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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
Hi, I am just discovering this page. About a week after I got my second shot, I began to feel sick. I thought that Lyme had come back, and the doctor put me on doxycycline. In early May I told her it was not working so they put me on a prednisone script. I was fine, and shortly after I was walking rather weekly. Got another script so I could walk my daughter down for her Wedding. About 20 days after that I ended up in the hospital and have been on prednisone ever since. The good news is I am down to only 4 mg, however, it has been a crazy rollercoaster ride. I get tired, have pain, and if I forget my meds or when I reduce - the pain comes on like running into a brick wall.
Replies to "Hi, I am just discovering this page. About a week after I got my second shot,..."
I relate! I was on 2.5mgs of pred until something caused a flair. I went up to 5mgs and now am back to 3. In the meantime, I got Covid. I am praying it will not cause a terrible flair. I got molnupirivar, but my covid symptoms have been light so I have not taken it. Still not sure of all the side effects.
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Hello @npostusa, Welcome to Connect. I'm sorry to hear your vaccine started your PMR symptoms. It can be a crazy rollercoaster ride. In my experience with PMR it's really not something that a few weeks of prednisone is going to fix. Normally people who are diagnosed with PMR are started on an average dose of 15 to 20mg prednisone and work with their rheumatologist or doctor on a tapering schedule as your body symptoms allow. My first bout took three and half years to taper off. The second time it reared it's ugly head it only took a year and a half to taper off. What I learned from the first round with PMR was to exercise more as my body would allow (not overdoing it) and to eat healthier (less sugar and inflammatory foods). I believe this was the reason I could taper off sooner.
Do you mind sharing a little more about your diagnosis and what starting dose of prednisone you were given?