1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

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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sherrybird | @sherrybird | Feb 26, 2021

Happy dance update! Temp back to normal. 48 hrs after receiving 2nd Phizer vaccine. Unless something else happens, I think I'm good to go!

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peggyp | @peggyp | Feb 27, 2021
In reply to @kimh "Personally, I think I would rather deal with PMR pain, restrictions and medications with their side..." + (show)
@kimh

Personally, I think I would rather deal with PMR pain, restrictions and medications with their side effects, than catch covid. I'm not sure how my body would respond to covid, but I already know how it is reacting to PMR. I'm sticking with the devil I know! As soon as I am able, I will be getting the vaccine for covid. Just my opinion.

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Hear, Hear!! I agree.

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peggyp | @peggyp | Feb 27, 2021
In reply to @chris1949 "Thank you. I just heard from my doctor's team (he is on vacation). They recommended that..." + (show)
@chris1949

Thank you. I just heard from my doctor's team (he is on vacation). They recommended that I get the COVID vaccine but then stop the prednisone and hydroxychloroquine for 2 weeks. And then again for 2 weeks after the second COVID shot. I guess I will be a guinea pig and suffer (or not) the consequences. I will stay in touch. First shot is scheduled for Thursday 1/7/21.

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I dont think I could stop for two weeks , no pred? Over the pond, they recommend doubling your pred if you get the COVID. I am on a low amt, 3 1/2 mgs, but got the Moderna Shot and just had a sore arm. No stopping pred dosage for me.

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1 reply
kimh | @kimh | Feb 28, 2021
In reply to @peggyp "I dont think I could stop for two weeks , no pred? Over the pond, they..." + (show)
@peggyp

I dont think I could stop for two weeks , no pred? Over the pond, they recommend doubling your pred if you get the COVID. I am on a low amt, 3 1/2 mgs, but got the Moderna Shot and just had a sore arm. No stopping pred dosage for me.

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The messages are so mixed, but it looks like a low dose of prednisone might be okay....

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1 reply
artist01 | @artist01 | Feb 28, 2021
In reply to @kimh "The messages are so mixed, but it looks like a low dose of prednisone might be..." + (show)
@kimh

The messages are so mixed, but it looks like a low dose of prednisone might be okay....

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@kimh, just please do as your specialist recommends. X0 Laurie

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1 reply
kimh | @kimh | Feb 28, 2021
In reply to @artist01 "@kimh, just please do as your specialist recommends. X0 Laurie" + (show)
@artist01

@kimh, just please do as your specialist recommends. X0 Laurie

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I will for sure!

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mjb | @mjb | Mar 3, 2021
In reply to @briand3960 "I am a hospital pharmacist working on COVID-19 units who got PMR after my 2nd Shingrex..." + (show)
@briand3960

I am a hospital pharmacist working on COVID-19 units who got PMR after my 2nd Shingrex vaccine. So I've been on the fence whether to get the vaccine or not. I'm down to 2 mg Prednisone after starting in March. I sure don't want a flare up of PMR but I see the severe illness that COVID-19 can cause. I'm encouraged with the roll out that no serious side effects have been seen yet. I likely will get it when the hospital offers it in the near future

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I have been reading some studies done on the relationship between the flu vaccine and polymyalgia. I do believe I got polymyalgia from the flu vaccine because I have had so many. This is also why I think it affects older people because they have had more than most. I have had 3o flu vaccines and will not have anymore. I am therefore quite concerned about what this new coronavirus vaccine will do to my immune system. I am 59 now and have had polymyalgia now for over 5 years and am still symptomatic and still on prednisone though only 5 mgs.

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1 reply
kristem2020 | @kristem2020 | Mar 3, 2021
In reply to @mjb "I have been reading some studies done on the relationship between the flu vaccine and polymyalgia...." + (show)
@mjb

I have been reading some studies done on the relationship between the flu vaccine and polymyalgia. I do believe I got polymyalgia from the flu vaccine because I have had so many. This is also why I think it affects older people because they have had more than most. I have had 3o flu vaccines and will not have anymore. I am therefore quite concerned about what this new coronavirus vaccine will do to my immune system. I am 59 now and have had polymyalgia now for over 5 years and am still symptomatic and still on prednisone though only 5 mgs.

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I just left the rheumatologist at Brigham and Woman’s and was concerned about getting the Covid vaccine he is adamant about me getting it when I know I got my poly myalgia from the flu vaccine last October. I’m still up in the air whether or not I want to get it and he said would you rather have a little bit of pain or be dead !

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1 reply
peggyp | @peggyp | Mar 3, 2021

I am 82 and have had PMR for the last five years. I have also gotten the flu shot every year. My PMR was triggered by a medication. Many PMR people have gotten it because their body could no longer take the abuse of whatever happened at the time they got PMR. I also got the Shingles shot and Pneumonia shot before PMR. I have received the first Moderna shot and had only a sore arm. I am not looking forward to the second shot as I hear it has more symptoms but I do not want to die of COVID. I hope this is helpful.

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1 reply
artist01 | @artist01 | Mar 3, 2021
In reply to @kristem2020 "I just left the rheumatologist at Brigham and Woman’s and was concerned about getting the Covid..." + (show)
@kristem2020

I just left the rheumatologist at Brigham and Woman’s and was concerned about getting the Covid vaccine he is adamant about me getting it when I know I got my poly myalgia from the flu vaccine last October. I’m still up in the air whether or not I want to get it and he said would you rather have a little bit of pain or be dead !

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@kristem2020 My rheumatologist said the same thing to me as yours did.
I'm 85 years old, have Giant Cell Arteritis and multiple other serious conditions, so very compromised.

I had my first Covid injection January 24, 2021, and was scheduled to have the second injection this Sunday, March 7. Was just informed that the medical scientists in my province of British Columbia in Canada have made the decision that it is now appropriate to space the two injections 16 weeks apart. Yikes, we all thought! Our new date for the second injection is May 15th.

I sincerely hope you make the wise decision to get your Covid vaccinations. Your doctor is a member of one of the top, world class institutions and he didn't get there by accident!

P.S. I had absolutely no bad reaction, and neither did any of the 50 people living in my Assisted Living seniors' residence.
Best wishes,
Laurie

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