Could your PMR have been a result of the Covid mRNA vaccine?

Posted by danzster79 @danzster79, Jul 30, 2024

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?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

anduril76 | @anduril76 | Aug 28, 2024

For what it's worth, I had the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccination and all boosters but the last one, and so did my wife. Neither of us had any problems with the vaccine or boosters.

However, I contracted Covid-19 in October 2023. Gave it to my wife. We both took the Molnipiravir anti-viral pills, and this knocked out the virus within the 5 days dosing period; we began to feel better by Day 4.

In December of 2023 I began to develop the symptoms of PMR. Didn't know at the time that was what it was, but by February I was diagnosed. I suspect that in my case, the virus itself, not the vaccinations, caused my PMR. My wife has had no health issues from either the vaccine, or the Covid-19 virus. I suppose that we are all different. So many people have had the vaccines without problems.

sharon44r | @sharon44r | 3 days ago

In reply to @hopeinal "That's not what it says on .gov websites. It says that the flu shot and Covid..." + (show)

I wouldn’t believe most of that stuff .. I got PMR too, and besides that it made my neuropathy so much worse , I can hardly walk, and now 3 year later I have breast cancer.
It sure makes you kind of wonder how that vaccine can affect certain people.

oldflaguy69 | @oldflaguy69 | 3 days ago

I had a very similar experience. Had my last Covid vaccine in a similar time frame to you and was diagnosed with PMR in April 2024. I am also a golfer and my golf buddy also has PMR. He took the same mRNA vaccine as we did I believe. Hard not to question this situation. I, like you have trusted science and most doctors my entire life. All we can do is try to find what works for us. Stay positive!

hilaryn | @hilaryn | 3 days ago

Mine started a year before I had my first Covid vaccine, so not in my case.

jeanrod825 | @jeanrod825 | 2 days ago

In reply to @anduril76 "For what it's worth, I had the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccination and all boosters but the last..." + (show)

No problems with covid but 10 days after flu vaccine I lost partial vision in my right eye. I was diagnosed with GCA and started on 80 mg of prednisone. Down to 20 mg per day. Prednisone side effects are terrrible and do not know if I had to go back up if I would start all over. I did read that flu vaccine was found to start GCA. Good luck to all in this journey .

scottschooley | @scottschooley | 2 days ago

I never took any covid vaccines or boosters. And got pmr/gca in January this year

groksvaag | @groksvaag | 2 days ago

I am a retired pediatrician and strong advocate for vaccines. Benefits clearly greater than risks. I received a Covid booster and Flu vaccine early last September and then we took a cross country national parks tour by car with another couple. I was the third of us who developed Covid on the trip in October. I developed PMR end of November. PMR has been " linked " to Covid and Flu shots and also to Covid and Influenza infections. I believe mine, based on timing, most likely from Covid infection. Will discuss with my rheumatologist at next visit but I will likely get both vaccines again this year.

janiceem | @janiceem | 1 day ago

As I stated years ago in this thread, I am convinced that my PMR was linked to my second COVID vaccination (Pfyzer). I had initial pain associated with the vaccine and when that began to subside, I started hurting in my arms and legs, but only when I was laying in bed! I had such a mild case that it took 4 months to diagnose. I was on a low dose of prednisone for about a year with a flareup after I had COVID.

randersonccc | @randersonccc | 1 day ago

In reply to @oldflaguy69 "I had a very similar experience. Had my last Covid vaccine in a similar time frame..." + (show)

My PMR started 48 hours after I received the first “required” shot of the Covid 19 w MRNA. So yes in my case. And I know of many other people who have reacted the same with variations of the auto immune conditions. One of my sons had the same circumstance. The other who did not get vaccine is fine even though he got Covid 19. Half my family got the shot half didn’t. The half that didn’t are fine. The other half. Questionable still. I may never get another vaccine. For sure not one that has MRNA in it. 😷

bamiller57 | @bamiller57 | 1 day ago

Had the flu and pneumonia vaccines (Prevnar) at one setting in November of 2022. December of 2022 was admitted to emergency room because I could barely move and was in excruciating pain. January of 2023 was diagnosed with PMR and have been on Prednisone and had multiple flare-ups since. I've been to several specialists and you can hear a p I n drop when I give them my history. I'd been in excellent health up to then and I call bs to anyone who says vaccines don't trigger it.