Does anyone have any experience with Shoulder Injury Relating to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)?

Hopefulone

Shame she doesn't mention anything about the vaccine being ineffective if administered incorrectly!

Mattg74418836

Hi gas covid jab in Feb was injected in wrong part of arm   .pain off the scale . This is called SIRVA  which stands for shoulder injury related  to vaccine adminstration . They miss your deltoid muscle in your arm by going to low to high or to far to the sides . The pain I now have taking 30 tablets a day very little sleep . Now log former complaint with hospital by contacting PALS they now have got me fast tracked to orthopedic surgeon and pain management clinic .Please log SIRVA complaints thanks matt

cbu183

Hi all

Yes me too - had the second jab about 8 weeks ago and a week later the pain and lack of mobility started. I have no doubts about the vaccine but they are being administered by non-expert volunteers after all and errors will be made. Every time I try to put my coat on or throw a bag over my shoulder there is the most horrible, grinding pain like a tendon being torn or something. I can feel that it is very slowly getting better so I haven't been to GP but did report it to yellow card. Good luck to everyone recovering from this.

jools43

Hi, only just found this group. I have definitely experienced SIRVA from my first Covid jab in February. Symptoms straight away (first week thinking after effects of jab), previously no shoulder/arm problems - ever since have had restricted movement and pain. Eventually seen by GP recently, shoulder scan shows damage. Realise not Covid vaccine related but wasn’t willing to risk damage to other arm due to badly administered jab so had second dose into thigh!

jsimpson7

You were lucky to get a scan, our GP is still treating my wife for a frozen shoulder!

lizzier

jsimpson7 said:

You were lucky to get a scan, our GP is still treating my wife for a frozen shoulder!

I've pushed hard for a scan, finally have one in 2 weeks time. I complained to the Clinical Commissioning Group about this, they have agreed to look into it after my scan. I'm now 17 weeks into this horror, no improvement, just getting worse. Please push hard for that scan.....make a stink. It worked for me. Good luck 

2021maribel

Hi, i am really happy to have found this forum as i have been suffering for 3 months with a painful shoulder and limited arm  movement after receiving my first covid vaccine, i have managed to see a doctor who told me its a shoulder impingement and nothing to do with the vaccine being administered incorrectly, ( i have not had any trauma and never suffered with any shoulder problems so i know if was down to being injected incorrectly) my Gp told me to search google for eccentric exercises. My question is has anybody actually got through this and got totally back to normal?  i have tried pain killers and  Ibuprofen to see if these would help but they don't seem to touch it...iI would lover to hear from anyone else also suffering and  if you have Any advice or ideas would really appreciate it...thanks 

Hopefulone

Don't give up...  my GP and nurses didn't know anything about SIRVA when I contacted them because I had the same symptoms.  The worst thing is finding out that an incorrectly administered vaccine is ineffective!  My doctor told me I couldn't have another jab as I'd already had two, despite the first one being ineffective.  He didn't believe that was the case so I sent him the link to information gained from the Lancet, British Medical Journal etc.  This wasn't specific to Covid vaccines but simply because any jab that isn't administered correctly won't work.

If you want to read one for yourself I have included the link below.  
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00192-6/fulltext?rss=yes
The last paragraph states:
"Updating policy and training vaccinators to safely administer the vaccine in the appropriate intramuscular site will be essential for ensuring efficacy of the vaccine, as placement in a bursa or joint will prevent immune system exposure."

Also, re-vaccination is possible in certain cases as the link and statement below shows.

UK Government Vaccine Incident Guidance https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/859773/PHE_vaccine_incident_guidance_January_2020.pdf

“Where a vaccine storage incident or vaccination error has been discovered, the priority is to assess the risk to patient(s) and ensure that good practices are in place to avoid any reoccurrence.

Given that revaccination is not without risk (both in terms of vaccine reactions and damage to public confidence in the immunisation programme and provider services), the decision to revaccinate should only be considered in situations where there is a high likelihood of a suboptimal response to the vaccine or where there is evidence of exceptionally poor practice overall that leads to great concern for the efficacy of vaccine(s) administered.

A decision to revaccinate patients who have been given potentially sub-potent vaccines should be based on a thorough risk assessment that balances the public health risk of receiving a sub-potent vaccine against any potential risks from revaccination (for example reactions at the injection site, fever, etc).  

 For most routine vaccines, repeating a dose as a replacement for the potentially affected vaccine is not likely to cause any harm.”

I contacted my local MP who took up my case with the local Clinical Commissioning Group who, at one time, because I wasn't satisfied with the response I got, then contacted NHS England.  Following the NHS reply, the CCG contacted my doctor's surgery to carry out a risk assessment as above before being revaccinated.

Oh, and my arm is slowly getting better, although it's taken 6 months so far but I'm sure it will recover fully in time as I've had a frozen shoulder in the other shoulder a few years ago after having my arm in plaster for weeks and that took almost a year to be back to normal.

Please don't give up, it'll be worth it in the end.

chiarieds

Hi @2021maribel - & other newcomers (@jsimpson7 this can be very much like a frozen shoulder, so the treatment may be similar)). I'm repeating a comment I've made before on this thread, in the hope that it may help:

I'm a long-retired physiotherapist, & have been recommending for people to try at home this gentle exercise, which may tide you over until you (hopefully) get appropriate treatment, which may well include physio:

Stand & put the foot of your unaffected side slightly forwards so you have a comfortable base. Lean forwards, letting your affected arm hang. Now swing your arm backwards & forwards within your pain-free arc. Do this gently for a couple of minutes. Next try moving your hand in a comfortable circle first one way, then the other. Gravity thus helps aid movement, & you can increase the range as you progress, always moving your shoulder within your pain-free arc. Don't push through the pain as this just increases the pain cycle. Try this a little & often throughout your day.

I'm pleased you all realise that this can be due to misadministration of this, or indeed any other, vaccine. Please use the yellow card system to report it: https://coronavirus-yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/

2021maribel

chiarieds said:

Hi @2021maribel - & other newcomers (@jsimpson7 this can be very much like a frozen shoulder, so the treatment may be similar)). I'm repeating a comment I've made before on this thread, in the hope that it may help:

I'm a long-retired physiotherapist, & have been recommending for people to try at home this gentle exercise, which may tide you over until you (hopefully) get appropriate treatment, which may well include physio:

Stand & put the foot of your unaffected side slightly forwards so you have a comfortable base. Lean forwards, letting your affected arm hang. Now swing your arm backwards & forwards within your pain-free arc. Do this gently for a couple of minutes. Next try moving your hand in a comfortable circle first one way, then the other. Gravity thus helps aid movement, & you can increase the range as you progress, always moving your shoulder within your pain-free arc. Don't push through the pain as this just increases the pain cycle. Try this a little & often throughout your day.

I'm pleased you all realise that this can be due to misadministration of this, or indeed any other, vaccine. Please use the yellow card system to report it: https://coronavirus-yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/

chiarieds i will start these tonight, hopefully will start to ease it..i really appreciate your reply. thanks 

chiarieds

You're most welcome @2021maribel - I hope this helps. I've treated rather a lot of frozen shoulders, & the effects of this are so similar; also had a partially frozen shoulder twice myself, & 'did the exercises I used to teach,' with a far quicker recovery. My best wishes.

Ash610

Hello from North Carolina SIRVA is a real thing. I had a rabies injection administered too high on my shoulder. I was in severe pain within 2 hours. No previous shoulder issues. During the rabies treatment I had 4 injections. 2 in right shoulder, 2 in left shoulder. The 1 injection in my left arm caused the SIRVA. Between November 2019 and June 2020, I had 3 cortisone injections, physical therapy, acupuncture, massage, dry needling, ice and anti-inflammatory medications. Nothing helped. I was diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis. The pain was awful. No strength. No active range of motion. I had shoulder surgery in June 2020. It’s been over a year now with lots of physical therapy. I finally have use of my left arm again…pain free. My orthopedic Dr was not familiar with SIRVA. It is very under reported. Check out Sirvasurvey.org. Lots of good information. Research proper injection techniques and be your own advocate to ensure safe placement of injection I was nervous, but did get both COVID-19 shots. No pain

chiarieds

Hi @Ash610 - & I'm pleased to be the first to welcome you to this friendly & supportive community. I'm sorry to read about the pain you suffered with one of your rabies injections, but pleased with intervention & physio you're now pain free. Great you had no problems with your Covid-19 vaccines....I'm sure you would have been nervous.

Thank you for the link, which I've seen before. As stated in one of the given medical articles, SIRVA is well known about, yet it seems under reported. It will take time for those possibly affected by SIRVA, as far as the Covid-19 injections go, to see anything reported in the medical literature, so Drs take this onboard. Without that, then some Drs will fail to diagnose, & we therefore have to wait for medical papers to show the impact of this. The incidence appears (so far) to be comparatively very, very small in relation to the undoubted benefits of the Covid-19 vaccine. However that's not to minimise the effect misadministration of any vaccine (rather than the vaccine itself) can have on those affected.

Despite as yet little to (medically) indicate the impact of any misadministration of the Covid-19 vaccine, you will find this forum open to discuss such issues. I again urge our UK members to therefore report this via the yellow card system. I also welcome you for joining us from North Carolina.

lct68

Like so many others I have also suffered ongoing shoulder pain since having my Covid jab.  First Jab in February was fine, didn’t feel a thing but the second in May, which I had in same arm, was more painful.  Although the pain I experience is thankfully less than some others on this forum, I still have restricted movement and pain when my left arm is in certain positions when I’m sleeping and trying to do up my bra for instance, feels like a stitch in my shoulder and get a sharp pain. I had no problems before my second jab. I’m just hoping that pain will improve with time but I now intend to report to my GP as it’s been almost 3 months with no improvement yet.

ghadah

Hi all,

I too had my covid vaccination in March and i have had ongoing shoulder pain, limited movement and excruciating pain when I'm trying to sleep. I have had 3 GP appointments and been fobbed off on every single one. GP was very adamant that i had caused myself this injury which is not the case.  I have been using naproxen which is not helping much.  The most frustrating thing about this whole ordeal is not a single health professional is even willing to listen to my reasons behind the pain and will completely deny there's a connection. If they can't help me why not at least acknowledge my pain and LISTEN I'm not really asking for very much.  I have been very patient but if the pain continues i will complain. It has ruined my life and i should not suffer in pain as well as feel patronised and demoralised by GPs all at once. 

Just to clarify before someone will definitely have something to say. I'm not  anti vaccination i still went for my 2nd vaccination i just administered much lower in comparison  to the first jab. 

Also please report it to the Yellow card scheme.  I think it is the only way it will get recognised.

jsimpson7

There have been over 90 million jabs given, so some MUST have been administered incorrectly. Our GP hasnt mentioned SIRVA, when my wife spoke to the Doctor at the Covid centre he never mentioned SIRVA either, Naproxen is useless for this condition, even after a Steroid injection in her shoulder my wife is still in considerable pain. Our Doctor prescribed stronger anti inflammatory drugs, which reacted with the Omeprazole and caused my wifes kidneys to fail! At the Hospital they refused to acknowledge SIRVA! I have written to my local MP, she has passed my concerns about SIRVA to the Health Secretary, but i do not expect a response. WHY? Because if the side effects of the jab such as SIRVA were to become aware to the public, then less people would want to have the jab. I strongly believe there is a cover up about the SIRVA issue, ans the GOvernment are more aware of this than they are willing to admit!

lizzier

Please insist on an ultrasound, keep bugging them. Contact the group responsible for the vaccine administration, my local group is the Barnsley Health Federation, you will be able to find out who was responsible in your area. Contact your local CCG and report to them, with a complaint also. Insist they record it. Once you have had an ultrasound have the results sent to both organisations. My scan is next Tuesday, I have had to push for it, I was looking to have a private one when my GP agreed to send me to my local hospital. I will report my results on here in the hope it helps others towards finding an answer and a solution. I am now 19 weeks post 2nd vaccine, which was the one causing damage, life is extremely difficult and the sleep deprivation is astonishing.  I reported to Yellow Card but I'm not entirely convinced it helps as there is no option to report administration damage. The vaccine itself has been no problem, it is the incorrect and poor administration of it that has left us, and there are lots of us, disabled. Yes, disabled. There is no other word for it. I will fight this to the end, and not just for myself. Life is hard enough as it is without this, I had that vaccine in good faith to protect myself and others and was left with a totally useless and extremely painful left arm. Someone should be held accountable for this? Keep fighting, get that scan, stay loud, get this out there.  We are more than entitled to an explanation and an apology at the very least. SIRVA by covid19 vaccine is now on the vaccine compensation list, 60% disability required to claim. Now how do you define 60% disability? I doubt any of us will be successful with that. I am already disabled (hidden) and now my life is completely ****......stay strong folks, they messed up here, they won't want to admit that. 

rosiewln

I had an ultrasound the other week, after the GP suggested it after 3 consultations. This was about 12 weeks after the initial jab which caused the pain. In the meantime I had been resting it a lot, (avoiding anything which would cause it to flare up,  such as lifting heavy things, cycling etc), and also doing some of the stretches suggested in this thread. Thank you Chiarieds and others! 

So by the time I had the scan the pain had become less intense but they could still see on the ultrasound traces of bursitis in the shoulder. Two weeks on from the scan it is feeling almost 100%, but such a simple error has caused a great deal of pain and I've used up NHS time which could've been easily avoided.

I mentioned my experience when I went for my second jab, and the person was shocked. SIRVA needs to be properly communicated to those administrating vaccine injections otherwise it will keep on happening.

I hope those also suffering heal soon. For me it was rest and gentle stretches, and perseverance! 

lisad75

I'm feeling pretty exasperated at the moment. I'm approaching 6 months post my first vaccine and I'm still in pain daily. The nights are the worst (as we all know). I take a cold compress to bed and try and sleep with it balancing on my arm! My GP urged me to carry on taking painkillers which I have been doing but it only offers mild relief. I've tapered them to every other day now as I'm not comfortable with the amount I've taken since 8 March. I'm still unable to hold anything in my left hand which is weighty like a filled kettle. I've also developed an ache in my left wrist. I work as a PA so I'm sure sitting at a desk all day is not helping. I will try and stick it out a little while longer but I feel I actually now need to see somebody as opposed to being told what I have over the phone. Colleagues are commenting on how tired I look. Some days I want to chop my arm off! ?

jsimpson7

Obviously one of the downsides to SIRVA is the way it drags you down mentally and physically. I look at my wife and can see just how much the constant pain is getting her down.

We need to remember, it is mainly the older and vulnerable people who are affected by this, as they were the first to get the vaccines. The early vaccines were administered by people with only one days training, I understand now though that only proper healthcare workers are allowed to give the jabs.

I dont see anyone under the age of 40 suffering this way. Please correct me if I am wrong.

IT IS A SCANDAL.