Can PMR (Polymyalgia Rheumatica) be induced by vaccine?

yes, my shot was near the end of Jan 2021 and I had my first PMR debilitating experience within a week of getting Moderna for the first time.

Yes, I received the senior flu vaccine in 2016. I already had some auto immune issues. About 10 days after the shot I developed pain in my arms and was diagnosed with pmr. My health spiraled downward from the until now…everything from liver damage to osteoarthritis to secondary adrenal insufficiency to heart problems, mostly from having to take heavy doses of prednisone. I am still taking 9 mg daily, down from 25. It’s been quite a ride.

I just got the 2022 regular flu shot last week and am experiencing that ‘heavy’ arm feeling that possibly signals the start of a pmr flare. Fingers crossed that it goes away…stay tuned!

Welcome @diannepv1, So sorry to hear that the flu shot is causing so many problems for you. I had last years flu, Shingrix and COVID vaccines and fortunately had no really bad side effects. Fingers crossed for you that it goes away quickly! There is another discussion you might find helpful for tapering down on prednisone:

-- PMR Dosages and Managing Symptoms:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pmr-dosages/

Have you been on prednisone since 2016 for PMR?

Keep us informed! Let us know if you have a flare up.

Mine came on a week after my second Covid booster. No one can say for sure it caused it but neither can they rule it out. My one doctor wants me to get a flu shot but I’m a little leery.

I also got a diagnosis of PMR. Symptoms started seven days after my second Moderna booster. I’m also leery about getting flu shot.

ABSOLUTLELY!!!!! I am 99.9% sure (as well as my rheumatoligist has stated) that the Covid vaccine was the culprit in bringing on my PMR. It started after I had the second vaccine, but because it was so subtle, it did not occur to me that it was initiated by it. I have been healthy all my life, but the symptoms that came about were herendous and made me severely ill until I found out what it was. Although I have to say that I have never had a reaction to the flu shot. I will NEVER have another Covid vaccine as long as I live.

I mirror many of the comments already made in this thread - I have been on upwards of 25 mg prednisone for a year - I think the Covid vaccines coincide with the PMR illness in me. I have not been successful in reducing the dose of prednisone as every time I get down around 17 - 19 mg it flares up worse than before requiring a higher dose to control it. Has anyone else had this?

Welcome @janettec, Sorry to hear you are having difficulty tapering off of prednisone with your PMR. You might find the following discussions helpful:

-- Tapering off of Prednisone: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/prednisone/
-- PMR Dosages and Managing Symptoms: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pmr-dosages/

I found tapering difficult my first time around with PMR. My rheumatologist recommended that I keep a daily log of my pain and dosage which really helped. Do you keep a daily log with your pain level when you wake up along with the dosage for that day?

I agree entirely. After my second Phitzer jab PMR arrived with full force. My lovely doctor told me immediately. No more thank you.