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

I had the Covid vax 3 days ago, so far so good. Flu shot next, in a couple of weeks.

Both of my doctors encouraged me to get the vaccines, they said getting sick would be far worse than having a flare.

I developed PMR two weeks after having the Shingrix first vaccination ( I have not had the second) and the Covid booster. My doctor said it would be better to get both out of the way and feel poorly the next day. I have made the decision not to get the second Shringrix vaccine and am on the fence about getting the COVID booster this year. At the time I did not correlate the vaccines with my very sudden PMR onset two weeks later. Now after reading so many anecdotes tying their PMR to a short time period following both of the vaccines, I am now concerned about the COVID annual vaccination making my PMR worse. After almost a year on prednisone, I am managing with Meloxicam and Tylenol Arthritis formula. I have never returned to my previous strength and continue to have shoulder and hip joint pain, but that is preferable to prednisone for me.

I’ve had PMR coming up on two years now. I have had Covid three times. Long Covid combined with a few other things resulted in blood clots that almost killed me. Should have. Saddle pulmonary embolism. I am grateful I am not dead. 1st round of Covid left behind fatigue so bad I could hardly keep my eyes open for months. BEFORE PMR! This is a personal decision but my doctor has told me repeatedy I can not afford to get Covid again. It leaves something behind every time. For a lot of people. That’s why when someone says oh it’s just like the flu or a cold I almost jump out of my skin. No it’s not. It’s insidious. Hard choice but I’m getting the Covid vaccine. Last time only a few chills and a bad headache for the day.

I agree with you. My husband got COVID last year despite vaccination. He just did not seem to bounce back. In May he was diagnosed with PMR & GCA, lost 95% vision in both eyes. So we got vaccinated last week as I do not think he would survive another bout of COVID. He had blood tests done last Thursday and we see the a rheumatologist on Monday to go over results. My husband’s inflammation markers were elevated but I hope not too much. I am nervous of what increasing prednisone will do. He already has moon face and looks like he is 9 months pregnant. He is almost totally blind so he doesn’t really see the change in his appearance. Good thing because I think he would stop taking prednisone. Sorry for dumping my worries on you. But bottom line is I think the benefits of vaccine outweighs risks at this point. Take care

I’ve had PMR coming up on two years now. I have had Covid three times. Long Covid combined with a few other things resulted in blood clots that almost killed me. Should have. Saddle pulmonary embolism. I am grateful I am not dead. 1st round of Covid left behind fatigue so bad I could hardly keep my eyes open for months. BEFORE PMR! This is a personal decision but my doctor has told me repeatedy I can not afford to get Covid again. It leaves something behind every time. For a lot of people. That’s why when someone says oh it’s just like the flu or a cold I almost jump out of my skin. No it’s not. It’s insidious. Hard choice but I’m getting the Covid vaccine. Last time only a few chills and a bad headache for the day.

Covid vaccine doesn't stop you getting Covid as you'd know, having had it 3 times despite being vaccinated. It just makes the illness less severe for most people. If your objective is not to get Covid again, you would have to take other protective measures, like not going to public places so much and wearing a mask, and asking people you meet with to let you know if they have been unwell or exposed to someone who has. I still minimise my trips to public places and always wear a mask. I have not had Covid.