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← Return to Long term Statin use and PMR
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Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: 52 minutes ago | Replies (9)
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I am 69 years old have been taking statins for over 10 years with no side effects. I had two questions for my rheumatologist on my first visit this past January. 1. Did I do something or change something that cause this condition? And the second which in retrospect goes with the first, could my vaccine booster shot have precipitated this? Her answer to first was “no” that a mentor of her explained that in the book of my life I finally hit the chapter where PMR flared. The answer to second was “not sure, but could have”. Not crazy about either but though corny I chose to buy into answer “1”. Though I will have to say when anniversary date for boosters comes up I will have to think about it.
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I was convinced a flu vaccine triggered a flare of PMR. I don't think a vaccine triggered PMR when I was originally diagnosed. When I was reluctant to get another flu vaccine a year later I told my rheumatologist about what I thought triggered the last flare. My doctor was certain a flare "could happen" but if a flare happened again more Prednisone would be prescribed!
I wasn't wild about another flare but I accepted the flu vaccine. I didn't have a flare and didn't need any extra Prednisone that time. My belief is a vaccine can trigger a flare but not always.
As for the statin I was taking for years, my rheumatologist felt that the stain "could be contributing to my pain. " He came to this conclusion when my cholesterol level was too low and my CK level was too high. My statin was stopped but it didn't make any difference. Then my doctor said my long term Prednisone use might have contributed to my pain but "more likely" it was arthritis.
It is hard to get definitive answers from any doctor. Fortunately, my doctor never doubted for a minute that I was having pain.