Age: 61.0
Sex: F
Vaccine: FLU3
Symptoms: Activities of daily living impaired, Discomfort, Injection site pain, Mobility decreased, Pain
Clinical narrative: Pain upon movement of left arm and shoulder pain when getting dressed, showering any normal or sudden movement involving left arm and shoulder where the injection was administered. On Oct. 15, 2014, at the County Public Health Clinic; I received a flu shot. The Nurse that gave me a the flu shot asked if I prefer to have it in my right arm or left arm and I replied I always have the flu shot in my left arm and advised her to do so in my left arm. She proceeded to rub alcohol onto my left upper arm area just below shoulder, however shot was actually higher than the intended area swabbed with alcohol and landed into my left shoulder. I remember commenting that was little high and the nurse said I should be alright and to notice some discomfort for a few days. My daughter asked to see my flu shot and I showed her and we both agreed was higher up the left arm and in shoulder area. The following weeks began experiencing discomfort and pain in left shoulder and upper arm area. There was difficulty with normal movement as well as reaching, holding items such as cans or bottles I sometime use my left hand even though I am right handed. There are instances where both hands are required with normal activity such as getting dressed, bathing, fixing hair all are now painful to me and quire limited as to my left arm engaging in these everyday normal activities. Even laying down to sleep I am experiencing such discomfort and pain. I finally concluded over the counter aids were not helping and that this was not going away and went to my primary care doctor. I did not have insurance until November 2014 so there was a lapse of time when I was not insured here in this state having moved here from another state in August 2014; otherwise I would have gone to the primary care doctor I chose with my plan and now I wished I had waited. My Doctor prescribed muscle relaxer and pain medication along with XRays. This was helpful to me only temporarily and could not take while driving so I took mostly at bedtime or when I knew I would not be driving. I was referred to an Orthopedic Doctor who gave me cortisone tablets which indeed did help but again only temporarily and was referred for Physical Therapy. I am still undergoing Physical Therapy which helps but at the same time hurts due to the movement of exercises of my left arm. I returned to Clinic for the VAERS filing and the nurse and staff were not very helpful and claimed to know nothing about such a form. The nurse that administered the flu shot kept telling me to wait while she finds out what to do. The nurse came back with the form and showed it to me and I said yes that was it. The nurse was reluctant and again asked me to wait while she checks something upon returning to her office the nurse told me that she administered the shot in my right arm. I immediately said Oh No and that she gave me the shot in my left arm and I remember her asking me and I told her I always get the flu shot in my left arm and that is where I got it my left arm; shoulder actually since it was higher than I had ever gotten it. Nurse became very belligerent with me and insisted I didn't remember, which is absurd; of course I know what arm I received flu shot and the bandage. Then I realized the Nurse was elderly and made a mistake; two actually, in administering the shot and documenting the route/body site area or could she be attempting to cover up her mistake. Unfortunately for me her mistake(s) and or the flu shot itself had a direct impact on me causing me much pain and suffering. I continue to pray that this is not permanent and I get better, that my arm returns to normal the way it was before that fateful visit to the County Public Health Clinic. Physical therapy and these co-payments are costly and I pray I have all the treatments and medications needed to have the normal use of my left arm.