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Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR): Meet others & Share Your Story
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Nov 18 7:12pm | Replies (1907)Comment receiving replies
I’m Alex. I developed PMR symptoms after my first Covid vaccine. It gradually worsened and I was diagnosed with PMR about 7 months later. I began Prednisone and was immediately better. I am now down to 2 mg Prednisone daily with very mild symptoms. My delima is this. My PMR was so painful and debilitating that I don’t want to risk a flare. However, I am due a Covid booster. (My 2nd vaccine was last February.) Where can I find a specialist who knows enough about the vaccines and PMR to tell me which booster vaccine is least likely to cause my PMR flare? Or should I not take a booster? I would like a phone consultation so that I don’t have to travel and risk catching Covid.
Replies to "I’m Alex. I developed PMR symptoms after my first Covid vaccine. It gradually worsened and I..."
Hi Alex, welcome. The American College of Rheumatology is recommending booster shots. See this discussion:
- PMR and Covid vaccine: Guidance from College of Rheumatology https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pmr-and-covid-vaccine-1/
In addition to @scpartain’s experience, you might also be interested in this discussion:
- Anyone with PMR have experience with 4th COVID vax jab? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/4th-covid-vax-jab/
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I experienced a disabling flare of PMR within a few days after receiving the Pfizer vaccine. It was my second bout of PMR after a thirteen year remission. My rheumatologist prescribed prednisone which relieved the pain almost immediately and after several months of tapering I again achieved remission, only to be faced with a decision over whether to take a third booster dose. My rheumatologist encouraged me to proceed with the booster because he believed that due to my sensitivity to the vaccine I would likely have a severe case of covid with an adverse outcome if I did become infected. He opined it was safer for me to take the vaccine and then resume prednisone treatment if necessary. He further thought that it was entirely possible that my body had adjusted to the vaccine since I had been able to overcome the PMR. Acting on his advice, I went ahead with the vaccine and to my great relief the PMR did not recur. A few months after receiving the booster, I did test positive for Covid but it was a very mild case and I recovered quickly. Everyone's journey is different, however, and your experience may not be the same as mine. I wish you luck and hope you achieve remission soon.