Can PMR (Polymyalgia Rheumatica) be induced by vaccine?

Hello. I am a very active 67 year old female who came down with PMR in late Oct. First off I would like to say I am very grateful for this site and all of your input/experience with this very strange condition. I was experiencing mild stiffness and pain in my hips in early Oct. but wrote it off to my heavy work load in our nursery business. I had the Bivalent vac. on Oct 21st and had the usual 3-4 days of discomfort in my arm - but then in morphed into something much more intense. Severe pain in the vaccinated arm and stiffness/ pain in hips and upper legs. I do wonder if the bivalent shot was a trigger. I am currently on 20mg prednisone but still experience a lot pain in that arm. It wakes me in the night and takes a while to moderate in the morning. My biggest concern is how much pain to tolerate verses dosage of steroids. After reading about how challenging it can be to taper, I don't want to increase my dose unless absolutely necessary. I am still very active - skiing, snowshoeing, shoveling snow - ha, ha! I am trying to incorporate plenty of foods with anti-inflammatory effects. (fish, flax seed, pineapple, red grapes, leafy greens, nuts) Thanks John for the link to those suggested foods! I am also taking turmeric/black pepper supplements and fish oil. Not sure how much impact they have compared to the steroid, but it makes me feel better to know I am trying to help myself. My son is telling me I must do yoga daily also! I think the biggest challenge of this ailment is the emotional angst with the up and down days and the uncertainty of how and when it will resolve. That said, I am trying to stay optimistic! Thanks for all of your input. It sure helps.

If yu truly feel that there was a correlation between vaccines and your PMR, like I do, then you should report it here: https://vaers.hhs.gov/

I experienced a flare up with PMR after receiving the 2nd booster for (covid) PFIZER vaccine, still having pain

Not a coincidence at all. PMR is triggered by a virus. In my case it occurred with 1-2 weeks following a case of Covid-19.
A recent study states PMR is a common side effect of the Covid-19 vaccine. I don't see why a flu shot couldn't also be a trigger.

I had the same thing happen to me October 2020 and I'm still suffering and still trying to rule out everything else. The pain sucks. I finally took myself off prednisone because I grew a hump on my chest and I just could not lose weight and figured the extra weight was making me worse. Now I'm living on advil and tylenol. I feel like I'm 90 as every time I sit for awhile my knees lock up. Night is the worst as my arms, shoulders, and chest keep me awake. What works please?

@barbwhitmore here are a few other discussions that you might find helpful:

-- PMR Diet: Foods to eat and avoid:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/diet-and-pmr/
-- PMR: Are there treatment alternatives to Prednisone?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/alternatives-to-prednisone/
-- PMR Dosages and Managing Symptoms:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pmr-dosages/

Can you please direct me to the study you referenced? Thanks.

I'm not permitted to post links here. I googled PMR and Covid-19 vaccine. One article from ncbi dot nim dot nih dot gov states it's an uncommon side effect. I'll look for the second article which stated it was now common. Try googling PMR, the vaccine and recent studies.

I know two people that died from suddenly developing severe autoimmune diseases following taking the Covid-19 vaccine. I already have autoimmune disease so I chose to not take the shot. I don't take the flu shot either.

Hello, my diagnosis came right after my second Moderna shot in 2021. Been a long journey since then. Was also diagnosed with giant cell arteritis after biopsy. I am still currently on prednisone but still am experiencing pain every day and looking forward to getting to my doctor to see what the next step could be. Would welcome any comments and sharing. I had never had any pain like this in my life until after the vaccine. I am 67 years old