When in PMR remission: What's your experience with covid vaccine?

Posted by pacarolyn @pacarolyn, Oct 21, 2022

I have delayed getting any of the first Covid vaccines because I was waiting for the NOVAVAX vaccine that was more traditional in its development. It is now available and approved for use. Not many pharmacies have it but COSTCO does. Has anyone gotten this vaccine. What has been your experience so far. It requires two shots, no booster series mentioned but can be taken as a booster for other vax.
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/novavax/index.html

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Teri | @tsc | Dec 23, 2022

In reply to @christi48 "I'm wondering if people who are or were in remission got vaccines or boosters and, if..." + (show)

Hi @christi48, I got two COVID vaccine before I was diagnosed with PMR and GCA, which I started suffering with about nine months prior. I continued to get the Moderna vaccines while taking prednisone, and tapering, and did not experience any flareups. I also had the fifth shot. I've been off prednisone for a few months and in remission. No flareups from the vaccines, and, thankfully, no COVID.

suetex | @suetex | Dec 23, 2022

Two basic shots and two boosters and one bivalent shot, all Moderna and no flare with any of them. I think it is very individual.

christi48 | @christi48 | Dec 23, 2022

Thanks to everyone for your comments.

marieirene | @marieirene | Dec 23, 2022

In reply to @marieirene "It was medically recommended to me not to get another booster or flu shot this year...." + (show)

I’ve just contracted Covid again! Hopefully not as bad as the first time a year ago. I know I’m susceptible to everything out there with PMR. 😢

shalleenkm | @shalleenkm55 | Dec 26, 2022

I was a casualty of getting PMR from the Covid vaccines. I have never been seriously sick in my lifetime and there is nothing else that could have caused this. I received the intial two of Phizer shots not realizing that 5 months later that the vaccines were the culprit. I started feeling sluggish with no energy, progressively feeling pain all over like a continuous flu and unexplained loss of weight. From there, it took three specialist ( the last one being a rheumatologist) to correctly diagnose me. Started at 20 mg per day or prednisone and am down to 3mg a day now. However, the pain in the hips, thighs and shoulders have creeped back in. All I can do now is follow the doctors orders and hope it starts subsiding. I will certainly never get another Covid vaccine.....

sususi | @sususi | Dec 27, 2022

In reply to @shalleenkm55 "I was a casualty of getting PMR from the Covid vaccines. I have never been seriously..." + (show)

shalleenkm55, this happened to me also after one Pfizer booster, heart problems and the same continuous flue like feeling, unexplained weight loss and severe all over body pain which was diagnosed as PMR. I refused prednisone and battled through for 3 months, now my pain is thankfully reducing.
I will never have another mRNA vaccine.

brunswickv8 | @brunswickv8 | Dec 27, 2022

I'm in Australia. I had my first Astra Zeneca jab about 17 months ago in August 2021. Two days after the jab I was flattened, almost paralyzed with pain. It came out of nowhere. I couldn't even get out of bed, wash myself, dress myself, feed myself, couldn't walk unassisted, couldn't get in a car due to excruciating pain etc. One minute I was a reasonably, fit healthy 74yo enjoying life at a good pace. I was even working a job and going to the gym! Suddenly my life changed and it looks permanent. I was eventually diagnosed with PMR and I've been on Predisonone cortico-steroids ever since. I'm slowly reducing the dose and I'm down to 1.5mg from the initial 50mg. My life is littered with constant daily persistent bouts of crushing fatigue, 16 hours a day sleeping or napping, no motivation, no interest in much. I feel like I'll never be the same again and my life plans have been stolen from me. I'm slower, far less able to concentrate, lacking in interest. Never again will I have any vaccinations. I'd rather die than put with what I've suffered in the past. As a child of WW2 aftermath, I was vaxxed against just about every known disease in the UK and never once suffered any reaction. I have never been anti-vax. But I am now. I'm now one of those "crazies" that are vocal against vaxxing. Drug companies should be sued and brought to justice over this. It's as bad as the Thalidomide issue. My research has revealed an increasing number of people are only now realizing how dangerous the COVID vax is. Never again for me.

davidsonk | @davidsonk | Dec 30, 2022

In reply to @loyal "I have had two covid Moderna shots and 1 booster. Have had covid twice. I think..." + (show)

I know my Covid vaccines gave me PMR. I never have had any problems until after the vaccine, and it just got worse and worse... my dr diagnosed me with PMR....

suetex | @suetex | Dec 31, 2022

In reply to @brunswickv8 "I'm in Australia. I had my first Astra Zeneca jab about 17 months ago in August..." + (show)

I'm truly sorry you are having this severe reaction. One can't help but wonder how dangerous the actual virus could be to you. I hope you are getting a total work-up healthwise. It is hard to believe that all you are suffering is "just" PMR. Our immune system is very complicated and when it gets hypersensitive, it can really head in the wrong direction. Best wishes and I hope you find answers.

npostusa | @npostusa | Jan 2, 2023

In reply to @christi48 "I'm wondering if people who are or were in remission got vaccines or boosters and, if..." + (show)

I believe my came from the vaccine, howbeit I did not want to admit it because I worked for Pharma. That said, I am 99.9 percent certain that my symptoms came after my second shot. At first I thought it was a flair up of a Lyme meningitis that I had about 7 years ago, but after about two months and a trip to the hospital it was confirmed that it was PMR.