Precursor symptoms to PMR?

I couldn't agree with you more. That senior flu shot is rediculously potent. It sent my PMR flaring (but didn'y know at the time my symptoms were PMR). I had the vaccine reluctantly the day before Thanksgiving, Nov 27th. Thanksgiving was spent at home with all flu symptoms. My left rm that was vaccinated is still giving me symptoms after over 1 month. The PCP who gave me the flu vaccine should not have given it to someone who is already under the weather.

Since there is no known cause of PMR and the primary treatment is a steroid that is also an anti-inflammatory it would be difficult to determine if any single inflammation in a body prior to starting a long-term steroid was a precursor to PMR. Don't get me wrong - we all want to know more about how we let PMR in, or should we have known, or better yet, should a doctor have seen it coming. I have come to the conclusion that we will never know because the medical profession has no clue either. I have had to learn to look forward rather than back while on my PMR journey. Hard lesson for me to learn but we have some degree of control when we look forward and no control when we look backwards at history. Learning from the past is most valuable if we can apply that knowledge to the future.

I too was suffering from hip pain. Went for xrays Ortho told me I have know hip issue at least not a joint problem. He said I had Trocantic bursitis. Hip continued to cause pain when walking and playing golf. Eventually my other hip began to ache. I developed pain in my shoulders neck arms and hands so bad it woke me up at night. I had been to my Primary physician and he sent me to a Rheumatologist which I mistakenly procrastinated going to because the pain wasn't full blown. That changed fast I couldn't walk or play golf or walk my dog. Rume sent me for blood work and MRIS which took almost two hours. Was diagnosed with PMR . I was put on prednisone 20mgs and the next day I was 50 percent better. I really didn't like the pred and either did my rume. Long story but this has been going on for 6 mos. 6 weeks ago I was put on Actemra once per week. I have been reducing pred and should be done soon. I really haven't been feeling very good but have way less pain.
Lack of ambition and mild stomach issues. I'm wondering how other people feel. I'm also worried about the side effects of Actemra. Hope everyone is well.

What is also of concern is there is no known test for PMR. Just the elimination of other arthritis through blood tests.

Ask your Doctor about Actemra. I'm on that now for 6 weeks not sure what the result will be but do have way less pain from PMR.

I started on 15 mg prednisone, went up to 20 a week later. I finally saw the rheumatologist a few weeks later who put me on 40 mg, to taper by 5 mg every week. I started to feel a bit better by the end of the 35 mg, but when I got down to 30 mg my pain skyrocketed again, and mobility decreased. My CRP blood test went up to nearly 60. The rheum added weekly methotrexate Dec 23, and based on blood tests increased the prednisone back to 40 mg on Dec 30, no taper. I've been feeling better since the second week of January so on my own have decreased prednisone to 35 mg (no taper) to see what will happen. The methotrexate seems to make a big difference, but the side effects aren't great, nausea, fatigue, and now painful mouth ulcers. I haven't been offered Actemra, maybe it's not available in Canada? Anyway, hope you're feeling better on it and the side effects aren't too bad.

PMR is a default diagnosis which to me means that any given pain could be something other than PMR as the root cause. I found this to be true when the ortho Dx-ed osteoarthritis in both my knees and in both of my shoulders. I also had a town meniscus in one knee. Oral steroids are not the solution to any of these problems - scary since it could cause me to take more steroids than needed for PMR alone. I also had abdominal tumors that necessitated a hysterectomy. Needless to say I have learned not to lump pain into the PMR bucket until all alternate causes have been eliminated. My Rheumy was/is willing to simply assume PMR is the culprit.

Yes, it's so hatefully non-specific. For me, so far, my blood work is completely wacky, some mystifying new abnormal result every time, but x-rays have been normal. Waiting on an MRI to look at the large vessels but that's not until September so I'll either be better or dead by then 🙂 (Canadian healthcare is equitable but slow to access...).

Hi, new here. Found this place while trying to figure out what is wrong with me, doctors can't figure it out. All the symptoms appear to be what I've been experiencing I've contacted my doctor and hopefully they will refer me to a specialist that can help diagnose this. Pain in shoulders and neck started after receiving my flu shot and covid shot about 5 months ago.

Welcome @jeanlea, Doctors have trouble figuring a lot of us out so you are not alone there. Hopefully you can get an appointment with a rheumatologist soon. @dadcue created a couple of discussions with videos that might help you learn a little more about PMR and it's symptoms. It really helps to be your own advocate for your health and learn as much as you can about your condition and symptoms.

-- Comprehensive Overview Of PMR: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/comprehensive-overview-of-pmr/
-- History of PMR -- Interesting video presentation from past to present.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/history-of-pmr-interesting-video-presentation-from-past-to-present/
There are a few members who mentioned similar symptoms following flu and Covid shots. Here's a search link that shows the comments - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=PMR+pain+following+covid+vaccine+and+flu+shot