UPDATE: For those who are finding this post through HPV-related Internet searches – there is a great visualization of how safe Gardasil (the HPV US brand) is to use. Check out here: http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/2009/how-safe-is-the-hpv-vaccine/
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I had my first HPV vaccine shot two weeks ago. The vaccine prevents you from getting some strains of the human papillomavirus, which causes cervical cancer. I took the UK brand Cervarix, which is P3,000 per shot at Asian Hospital.
While I’m not a fan of needles, I tolerate them pretty well, and all this year I’ve been having shots (for Hepa B and flu) so I wasn’t scared of it. When I asked my doctor about the HPV vaccine, she said there would be no complications or side effects, and it would hurt only as much as any regular shot.
Not true.
A regular shot (let’s say a flu shot) hurts for a few seconds, and then the day after there’s a small bruise where the needle went in. It’s no big deal – in fact, I usually forget that I had a shot and wonder why my arm was slightly sore.
The HPV shot fucking hurts. I had my HPV shot at 4pm on a Thursday. At 7pm, I could no longer move my right arm – the pain was intense, and all over my arm, enough for me to beg off work that night because I couldn’t type. I woke up the next day only to find that the pain had gotten worse. I couldn’t move my right arm without wincing. It hurt for four days. At the worst points, a wrong move could lead me to tears. My right arm also LOOKED bruised – there was a big splotch of darkness on my upper arm, like I had been beaten up. And really, that’s what it felt like. I’m no wuss, so believe me when I say that if it hurts enough to make me miserable, it really does fucking hurt.
At first I was worried – what on earth had I done to myself? But when I looked it up on the Web, I found that many women around the world had the same complaint. One woman whose pain tolerance was really high (she had tattoos on her chest) actually screamed in pain when the shot went in. Another brand of vaccine, Gardasil, causes fainting in young girls right after the shot. And a lot of us had the same debilitating pain that prevented us from working, driving, or doing anything else. I found out later that my friend’s aunt couldn’t shower or change clothes properly for two days because of the pain. Wikipedia mentions that the pain from Cervarix usually lasts 3.3 days on average.
If I had known this ahead of time, I’d have planned for it – I’d take the vaccine on a weekend or just before, so I could just stay home and rest. Next time, I plan to do just that, and will also have it done on my left arm instead of my right. I’ve got two shots to go, but at least I’m prepared now. What bothers me is that so few women in the Philippines have taken the HPV vaccine, so this pain isn’t common knowledge. (Aside from my friend’s aunt, I know nobody else who has taken this shot – probably because of the cost.)
Don’t get me wrong, I still recommend the HPV vaccine to all women (26 years old and below). A few days of pain wins over a lifetime of cancer. But I’m warning you – it hurts. Big time. (If it doesn’t hurt for you, well, lucky you.)
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PS I’d have taken a pic of my bruised arm, except I didn’t want it to become one of those gross medical photos on Wikipedia.
It’s good that you posted about this! Public service announcement for the win.
As more people become aware of the need for the vaccine and decide to take it, there’s a good chance that their doctors, like yours, might not anticipate the severe pain reaction involved. They should be forewarned.
Dants: Did you see people’s reactions on Facebook? Apparently I’m the only one so far that got bruised up like that. What the hell? Am I a weakling? O_O
I saw just now. Hmm, maybe it really depends on the individual? The shot may cause different reactions in specific people. If that’s the case, then you unluckily have the reaction that leads to pain and bruising.
EEEEEP!!!
To think I developed a fear of needles after I was hospitalized.
I think I’ll be having that on my next checkup. Dear God I hope painkillers can help
I got my 3rd HPV shot, and it did hurt for the first 5 minutes, but now I’m fine. Maybe not all of us has the same feeling on getting the HPV shot.
I’ve had all three of my HPV shots and I’m glad I did. My first shot burned a little when it went it and my arm was sore for a few hours (kinda like my tetanus shot I got in my other arm) but I didn’t have any problem with the last two. On my last visit to get my third shot, I got my meningitis vaccination and a measles booster. Just be sure to relax your arm. I like to keep all my vaccinations up to date and plan to get a flu shot soon.
My daughters just had her first jab this afternoon and arm feels like lead, it feels badly bruised and she can’t lift it much more than six inches! Surely all three jabs arnt this bad? Is this normal and does anyone else have these symptoms?
Hi Linda,
A lot of women don’t seem to have strong reactions – but I did. I’ve had two shots. The first one hurt REALLY bad, and only got better after four days. The second one did not hurt so much, though it still hurt for a few days.
I told my doctor about it; she said it really depends on the person receiving the shots, but I was her first patient with that kind of pain. I’ve also heard that Gardasil hurts more; I was using another brand.
On the web, people say you can take Advil to help you w/ the pain, or maybe use a warm compress on the first day. Hope that helps.
Thank you so so much that’s put my mind at rest, her arms quite bruised this morning but I let my daughter read yr comment and it’s helped us both. Thanks for helping a very anxious mummy xxx
i got my first HPV two days ago, it wasnt as bad as i thought it would be, eventhough it did hurt but only for a split second. but after a few hours, a bruise appeard, and now my arm KILLS everytime i do certain movements with it. im just wondering if the second jab will do the same??? hmmm. x
Hi Jessica,
My second jab still hurt but not as bad as the first one
Omg…calm down. Im 12 and i didnt even feel it go in…freak.
i found this through searching about the HPV shot and pain because mine is excruciating. it has been exactly 3 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS since i got my first and (possibly) only HPV shot and my leg STILL hurts sooooo bad even when i get into my car. i’ve lost so much weight and muscle because i cannot dance and haven’t danced at all in 3 weeks. i don’t have a rash or bruising or nausea like others are reporting but the pain was SO immense when i got the shot and only got worse and worse afterward. maybe that’s just me, or maybe the nurse hit a nerve because i tensed up after that thick needle when into my skin. could have been my own fault, but i am so upset that i wasn’t more prepared and educated about this before i got it. thanks for posting this. i’m still not sure if i’m going to finish out the vaccination.
Did you see a doctor about it? That’s too long for the pain, I think
oh, and to that totally awesome ass 12 year old above me, i’m 20 years old and mine hurt like a bitch. everyone’s body is different and feels different when poked or bothered. maybe that’s why some people are ticklish and others aren’t, freak.
I am 14 and had my 1st jab and it didnt hurt, just a little heavy feeling. Do the other two jabs hurt more or less than the first one ?
Jess: I don’t think the second or third shot should be any different from the first, unless your nurse/doctor does it improperly (e.g. hits a nerve). Hopefully not
My second shot actually hurt less than the first.
hello moongirl
it’s my first injection of hpv vaccine yesterday,and it’s really hurt huhuhu and last night i was cried bec. everytime i move my left arm so really bad hurt huhuhu
my doctor told me pahiran lng ng ice.
pero ok din ba kung warm water at ipahid pahid lng ng towel??
pero ano ang mas mabuti ang ice o medyo mainit na tubig ang ipahid?at anong tableta an pwedeng e take pra mwala ang sakit at anong tableta?
pls leave me a reply here,i like ur site,so very helpful,thanks that i found ur site in google:)