1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Can PMR (Polymyalgia Rheumatica) be induced by vaccine?

Posted by kristem2020 @kristem2020, Jan 2, 2021

Good evening, I’ve recently been diagnosed with PMR. It came on a week after my flu shot October 23, 2020.

Has anyone experienced the same diagnosis after a flu shot?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

vandyms1974 | @vandyms1974 | Dec 6, 2022
In reply to @marieirene "I can’t seem to get below 11mg of prednisone so he upped my methotrexate to 8..." + (show)
@marieirene

I can’t seem to get below 11mg of prednisone so he upped my methotrexate to 8 tabs once a week.
My primary says no vaccines while active PMR

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I absolutely think the Moderna vaccine triggered PMR. After the second vaccine, I got PMR symptoms about a month later. I do not take any vaccines nor boosters by advice of my rheumatologist.

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vandyms1974 | @vandyms1974 | Dec 6, 2022
In reply to @npostusa "Hi, I am just discovering this page. About a week after I got my second shot,..." + (show)
@npostusa

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.

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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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briand3960 | @briand3960 | Dec 9, 2022
In reply to @janiceem "I also believe that the second COVID Pfizer vaccine sparked my PMR. The Pfizer and Moderna..." + (show)
@janiceem

I also believe that the second COVID Pfizer vaccine sparked my PMR. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were of the mRNA type, which is uncommon for vaccines. I've never had a flu vaccine because they are only 18% effective and feed big pharma. I've had a shingles vaccine before Shingrix one came out--I'm still on the fence about getting this "newer and improved one." It is questionable that I ever had PMR since my new rheumatologist believes that the fact I only had symptons while laying down is not indicative of PMR. I was a extremely healthy prior to the onset of my night pains-- I rarely ever got sick. If I ever get another vaccination, I will avoid the mRNA type.

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This is my concern about the vaccine causing a flareup. My PMR started after the Shingrix vaccines. I had received the Zostavax years earlier. So far, I have had three Pfizer Covid vaccines without flares. But I’m concerned with getting another as I am really thankful to be in PMR remission and off prednisone. Appreciate everyone’s input on this. I want to minimize COVID infection but not at the price of PMR.

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Judy E ellis2 | @ellis2 | Dec 9, 2022

Yes! I got it too after a flu shot! My shoulders started hurting and hips..... Finally went to doctor..... She wants me to start prednisone..... I have not started it yet.... I'm rather skeptical of medications. My CRP was only 1.0 mg.... I didn't think that was that bad. I'm still taking ibuprofen twice a day.

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relmore1 | @relmore1 | Jan 2, 2023

I had the Pfizer booster Oct 21 and 2-3 weeks later diagnosed with PMR

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npostusa | @npostusa | Jan 2, 2023

Likewise, but my was in March, and I really did not know what I had until June. Long story, I thought it was a flair up of a serious case of Lyme that I had in my spine (Lyme Meningitis), but that turned out to be a red Herron. It was not until I took prednisone to walk my daughter down the aisle. It was the second time I took the prednisone because the Doxycycline was doing nothing.

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npostusa | @npostusa | Jan 2, 2023
In reply to @vandyms1974 "I absolutely think the Moderna vaccine triggered PMR. After the second vaccine, I got PMR symptoms..." + (show)
@vandyms1974

I absolutely think the Moderna vaccine triggered PMR. After the second vaccine, I got PMR symptoms about a month later. I do not take any vaccines nor boosters by advice of my rheumatologist.

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I do not think I would take another even if my rheumatologist recommended it. There are a fair amount of therapeutics that can help if i get covid.

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ozblossom | @ozblossom | Jan 3, 2023

Similar experience. Pfizer booster on Oct 2021 with PMR symptoms within 3 weeks. Officially diagnosed in Feb 2022. Have moved from prednisone (not able able to taper without flare) to Medrol with good results. I personally feel there is a direct correlation based on my history.

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mnmom1 | @mnmom1 | Jan 4, 2023

I had the Covid booster and flu injections in Oct. My PMR symptoms have been worse so I too think there is a correlation. I was doing quite well on the prednisone until then. My CRP was coming down and I was hoping to start tapering. I am finally feeling somewhat better 9 weeks later. I will have to think long and hard about taking another booster. I mask indoors where ever there are crowds anyway to help stay well.

I have tried to find out from the NIH if any type of study has been done on this subject. Keep hitting a dead end. Can’t get in to see a Rheumatologist until March at Mayo. That’s crazy too. The world is a crazy place right now and seems to be getting crazier all the time!!

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girastancil | @girastancil | Jan 4, 2023

After my last covid shot, the day after I felt the best I've felt in 6 months and now I'm in remission. So who knows as I'm sure others have had the opposite effect. take care, George

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