Sex: F
Vaccine: FLU3, FLU3, FLU3
Symptoms: Electromyogram, Injection site pain, Nerve injury, Physiotherapy, X-ray
Clinical narrative: This case was reported by a consumer via other manufacturer (CSL Behring) and described the occurrence of muscle atrophy in a female subject of unspecified age who was vaccinated with influenza virus vaccine (Influenza vaccine, GlaxoSmithKline). On 6 October 2009 the subject received unspecified dose of Influenza vaccine (unknown, right arm). In 2009, at an unspecified time after vaccination with Influenza vaccine, the subject experienced "serious" reaction (unspecified event) to the flu shot and loss of use of her right arm. On 27 October 2009, the subject presented to the emergency room with severe right arm pain. In 2009, at an unspecified time after vaccination with Influenza vaccine, the subject experienced nerve damage, deformity, dislocation, shoulder instability, muscle atrophy, devastating effects (nos), not sleeping and permanent damage. The subject was seen by several orthopedic doctors and two neurologists, and learned that the long thoracic nerve in her back had been severely damaged and because the long thoracic nerve was not working, her scapula was dislocated and deformed, sticking straight out of her back, leaving her shoulder completely unstable. The subject stated that "her doctors were 100 percent sure this was caused by the flu shot". She was advised this may be permanent. She reported that "once the muscle in her right arm completely atrophies, which it was doing, her arm will become weaker and weaker. The subject was told she may never play tennis again if this was the case." The subject reported being told there was a chance for recovery, "but only after months and months have passed". The female noted she was devastated and about this event and hadn't slept in two weeks. The subject believes that the proper individuals needed to be alerted about this event and wanted to know whether anyone else had suffered the same reaction, where the 'shot' originated from and if the 'shot' could have been tainted. The other manufacturer (CSL Behring) reported that the events were disabling. At the time of reporting the outcomes of the inability to use arm, unspecified event, arm pain, nerve damage, deformity, dislocation, shoulder instability, muscle atrophy, devastating effects (nos), not sleeping and permanent damage were unspecified.   1/4/2010 ED records received. Service date 10/27/09. Assessment: Shoulder sprain. Patient presents with (R) shoulder shooting pain, decreased range of motion, aggravated by movement. Anxious.  12/16/09 Orthopedic/Sports Medicine consultation records received. Service date 10/27/09.  Assessment: Possible injury to long thoracic nerve, cervical radiculopathy (R) upper extremity. Patient presents with (R) shoulder pain, (R) scapula wings outward.  12/16/09 Neurology/Rehabilitation consultation records received. Service date 11/12/09. Assessment: Acute long thoracic neuropathy. Four to five days after onset, shoulder pain cleared. Patient now presents with weak, unstable shoulder. Neck pain, joint stiffness, tingling, numbness. Weakness of the serratus anterior with winging of (R) scapula.