flu jab on the wrong arm

I should never have flu jab on my left arm which have all the lympn notes removed, but I forgot it and had the flu jab on my left arm this afternoon. Now I am very worried. will I Certainly get Lymphoedema? what should I do? help please!

Hello pyz,
I am an ‘at risk’ girl, so this answer should be read in that context.

There was a similar question asked a few months back and the answer given was that if it was going to be a problem, it most probably would be straight away. That doesn’t mean you defintively won’t get lymphodeoma but it doesn’t mean you defintively will either. I am sure many people have had jabs in the ‘wrong’ arm and not suffered ill effects.

Make sure you keep the ‘wound’ clean and covered for a couple of days and be vigilant - if you arm starts to swell report it. If - hopefully - all is well, breath a sigh of relief and try not to let it occur again.

Edit: the thread I was thinking of is here: share.breastcancercare.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=32052&p=550974&hilit=+needle+lymph*#p550974

I wonder if you have a wristband for this? There is a goood link on a thread for lilac wrist bands (cost about £5) which remind us and others which arm is at risk. I wear one and it has been noticed…

share.breastcancercare.org.uk/forum/lilac-medic-alert-bracelet-t33654.html

Hope you are OK, try not to worry overly about this.

I had a flu jab last week without any reaction. I had the jab in my good arm and had quite a large lump on the injection site for a couple of days, so don’t worry if your arm is a bit sore. I accidentaly had my blood pressure taken on my bad arm a few months ago without any ill effect.

Hi, Cadi and RevCat, thank you very much for your reply which are very helpful.

Try not to worry too much, just remember next time. I think that you would start to see symptoms relatively quickly so just keep an eye on things for the next couple of weeks.As has been said , keep the area clean and don’t panic if you get a little bump and soreness thats natural but if you start feeling your arm is heavier/tighter and looking bigger than the good arm you need to see your GP or BCN.
Try not to worry and fgood luck, Julie x

Many thanks JulieD. should I keep an eye on my left arm for a few days or weeks?

From what I’ve been told, it’s not inevitable at all. The main risk with anything that pierces the skin is infection risk. That should be very low with a sterile needle. Keep an eye on it for a couple of days and then try not to worry about it.

do remember though to take care of that arm and as Revcat suggests a bracelet might be a good way of reminding you.

take care, elinda x

Many thanks elinda45. I might get a bracelet soon but with such a pink bracelet on is just to show everyone that “I have got BC!”–a little bit Hesitant – may be only put it on when going to see doctors?

They’re not only pink, as they’re making them in lilac at our request! See Revcat’s post above as she has put in the link.

Elinda x

I’d suggest that you keep an eye on your arm until if feels normal again. As Julie says it can feel a bit sore or have a bit of lump for a while after a flu jab and that does vary from person to person. Once it’s back to normal just forget all about it and go back to just taking good care of your arm.
Elinda x

The bracelets are great, if you’re a bit self conscious chuck on a couple of bangles too. I need them to remind myself as much as anything!

Take care x

I got the pink one (they didn’t make them in purple then) but I’ve also now got myself a stainless steel one from here universalmedicalid.co.uk/uk/buildPage.php It took a while to arrive which is why I got the pink one until it came.

Jane xxx

I did exactly the same last year!!! Its not just you. I was fine physically but beat myself up mentally. Give yourself a break. If a flu jab was able yo set off lymphodeama in you then i suspect even a splash from a hot frying pan, or a bad knock, or a splinter would have done the trick pretty soon anyway. Hope all goes ok

vickie
x

Hi, thank you all for your kind advices. So far my left arm is fine and it is already one week passed. I have ordered a silver sterling bracelet from the Medical-ID company. The bracelet will take one month to arrive and is a little bit expensive, but I think it can last very long time and also silver can kill bacteria.

Thank you very much again. Take care.xx