1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Can PMR (Polymyalgia Rheumatica) be induced by vaccine?

Posted by kristem2020 @kristem2020, Jan 2, 2021

Good evening, I’ve recently been diagnosed with PMR. It came on a week after my flu shot October 23, 2020.

Has anyone experienced the same diagnosis after a flu shot?

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

Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 4, 2021
In reply to @kristem2020 "Thank you for your reply. I received the flu vaccine October 23, 2020 and by oct..." + (show)
@kristem2020

Thank you for your reply. I received the flu vaccine October 23, 2020 and by oct 30 , 2020 I had debilitating joint and muscle pain. I could sit on the toilet with out assistance because my left knee, quad, and hamstring were too painful. My hips were also very stiff. My left knee was the size of a softball and the leg was swollen. My SED was in the 40s. My CPR was not far behind.
Within another week my shoulders and arms followed suit with immobility. I was put on a low dose of prednisone which did not help. I suffered for weeks while the Drs
We’re ruling out other diagnoses. Cat scans, ultra sounds, and MRIs. Oh and neurological testing as well. All negative. I went to Brigham and women’s and that’s where I was diagnosed with PMR. Like others I suffered more that I could ever imagine immobility to be.
I’m 100% better but not 100% by any means. My life has changed from an extremely active woman to one who is struggling to find out what caused this so I can fix it.

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@kristem2020 Unfortunately I don't think they can really pin PMR to specific causes. From what I've read genetics plays a part and it can show up after an environmental trigger of some sort - virus, vaccine, etc.. I've made some lifestyle changes to try and help keep my PMR in remission by avoiding some foods and trying to stay active. If you are looking for a few things to try, here's some information that may be helpful.

What to eat if you have polymyalgia rheumatica: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321683

REPLY
karinaph | @karinaph | Jan 4, 2021

I feel there is a likely connection with vaccines and PMR. I too had the difficulties ambulating, severe pain and then some vision issues. All after my “ senior” flu shot and the shingrix vaccine. Remember the senior shot is 4x stronger than normal flu shot. This past year, I opted for the regular formulation not the senior dose. It appears from the literature that John has so kindly shared, along with another I read recently, that the adjuvants may be the factors that are triggering this over reaction in some people, like us.
I’m watching closely on our covid vaccines , as to which one may be more suitable. I do want to get the vaccine, but I have my trepidations. I’ll check with my rheumatologist too, and perhaps my endocrinologist too. Please share any insights you may have from your practitioners too. My docs are with UCSF just for reference.

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2 replies
veronixa | @veronixa | Jan 5, 2021
In reply to @kristem2020 "Did you have the flu shot before you went to the orthopedic? Ty" + (show)
@kristem2020

Did you have the flu shot before you went to the orthopedic? Ty

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Yes I did

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mgrogers | @mgrogers | Jan 18, 2021
In reply to @karinaph "I feel there is a likely connection with vaccines and PMR. I too had the difficulties..." + (show)
@karinaph

I feel there is a likely connection with vaccines and PMR. I too had the difficulties ambulating, severe pain and then some vision issues. All after my “ senior” flu shot and the shingrix vaccine. Remember the senior shot is 4x stronger than normal flu shot. This past year, I opted for the regular formulation not the senior dose. It appears from the literature that John has so kindly shared, along with another I read recently, that the adjuvants may be the factors that are triggering this over reaction in some people, like us.
I’m watching closely on our covid vaccines , as to which one may be more suitable. I do want to get the vaccine, but I have my trepidations. I’ll check with my rheumatologist too, and perhaps my endocrinologist too. Please share any insights you may have from your practitioners too. My docs are with UCSF just for reference.

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I'm 72 and recovering from Covid....believe me I will get the vaccine!

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jpalexander | @jpalexander | Jan 20, 2021
In reply to @veronixa "We need to find out where to report this because I’ve read that it’s unusual and..." + (show)
@veronixa

We need to find out where to report this because I’ve read that it’s unusual and not many cases being reported!! I want to report it so they know just how common it is!!

I know one thing for sure, no covid vaccine for me and never another flu shot!!

I saw a video that states that one of the side effects of the covid vaccine is autoimmune diseases. Beware!!

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I just had my first Covid vaccination. If getting a flu shot caused me to have PMR perhaps the Covid vaccine will take it away.LOL

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3 replies
kimh | @kimh | Jan 20, 2021
In reply to @jpalexander "I just had my first Covid vaccination. If getting a flu shot caused me to have..." + (show)
@jpalexander

I just had my first Covid vaccination. If getting a flu shot caused me to have PMR perhaps the Covid vaccine will take it away.LOL

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Fingers crossed!

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mimik211 | @mimik211 | Jan 20, 2021
In reply to @jpalexander "I just had my first Covid vaccination. If getting a flu shot caused me to have..." + (show)
@jpalexander

I just had my first Covid vaccination. If getting a flu shot caused me to have PMR perhaps the Covid vaccine will take it away.LOL

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Here’s hoping!!

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mr11344 | @mr11344 | Feb 7, 2021

My initial PMR symptoms took place a few days after Prevnar 13 pneumonia vaccine.

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mr11344 | @mr11344 | Feb 10, 2021

I got first time PMR symptoms days after Prevnar 13 pneumonia vaccine. Struggled with symptoms for 15 months since.

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scpartain | @scpartain | May 8, 2021

I experienced sudden onset of PMR within one week after receiving the Pfizer vaccine for Covid-19.

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