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

Once I read all the messages here and considered my own situation, I started asking my neighbors (a small South Texas RV Community) and several with inflammatory issues had flares - but not the people on prednisone or a bilogic... and not everyone. Just another example of the complexity of human biology.
Sue

Hi Chris- 24 hours after I had the pfizer jab I developed symptoms of PMR. I was finally diagnosed 8 weeks later and have been put on steroids (predisolone). I will need to be on them for up to 2 years. The pain was utterly unbearable and I lived on painkillers for weeks. I now have to face possibly hideous side effects from the steroids.
I have a pre existing respiratory condition. Had I been made aware of the possibility of a reaction - I may not have had the vaccine. I went from being active and relatively fit to being bedridden for weeks within 48 hours and am still weak snd frail. I am 66
I hope you do not suffer the same. Good luck

@sueinmn. Can you share what essential oil you use and the exercises you do? I've been doing the exercises my ortho doctor and PT gave me and I'm not seeing much improvements. I also have problems with my SI joints. I use to get relief by lying down, but now it's not even helping. My legs feel like they're on fire when I finish my walking. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I am so sorry. I have been on prednisone for 3 years and was on 20 mg since last June because my PMR was bad. I have been okay with it, few side effects and blood tests are normal. Starting in January, I had to reduce too fast to 10mg, in order to get the vaccine shots, so the past three months have been rough. And, the P!R flare up from the vaccine is still a reality. Last Thursday, after my second shot and the two-week wait, my Dr put me back at 20mg to “wack” the PMR. Each day is a little better. Also, back to using the anti inflammatory gel. Epson Salt naths help too. The process has been hard and slow, but the vaccine was important and worth it. My doctors were clear about my needing it. Hang in there.

Here is the essential oil blend - I started with a mixture of peppermint & eucalyptus - both have good anti-inflammatory properties, then consulted my essential oil guide and added other anti-inflammatory oils until I found a combination that helps both my husband and me. Neither of us can take oral NSAID's or Tylenol on a regular basis, so we needed an alternative.

In a dark glass bottle (I use a 1 ounce roller-top) use:
24 drops each: peppermint, eucalyptus, clove, copaiba, black hills spruce and wintergreen
12 drops each: frankincense & helichrysum (this one optional)
Add equal amount (by eye) of a dilutant oil - I use organic grapeseed oil from the grocery store because it is odorless.
If you want to use it as a rub, it can be mixed with coconut oil - I personally just don't like the smell.

Store at room temp, roll on sore places a few times a day & massage in well. You will feel a cooling/heating from the oil, but also pain relief, which improves the more you use it. It works best on pain near skin, like neck, back, shoulders, sciatic, but several days of regular use also worked on my hips. On "Bad Hand days" this keeps me able to move - I rub it completely into the backs of hands, fingers and wrists - then fully wipe my fingertips with baby wipes and keep them away from my face!

Some people add CBD oil to the mixture, others rub it in along with this. Others use Voltaren (NSAID) gel with it (this is my scheme - neither is enough alone some days, but together they work.)

Please note that if you have sensitivities, you should test each oil on the skin of your inner arm for a day before you use it. I will not give you a Brand name recommendation, just say to buy a good brand from a reputable source - and that doesn't mean you need to go to the most expensive - just make sure they source their oils from a place that discloses how they are extracted.

Sue

Hi Miriam - I am sorry to hear about your reaction, and more sorry to share the reality that though many doctors seem to think PMR lasts for "up to two years," according to Mayo Clinic's most recent study, PMR lasts on average 5.9 years. I was active as well, but have learned to slow down. I also use a slow taper and after some ups and downs am at 9mgs. prednisone. I was diagnosed the summer of 2019. I had been paralyzed with pain and after receiving 15 mgs. of prednisone had complete relief. The best to you.

Thank you! I too have struggled for more than two years and have taken higher doses of prednisone. I am not alone🥰

@sueinmn. Thank you very much for this information. I really appreciate it.

I believe I contracted PMR (diagnosed) from the first Shingrex vaccine, plus flu vaccine given at the same time, different arms in 2019. I just finished 14 months of prednisone, but have developed extremely painful shoulders and weak arms after 2nd Moderna shot. I fear that it is a PMR flare up.

Hi - I was diagnosed with PMR late last summer at age 58. Story similar to that of many here - took a while to diagnose, but prednisone took care of pain almost immediately. I started at 15 -20 mg and am now down to 6 - 6.5. I have been reading posts here since my husband found this group a month or so ago. Thank you all so much! It has really helped to know I am not alone. I am also going even more slowly on reducing pred thanks to the posts here.Ask rheum. today for 1 mg pred and he complied. I also am on methotrexate - rheumatol. is not sure it's helping, so he wants to start me on Humira - AFTER I have had my COVID shots. I am scheduled for 1st Moderna Wed. (April 7). Saw Rheumy to day - he said continue pred, but skip methotrexate the week of each COVID vaccine (I take it once a week). Re flu shot - I felt sick after the first one I took over 20 years ago and had not taken one since. Still got PMR. Rheumatol wanted me to take one this year - I did, with no problems. So thanks again for your shares, I'll keep you posted on how the COVID vaccines go.