Has anyone had Covid or the flu along with PMR?

@gigilea I got Covid this past July. When I went to pick up my Paxlovid prescription, the pharmacist told me how much my co-pay was going to be (I think it was around $600). He told me to get on the manufacturer's web site and apply for payment assistance. There was an option for people on private health insurance and those with public (Medicare). I completed the form for the public health insurance. I was immediately given an approval number which I printed off and took to the pharmacy. My charge was $0. I'm so glad that the pharmacist told me about this program.

I just had Covid 3 weeks ago. It was just like a cold, runny nose. cough, etc. Last year I took the Pfizer booster and got Covid 3 weeks later. I'm tapering on Prednisone to 2mg/day and decided not to get a booster this year.
My wife and I have been fully vaccinated for RSV, Flu, Covid, Shingrix, etc. but I didn't want to chance a PMR flare. I took a chance but the Covid symptoms recently seem to be equivalent to a cold (so far).
The flu shots are WHO's best guess in February as to the strains of virus to expect the following Fall. The 2024-25 vaccine missed, and the recent Cleveland Clinic study from 10/11/2025 that followed 53,402 of their employees found that the ones that had the flu vaccine were slightly more likely to get the flu than the people that did not get vaccinated. Hopefully they made a better guess for this year.

DO NOT GET THE COVID VACCINE!!! The CDC recommended that all PMR patients refrain. Im one that took it three years ago. It put me in a wheel chair. During Covid the CDC took the J&J of the market because so many of us were having relapses. Then they put it back on the market because not enough of us were having a reaction.

My wonderful* doctor told me to wait until I was off Prednisone before getting a vaccine. I hesitate to dip into the chemical stew. Last year, perhaps coincidentally or perhaps not, after receiving my flu and COVID vaccines I came down with a chest cold and then a PMR flare--my first, after ten years of pain-free living. I am over 2 months off Prednisone. My doctor suggested beginning in November I might consider a flu shot, ("I am not anti-vaccine!" says she.) The reason to wait until November was that the protection from flu shots does not last long and I should wait until the flu season revs up. I don't want another flare, so I hesitate. I am going to take it up with my naturopath to weigh in her opinion, my exposure to viruses, etc.

*My doctor is "wonderful" because she and I are on the same page as far as minimizing the amounts of medication taken, instead focusing on building a healthy body. Come to think of it, I am learning how to garden in that same vein: fewer chemicals (if any applications at all). Instead, tending the health of the soil microbes to better feed the plants. So now I follow an anti-inflammatory diet, do gentle exercise and allow for ample rest; reduce stress and try to keep in balance. use 8-hour arthritis-strength acetaminophen as needed (once or twice/day, if at all). Gardening is hard work!

@kereno
I have had not problems with COVID vaccine. I get the MRNA Moderna or phifizer.

@kereno I was fully vaccinated and got Covid in July 2025. My rheumatologist told me to skip the Covid vaccine for this winter. I did get vaccinated for flu and pneumonia. No issues. I have had a couple of banging respiratory infections since I got GCA/PMR in July 2024.

Interesting. I have had two respiratory infections--I just called them chest colds. I wonder if this is one of the common symptoms of PMR. I'm sorry you have GCA too. But you are on top of it, that's good.

Chest colds and viruses are pretty common in people with autoimmune diseases. I’ve had four infections since January. I did have Covid in 2024, even after being vaccinated.

@kereno Fortunately, both PMR and GCA are in remission. I believe that since I'm getting Actemra infusions, my immune system is compromised. That's one of the side effects. I also think that taking Prednisone, reduces one's immune system.