Is it safe to get the Corona Virus (COVID-19) vaccine with PMR?

Posted by ncgal @ncgal, Nov 19, 2020

Just wondering if anyone has found out if it is okay to get the corona virus vaccine once it comes out. I'm 78, so past the 65+ age for early vaccinations, plus having the autoimmune diagnosis. I don't see my rheumatologist for another two months but guess I'll call him to find out if t comes to that. Just thought I'd see if anyone else has found out. I had no problem with the flu shot.

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@briand3960

I’m very similar to your Mom only 62 years and 1 year out from PMR after getting 2nd Shingrix vaccine. I just got my 2nd COViD vaccine (Pfizer) last week with no PMR flare. Minimal side effects - sore arm and minor lymph node swelling in armpit for 1 day. Wish you all the best of health.

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Thank you SO much. That is very encouraging. She's scheduled for the first vaccine now on Sunday. I really appreciate your response.

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@kcmartin71

My mom got the second Shingrix and flu shots the same day at Walgreens, a big mistake, but had never had an adverse vaccine reaction. She was definitely diagnosed with PMR and had the temporal biopsy (?) to test for GCA. She never had PMR or any immune issues before that, but her SED and C Reactive Protein levels were out of control by the time she made it to the doctor for blood work. Within 3 or 4 days of the vaccine, she was immobile (tears trying to get out of bed to shuffle to the bathroom) and in excruciating pain, joints all over her body (not just shoulders and hips) and could not even lift a glass of water to drink it. She developed difficulty breathing and swallowing and had low pulse oxygen. I don't think the ordinary vaccine side effects are anything like that and it seems that her response was rare, but not unheard of. Still the rheumatologist did not believe it was related to the vaccines, but we are not at all convinced. She had been going to the gym and taking daily walks. This was a radical change. I don't know that I would avoid the Shingrix because of this, but I just never want her to go through anything like that again (a flare-up of PMR), hence the question.

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Boy or boy, that sounds like my scenario. When I finally was diagnosed (3-4 months after symptom onset), I was a mess. I kept thinking it was orthopaetic. I deduced that it was the vaccine (shingrix), but like your moms doc, mine said that was not the case. Having discovered this site the the number of individuals with a similar story, umm yes it is. They just don’t know or don’t want to say. I’m a bit furious with the GP for just off the cuff telling me in needed the shingrix. It’s dramatically impacted my life. Still on 9.5 mg/ day and still in pain and had to manage a bout with GCA, which scared the heck out of me given the dire outcomes that are associated. My mistake was getting both vaccines at the same time I think. I’ll never really know. I didn’t want to but the pharmacist insisted. My gut said no, I should have listened. Here’s to a good recovery for all, and hoping the COVID vaccines do no harm to us and others. I’m definitely getting it when CA finally gets enough to get to the 65 range. It will be awhile I think. Not enough here in the state.

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I’ve just received my first Astra Zenica jab in UK - and so far, very happy to receive anything on offer. BUT I’ve just heard about the new Novavax vaccine in preparation - that it’s over 90% effective, and contains a powerful adjuvant from a rare tree in Chile which produces an intense immune response.
Now where have I heard that before? Ah yes, it’s exactly that adjuvant which is used in Shingrix, after which I (a previously healthy 72 year-old) developed PMR – mild compared with so many on this site (I managed it myself just on regular ibuprofen) – but from which I’m only now emerging after 16 months.
Just sayin’...
https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/oar/74765

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@jennyjay

I’ve just received my first Astra Zenica jab in UK - and so far, very happy to receive anything on offer. BUT I’ve just heard about the new Novavax vaccine in preparation - that it’s over 90% effective, and contains a powerful adjuvant from a rare tree in Chile which produces an intense immune response.
Now where have I heard that before? Ah yes, it’s exactly that adjuvant which is used in Shingrix, after which I (a previously healthy 72 year-old) developed PMR – mild compared with so many on this site (I managed it myself just on regular ibuprofen) – but from which I’m only now emerging after 16 months.
Just sayin’...
https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/oar/74765

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Thank you for this vital info. I’ve been keen on knowing the adjuvants in these vaccines too. I really feel miy PMR ( age 67) was due to the shingrix. Good thing about MRNA vaccine es, no adjuvant, just lipid carrier.

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Just received my first dose phizer vaccine. I am not on prednisone. My Dr. Didn't want me to get started if I didn't have to. I use Naproxen 500 mg when a flare happens. Will keep you all posted as to how the vaccine affects me. Stay well everyone!

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@sherrybird

Just received my first dose phizer vaccine. I am not on prednisone. My Dr. Didn't want me to get started if I didn't have to. I use Naproxen 500 mg when a flare happens. Will keep you all posted as to how the vaccine affects me. Stay well everyone!

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I also got my first dose 2/1 had increased pain for 2 days, then woke up today with No discomfort

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@sherrybird

Just received my first dose phizer vaccine. I am not on prednisone. My Dr. Didn't want me to get started if I didn't have to. I use Naproxen 500 mg when a flare happens. Will keep you all posted as to how the vaccine affects me. Stay well everyone!

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Side effects so far are a sore arm and slight nausea 7 hrs in. I ate something and the nausea went away. Constipation this morning, but that's not debilitating. No fever. I'm off to work. We'll see how the day goes.

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My mom had no side effects after the first dose. What a relief!

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@sherrybird

Just received my first dose phizer vaccine. I am not on prednisone. My Dr. Didn't want me to get started if I didn't have to. I use Naproxen 500 mg when a flare happens. Will keep you all posted as to how the vaccine affects me. Stay well everyone!

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2 days in, no issues. Arm isn't sore anymore, no additional aches. 2nd shot on the 24th. Stay tuned!

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@sherrybird

2 days in, no issues. Arm isn't sore anymore, no additional aches. 2nd shot on the 24th. Stay tuned!

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Yes, I'm on the same skd as you second dose on 24th. Had just a little sore arm . I have been weaning down on prednisone and am on 4mg. My Rheumatologist said to stay on it. Wish there was info as to take or not take before vaccine. Does Mayo have an answer??
pampep3

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