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Can PMR (Polymyalgia Rheumatica) be induced by vaccine?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Oct 19, 2023 | Replies (401)Comment receiving replies
In 2016, I received an annual flu vaccine and a pnemonia shot from my doctor. The pain from the shot lasted for over a week. When I called the clinic they said it would be better in a couple of weeks. After about a week I began having a hard time getting out of bed, after another week I wasn't able to walk without the assistance of a cane. I called an ambulance one morning when I had to crawl to the bathroom. The first visit to the hospital left me with no diagnosis or cause of my pain. The second time, the ambulance took me to another hospital. After a diagnosis and consultation with a Rheumatologist, I was given a cortisone shot and my pain and paralysis disappeared immediately! I went through years of taking cortisone and then weaning off the cortisone. I had always suspected that the vaccine was the source of my PMR and now my suspicions are being recognized and confirmed. For the past 6 years everyone has told that a shot "couldn't trigger PMR".
Replies to "In 2016, I received an annual flu vaccine and a pnemonia shot from my doctor. The..."
Hi @patriciaco, Welcome to Connect. Sorry to hear that you developed PMR after getting a flu vaccine and pneumonia shot. It's ugly no matter how you get it. How long did it take you to finally taper off of the cortisone?
I know mine was a result of both Covid vaccines. Pain in neck and shoulders started immediately after first shot in May 2021 (I thought it was my pillows) and escalated until second shot August 4, 2021. August 14, 2021 full blown PMR until I was actually diagnosed in Jan. 2022 and finally put on Prednisone. This is not a genetic thing. Arthritis-related diseases do not run in my family. No autoimmune. So there you have it and here we are stuck with it, for awhile anyway. All the best.
Thank you for this post! Last April I had my second Moderna shot and came down with PMR and giant cell arteritis within a month. Never had any of these issues all my life and I am 66 years old. I am currently on a tapering of prednisone. Going to see my doctor rheumatologist this Wednesday to discuss the process, trying to stay hopeful ..
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I got my PMR after the Pfizer vaccine and I feel that it triggered the disease. Since my late 30's I got a yearly flu shot because I worked in health care. It wasn't required but was strongly encouraged by every employer. It seemed like the right thing to do to prevent my being a carrier and giving someone the disease. I also took every vaccine that was offered: shingles, pneumonia, tetanus, hepatitis b, etc. About half the time the flu shots would make me ill for a couple of days. My theory is that it was too many vaccines for my immune system to handle and the Pfizer was the final straw. I probably have a genetic predisposition as well. My father had PMR and GCA. I have northern European heritage, which is a risk factor. My Ancestry DNA test lists England, Germany and Scandinavia as the top regions where my ancestors were from. No vaccines for me for now.