Need to decide to get a Covid Shot while I have PMR.

For what it's worth, I'm one year into my PMR diagnosis and have tapered down to 12.5 mg/day. We had our COVID vax a few weeks ago, the one that was developed to address the latest strain. I had absolutely zero side effects, not even a sore arm.
We are planning to get the flu shot next week; whenever possible we stick to one vaccine at a time.
Hope this helps.

I had the most recent Covid vaccine a couple of weeks ago. My only reaction that I know of to previous vaccines was a very sore left arm for maybe a day.. This time my arm was more sore for a day and a half, but nothing alarming.
I had something that felt like a bit of a relapse about six days later, which consisted of some minor PMR type spasms in my upper arms in the evening. The next day, I think I had one or maybe two relatively small spasms, and after that it seemed to be all cleared up.
I was worried about tapering down from 7 mg to 6 mg of prednisone a day or two after that, especially since I had had a difficult time tapering from 8 to 7 the previous month. But I actually had a much better taper this time, probably because a lot of of my older issues that had resurfaced after tapering to 7mg had been mostly resolved
I don’t feel entirely used to the new dose, but I do feel better overall. Especially when I walk, exercise as best I can and do tai chi.
I’ve never had Covid that I’m aware of unless it happened very early in the pandemic before there were tests. I can’t think of anyone else I know who hasn’t had it. I do remember being unusually exhausted while sick in March 2020.
Anyway, I wanted to post because I believe that vaccines work. Though it seems to be a crapshoot about how different people react, so it’s really an individual decision. In my case, I didn’t want to have to worry about being around friends and family.

Could you please provide the links or reliable references to the examples of “brain bleeds, blood clots, and deaths” that you mention in your comment ? Was it determined that the COVID vax was the principal cause of those events ? Thanks.

While I would Never wish to argue or offer disbelief of any persons health decisions; and always suggest that person conduct their own personal research before making any decision to take or not any med or treatment. All "Side Effect" notices are always posted as "Rare", but isn't PMR at 5-50 out of 100,00 over 60 per year, "Rare"? I can not and will not offer you any of the links I see out there for liability and concerns that this may convince you to not follow your heart and then contact COVID, being me to blame. The research and personal decision as for all of us, is up to "us", no one else. Normally, I would not offer my opinion, except fort he personal effects of Prednisone prescribed for my PMR, initially good, then nearly incapacitating me for completion of my projects. Currently, now reduced down to 10mg per day, I ma learning how to be 80% productive for the entire 8-10 hour day. I will continue my Weening off the Prednisone and deal with any Flair-ups myself.
I was given 6 months time to live after diagnosis of a chronic blood/bone cancer in 2004 and believe that by use of an oral Chemo med 5 days per week, my constant research, experimentation and strong will to live has kept me here and fully functional, although challenged by a short handicap from the recent gift of PMR/GCA.
If you go online and type in Brain Bleeds, Thrombosis Related to mRNA, Neurological Complications, Strokes, Myocardial Infarction, blamed on COVID vaccines, or countries that do not allow use of MRNA you will come up with interesting reading; some factual, some not true.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9707152/
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2786667
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(22)00234-6/fulltext
https://www.factcheck.org/2024/02/study-largely-confirms-known-rare-covid-19-vaccine-side-effects/
https://www.wsj.com/articles/some-european-countries-are-limiting-the-use-of-modernas-covid-19-vaccine-11633610069
Moderna was working on and nearly complete for the mRNA use in a Cancer related Drug Treatment, Ten (10) years before the COVID topic. Pfizer does not use the mRNA or is not published and a Real Vaccine (Novavax) in principal of function (Protein Based) like treating a "Cold Virus" is now approved by the FDA -BUT-that company stated: "Are immunocompromised or are on a medicine that affects your immune system" and "have received another COVID-19 vaccine". I believe this vaccine was not approved or allowed due to the big money of the two major sources for supply of COVID 19 shots?
I apologize for bringing this topic to any person being a believer or participant of the COVID vaccine programs. Personally; my wife & I were both Mandated to Take the Vaccine, plus at least 1 booster due to our employment source, the local school district. COVID mutates so fast that a vaccine remains current for only a month of so, then according to publications drops a portion of it's immunity for newer strains. We both had COVID earlier this year, even when wearing masks everywhere and constant cleansing. For me, it was milder than any of the few colds I ever had, for my wife it was bad due to her having HEP A at that time from a Frozen Berry Recall that she ingested daily in her yogurt. We were both prescribed Paxlovid and fine in 5 days.
Wishing all of you PMR/GCA and other Prednisone participants the Absolute Best of Improving Health and Elimination of All Complications
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and the toleration of my honesty.

I am getting the Covid shot. I can not afford to get Covid again. I’ve had it three times and every time it leaves something behind. PMR was caused partly by long Covid. As was the saddle pulmonary blood clot in my lung that almost killed me, and should have. I am grateful to still be standing. Balancing things out I opt for the inflammation caused by the shot over having Covid again. Long Covid is nothing to mess around with. It is real. Covid is not just like having the flu. It is far more insidious.

Spot on! I’m a medical professional and I could not agree more. But I do caution all to do their own research. It’s out there. Weigh out the risk/benefit of a vaccine. I agree with oldbtstlshrp2 and personally, I choose not (having PMR) to vaccinate. Choose wisely for yourselves. To all I wish a path to healing.

Just go into a search engine and put in blood clots, brain bleeds. The research is staggering. One research team believes that there are dysregulated blood brain barriers that can leak. Most likely those of us diagnosed with PMR has been driven by covid. My Rheumy is on board with this. I also believe that PMR is in fact a symptom of long covid, or an opportunistic illness that covid creates. The chicken or the egg? Vaccine vs virus culpable? Both from what I read and possibly the vaccine creating a more egregious situation for anyone that either contracted the virus or didn’t. It can be confusing. Skeptical? I was. Not now. Why are so many Long Covid clinics cropping up all over the world, or at least in western countries. The waiting list is endless. I’ve joined in my country. One hospital’s waiting list is a year, another 4-5 months. Initially patients were told their symptoms were all in their head. Well, yes in fact, to a degree if speaking literally. But it is not psychosomatic. This is all quite real and the fallout from Covid. PMR is on the rise post covid. Everything is linked to the autoimmune system and illness is driven by inflammation. PMR is autoimmune. Don’t lose heart. It’s is encouraging that clinics are cropping up and research is being done at breakneck speed thanks to our technology. It can be overwhelming because we are all seeking a path to health. I believe it is out there for each and everyone of us. But it will also vary individually.
Best to all of you!

I have either PMR and/or RA. Very painful shoulders today. I am just off prednisone and my Dr said to get Covid shot which terrifies me. Just had flu shot. Covid terrifies me too. I am up in age and my body has been through SO much. The previous Covid shot he told me not to get. But this one is okay? Such a hard, hard decision. Hated prednisone.

Hi. Thank you for sharing. I would like to know how you are doing on kevzara ? My rhemmy wants me to go on it. But I have had cancer with lots of lower an radiation. If you could share I would so appreciate it.

One year into PMR, now tapered to 2.5 @ 0.5 per month, and taking 2000mg of Tart Cherry capsules.
Happy to report that I got a Covid vax yesterday (the Novavax flavor), and aside from a little arm irritation and flushing initially, I have had absolutely zero side effects since.