Can PMR (Polymyalgia Rheumatica) be induced by vaccine?

Prednisone taken only in the morning does not last long enough to help during the night. I find taking most of my current regular dose in the morning and then a smaller dose in the evening helps it last longer and it helps during the night. I know many others have reported doing that also. But you need to have a variety of dose sizes to help with this. I have 5 mg, 2.5 mg and 1 mg tablets for the stage that I am in. Someone else may need 10s or 20s, etc.

I have a question on the vaccine issue. I read the article(s) John posted earlier and it seemed the article about a patient whose case for vaccine-related PMR was clearly medically substantiated, said her shot was an adjuvanted vaccine. I’ve done some reading about the reasons for adjuvants being used, and I find it confusing. One of the main reasons for adding the adjuvant is for those 65 years and older, all of whose immune systems (it is assumed) need an extra boost, because more elderly die of the flu than any other age category. Here’s what I find confusing:

I am 73 and already have 4 other autoimmune conditions. It seems to me my autoimmune system is on “overdrive” attacking tissues that aren’t problematic. I really think people like myself don’t need a special kick-start added to a vaccine just because we’re over 65. That is way too broad a category. Isn’t it possible that regardless of age, people with immune systems that are already “hyper” in a sense, are more at risk when injected with an additive designed to rev things up, than those whose immune systems are under-functioning?

I understand age categories being a factor in vaccine administration, but what “immune system related” categories are being used to determine benefit vs. the potential for harm? Why would anyone assume ALL seniors need an extra immune boost? Does anyone know of studies being conducted to determine the effect of adjuvants on already “over-functioning” immune systems, regardless of age?

I don’t know that I’m uniformly “against” vaccines, but I am wary of adjuvants in light of my other autoimmune conditions. My symptom prior to my flu shot was what I thought was bicepital tendonitis in my right arm. 2 days after the shot, symptoms were manifesting in both arms, through the pelvic girdle and down both legs and it was another month of increasing agony before my “sed” rate confirmed that these classic symptoms were indeed PMR. I can’t make a case for definite causation, but it’s enough to make me wary of adjuvants at the very least. Should I ever “need” another vaccine, I will definitely opt for the basic model with no attendant booster adjuvant.

My exact concerns about vaccines for those of us who have autoimmune conditions We are getting vaccines that increase our immune reaction when our immune systems are already hyper active Maybe having these vaccines is an inevitability but it is sure difficult for autoimmune patients There is little if any research done on vaccines in the autoimmune community traditional docs just say "get the vaccine Covid is worse than any autoimmune overreaction"

Thanks for responding. It’s disappointing to hear that there is little if any research being done for those with autoimmune issues. And the standard “Get the vaccine, Covid is worse” is another sweeping, inappropriate generalization, since a) not everyone gets COVID and they don’t know why, b) the vast majority of those who do get COVID never need hospitalization and recover at home, c) it totally begs the question of the annual adjuvant vaccines which many of us took and then found ourselves in the hot mess of PMR.

I have no idea how to interest anyone in researching adjuvant additions for those with auto immune conditions, and I know research costs money with no guarantee of financial return, but surely there is SOME inherent responsibility on the part of the manufacturers and promoters to make sure they aren’t producing “medicine” that creates disease in certain segments of the population. Just sayin’.

Thanks for sharing your experience with various dosages of prednisone. I am very new on this journey and every bit of shared information helps. My starting dose is 15 mg and for now it’s carrying me through the night until 6 or 7 a.m. I’ll see how this continues and keep your experience in mind if/as things change. I am so grateful for this forum!

Hi scpartain, I am doing much better pain wise after only 3 days on prednisone, thank you. And mild activity is helpful as is distraction in the form of crafting or visiting or playing with pets. I appreciate your taking the time to send an encouraging reply.

I’m so glad you’re feeling better and I hope you continue to do well in your treatment program.

I have had PMR for over 5 years. Was diagnosed in January 2017. Tapered off in Dec 2019. Used balanced CBD/THC to control pain. I really debated the Covid Vaccine, did much research, finally decided to go with pfizer. No side-effects with the first shot, a week or so after the second shot I realized that my PMR was in remission. There are 2 sides to the coin

I had a HUGE flare 2 days after senior flu shot and it produced 12 days of fevers up to 100.9, chills, sweats, and a "sick body feeling." Not so much the PMR pain which seems well controlled on 10 mg prednisone. I ended up in the hospital because it was unclear if I was having an infection or not...and my white count was definitely elevated. I had had a diverticulitis with abscess admission to hospital a month prior so they were unclear if there was a smoldering infection. I was started on IV Antibiotics for 4 days. It did not help shift anything. I have just had about 40 lab tests...as I have a condition called MGUS (a precursor to multiple myeloma) but it can stay benign OR it can develop. I am 77. Had stage 4 pancreatic cancer 5.5 years ago. I am clear completely of that and was given back then 2 months to live! I think I have 9 lives! Grateful. And struggling with the sick body feelings. My fevers left after 12 days but my body feels like I am sick...no energy. and feeling like you do when you have an infection. So, today I will get the results of the raft of lab tests. We'll see what's up but I am pretty convinced the flu shot created this situation. I was to get Moderna booster but I think given this response I will shy away from triggering my immune system further!

Hello Microbe1943 -- Your brief history is amazing! I can't imagine how resilient you must be to make it through all you've been diagnosed with and suffered through. Since PMR followed within 2 days of my senior flu shot, I now have the same unwillingness to take the "booster" shot for Covid for fear of setting my "overactive" immune system into even higher gear -- I already had 4 other immune-related conditions. The idea that ALL 65 and older individuals need the adjuvanted quadrivalent flu vaccine seems like WAY too broad a category. There is no proof that a 'pumped up' flu shot DOES trigger a body storm in immune-compromised individuals, and there never WILL be proof unless follow-up studies are done that specifically target that population. Nevertheless, however 'wonderful' the booster may be on its own, my system had a melt-down following the flu vaccine and I just can't take the chance of creating further havoc. Only a month went by before I was diagnosed with PMR, but during that time as the disabling pain spread and grew in ferocity I had reached the stage of 'not wanting to live like this any longer'. Thankfully, prednisone (with all it's side effects) does mostly manage the pain and I've been able to resume many of my old activities - but I dare not risk pushing my body farther than it is able to go. You have weathered SO MUCH and I admire your mental toughness and general attitude! Thank you for sharing your story.