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.

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

marymv | @marymv | Apr 28, 2021
In reply to @hblegen "Hi, i am a physician, internal medicine ,,3 and 4 years ago i got PMR about..." + (show)
@hblegen

Hi, i am a physician, internal medicine
,,3 and 4 years ago i got PMR about month after flu vaccine, ,,elevated sed rate,,normall C reactive protein
,,,Rhematologist put me on prednisone taper and slowly got better in about 2 to 3 months
,,for last 2 years i got flu vaccine without get PMR
,,however, i got Pfizer covid vaccines 1/21 and about 6 weeks later got what i am pretty sure was severe flare PMR in my right hip,,buttock with pain,,and best described weakness or "wobbly legs",,i could not walk without pain or jog
,,i started prednisone taper and about 3 weeks seem to be better now,
,,there is not much literature on PMR being triggered by vaccines,,,but sure seems in my case to be the culprit,
,,

Jump to this post

Hello, My Dr. & I are pretty certain my strong immune response caused it. Never had a problem before the fever after the 2nd Pfizer Vac. Lived with pain & stiffness for 3 months. Prednisone helping 80% at 20mg. One thing I can’t get out of my head is that my Mother developed Gullain Barre after getting a flu in 1963. Paralyzed & trached for a cpl months. May be a genetic link?

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Apr 28, 2021
In reply to @hblegen "Hi, i am a physician, internal medicine ,,3 and 4 years ago i got PMR about..." + (show)
@hblegen

Hi, i am a physician, internal medicine
,,3 and 4 years ago i got PMR about month after flu vaccine, ,,elevated sed rate,,normall C reactive protein
,,,Rhematologist put me on prednisone taper and slowly got better in about 2 to 3 months
,,for last 2 years i got flu vaccine without get PMR
,,however, i got Pfizer covid vaccines 1/21 and about 6 weeks later got what i am pretty sure was severe flare PMR in my right hip,,buttock with pain,,and best described weakness or "wobbly legs",,i could not walk without pain or jog
,,i started prednisone taper and about 3 weeks seem to be better now,
,,there is not much literature on PMR being triggered by vaccines,,,but sure seems in my case to be the culprit,
,,

Jump to this post

You might be interested in this discussion on the Covid 19 group - specifically the research john (@johnbishop) and I have done regarding PN and the vaccine - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-vaccines-and-neuropathy/?pg=39#comment-597704
PN flares and inflammatory arthritis flares from vaccines have been reported in VAERS for over a decade, so this is not new - it's just a matter of each person figuring out if the protection is worth the discomfort.
I have reacted to both shingles and flu vaccines in the past with inflammatory flares, so was not surprised to have a similar reaction to the Pfizer vaccine. For the first time ever, my husband reacted as well. In both cases, the episodes resolved after a month or so.
Sue

REPLY
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Apr 28, 2021
In reply to @marymv "Hello, My Dr. & I are pretty certain my strong immune response caused it. Never had..." + (show)
@marymv

Hello, My Dr. & I are pretty certain my strong immune response caused it. Never had a problem before the fever after the 2nd Pfizer Vac. Lived with pain & stiffness for 3 months. Prednisone helping 80% at 20mg. One thing I can’t get out of my head is that my Mother developed Gullain Barre after getting a flu in 1963. Paralyzed & trached for a cpl months. May be a genetic link?

Jump to this post

This is certainly worth mentioning to your doc, who may choose to report to VAERS.
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
marymv | @marymv | Apr 28, 2021
In reply to @sueinmn "This is certainly worth mentioning to your doc, who may choose to report to VAERS. Sue" + (show)
@sueinmn

This is certainly worth mentioning to your doc, who may choose to report to VAERS.
Sue

Jump to this post

Thank you Sue! I sent the VAERS form two days ago. I appreciate your input!

REPLY
2heal | @2heal | Apr 29, 2021
In reply to @hblegen "Hi, i am a physician, internal medicine ,,3 and 4 years ago i got PMR about..." + (show)
@hblegen

Hi, i am a physician, internal medicine
,,3 and 4 years ago i got PMR about month after flu vaccine, ,,elevated sed rate,,normall C reactive protein
,,,Rhematologist put me on prednisone taper and slowly got better in about 2 to 3 months
,,for last 2 years i got flu vaccine without get PMR
,,however, i got Pfizer covid vaccines 1/21 and about 6 weeks later got what i am pretty sure was severe flare PMR in my right hip,,buttock with pain,,and best described weakness or "wobbly legs",,i could not walk without pain or jog
,,i started prednisone taper and about 3 weeks seem to be better now,
,,there is not much literature on PMR being triggered by vaccines,,,but sure seems in my case to be the culprit,
,,

Jump to this post

I got the 1st dose of Moderna on 1/22/21 and within several days experienced severe inflammation in shoulders and hips. Diagnosis was PMR with SED rates @ 50. I fit the profile for PMR (female, late 60's, of Northern European descent), but I feel it was definitely triggered by the vaccine. Neither my Rheumatologist nor my primary physician knew whether to recommend I take the 2nd dose of Moderna, so I haven't. The catch is that I know the prednisone reduces my immunity, and I guess with only 1 part of the Moderna therapy I may have a lesser degree of immunity to the virus.
Have been taking prednisone 2x daily since then, trying to reduce it from 40 mg/day and am now at 22.5mg/day. My reactions to the prednisone seem worse than to the PMR, but my Rheumatology doctor hasn't been able to see me since I saw him in mid February. I am suffering shortness of breath, my face is very swollen, my eyes bother me, my skull feels swollen. I was reducing prednisone every 5 days, but my SED rate increased from my post original therapy of 50 to 22 with Rx, and to 41 during that period when I was reducing it. Pain was not too remarkable in the process though I could feel that shoulder pain was beginning by the time I woke up each day. Since then, on basis of SED rate, I was told to stop reducing prednisone until I could get my first follow up appointment since diagnosis. I'm uncomfortable with the prednisone and really want it reduced as quickly as possible.

REPLY
3 replies
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Apr 29, 2021
In reply to @2heal "I got the 1st dose of Moderna on 1/22/21 and within several days experienced severe inflammation..." + (show)
@2heal

I got the 1st dose of Moderna on 1/22/21 and within several days experienced severe inflammation in shoulders and hips. Diagnosis was PMR with SED rates @ 50. I fit the profile for PMR (female, late 60's, of Northern European descent), but I feel it was definitely triggered by the vaccine. Neither my Rheumatologist nor my primary physician knew whether to recommend I take the 2nd dose of Moderna, so I haven't. The catch is that I know the prednisone reduces my immunity, and I guess with only 1 part of the Moderna therapy I may have a lesser degree of immunity to the virus.
Have been taking prednisone 2x daily since then, trying to reduce it from 40 mg/day and am now at 22.5mg/day. My reactions to the prednisone seem worse than to the PMR, but my Rheumatology doctor hasn't been able to see me since I saw him in mid February. I am suffering shortness of breath, my face is very swollen, my eyes bother me, my skull feels swollen. I was reducing prednisone every 5 days, but my SED rate increased from my post original therapy of 50 to 22 with Rx, and to 41 during that period when I was reducing it. Pain was not too remarkable in the process though I could feel that shoulder pain was beginning by the time I woke up each day. Since then, on basis of SED rate, I was told to stop reducing prednisone until I could get my first follow up appointment since diagnosis. I'm uncomfortable with the prednisone and really want it reduced as quickly as possible.

Jump to this post

Hello @2heal, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a welcoming online community where patients and caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others. From my experience with 2 occurrences of PMR and what some others have said when first diagnosed with PMR is they were started at 20 mg dose of prednisone, I have no medical background or training but I'm wondering if the swollen face and shortness of breath may be a side effect of the high dosage of prednisone. The Drugwatch site lists both of the symptoms you mention as possible serious side effects possibly caused by an allergic reaction to prednisone.

Prednisone Side Effects: https://www.drugwatch.com/prednisone/side-effects/

Have you discussed your symptoms with your rheumatologist or doctor?

REPLY
1 reply
2heal | @2heal | Apr 30, 2021
In reply to @marymv "Hi everyone. I was just diagnosed with PMR after 11wks of lumbar then hip, knee &..." + (show)
@marymv

Hi everyone. I was just diagnosed with PMR after 11wks of lumbar then hip, knee & eventual shoulder pain, stiffness & loss of range of motion. My symptoms occurred 2 days after my 2nd Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine. I developed a 101.3 temp within 12 hrs. I was bedridden for 13 hrs and woke up feeling much better but had bilateral lumbar pain. Symptoms progressed to other body parts within 2 wks. R/O spine problems with negative MRI. C-Reactive Protein, Anemia & “text book” symptoms confirmed diagnosis. Started Prednisone 20mg and starting to definitely feel better. Wondering if anyone else developed this after the vaccines immune response? BTW I think the vaccine is a miracle and don’t want to cause any vaccine hesitation. This syndrome can occur after a flu or any vaccine.

Jump to this post

I just posted yesterday about my reaction to the Moderna vaccine in January.My shoulders and hips became severely inflamed within a few days, and after a consult with my primary he started me on 20mg prednisone each morning and night. That Rx and dosage are having worrisome side effects -- shortness of breath, moon face, muscle weakness, etc and I'd like to know if there are people who have been reducing their prednisone (how fast) and what their reactions and side effects are? I was reducing mine 2.5 mg every 5-7 days and my SED rate jumped 20 within that period while I was cutting it back. I've been on hold at this point (13.5mg day and 10mg Prednisone at night) while waiting several weeks for a follow up with my rheumatologist who has only seen me for the initial diagnostic visit back in February. Can anyone else tell me about what to expect when cutting back on Prednisone? I'm wondering if the cure may be worse than the PMR?

REPLY
3 replies
2heal | @2heal | Apr 30, 2021
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @2heal, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a welcoming online community where patients and caregivers share..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @2heal, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a welcoming online community where patients and caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others. From my experience with 2 occurrences of PMR and what some others have said when first diagnosed with PMR is they were started at 20 mg dose of prednisone, I have no medical background or training but I'm wondering if the swollen face and shortness of breath may be a side effect of the high dosage of prednisone. The Drugwatch site lists both of the symptoms you mention as possible serious side effects possibly caused by an allergic reaction to prednisone.

Prednisone Side Effects: https://www.drugwatch.com/prednisone/side-effects/

Have you discussed your symptoms with your rheumatologist or doctor?

Jump to this post

Yes, thank you for the article. I have only had an initial visit with the rheumatologist last Feb, and since then I have left messages in my online file and called his office but I can't get in there for my first follow up visit with him until May. I appreciate knowing what others went through when they started reducing their prednisone, if they were able to accelerate the reduction, and if they have tried alternate therapies.

REPLY
terrydeg | @terrydeg | Apr 30, 2021
In reply to @2heal "I got the 1st dose of Moderna on 1/22/21 and within several days experienced severe inflammation..." + (show)
@2heal

I got the 1st dose of Moderna on 1/22/21 and within several days experienced severe inflammation in shoulders and hips. Diagnosis was PMR with SED rates @ 50. I fit the profile for PMR (female, late 60's, of Northern European descent), but I feel it was definitely triggered by the vaccine. Neither my Rheumatologist nor my primary physician knew whether to recommend I take the 2nd dose of Moderna, so I haven't. The catch is that I know the prednisone reduces my immunity, and I guess with only 1 part of the Moderna therapy I may have a lesser degree of immunity to the virus.
Have been taking prednisone 2x daily since then, trying to reduce it from 40 mg/day and am now at 22.5mg/day. My reactions to the prednisone seem worse than to the PMR, but my Rheumatology doctor hasn't been able to see me since I saw him in mid February. I am suffering shortness of breath, my face is very swollen, my eyes bother me, my skull feels swollen. I was reducing prednisone every 5 days, but my SED rate increased from my post original therapy of 50 to 22 with Rx, and to 41 during that period when I was reducing it. Pain was not too remarkable in the process though I could feel that shoulder pain was beginning by the time I woke up each day. Since then, on basis of SED rate, I was told to stop reducing prednisone until I could get my first follow up appointment since diagnosis. I'm uncomfortable with the prednisone and really want it reduced as quickly as possible.

Jump to this post

I developed symptoms and was diagnosed with PMR after my second Moderna vaccine. Had absolutely no issues prior to the vaccine- my rheumatologist agrees it was the trigger.

REPLY
1 reply
avmcbellar | @avmcbellar | Apr 30, 2021
In reply to @2heal "I just posted yesterday about my reaction to the Moderna vaccine in January.My shoulders and hips..." + (show)
@2heal

I just posted yesterday about my reaction to the Moderna vaccine in January.My shoulders and hips became severely inflamed within a few days, and after a consult with my primary he started me on 20mg prednisone each morning and night. That Rx and dosage are having worrisome side effects -- shortness of breath, moon face, muscle weakness, etc and I'd like to know if there are people who have been reducing their prednisone (how fast) and what their reactions and side effects are? I was reducing mine 2.5 mg every 5-7 days and my SED rate jumped 20 within that period while I was cutting it back. I've been on hold at this point (13.5mg day and 10mg Prednisone at night) while waiting several weeks for a follow up with my rheumatologist who has only seen me for the initial diagnostic visit back in February. Can anyone else tell me about what to expect when cutting back on Prednisone? I'm wondering if the cure may be worse than the PMR?

Jump to this post

Hi @2heal I am sorry to hear all you are enduring. Sounds like the SED rate is an indicator for arthritis which is an autoimmune disorder. That would explain your joints being affected. Basically your body is attacking itself for the inflammation thus creating the arthritis. Prednisone is used in many cases to suppress the immune system so it does not react as much. It would be understandable for the SED rate to increase as the prednisone is decreased. I would follow up with your rheumatologist or doctor who prescribed the prednisone to ask questions and be better advised. Did the doctor suggest to be weaned of the prednisone? Which ever doctor started you on prednisone ask that doctor why. Find out more info for what the goal was.

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