PMR symptoms drastically improved during COVID/Omnicron infection.

Very interesting and I have no answer. I have like you questions about being on prednisone and Covid.I came down with pmr about 3weeks after my first Covid shot got my second shot when on 40 mg of prednisone and my booster when on 10 mg so I am not sure how effective these shots were. Being on prednisone you are automatically immune compromised. Because this is a serious concern it would be interesting to know how those of us in this situation have fair when infected with Covid. I realize we are all different and on different doses. I spoke with two doctors and they are really good physicians and just say do everything you can no to get Covid as we are compromised.

I have had palindromic arthritis for 28 years. I used to always look forward to a good viral infection so that the arthritis would leave me alone for a while. It was as if the infection distracted my immune system, which now had something else to do besides attack my joints. By the way, I've had no arthritis symptoms since coming down with PMR. Again, I think that my immune system is distracted.

Hi, I have pmr and significant muscle aches and pains. Recently, after contracting covid and using the oral antiviral medication, Paxlovid, my pain have greatly decreased. Covid symptoms are very similiar to a nasty head cold. My pmr only began about 4 months ago and I have had covid vaccines as well as boosters.
The question to ask, did the vaccinations and boosters start the pmr and did the case of covid, and use of paxlovid, reduce the symptoms?

Such an intriguing situation and good questions for research to help answer, @girastancil. Did the vaccinations trigger a PMR flare? Did COVID and/or Paxlovid help ameliorate PMR symptoms?

I moved your message to this existing discussion where @marymv also experienced an improvement in PMR symptoms with COVID.

You may also be interested in these related discussions:
- Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR), prednisone and Coronavirus COVID-19: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/coronavirus-and-pmr/
- COVID Booster, Prednisone and PMR: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-booster/

Dear Collen,
Thank you for including me. My PMR s/s returned in a few days and my Rheumatologist thinks that the Aleve I took at night for the sore throat during COVID may be the reason for the relief I was feeling. I rarely take NSAIDS or anything in addition to the Prednisone but when I do it helps. The relief I felt with COVID was more than anytime I have taken the NSAIDs so I was hopeful. I am currently on 6mg. Trying to wean a mg a month according to my CRP & SED rate. It’s been 19mnths since my second Pfizer Vaccine & the PMR symptoms started. I received an exemption from taking the booster shot…not worth the risk. I work as an RN in a PACU/Recovery Room so I am tested twice weekly.

That is interesting! My Dr thought because I took Aleve (NSAID) at night that that was the reason.

All interesting....I cannot tolerate prednisone so doc told me to take tylenol which does about nothing. So I will go for a big Ibuprophen and it seems to work best for me. Brings the pain down to a tolerable 4 or so. Has anyone tried medical marijuana for the pain? Please let me know results if you have. Will advise my doc when I see him this week if he can't come up with something for me and the pain, I'll try about anything. take care, Ira

I have to ask this question: Do you hurt all the time, even you are not moving? (I.E.: trying to sleep) If so, try to get a script for Low Dose Nalexone. It stopped my non-moving pain in two days. But you can't use it with opiates and I suspect medical marijuana. It will interfere with the opiate receptors. Life saver by my standards, but obviously, not for everyone.

Some of the folks on HealthUnlocked say taking one Tylenol and one Ibuprofin at the same time works best for them. Worth a try!

have you tried celebrex or it's generic. I have an it's better I think that Ibuprophen. Can not tolerate prednisone.