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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

ste44 | @ste44 | Mar 24, 2021

In reply to @ste44 "I checked with all my doctors, who agreed it was essential for me to get vaccine...." + (show)

One person told me it took her 18 months to go from 25 mg to 10. It worked and she has stayed at 10 or under. I am going to go as slow as she did but I will not start until the pain is under control.

ste44 | @ste44 | Mar 24, 2021

In reply to @karinaph "Sounds like a solid plan, take it slow from 10 downward is my approach and it..." + (show)

That is exactly what I am going to do, even it it takes me a year o r more from 20 or 25.

ste44 | @ste44 | Mar 24, 2021

In reply to @peggyp "And the goal is to get down to the most comfortable place without pain (PMR), not..." + (show)

Thank you.

Jeff Down Under | @legendts | Mar 24, 2021

In reply to @karinaph "Sounds like a solid plan, take it slow from 10 downward is my approach and it..." + (show)

How long do you stay on each reduction period Karen?

karinaph | @karinaph | Mar 24, 2021

In reply to @legendts "How long do you stay on each reduction period Karen?" + (show)

I’m currently at two weeks for each drop on Prednisone. I had an unfortunate GCA experience when I went down too fast last time. I was so adamant about reducing. Little did I know. I’m watching myself more closely and it seems to takes 5 days before I sense in my body’s reaction to the reduction. I get more muscle pain / weakness in legs mostly, then I know I need to plateau out of that before I take the next step down, usually another 6-8 days. So far so good.

Jeff Down Under | @legendts | Mar 25, 2021

In reply to @karinaph "I’m currently at two weeks for each drop on Prednisone. I had an unfortunate GCA experience..." + (show)

Now you are making me second guess myself with what I'm doing 🤔. I'll sleep on it and "maybe" come back to four weeks instead of five considering I will be coming down in 1mg steps.

Edit: Meant also to add a thank you for your input.

peggyp | @peggyp | Mar 25, 2021

In reply to @legendts "Now you are making me second guess myself with what I'm doing 🤔. I'll sleep on..." + (show)

It takes m 35 days using Dorset Lady's reduction method and then I stay there for a week or two. I am in my fifth year. I stayed at 6/7 mgs for over a year. The slower one goes, the less flares..

peggyp | @peggyp | Mar 25, 2021

In reply to @peggyp "It takes m 35 days using Dorset Lady's reduction method and then I stay there for..." + (show)

I am currently at 3 1/2 mgs for the last six moths, briefly at 3 mgs but upped 1/2 because of hip pain. One top Rheumatologist keeps patients on 3 mgs for a year.

Jeff Down Under | @legendts | Mar 25, 2021

In reply to @peggyp "I am currently at 3 1/2 mgs for the last six moths, briefly at 3 mgs..." + (show)

All food for thought, thank you. This is all especially interesting to this newly diagnosed chap. So much to learn from others experience struggling with PMR.

kristem2020 | @kristem2020 | Mar 25, 2021

In reply to @karinaph "Hi @heblegan. Sorry to hear you’ve been struck by by PMR again. I too feel my..." + (show)

I can’t seem to wrap my head around thinking that getting a vaccine will bring out PMR again. I never want to be where I was last November December and January with such a major flareup. I’m not convinced getting the vaccine is worth getting a severe flareup