Received Mar 2, 2026
| Type | Name | Manufacturer | Dose | Lot | Route / Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FLU3 | INFLUENZA (SEASONAL) (FLUCELVAX) | SEQIRUS, INC. | 1 | 407001 | IM / LA |
I received the flu vaccine at work on November 6, 2025, and it seemed more painful than usual by that evening. I know that shots can be painful, though, so I figured it would naturally feel better with time. It didn't. Two weeks after the shot, I was actually getting worse. My range of motion was severely limited, I couldn't use my left arm without intense pain, and the pain was even keeping me awake at night. I went to my primary care doctor on November 20, 2025. He ran a battery of tests and determined I would need an X-ray and an MRI. His notes read, "Pain noted with certain movements and resistance tests involving the shoulder. Decreasing left shoulder flexion abduction and external rotation. Positive straight arm raise test. Positive Hawking sign on the left side." The MRI on December 6, 2025, confirmed the damage from the injection. I have a much more detailed description, but here are the simplified results from the MRI: "IMPRESSION: 1. Mild supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendinopathy. 2. Although labral evaluation is limited, suspect nondisplaced posterosuperior labral tear. Consider MR arthrography. 3. Mild subacromial subdeltoid bursitis." After seeing the MRI results, my doctor recommended I see an orthopedic surgeon and take Aleve for pain. I saw the orthopedist on January 7, 2026, and he reiterated the MRI findings, saying, "There is rotator cuff tendon tendinopathy without full-thickness tear. There is subdeltoid and subacromial bursitis present." He ordered Meloxicam and Voltaren gel prescriptions, and also ordered physical therapy. I began physical therapy on January 15, 2026. My Quick DASH scores were noted, "Quick DASH Scores (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) Quick DASH Total Score/Disability: 31.82," which translates to mild to moderate functional limitation that affects daily activities. I began exercises that day and have been seen weekly since. Progress has been slow, but some has been made. At the close of the recommended 6 weeks, it was suggested I continue for at least another 4 weeks. I have diligently done the PT home exercises, and I still have pain that impacts me daily.
None
Endometriosis
Ammonium lactate 12% lotion, Buspirone 10 mg tablet, Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) 50 mcg (2000 unit) capsule, Norgestimate-Ethinyl estradiol 0.25-35 mg-mcg tablet, Vitamin B-12 injection
Sulfa
Testing dates & results 11/06/25: Vaccine injury. 11/20/25: Primary care appointment. Results: Physical ExamRespiratory: Clear to auscultation, no wheezing, rales or rhonchiCardiovascular: Regular rate and rhythm, no murmurs, rubs, or gallops Musculoskeletal: No signs of arthritis in the shoulder area. AC joint is normal. No cracking or popping sounds. No secondary signs of infection or fluid accumulation. Pain noted with certain movements and resistance tests involving the shoulder. Decreasing left shoulder flexion abduction and external rotation. Positive straight arm raise test. Positive Hawking sign on the left side. The symptoms suggest an issue within the joint and rotator cuff, specifically the supraspinatus tendon. An x-ray will be conducted today to assess joint space and potential arthritic changes. If the x-ray is normal, an MRI will be ordered to evaluate the tendons and muscles for any tears. (X-ray was normal.) 12/06/25: MRI. Results: IMPRESSION:1. Mild supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendinopathy.2. Although labral evaluation is limited, suspect nondisplacedposterosuperior labral tear. Consider MR arthrography.3. Mild subacromial subdeltoid bursitis.NarrativeMRI LEFT SHOULDER NONCONTRASTHISTORY: Left shoulder pain for six weeks after flu shotCOMPARISON: Left shoulder x-rays 11/20/2025TECHNIQUE: Multiplanar, multi-sequential imaging of the left shoulderutilizing the standard protocol without contrast.FINDINGS: Mild supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendinopathy. Mildenthesopathic cystlike/edematous change at the greater tuberosityposteriorly. Teres minor and subscapularis tendons intact.Intra-articular long head biceps tendon intact. Mild to moderate fluidin the long head biceps tendon sheath.Labral evaluation limited on this non arthrographic exam. Suspectnondisplaced posterosuperior labral tear. No paralabral cyst.Mild posterior decentering of the humeral head. No fracture ordislocation. No full-thickness glenohumeral chondral defect orsubchondral bone marrow edema. Small glenohumeral joint effusion withfluid predominating in the subscapularis recess.No significant acromioclavicular osteoarthritis. Mild lateraldownsloping of the acromion in the coronal plane. Thickenedcoracoacromial ligament.Mild fluid in the subacromial subdeltoid bursa. No muscle atrophy. 01/07/26: Orthopaedic Surgeon. Results: Examination of the left shoulder with skin exposed demonstrates intact skin without wounds or ecchymosis. There is normal bulk of the trapezius, deltoid, and periscapular muscles without atrophy. No atrophy of the supraspinatus or infraspinatus fossae. Tenderness to palpation along lateral aspect of shoulder/acromion. No tenderness to palpation along the trapezius, posterior scapular musculature, AC joint, clavicle, or SC joint. No tenderness to palpation of the bicipital groove. Range of motion is 160 degrees forward elevation with mid arc pain, 60 degrees external rotation in 0 degrees of abduction, internal rotation to mid lumbar spine. Restricted compared to contralateral. Rotator cuff testing demonstrates 4+/5 strength with resisted thumbs down abduction with pain and 5/5 with resisted external rotation. No external rotation lag. Negative abdominal compression sign. Negative Speed s/Yeargason s. Positive Hawkin s. Negative O'Brien's. Sensation intact in axillary nerve distribution, deltoid fires well. Sensation normal distally in median, radial, ulnar distributions. Palpable radial pulse. MRI of the left shoulder obtained on 12/6/2025 was independently reviewed. There is rotator cuff tendon tendinopathy without full-thickness tear. There is subdeltoid and subacromial bursitis present. IMPRESSION: Left shoulder subacromial and subdeltoid bursitis with rotator cuff tendinopathy after a vaccine. 01/15/26: Physical Therapy (PT) Results: Quick DASH Scores(Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) Quick DASH Total Score/Disability: 31.82 (01/15/26 1818); 01/21/26 PT; 01/28/26 PT; 02/04/26 PT 02/10/26; PT 02/17/26 PT Results: Quick DASH Scores(Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) Quick DASH Total Score/Disability: 27.27 (02/18/26 1218); 03/03/26 PT (upcoming)