Age: 56.0
Sex: U
Vaccine: PPV
Symptoms: Neck pain, Nerve conduction studies normal, Neurological examination abnormal, Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging normal, Pain in extremity
Clinical narrative: Received pneumonia shot on 11/11/2009 when they came to our company to give either flu or pneumonia shots. I paid $45 for the shot, which was given by a nurse w/health services. Nov 11th 2009 received a pneumonia shot. Day of vaccine there was pain in area around the shot area as there is normally when the vaccine is injected. Nov 12th pain in arm area spread to shoulder. Nov 13th Pain spread across neck & to right shoulder plus to a spot in the middle of my back. The pain then spread to my arms and hands. I thought I could work through the pain and it would go away but it kept getting worse in the coming weeks. The pain is like when your arm or hand falls asleep & it starts to regain feeling and when it gets to the point of a severe pain, between being numb & waking up but the pain stayed at the severe pain point. Dec Went to my doctor and was able to see the physician's assistant. I said to the doctor all this started the day after I received the pneumonia vaccination but he said it wouldn't have anything to do with it. Since I had previously had lower back trouble they set me up for x-rays & MRI. Jan 10 Had Sensory Nerve Conduction test done to see if, I was told results are O.K. March referred to (Neck & Back) Dr. March 3/2/10 X-rays & MRI for (cervical spine w/o contrast). No major problems. Impressions (multi level small disc. Otherwise unremarkable examination). March Started 3 weeks of physical therapy 2 to 3 times a week. Seemed to help but only during therapy. Pain lessened slightly but as soon as I went back to work (each day) and at night, the pain came back to full force. April or May Went back to doctor 3 times and he had me do 2 more weeks of therapy. Same results. Was told by doctor after the MRI there isn't anything he sees that should be causing the pain. I also told doctor about the problem starting right after the pneumonia shot and he also said "Oh that shouldn't have anything to do with it". It's like none of the doctor's wanted to listen to or care about what I was telling them. June or July Went back to doctor for a fifth appt. I didn't get to see doctor but his assistant and was told they didn't need to see me anymore. All she said was go to a chiropractor or massage therapist but they didn't even have to explain anything the whole time I went to doctor, all he did was sit across the room and talk to me. A couple of times he had me push on his hands. August 2010 I still was having the severe pain in finger, hand, arms and shoulder plus 2 spots 1-top of neck - 1 spot middle of my back. I went to my family doctor & he referred me to a neurological surgeon. I had to have the doctor's office set up the appointment and after 3 calls back to the office and a visit from my wife, the set up an appointment (1 month later). Sept (2010) I went to see Dr. and I took my x-rays & MRI with me. The doctor looked at the x-rays & MRI and came in and told me, "the good news is you don't need us, but you need to see a neurological surgeon that deals on the inside of the spine," so he set up an appointment with another doctor. After looking at the results of the previous x-rays, MRI & SNC tests and doing an exam and talking to me, he found out the reason for all the pain was from the pneumonia shot. He had me start on Gabapentin (300 mg - capsule). The starting helping the pain right away. The pain in the shoulders, arms, hands and fingers mostly stays away for about 6-7 hours after taking pain pills then I can feel the pain & sensation starting again, then I take the next pill (1 every 8 hrs) and it starts taking effect about an hr. after I take it. I am on the pills until June to see if they help and to see if my body can fight off the problem by itself. I also have been getting numbness around my mouth and some problems with my feet & legs. Today May 22nd Ever since this problem started it is worse when I sit w/o moving very much and becomes worse at night when I am sitting around home and laying down to sleep. There are some nights it becomes very painful. I can no longer sleep on my side as I always had done. The pain lessens when I am up and moving around. My job requires me to sit for from 10-12 hrs a day. Some days it is a struggle to just stay at work & when it became stressful the pain becomes much worse. I do not miss work at all and have been doing the job for about 28 years (40 years with this company). I don't know where to go from here since the problem isn't going away, but I wish I had never received the pneumonia shot! I went 11 1/2 months with very severe pain and no one would listen to me at least the gabapentin is helping with the very severe pain! June 6 The problem seems to be spreading to my legs and other parts of my body. Any help or suggestion would be greatly appreciated.