case of the flu this past week (remember, I got both immunizations last Oct and Nov). I went to the ER on 23 Jan to test for pneumonia, and my heart rate was slower than normal. My average resting heart rate is 56, but it was 48. I had a follow-up with my doctor on 25 Jan. I told her my concerns about the possibilities of contracting an auto-immune disease from the H1N1 vaccine, and have several symptoms relating to Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Hypothyroidism. My doctor is sending me to a rheumatologist and a cardiac specialist for testing.
After all the research I have done the past few weeks on the dangers of the H1N1 vaccine, I wish I would have known about them beforehand. I would have fought to not get the vaccine. Has anyone else had these types of side effects, or has anyone been diagnosed with an auto-immune disease?
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments
I had the H1N1 vaccine on Dec 15 and started having symptoms about two weeks later that were mild. On Jan 9th I ended up in the ER with a BP of 180/119 and a HR in the 120′s. I had shortness of breath and chest pain.
A few days later my symptoms continued to get worse. Now I have been previously diagnosed with Lupus. But I had come out of a flare up only two months prior and was feeling great and fully recovered when I got the vaccine. My history is a flare up only once every two to five years. It is very UNLIKELY to get two flare ups back to back.
With that being said…I started to get severe headaches everyday. My joints are swelling and painful. My fingers, toes, lips, and even spots on my head will tingle and feel numb. My nail beds are while. My heart rate is still very rapid and I still have shortness of breath with any exertion other than basic walking. My left eye has gone blurry even though I just previously had an eye exam. I have gained weight I think by retaining fluid. I have more symptoms than I normally have in my previously flare and they are worse in intensity.
I regret getting the vaccine. “I had a delayed onset also”. I feel this vaccine launched a major auto immune attack on my body worse than I have ever experienced. Going grocery shopping the other day I thought I was going to collapse from chest pain and shortness of breath both of which I have not had previously.
There are more symptoms but too many to remember especially when trying to constantly battle a headache. I hope it runs it course and goes away, but my fear is the possible long term damage it is going to do to my body in the process. My Echo already showed mild effusion and holter monitor shows ongoing sinus tachycardia. My nail beds continue to stay white as they have never done before and the pain in my legs seems to get worse instead of better.
Anyone with any rheumatology disorder or actually anyone at all I would not recommend this shot.
This has cost me huge physically and financially. I am hoping that the government steps up to the plate and really looks into this. I reported my case by filing a report. I hope others that experience these types of problems will also.
PS: I am also a registered nurse that works in a hospital.
For the person in the Air Force if your really want to know if this vaccine launched an autoimmune attack in your body check out this website and I do believe it will answer your questions. Yes, you may have had an autoimmune disease, but it usually takes something to trigger it. I believe this vaccine is what triggered it for you (I am sorry to say) and a miserable flare up for me. I am praying there are no long term effects they find in years to come. I am thankful my daughter did not get it. I only got because I work in the hospital and it was encouraged as we deal with the sick patients. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Your story touched my heart. Here is the website I think you will be interested in:
http://vaccinations.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_swine_flu_shot_contains_dangerous_toxins
I got my H1NI sometime in Oct of 2009. One month later I started to have pain like a burning feeling in my sternum I had shortness of breath. I got the vaccine on my right arm and my right arm goes numb my finger, wrist and my shoulder has joint pain and my knees are starting to feel pain. oh im 24 years old and also considered my self as a healthy person now I have a hard time getting a good nights sleep.
I too had the H1N1 shot in Oct. Ten years ago they tested me for Lupas. Came back neg. I have had low white blood count for years. Still my doctor gave the shot to me. It has been 5 months now and I have just gone through TMJ (joint problems of the jaw.) Just this past week I now have Facet Disease,in my discs.Degenerative disc disease. I suffer with constant pain and fear the worst. Otherwise I was a healthy person. Wish I had never gotten this shot. I believe with having white blood count being low,brought on my joint pains!
I got my H1N1 in November 2009. I have never had any joint pain until after the H1N1 shot. I have since had Joint pain in different joints at different times since including wrist,elbows,shoulders, hips, knees,ankles, feet, hands. It seams to move around from area to area and wakes me up at night. This is March now and it is occuring a little less often.
I had the shot on 22Dec and symptoms of joint discomfort started about two weeks later. Today my two wrists have swellings on top and on the sides one knuckle is swollen and my shoulder is extremely painful. I can’t sleep at night because of the pain that moves around all of my joints. I’m scared!
I was administered the H1N1 vaccine in January of 2010. Shortly, thereafter (within 3 minutes) I became short of breath w/ chest tightness. I nearly passed out and was sent to the ER. At the ER, the doctor gave me a shot of ativan and I still had shortness of breath and an albuterol nebulizer. I still felt chest tightness and shortness of breath. It was obvious there was no protocol to follow for someone with a reaction to the H1N1 vaccine. I knew this ER doctor didn’t know how to treat me and discharged me and I left. I made a follow up with my primary care doctor and he mentioned that I had an allergic reaction to the H1N1 vaccine and asked if I was given a shot called, SoluMedrol in the ER and I said, “no”. He gave me a shot of SoluMedrol and I felt much better but, the shortness of breath and chest tightness came back within 2 days. Again, he gave me a short of SoluMedrol, and let me know that it would take about 3 months for the vaccine to exit out of my body, to drink lots of water, take an antihistamine and to think good thoughts. Again, I came back with shortness of breath to his office and he put me on a prednisone taper and that didn’t really help so, I asked to see an allergist to get tested for allergies. Supposedly, I am allergic to juniper and cottonwood and the allergist and asthma doc told me that maybe I was already short of breath because of the juniper blooming season and also had a reaction to the H1N1 vaccine. She is currently treating me with asthma medications and I am still having shortness of breath and chest tightness and what feels like spasms in my chest. My heart checked out very well. It is very frustrating and I am hoping that it is really related to the juniper season and that the H1N1 vaccine will not affect me like it has others. I am waiting. This is the second month after taking the H1N1 vaccine. I’ve reported the reaction in the VAERS system: http://vaers.hhs.gov/index
And am looking at the Compensation Program as well listed on the website.
I developed constant pain in my lower extremities
four weeks after the flu shot and can’t sleep at night
I hurt all the time more or less the symptoms are there. The vaccine was mandatory in my institution.
Thank you, I have recently been searching for information about this topic for ages and yours is the best I have discovered so far.
I had the H1N1 vaccine on Dec 15 and started having symptoms about two weeks later that were mild. On Jan 9th I ended up in the ER with a BP of 180/119 and a HR in the 120′s. I had shortness of breath and chest pain. A few days later my symptoms continued to get worse. Now I have been previously diagnosed with Lupus. But I had come out of a flare up only two months prior and was feeling great and fully recovered when I got the vaccine. My history is a flare up only once every two to five years. It is very UNLIKELY to get two flare ups back to back. With that being said…I started to get severe headaches everyday. My joints are swelling and painful. My fingers, toes, lips, and even spots on my head will tingle and feel numb. My nail beds are while. My heart rate is still very rapid and I still have shortness of breath with any exertion other than basic walking. My left eye has gone blurry even though I just previously had an eye exam. I have gained weight I think by retaining fluid. I have more symptoms than I normally have in my previously flare and they are worse in intensity. I regret getting the vaccine. “I had a delayed onset also”. I feel this vaccine launched a major auto immune attack on my body worse than I have ever experienced. Going grocery shopping the other day I thought I was going to collapse from chest pain and shortness of breath both of which I have not had previously. There are more symptoms but too many to remember especially when trying to constantly battle a headache. I hope it runs it course and goes away, but my fear is the possible long term damage it is going to do to my body in the process. My Echo already showed mild effusion and holter monitor shows ongoing sinus tachycardia. My nail beds continue to stay white as they have never done before and the pain in my legs seems to get worse instead of better. Anyone with any rheumatology disorder or actually anyone at all I would not recommend this shot. This has cost me huge physically and financially. I am hoping that the government steps up to the plate and really looks into this. I reported my case by filing a report. I hope others that experience these types of problems will also.
I too had the H1N1 shot in Oct. Ten years ago they tested me for Lupas. Came back neg. I have had low white blood count for years. Still my doctor gave the shot to me. It has been 5 months now and I have just gone through TMJ (joint problems of the jaw.) Just this past week I now have Facet Disease,in my discs.Degenerative disc disease. I suffer with constant pain and fear the worst. Otherwise I was a healthy person. Wish I had never gotten this shot. I believe with having white blood count being low,brought on my joint pains!
For 2 years my Dr. and I have been trying to figure out what is the matter with me. Pain jumps from joint to joint. The month prior I went to see him the pain was in my left hip, next month right hip and he looks at his notes and says last month it was your other hip! Month before that my shoulder. Year bf back, hand, neck, shoulder..etc. He was starting to think I was becoming a mental patient and so was I! Until I read this, I went through my files and found 1st treatment for joint pain was 1 month after I got H1N1 Spray, Nov, 2009…still have on and off joint pain Feb. 2011. There were some months of relief. Went to a rhuematologist who says I have a Low Level Auto Immune disease. He can’t tell me which one bc I’m not sick enough yet to tell me which one ! Is there anything I can do about this? Or will I just continue on in pain until my auto immune disease gets worse? Also have to wonder how many other people are going through this and don’t know why or even make this connection with H1N1???
My husband had his flu shot Oct 2010 and has bee having joint pain and stiffness since, in his shoulders, arms and knees. He doesn’t sleep well because of the pain and can’t lift his arms over his head. He has been on Prednisone, Celebrex and takes pain killers, none of which help. he has now been referred to a rheumatoid specialist. I would like to know if this is a permanent condition or if it will go away in time.
I am also in the Air Force Reserves. I am 45 years old. I have the exact same symtoms as the Airman that initiated this story. I received the H1N1/A/B Sanofil vaccine in January and I have been trying to find answers to my muscle and joint pain, headaches, shortness of breath. Has the Air Force medically discharged you? How are you feeling now?
I work in the medical field and it was mandatory for me to get the H1N1 vaccine. That was 1 1/2 years ago. I was picture perfect healthy at 50yrs old always on the run working hard. Now I am in so much pain all of my joints especially pain in my legs, I cannot barely walk or lift my legs when I get out if bed, it takes all of my might. I have no strength and the pain is in my muscles and bones. I am scared, I am scared it is a side effect from the vaccine. I have been having all wierd symptoms for the past year all auto immune like symptoms.I am a totlay changed person, does anyone ut there have viable information regarding long term side effects from this H1N1 vaccine?? HElp!!!
I received the Swine Flu vaccination mandated by the U.S. Army. Within hours I had pain in the respective arm that I received the shot. Almost 2 months later, the joint pain remains in my elbow and is getting worse. I have spoke about my condition with several medical personnel (all Army Soldiers, 2 of which were doctors) and each said my symptoms were unrelated. I disagree. I think the government has destroyed another Soldier’s life.
Hi. I am looking for answers. My husband 48 got a flu shot Sept 2011. A few days later he had pain in his right shoulder, which then went to his right knee. A few weeks later the pain went to his left Knee and shoulder. All the blood work is normal. He sees a rheumatoid specialist in two weeks. How long does this last? It is horrible.
Hi,
Carmen – I read your post and I feel I may have similar symptoms 2 days after having the flu jab. I was wondering if you are feeling better or still the same.
Also, anyone else who had joint pain/ muscle pain after the flu jab, can you please let me know if you’re feeling better or not.
Thanks
I had the flue vaccine early november 2011 and have been experiencing chest pain on the right side along with pain radiating to my right arm into my armpit. The pain can also be felt in the middle of my throat and into the glands on the right side of my neck. I’ve had symptoms for over 2 weeks now.
I received the H1N1 vaccine in Jan.2010 and had my first reaction in mid-March. I experienced severe aching of my entire body, severe chilling, elevated temp, headache, and restlessness that lasted about one week. It resolved entirely only to reoccur 3 wks later. Since then I had episodes of less severity, duration and frequency until May 2011. I did not have another episode until Nov.4,2011. This one lasted 10 days and was very severe. I, too, experience cardiac arrhythmias which resolve after 4-5 days. Treatment?
I’ve always been very active. I’m 48 and have had the start of some osteoarthritis but since I received the flu vaccine in Oct all of my joints have started aching. If I sit for more than 20 min. It hurts to stand and walk. Joints that hurt before are worse and others that never hurt do now, especially my hips. The only thing I can relate it to is the flu vaccine. I think it’s too progressive too quickly to be a normal course of degenerative arthritis. Wondering if I should report this or if there’s anything I can do about it. I’ve been to a chiropractor and I’ve had 2 full body massages.ibuprofen also helps. Light exercising and stretching is also helpful. But I’m used to high impact workouts! I read these reports and think we may be experiencing something worth investigating . I’m not discouraging the flu vaccine, it saves many lives. Just wondering if I should receive it next year,or if changes need to be made with its ingredients, or what others think. There’s power in knowledge but want it to be factual. Thanks.
My last flu vaccination (2007), initiated severe knee-joint inflammation and pain that lasted for approximately 6 months.
Hey There Thevaccinesideeffects,
Cool Post, Some people may experience mild joint pain from minor injury; however, the pain can often by subsided simply by resting. That being said, there are others who have joint pain for various reasons such as infections, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory conditions and degenerative diseases.
I look forward to your next post
One Person CAN Make A Difference!
Wow! You all have described my symptoms exactly. I am 58 and have always been strong and active. I had the H1N1 vaccine on Oct 11, 2011 because I work at a hospital and about two weeks later I came home with flu like symptoms. I know that the virus is dead and cannot cause the flu, so I just thought it was a fluke and would pass. I began to experience stiffness and fever on the drive home from work and had incredible difficulty getting out of my truck at home and walking up the steps to the front door. The fever went away overnight with ibuprofen but the stiffness has lingered and has become more severe with time. My stiffness also moves from joint to joint, but it seems my knees and wrists are the worst. I have had some morning stiffness for a few years and accepted it as the product of age and overuse. My BP went up to the point that I have had to start meds, and have begun meloxicam for the pain and stiffness. It has helped somewhat. At least now I can sleep a few hours a night. My BP is still out of safe range and I will likely have to incresase the medication to keep it in check. I have read all of your comments and can identify with very many of them. Some are a mirror image of what I have experienced. The problem seems to be in the solution. Has anyone found an openminded physician that may have a way to reverse or at least arrest the effects of this?
I got my flu shot about 3 weeks ago,Late November 2011. This description from http://www.flu.gov “The 2011-2012 flu vaccine protects against an influenza A H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the 2009 H1N1 virus that caused so much illness last season.” I have never had any more than a slightly sore arm for a day or two from past vaccines, When I got this one, I had the usual slight soreness in the injection site that was gone in a day or so, but a few days later my deltoid muscle in the arm of the injection became sore and ached a bit, kind of like I had worked out or slept on it wrong. It has not gone away but has become worse and spread to my biceps, triceps and the muscles of my forearm….and to other spots on the same side(right) of my body including neck, ribs, hips and leg…and I have felt kind of crummy. Just today it occurred to me it might be connected to the vaccine. So I went to the web and to my surprise found that there are many similar complaints from others after getting this year’s vaccine and also in prior years. I am a bit relieved to at least think I may know the cause and a little anxious as I am not sure if this will go away or will continue and get worse. I have taken acetaminophen and my mom’s tramadol for the pains, especially in the AM when I first get up and at night to help to go to sleep. A heating pad helps and, I have also found that light excercise and stretching helps. For now I will follow good health habits, nutrition, etc. and think positive. I agree with Donna that the flu vaccine in general is good prevention of a serious disease, but there are adverse effects, and we need to be informed.
I am so glad to read these posts! Although I am sad there are so many of us suffering. I also received the flu shot for the first time in my life in mid November and now have joint pain that has become so severe I can no longer walk for more than a minute or two at a time. My ankles, knees and hips hurt continuously and the pain becomes severe if I am in one position too long. I began going to Physical Therapy and the therapist recommended massage with was painful but helped for a day. We have both been puzzled by this pain since I was a healthy and active person before this started and there is no injury to link it to. Does anyone also have unusual rashes? I have had several in different parts of my body and my doctor has said they are like an autoimmune disease but isn’t sure what to make of it. I am miserable and would welcome any ideas for relief.
Got my flu shots the last two years and I’m beginning to realize that my wrist pain, shoulder pain, index finger swelling and stiffness, and TMJ may have been caused by them. I have trouble doing routine things like opening jars, doors, and sleeping because of the aches and pains.
I have the same symptoms after a trivalent flu vaccine in October that included 2 strains of the swine flu virus. I have consulted several nurses and my pharmacist who are adamant that they have never heard of such an adverse reaction to the flu shot. I have had severe joint pain since just a few hours after the vaccine, arms are too week to lift, bouts of increased pulse rate, elevated BP and night sweats. At this point I am reasy to see a doctor…if nothing else to treat these terrible symptoms.
I just wrote a long post and the system booted me, Here is a recap in a nutshell:
1- pain a injection site that spread to neck and became stiff (all arm and shoulder and neck) it eased in time, 6 weeks or more but never left. 2009
2- carpal tunel diagnosed in both wrists, I was offered an operation to release the joints. FALL -2009 and still goign on.
3- Tendonitis in both shoulders, any physical affort produces a painful flare up, I am in pain all the time and wake up with “arms on fire” feelinng if I life anything heavier that 25 pounds. This has not gone away. Fall 2009 and Winter 2010 and got worse until now, still going on.
4- Plantar fascitiis in both feet. Heel spur in left foot. Eased after a year of HOT YOGA, pain was excrutiating.2010 – 2011 (now ended)
5-left hip tendonitis and left knee tendonitis. In full flare from 2010-2011
6-Heart arythmia – was hospitalised in emergency and diagnosed with mild arythmia.
7- Sleep disturbances from pain – was tested all night in hospital sleep room for apnea etc and was told I wake up with sudden and obvious pain bursts and cramps. (once awake I use the loo and fall back asleep) it occurs about 5 or 6 times per night.
I was very healthy, 45, and worked out 5 times a week, now I can barely keep my day job, I oversleep daily to make up for the and I take pain medication. I am 47 and feel like 97. I continue bikram hot yoga it is the only thing that helps as well as eating vegan.
I got the flu shot mid-November. Right away my arm was sore (needles and pins). Then next day I had severe pain in my back – top, left side. The pain shoots from back to front near my left breast. This has continued every day, off and on, every since. It was so bad that I went to emergency and had tests – no heart attack. The doctor on call thought it was muscle and nerve related. He thought that as a follow up I should go to a heart specialist – today I go, and I know if I mention it was caused from the flu shot he will brush it off. However, I know that it was from the shot. I can’t walk very far because I get this sharp pain in my chest, back and arm and shortness of breath. I am glad I found this message board as many have the same symptoms that proves to me that I am not crazy.
For weeks I thought my mind was going. crazy. Then today I found this web site. In early December 2011 I had the combination swine and flu vaccination. This is the first time this combination has been given here in the uUK. A few weeks later and almost every joint in my body has ached. A simple thing like bending or playing guitar has become now so painfull. There seems to be tendenitis in both my thumb joints, severe pain in my lower back and hips. The pain moves randomly from joint to joint. My Dr is sending me to a Rheumatologist as my recent blood works are normal. I was put on very strong painkillers yesterday but so far they have had no affect on the pain. I will of course persevere. Thanks to everyone for being so honest and at least giving me a possible reason for my pain. I agree that the vaccination does save lives but something should be done to protect those like us who are vulnerable to side effects of medication. This was the first time I had ever taken the flu vaccination. Medication of any kind affects me but I was recently diagnosed with diabetes type 2. They said I was inone of the at risk groups and the vaccination was advisable. I have no doubt the medical proffession here will never admit that my symptoms are related to the combination flu vaccine. I hope everyone does get better from these awful side effects.