I also think the flu vaccine is responsible for my PMR symptoms, and I am heartened to find a community where this is considered a possibility.
On Oct. 18, 2021, at the age of 71, I had the high-dose (senior) flu vaccine. At a doctor's appointment on Oct. 20, I was pronounced "healthy" with normal blood pressure. A week later, I started to have PMR symptoms, which I blamed on a new exercise program. By the time I realized this was much more serious, and I went to my doctor again in early November, I was a different person — constant pain in shoulders and hips, stiffness and weakness, unable to raise my arms, walking upstairs one step at a time — although the test for PMR inflammation markers was negative. I was fortunate to see a rheumatologist in December. He gave me two cortisone shots that relieved most symptoms for several weeks. But now (Jan. 30, 2022) I am taking Naproxen in order to get through the day — get dressed, drive, work on the computer. I would like my doctor to report this as a negative reaction to the flu vaccine. I am also looking for some way to get past this without taking prednisone. Any suggestions would be more than welcome. Thank you.