Comments on: Severe Joint Pain After Getting The H1N1 Vaccine

By: John Duff

John Duff — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:21:30 +0000

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.

By: Janice R

Janice R — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:22:58 +0000

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.

By: danie

danie — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 04:32:37 +0000

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.

By: Jlong

Jlong — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 13:15:50 +0000

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.

By: Wayne

Wayne — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 07:31:34 +0000

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.

By: Mary

Mary — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:09:26 +0000

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.

By: Aggie

Aggie — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 01:03:34 +0000

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.

By: Michael Healey

Michael Healey — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:59:53 +0000

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?

By: Sheryl

Sheryl — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:36:16 +0000

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!

By: John L.

John L. — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 01:35:29 +0000

My last flu vaccination (2007), initiated severe knee-joint inflammation and pain that lasted for approximately 6 months.

By: Donna

Donna — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 00:45:20 +0000

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.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:28:09 +0000

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?

By: Beth

Beth — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 04:50:54 +0000

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.

By: Clemence Smith

Clemence Smith — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:01:21 +0000

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

By: Carrie

Carrie — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:52:13 +0000

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.

By: Marie

Marie — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:47:05 +0000

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.

By: Carmen

Carmen — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 18:20:52 +0000

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!!!

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 21:52:08 +0000

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?

By: Wendy B

Wendy B — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 17:39:23 +0000

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.

By: Donna

Donna — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 01:54:44 +0000

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???

By: Sophie Ortega

Sophie Ortega — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 09:26:39 +0000

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!

By: Sharron Clemons

Sharron Clemons — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 21:11:46 +0000

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.

By: physiotherapist jobs

physiotherapist jobs — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 00:08:56 +0000

Thank you, I have recently been searching for information about this topic for ages and yours is the best I have discovered so far.

By: RCD

RCD — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 03:44:59 +0000

I received the h1n1 shot about a year ago from the US Navy. I spent 2 weeks in pain, out to sea where they work you to death, and thought I was relatively fine. Now it is a year later, and it feels like all of the joints in my body are worn out! What is going on here? What did the Government do to us?? They sure did rush all these vaccinations out quick. I am so scared, because I am supposed to be going on deployment for 7 months in a couple of weeks, and it is starting to feel like I can’t function at all!! What is going on????

By: Elo

Elo — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 16:42:17 +0000

I am an RN here in Texas. The H1N1 vaccine was pretty much mandatory for all healthcare workers. I am 33 years old and have never had any health problems that I know of. Last year in November I received the H1N1 vaccine and 2 weeks later I started having joint pain. The pain was on all my joints (neck, shoulders, wrists, hands, hips, knees, ankles, and feet) I continued to go to work with the help of my husband. He had to help me bathe and drive me to work because I could no longer do those things. My co-workers were also very helpful. It got to a point where I couldn’t even open the morphine vials or spike the IV bags, so they did that for me. Around March, I finally decided to go to the doctor. They ran all kinds of tests. Everything kept coming back negative. I told them that it all started 2 weeks after the H1N1 vaccine and they said that wasn’t a side effect. Finally, they said that the RF(rheumatoid factor) came back positive. They made me an appointment to the Rheumatologist Clinic. The rheumatologist doctor started me on methotrexate and a low dose of prednisone for 3 weeks until the methotrexate kicks in. The pain went away while I was on the prednisone, but as soon as I finished the prednisone the pain started again. It is now July, and I am still in excruciating pain. Since then, the doctor has increased my methotrexate and ordered Simponi. I still haven’t taken the Simponi injection because I am waiting for my insurance to approve the medication. I wish I would never have taken the H1N1 vaccine. I don’t care what anyone says, I know my body and I never had any of these problems before. I just hope that this joint pain isn’t going to be with me for the rest of my life.

By: another one

another one — Wed, 26 May 2010 23:02:40 +0000

i have pain in my legs and painful lumps inder the skin for the last six months
started suddenly after the shot and developed in chronic pain syndrome
i have lost 15 Lb and my present w/u is negative
I suffer daily

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 25 May 2010 18:06:01 +0000

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.

By: carrie

carrie — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 00:59:46 +0000

two weeks after I received the swine flu shot. I started having muscle spasms, weird tingling feeling in my head, and felt really out of it. I went to two different doctor’s they did blood work which was fine and told me I had anxiety. I have been stressed out in college and never had muscle spasms or felt out of it. Every time I exercise, after I have tons of muscle spasms. Has anyone else had these symptoms? I also ache in my back and fingers.What should I do? What doctors should I see?

By: Katie

Katie — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 06:53:17 +0000

I am also an RN and I had received the seasonal flu shot and then the H1N1 vaccine within weeks of eachother (which I was told was fine) This was in early Novermber, a few weeks later I would wake up weak and achey, but thought nothing much of it. Then I started having shoulder pain, and then carpal tunnel symptoms on the r arm/hand. The symptoms then started on the Left arm/hand. I was seen by a neurologist who did a nerve conduction test and an EMG, which showed “mild carpal tunnel only on the r arm, meanwhile I had symtoms on both sides. then I started having swelling of my hands and feet, my primary doc put me on a diuretic and sent me for an echo and blood work. Echo, CBC, Comp, TSH, lymes,ANA, Rheumatoid factor, ESR all came back negative. The swelling got worse, I couldn’t wear my wedding rings, and then I started having knee pain. The knee pain and shoulder pain kept me up at night. The primary care doctor then said I should go see a rheumatologist. My hands got worse and I started having contractures of my middle three fingers. So over a 3 month period I went from healthy to disabled!! I am 25 years old and have a son who just turned one, so this was very devastating. Once I saw the Rheumatologist in Feb, he diagnosed me with Rheumatoid arthritis, even though all of my test results came back negative. I don’t believe this is what I have, I have no family history, my labs are negative, it just dosen’t make sense! I am getting a second opinion on the 26th. I didn’t think that this could be related to the vaccines but after reeading this I am thinking it may…

By: Kym

Kym — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:13:27 +0000

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.