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Could your PMR have been a result of the Covid mRNA vaccine?
I have taken vaccines my entire life. I believe in their ability to prevent diseases. From childhood vaccines for school, to Tdap with the birth of my grandchildren, to influenza and more, and yes to the Covid vaccines. I believe medical science in my lifetime is nothing short of amazing.
But I have read some science papers recently that are now questioning if some individuals may contract PMR after receiving the new mNRA Covid boosters.
I had never heard of PMR. I contracted it in mid April 2024. My latest Covid booster was in late December 2023, my 4th or 5th, I've lost count. What gives me pause is that within my closest golfing buddies, a relatively small group of 12 or so men, another buddy contracted PMR in February 2024. His last booster was in early November, 2023. That's a very small sample group to have two PMR cases.
Does anyone else have concerns or experiences similar to mine?
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I am fairly confident my PMR was triggered by my last Covid booster. I received it in May 2023 and started with PMR symptoms a month later. Before then, I had never had any trouble at all with my joints or muscles. I was fit, active, and pain-free. I am seeing more and more indications that PMR might be connected with either having Covid or receiving the vaccine. When I asked my doctor about it at the time, he said it was a possibility, but that it would take another few years for the evidence to become clear, since both the disease and the vaccine are still relatively new. I haven't had another vaccine since being diagnosed with PMR, since I'm trying to taper off the prednisone and don't want to rock the boat. I am not against vaccines in any way -- they save lives -- but over-vaccination can become a problem. I'd had six Covid vaccines between 2021 and 2023, which I now feel was probably overkill and ended up sending my immune system over the edge.
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6 Reactions@tiateacake I know you have a plan to get both vaccinations at the same time. However, since you also know the Covid booster is hard on your system, you might want to space them a couple of weeks apart. I too was a fit and healthy woman prior to my PMR. In the reality PMR is in our system now and here to stay. It can rear it's head at any time. From what I understand when it is remission it is simply looking for an opportunity to recur.
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2 ReactionsThe COVID vaccines have an associated artificial spiked protein. The spiked protein is natural in the body but the artificial one created for the COVID vaccines can cause inflammation everywhere in the body and can trigger things like long term COVID or polymyalgia rheumatica. My PCP said many doctors believe this privately but will not discuss it publicly. I learned about it from an urgent care doctor who spoke totally off the record. He said he has been in the business 25 years and people with multiple symptoms like mine came in about 2 times a year but starting two years ago a flood of them has started.
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11 ReactionsThat's not what it says on .gov websites. It says that the flu shot and Covid shot can trigger autoimmune disease.
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1 ReactionIt sure did! Thought I was keeping myself safe.
I'll refer my doctor to that information after I check it out.
Thanks.
I had the vax and several boosters. No proof that it caused pmr . Not sure of timeline as to when symptoms started. I feel it is a definite correlation. No more shots for me
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2 ReactionsMy rhuemotologist also said the vax didnt cause pmr. Can you tell me where to find the the exact .gov website that stated that.
@charlotte61
Wow! Six Covid vaccines in that short of time does sound like a little overkill to me, too!! It does sound like it may have affected your immune system!
When the vaccines first came out I had the non mRNA vaccine made by J and J. I was caretaker to my adult daughter and husband when they came down with Covid and I never got it. I did get one mRNA booster, and I still have never tested positive for Covid. I’ve had my usual respiratory infections that I get a few times a year and they have tested me for Covid but I’m always negative. So I’m hesitant in getting another booster since I’m on prednisone for my PMR. I believe my first flare of PMR was pre-Covid.
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4 Reactions@janiceem
I do think it’s the health of the individual’s immune system that is in question. Everyone is so different! I did recently take the shingles vaccine with no problems even with my PMR and arthritis issues.
I’m hesitating with a Covid booster just because I have never tested positive despite numerous exposures and taking care of Covid sick loved ones!
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2 Reactions@tiateacake
I totally agree with you in regards to getting all your yearly vaccines to protect your health. In general, this works for me, especially because I have asthma.
I have mixed feelings about the Covid vaccine since it was generally an untested vaccine and we were all the lab rats!!
I had the j & j vaccine initially, there was no booster available- I had the pzier mRNA booster once and that was it! Despite numerous exposures to loved ones who tested positive, I never have tested positive to Covid! So I’m thinking this was all the protection I needed?! A little hesitant to take that particular vaccine again—I will do all the others I need (recently did my second shingles vaccine, which is all I need for my lifetime) to keep myself healthy despite my PMR and arthritis!