With thanks to
whatanightmare for posting this on another discussion, sharing it here now for all to see:
I have also found research that associates adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) to the flu shot--actually
in this forum! I have come across many other medical forums as well that have similar postings of people who have had no prior shoulder problems and immediately after getting a vaccination in the arm have pain that lasts a significant amount of time (months & even years). THAT to me is an association and I hope that all of these individuals are filing a VAERS report (Vaccine Adverse Events Report System)!! ANY kind of "adverse" reaction should be reported. That is the only way the CDC and FDA will make the needed changes in their guidelines. They need to list this in their "possible side effects" and inform the public of
all risks. They also need to change the guidelines for healthcare professionals administering the injection. I am an RN myself and will never get this flu shot again. That is my choice, however you can request that they give it in your gluteal muscle (butt) or as Dr. Moser commented; get the FluMist if you are eligible. My opinion is that it has more to do with the injection itself--and not the vaccine. There is a theory that the vaccine is being injected into the joint capsule or bursa and causing an overactive immune-mediated inflammatory response. Especially if you have had the vaccine before. If you go back a few pages on this thread, "myarmhurtstoo" has posted many wonderful links to learn more about this strange reaction many people are experiencing. The most interesting one is a transcript of a meeting held in Sept. 2010 with the (ACCV) Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines (part of the Dept. of Health and Human Services). They are well aware of all the shoulder injuries happening as a result of the flu shot (and other vaccinations given in the arm) and they even have an acronym for it: SIRVA (Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration) Anyhow within this meeting they discuss their findings and discuss possible solutions for prevention. Of course nothing has happened yet! Heres the link:
www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation/accvtranscript9310.pdf If you go to this link, it starts at about page 15 to page 25. Dr. S. Atanosoff and assoc. did a study and a medical journal published it about this same time. I have tried to find it online, but ended up having to purchase it through PubMed. This article is only 4 pages but tell the WHOLE STORY.
If you are interested in this study try this link:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20955829.
I only hope people will continue to spread the word about this possible side effect and report their own experience to the CDC--here is the website to do that (VAERS)
http://vaers.hhs.gov/esub/index . If you go to this website you can also find the database which shows a summary of ALL listed adverse side effects of all the vaccines--VERY interesting stuff. You can scroll down and find plenty of "shoulder problems" like ours. And apparently only 10% of people actually report their adverse reactions. So I am convinced there IS a definite connection, even though I have had 3 doctors so far tell me there is NO connection. Well, it has been 3 weeks for me since my flu shot in my left arm. I started PT today and tomorrow I finally get my MRI. Although this shot was mandatory for my job, work comp is not covering me. Thank God I have insurance. My ortho doc also approved me for 6 weeks off work, so I am in the process of filing for disability. The hardest part for me is not being able to swim! I feel awful for anyone out there that does not have insurance. I do believe that there is a way to receive compensation (save all your bill statements) from the state:
www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation.