PMR Flair up From a Virus?

This from Cecil and Goldman's text book of medicine, Chapter on GCA and PMR:

"These disorders occur primarily in patients older than 50 years, in women more than in men; they are propagated by antigen-driven cell mediated (TH1) immune mechanisms that may be associated with specific genetic markers, and they are highly responsive to corticosteroids.
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Internationally, the frequency varies, with the highest rate occurring in Scandanavian countries."

My mother-in-law, British and French ancestry, had GCA. My maternal aunt, primarily Italian had it, and I, primarily Italian and Greek ancestry, also had it. A friend's mother, Portuguese ancestry, also had it.

It was first recorded in Baghdad in the 10th century by Ali Ibn Isa (Medical History Bayor Taylor Horton's headache era, Shelley 2013).

How interesting. Thank you.

I check all the boxes. Drat.

There's a PMR/GCA Facebook group that I belong to. I'll share this information with them.

Mine was triggered by Moderna, currently having a flare up due to a cold…i think!

I got mine 4 days after my Moderna shot. I can’t take steroids as I have a bowel condition so it has been very difficult

I had an interesting thing happen while I was down with the flu. My PMR symptoms went away. No neck and shoulder pain, no hips or knee problems. While I lay in bed with a 102 fever I never had any body aches at all. Two days after I got over the flu it came back. Not a flair just the usual morning pain n stiffness. So strange. Diet? I didn’t eat anything but a few crackers n some scrambled eggs.

3 weeks into a terrible head/chest cold and my PMR pain returned . At first a little ache in my upper arms/ shoulders and wrists and then within 2 days the pain was all back, shoulders, neck, legs, hips! I was rejoicing because my prednisone dose was 2mg., 2 months to go and I had been pain free for 8 months. I tried taking 3 mg with no success, after a week on 3 mg I increased to 8 mg with great relief. A few twinges but better every day. Out for a nice long walk today, it felt sooo good, my first outing in 4.5 weeks, I’ve been very sick with a virus that I think resulted in a bacterial chest infection ( treated with Prednisone 40 mg x 5 days, antibiotics and a third puffer. So disappointed that I’m back on 8 mg but really, I had no choice. My rheumatologist is on maternity leave but her receptionist emailed her and she told me what to do, so grateful that I have her in my corner!!

I initially contracted PMR with a week after my second Pfyzer vaccination. I had a very mild case, so it took 4 months to diagnose. I managed to taper off of 10 mg. of prednisone in about a year, but it came back when I had COVID and then I had to taper off 2 mg. for a couple of months. Luckily, when I caught COVID again about a year later, it didn't trigger my PMR. And FYI, I eat a whole foods, primarily plant-based, organic diet, high in anti-inflammatory foods, which I think helped me alot. Initially I only hurt when laying in bed and never when I got up!

When I was first diagnosed with PMR, the rheumatologist asked me if I had had a virus because there was some research being done on a virus triggering on set of PMR, I first noticed PMR when I started on a resistance training program that created inflammation in my muscles even now when I do more than gentle exercise, I have somewhat of a flare, so I’m always looking to balance exercise and maintain strength, but not to create too much inflammation. I don’t want to use prednisone so I do without but Advil from time to time really helps.

I developed my blood pressure after developing PMR. Is there an association of high blood pressure with PMR or caused by PMR? I know we get less blood flow supposedly with PMR with that raise the blood pressure.

Welcome @pamlockhart, Interesting questions. My PMR is in remission but I didn't have a virus the first time around but I have had high blood pressure for many years prior to being diagnosed with PMR. There does seem to be an association from what I've read.

"Our data also show an association between established cardiovascular risk factors and disease onset: raised diastolic blood pressure (>90 mmHg) increases the risk of onset of PMR, and smoking increases the risk of onset of GCA."
-- Cardiovascular risk factors associated with polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis in a prospective cohort: EPIC-Norfolk Study: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7243373/

It sounds like you are doing well with exercising and not over doing it. I learned that the hard way when my PMR was active. Have you done any research on PMR or found any suggestions that have helped you?