Dr. Hive: arm still sore 3 weeks after 2nd Pfizer vaccination

[MercyA]

I had some pretty intense arm soreness after both my Pfizer doses. My second dose was almost 3 weeks ago, and my arm is still sore. It's not as constantly sore as it was, but when it does flare up, the pain is still surprisingly sharp. It sometimes happens when I lay on, use, or raise that arm, but other times seems to come on randomly. 

Has anyone else heard of this happening or had it happen? The injection itself wasn't especially painful. 

I would prefer not to go to the doctor if I don't need to. It's a hassle and we have sucky insurance. 🙂 Plus, I don't know what they could do--probably just tell me to take ibuprofen.

Thoughts?

ETA: My first injection was in the other arm and I've had no continuing pain with that one.

Edited April 29, 2021 by MercyA

[mommyoffive]

I haven't heard of that, but I didn't have that brand so I haven't really paid attention to that.  Covid arm doesn't have pain like that does it? 

[prairiewindmomma]

Three thoughts:

1. Irritated nerve? Shooting pain?

2. Swollen lymph nodes? Pain more towards the armpit?

3. Excessive immuno response? Dd and I react to influenza shots with softball size swelling. It takes a few weeks for that all to chill out. You are kind of pushing beyond that...but is it localized tenderness within a few inches of the injection site?

 

[ktgrok]

maybe? https://www.health.com/condition/cold-flu-sinus/sirva

[MercyA]

16 minutes ago, mommyoffive said:

I haven't heard of that, but I didn't have that brand so I haven't really paid attention to that.  Covid arm doesn't have pain like that does it? 

I had "covid arm" with the second dose as well--itchy, mosquito bite-like bumps on that arm, but that has gone away.

[MercyA]

12 minutes ago, prairiewindmomma said:

Three thoughts:

1. Irritated nerve? Shooting pain?

2. Swollen lymph nodes? Pain more towards the armpit?

3. Excessive immuno response? Dd and I react to influenza shots with softball size swelling. It takes a few weeks for that all to chill out. You are kind of pushing beyond that...but is it localized tenderness within a few inches of the injection site?

 

1. I do have shooting pain. My husband says the muscle itself feels tense, too, though.

2. I'm sure it's not swollen lymph nodes.

3. Definitely could be this, especially since I also had a rash. Yes, the tenderness / pain is localized around the injection site.

[MercyA]

16 minutes ago, ktgrok said:

maybe? https://www.health.com/condition/cold-flu-sinus/sirva

Thank you, Katie! I think (thankfully) that the pain is probably a bit too low to be in the bursa. If it doesn't improve, though, I'm glad to know this condition can be diagnosed with an ultrasound. 

[ktgrok]

2 minutes ago, MercyA said:

Thank you, Katie! I think (thankfully) that the pain is probably a bit too low to be in the bursa. If it doesn't improve, though, I'm glad to know this condition can be diagnosed with an ultrasound. 

Do you have an area of hardness or swelling? Maybe a hematoma/seroma?

[ktgrok]

I'd try heat a few times a day, and moving it as you can, if there is a lump. 

[MercyA]

4 minutes ago, ktgrok said:

Do you have an area of hardness or swelling? Maybe a hematoma/seroma?

The whole area feels harder than it does on the other arm, but there is not really a lump. 

Hmm. If it doesn't improve in the next few days, I may have the doctor take a look. 

[Indigo Blue]

I hope your arm feels better soon.

[Karen A]

My colleague had Pfizer back in Feb, and had a sore arm around the injection site for a long time (like needing to sleep on other side, feeling it when playing tennis, general tenderness). I just asked her about it again yesterday, and she said just in the last week she thinks it's better. She had no rash/bruising/itchiness--just the soreness. 

[Not_a_Number]

15 hours ago, MercyA said:

The whole area feels harder than it does on the other arm, but there is not really a lump. 

Hmm. If it doesn't improve in the next few days, I may have the doctor take a look. 

Makes sense to go to the doctor, I think.