PMR and the new Shingles vaccine

Hi @grammlyn, There is an active discussion on Oral Lichen Planus that you might want to join and post any questions you might have. Here is the link to the discussion:

Groups > Autoimmune Diseases > Erosive oral lichen planus
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/erosive-oral-lichen-planus/

For anyone who had chicken pox, also known as varicella zoster, they will also be susceptible to shingles, or herpes zoster. The virus lives at the base of the spine until later in life when it resurfaces as shingles, or herpes zoster. If the immune system is low or a person has comorbitities, this makes you more susceptible to getting shingles earlier. Some never get it if the immune system is good. But more than likely you will. That is one reason the chicken pox vaccine was developed for children. If they’ve not had chicken pox, they probably won’t get shingles. Once you get the shingles vaccine it only lasts about 5 years so you don’t want to get it to early.

I received the two shots in August/September of 2018. The painful symptoms of Polymyalgia Rheumatica appeared shortly thereafter - morning pain/stiffness, in chest, shoulders, neck, back and hips. Bllod analysis failed to identify the cause with any certainty. Finally a PA used Prednisone treatment to at least temporarily relieve my discomfort. It worked almost immediately, thus revealing the PMR...and I’ve been “on” the damned stuff ever since. Tapering hasn’t worked, the discomfort is intense, constant, very depressing. Have other members of this group had a similar reaction to the shingles vaccination. (Btw I am not an anti-vaxxer, not even close). Thanks for your kind attention. Am a 77 year old male in otherwise reasonably good health living in Northern VErmont.

At age 84 I have not had the shingles vaccine as I did have shingles a few years ago. What was the initial dosage that you were started on? Has your PA continued to monitor your blood Sed Rate and CRP? Tapering down on Prednisone should be slow -- and the lower the dosage the slower the decrease should be. Good Luck during follow-up care. It's tough feeling miserable.

Hello, @karlskl, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It sounds like you've dealt with a lot of pain and discomfort in the last couple of years with the polymyalgia rheumatica. I've been on prednisone for short stretches for my asthma when I've had a flare, and it's a challenging drug to be on, though it definitely works.

I actually was offered the shingles vaccine at a recent appointment. I think it's now offered for those like me who are not elderly but who have asthma or some sort of compromised immune system. I believe the doctor forgot to have the nurse return at the end of the appointment to administer the vaccine, even though I consented early in the visit. So, now I have more time to consider. However, having had shingles a number of years back, I definitely would not want that to recur and would be inclined to be vaccinated.

Does the physician's assistant think that the shingles vaccine is a likely culprit for your polymyalgia rheumatica? Is it possible they were correlated in time only?

Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Hello, I'm a retired British doctor in previous very good health, now 73. I received the two Shingrix shots (new non-live vaccine) last August 2019, spiked a high temperature that night but then OK. However, within 3 weeks I'd developed the symptoms and distribution of polymyalgia rheumatica - pectoral and especially pelvic girdles, big muscle groups pain and stiffness. Playing piano fine, but buttocks painful on the piano stool. It's all still there 7 months later and I'm hobbling around - though fortunately I can control it on ibuprofen, so can avoid steroids.
There was a rheumatology conference in 2019 in Ohio where academics were expressing their worries about this vaccine. It's not the vaccine itself, but a new adjuvent (added to initiate the immune response) from a tree in Chile that promotes a very intense reaction and gives highly efficient protection. But the downside is that sufferers who already have auto-immune conditions could be made worse, and also that the vaccine could actually spark new auto-immune conditions such as kariski and I are experiencing.

Welcome to Connect @jennyjay. Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge. It is really helpful to others sharing your symptoms. I have had two occurrences of PMR but it is currently in remission. I have debated about getting the new Shingrix shot but still undecided. I would also hate to get shingles 🙁

John, I got the Shingrix while I was on prednisone for GCA and had no reaction. Saw too many people with Shingles and including my mother. I got the vaccine when I was 74. Asked my rheumatologist at Mayo and he said no problem getting the vaccine. Take care and stay safe.

I had a similar reaction after the second Shingrex vaccine I received on February 29, 2020. After some fever and overall bodyaches it settled into my hips and shoulders. Getting worked up for PMR in on prednisone 10 mg which is relieving some of my symptoms. I am a pharmacist and pro vaccinations, but if it triggered my PMR I would’ve really thought about it before getting it. Very thankful to have found this forum. I wish you the very best in maintaining your optimal health.