I recently had my flu shot, so I would be healthy and not miss a day of work. Instead, I am now in great pain suffering myositis. This was a major reaction to the flu vaccine. I am now a victim of an acute autoimmune inflammation that attacked my left-arm muscles and nerves where I had the injection. Basically, the flu vaccine turned my own antibodies into attacking healthy tissue. The muscles have been damaged. It could be days, weeks or even months before I am able to overcome this myositis.

This wasn’t a tiny bit of soreness at the injection site as several health-care givers implied. I have a complete paralysis of my upper left arm and shoulder and limited use of my lower arm and fingers. Within days, it spread into my shoulder and began going into the other arm. The nerve pain is unbelievable. After numerous health givers and doctors, plus contacting a national center on vaccine reactions, I am on steroids, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxers and pain pills. It could be weeks before it gets better. Like a stroke victim, there is only use of one arm. I can barely dress myself, barely cook and have difficulty brushing hair. Driving is a nightmare. I am working as a temporary GIS computer mapper – try doing that with one arm.

Flu shots are great for most people, and I still encourage them. I just wish people would not go to work sick with the flu and spread it. Then there would be no need for flu shots. As for me, I will never have a flu shot again. I am living a nightmare that should not have happened.

Janet Marie Clawson

Durango