Age: 67.0
Sex: F
Vaccine: FLU4, RSV
Symptoms: Rotator cuff syndrome, Sleep disorder, Tendon disorder, Vaccination site pain
Clinical narrative: I have detailed the timeline including the event, attempts to get help, severity of symptoms, doctor and test visits, etc. completely on the Continuation Page so it is easier for me to type and you to read.   I am distressed about pain that is still in shoulder joints and my limited range of motion, especially doing simple, everyday tasks like this:  sitting at the computer and typing on the keyboard. "The little research available suggests that people with SIRVA who get treatment show modest' improvements. But some have symptoms that never go away completely. For instance, it's possible to have ongoing shoulder pain and less range of motion ~ Sep 5, 2023."    PLEASE TELL ME THE NEXT STEP, not just that there is an "open ticket" or "things are being looked into." I am not sure of the vaccines EXACT names.  I looked at my patient portal for store and they only had general names of "influenza" and "RSV," not the specifics that your form has on the drop-down menu.  Consequently, I just picked the first one in each category in order to complete the form.   December 20, 2023: I received Influenza Vaccine in Right arm and RSV in Left arm in afternoon.  I observed NO actual MEASUREMENT of placement of the shot site as is recommended by medical specialists.  Both shoulder pain and negative side effects began that very evening.  Sleep was impossible b/c of shoulder pain.  By morning, NO range of motion for either shoulder, for example, trying to lift a spoon to eat.  Within a few days, the left side showed slight improvement, but the pain in the right side shoulder joint was debilitating.  December 20, 2024: I began keeping a journal to document vaccine effects, symptoms, treatments, etc.  December 20 to December 31, 2024:  Sudden onset and prolonged negative side effects after these two shots included headache, chills, muscle aches, low-grade fever, fatigue, nausea, pain at site of vaccination.   I understand this is not actually the flu but side effects are likely due to my poor immune system and age.  I was bedridden for almost two weeks (canceling Christmas).  January 1, 2024: Most side effects had generally abated and finally I was ambulatory.  Still, the shoulder joint pain was SEVERE, despite all that rest and ice-packs on my shoulder joints while bedridden.   I could lift my left arm some so did what I could left-handed.  I lost family time, I was unable to work on my child- psychology project in conjunction with other company, and I had to hire a handyman for activities such as installing a new bathroom rod; many other expenses were incurred.    January 2, 2024:  First day doctors' offices opened after the holidays, I called my Primary Care Physician (PCP), Dr.  My vaccine reaction met the criteria for SIRVA as per CDC publication (including "Update on SIRVAAdvisory Committee on ImmunizationsCenters for Disease Control and Prevention").  Dr referred me to my established spinal care/pain management specialist, Dr, at Pain Institute (PI), as PCP is a general practitioner not specialist.  The first available appointment at PI was 2 weeks out with a new Physician Assistant (PA).  January 14, 2024:  Appointment at pain center with PA verified that indeed there was pain and inflammation, but MRIs were required before any treatment. I expressed extreme consternation that untreated SIRVA can lead to a host of negative impacts and implications: sleep deprivation, poor ability to perform basic hygiene, lack of/decrease in exercise and work duties, financial burden, and decreased emotional and social wellbeing.  She called in a small temporary pain relief prescription, and wrote scripts for the MRI of both shoulders.    February 8, 2024:  MRIs scheduled for both shoulder on this date, earliest appointment available.  THEN they said the MRI MACHINE HAD BROKEN (!!!) and next available time was in March! OTC medications did nothing to relieve pain (a phenomenon supported by SIRVA research), and there was no refill on prescription pain relief pills, which would require another actual office visit (first available: one month out).    February 12, 2024: Fortuitously, there was a last-minute cancellation but I could only have one shoulder examined.  Due to the severity of pain, I chose Right shoulder.  I have had many MRIs due to my back and this one was so painful, I was sobbing inside the tank because the technician had to twist my arm, and weigh my hand down to "open the shoulder joint for the radiologist" and then leave it like that for the entire scan.  I admonished to stop moving to get a good picture, when I was in fact sobbing, which shockingly does involvement involuntary movement.  Thus the simple step of getting influenza and RSV vaccines to keep myself healthy resulted in a medical procedure which in other circumstances would be considered physical torture.   Thankfully, the front desk clerk helpfully printed out a CD of the MRI image for my pain management appointment the next morning. Note that by taking this last-minute cancellation I had drive to distant part of the county and walk in a dark, empty parking lot at night in a scary and unfamiliar neighborhooda nice touch of emotional trauma on top of the physical trauma.   February 13, 2024, Morning:  I presented the hard-won MRI image of my Right shoulder at the PI clinic the next morning.  The PA, did not accept the image saying she had to have "the actual Radiologist Report in writing."  Since I have watched various doctorsincluding including Dr, my physician thereread and interpret MRI scans on CD or through the available portal right during previous appointments, I knew it could be done. Despite my extreme level of pain, having the actual image and specifically asking for my physician, I was told nothing could be done without the printed radiologist report.  She called in a small temporary pain relief prescription and squeezed me in for the follow-up appt the next week.    February 13, 2024, Evening:  Second MRI, this one of Left Shoulder.  Painful but not as bad as Rght.  February 20, 2024:  Arrived at PI with both MRI reports printed out from the radiologist.  FINALLY, I got relief from "Trigger Point Injection 1/2 Musc and Triamcinolone acet inj NOS" (copied from PI health records).  Relief was immediateI could actually put my shirt on by myselfbut I was cautioned that the injection had lanolin for immediate effect but it may take longer for steroids to take effect.    February 20, 2024:  Went directly to store vaccination location to report the entire incident.  The pharmacist, who did the administration, was not there.  I spoke with the head pharmacist.  He seemed concerned, asked for details, said he was "opening a ticket" to report it to CDC, and I would be hearing from either store or CDC or most likely both soon.  So far, nothing.  February 26, 2024:  The injections thankfully provided some relief but I continue to experience pain and limited range of motion.  Knowing the severity of long-term issues and the poor projected outcomes for SIRVA, I am distressed about the prognosis.  When I asked if the injections would clear it up or if there would be chronic condition I would now have to deal with forever, the PA could/would not give a definitive answer.    March 11, 2024:  Next follow-up appointment scheduled (with PA).  I understand there will be no more injections for 3 months, but my case will be monitored.  OF CONCERN:  The pain is still in shoulder joints, especially doing simple, everyday tasks like this:  sitting at the computer and typing on the keyboard. "The little research available suggests that people with SIRVA who get treatment show modest' improvements. But some have symptoms that never go away completely. For instance, it's possible to have ongoing shoulder pain and less range of motion ~ Sep 5, 2023."    PLEASE TELL ME THE NEXT STEP, not just that there is an "open ticket" or "things are being looked into."