Can PMR (Polymyalgia Rheumatica) be induced by vaccine?

It is very concerning that even with your relatively low numbers the pain is slowly increasing. I'm so sorry! The daytime pain is frustrating, but I'm finding the nighttime pain is a real nightmare. Being unable to shift myself in bed without horrendous bicep and shoulder pain is agonizing and infuriating. I had no idea we used our arms so much in our sleep. Once the nighttime pain hits (usually between 3 and 4 a.m.) there is NO going back to sleep and the lack of sleep is taking its toll. My CRP is "normal" (whatever that is) and my ESR is 46, which my doctor says is typical for this unwanted disorder. And yes, the only one of my friends and family who ever heard of it is a nurse who has a friend with it. The widespread ignorance of PMR seems odd as repeated websites all say it is a "very common" occurrence in people over 70. Well, it's clearly not as common as arthritis or even rheumatoid arthritis. I am very glad not to have RA - PMR is quite inconvenient enough. I just started with prednisone today, so haven't had to deal with the side effects yet.

I was feeling very down today about the whole RMA thing, but as I was driving along I saw two white haired, elderly men, one in a wheelchair and another standing by him. The gentleman in the wheelchair was holding a sign that mentioned God (I couldn't read most of it - but he wasn't asking for a handout) and both men were smiling and waving at drivers as they pulled up to the light. The one standing flashed me such a genuine smile and accompanied it with the deaf sign for "I love you." I felt like I'd utterly lost my smile, and he was lending me one of his, so I waved and flashed him the hand sign in return. I was SO touched. They clearly hadn't much between them by way of worldly goods, but they were giving out what they had - blessing others. Sometimes the kindness of strangers knocks me over. It helped balance me a bit.

Thanks for taking the time to write me, and to read this, which is much much longer than I intended it to be.

It is very concerning that even with your relatively low numbers the pain is slowly increasing. I'm so sorry! The daytime pain is frustrating, but I'm finding the nighttime pain is a real nightmare. Being unable to shift myself in bed without horrendous bicep and shoulder pain is agonizing and infuriating. I had no idea we used our arms so much in our sleep. Once the nighttime pain hits (usually between 3 and 4 a.m.) there is NO going back to sleep and the lack of sleep is taking its toll. My CRP is "normal" (whatever that is) and my ESR is 46, which my doctor says is typical for this unwanted disorder. And yes, the only one of my friends and family who ever heard of it is a nurse who has a friend with it. The widespread ignorance of PMR seems odd as repeated websites all say it is a "very common" occurrence in people over 70. Well, it's clearly not as common as arthritis or even rheumatoid arthritis. I am very glad not to have RA - PMR is quite inconvenient enough. I just started with prednisone today, so haven't had to deal with the side effects yet.

I was feeling very down today about the whole RMA thing, but as I was driving along I saw two white haired, elderly men, one in a wheelchair and another standing by him. The gentleman in the wheelchair was holding a sign that mentioned God (I couldn't read most of it - but he wasn't asking for a handout) and both men were smiling and waving at drivers as they pulled up to the light. The one standing flashed me such a genuine smile and accompanied it with the deaf sign for "I love you." I felt like I'd utterly lost my smile, and he was lending me one of his, so I waved and flashed him the hand sign in return. I was SO touched. They clearly hadn't much between them by way of worldly goods, but they were giving out what they had - blessing others. Sometimes the kindness of strangers knocks me over. It helped balance me a bit.

Thanks for taking the time to write me, and to read this, which is much much longer than I intended it to be.

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.

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.

Hi Pokey, I'm sorry you are experiencing so much pain and frustration. I felt exactly the same way when my PMR was active after I received the Covid vaccine in January. Fortunately, I was able to get my PMR under control and finally into remission with the help of a skilled rheumatologist. However, it did take several months and I am still having some pain and stiffness, although I am no longer in need of treatment. I found that mild activity such as walking helped relieve the symptoms. I also noticed that any type of distraction, such as getting out in a park or something similar was also helpful. I hope you are feeling better soon.

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 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.

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!!