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

sorry to hear about your covid -- is that why Dexamethasone was prescribed or for PMR? Have heard Covid recovery can have some of these breathing issues, too. Good luck with the Diazepam.

I've had PMR for a year and 3 weeks ago was tapering down to 1mg Prednisone. I got my first Pfizer COVID vaccine then and it immediately flared up my PMR. My rheumatologist put me back on 10mg Prednisone, but it's not helping. My second vaccine is due this week, but I'm hesitant because of my PMR.

Hello @cody0623 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thank you for joining the discussion and sharing your experience following your first vaccine.

Also, I am not sure if you have already reported your reaction to the vaccine yet, however, you can do so through VAERS: https://vaers.hhs.gov/

Did you consult with your doctor prior to your vaccine by chance? What is he/she recommending as far as your second dose?

Just a reminder to all who have had PMR problems after taking a COVID vaccine. Please report it so others will know:
You can report it through VAERS https://vaers.hhs.gov/

I have reported my side effects, but thought I should share.
Had my first moderna and only felt bad that first day then was fine. Second shot had to go to ER as I felt this huge lump on my left collarbone. Turns out ALL my lymph glands swelled up. I started feeling sick, as well. Three weeks later,I’m feeling better but glands still swollen and painful and full on PMR flare-up. Saw rheumatologist yesterday and except for PMR symptoms, seemed to not even want to discuss that the vaccine could be to blame. Was told to discuss with PCP.

I am so sorry to hear that your rheumatologist dismissed your concerns. I hope he is, at least, treating your PMR symptoms.
Many of us have had unpleasant reactions, but I don't think you should conclude, from reading Connect, that it is by any means a majority of people who get the vaccine, or even a majority of those who have PMR, Peripheral Neuropathy, RA or any condition - we are just all "seekers" who reach out to one another for answers, which most of the population does not.
In any case, if it might make you feel any better, here is a new discussion thread about the remarkable effects of the mass vaccination strategy has had on "knocking down" Covid-19 in the US. We just need to keep going until we can knock it out.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/some-positive-covid-19-vaccine-thoughts-and-statistics/
Sue

@cody0623 Thought I'd follow up with you to see if you went ahead and got the 2nd dose of Pfizer, and if so, how'd it go? Hope you are well.

I got my second Pfizer vaccine on May 6th. I did have some increased PMR issues, but not too bad. My Rheumatologist ordered a full-body PET scan to find where the inflammation might be coming from if not from PMR. It was done on 5/14, with no results yet. She increased my prednisone dose from 10mg to 20mg, but I haven't started taking the higher dose yet. Waiting on my PET scan results. For the PET scan, I could only eat meat and leafy green vegetables for 24 hours prior to the scan. The next day I felt much better so I'm changing my diet to limit sugars and carbs and it seems to help a lot. May be able to stay on 10mg dosage with the new diet.

fair enough! If the second shot was not too bad then I'm encouraged. The diet changes sounds very positive -- hope it continues to help.

I AM JUST READING YOUR POST FROM 12/28/20 and wondering if you have gotten the covid vaccine by now OR WHETHER YOU CHOSE TO SKIP IT?