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For me, PMR and other autoimmune problems were diagnosed long before Covid was a thing. I am "reluctant" to get any type of vaccine because in general, I associate vaccines to flares of all my autoimmune problems and not just PMR. I reluctantly did a Covid vaccine and several boosters. I can't say the Moderna vaccine made things any worse for me than they were already.
In my way of thinking, vaccines will trigger an immune response. That may be desirable but my immune system is deranged. I never know when it might attack something that it isn't supposed to attack!
Infections aren't much good for me either. I have what is called "reactive arthritis" which derives its name from a reaction to an infection. Getting infected with covid was the last thing I wanted. I decided to take my chance with the vaccine instead.
I have never tested positive for covid even though my wife and daughter did more than once. I was definitely exposed. It I have ever had covid, my systems were mild.
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PMR was diagnosed about 15 years ago at the age of 52. I was taking prednisone intermittently for other autoimmune problems long before PMR was introduced to me.
My PMR symptoms were something entirely different for me. First, my left shoulder ached and I supported my left arm with my right arm but a sling would have been better. That only lasted for about 24 hours because on day two both of my shoulders ached and both arms could have used a sling.
I would have taken prednisone but I didn't have any. I was forced to see a rheumatologist and I begged for a prescription. I managed to convince a GP to prescribe me some prednisone until I could see a rheumatologist.
Long story ... the rheumatologist thought I was having a flare of another autoimmune problem which wasn't treated with prednisone. She wanted me to return and see her again in a couple of weeks when I wasn't taking prednisone. I was in a world of hurt with widespread pain when I returned. Taking into account that my shoulders hurt first along with the acute nature of the pain which spread all over, my rheumatologist diagnosed PMR.
The fact that I was begging for prednisone along with significantly elevated inflammation markers and my age were also clues.
I asked my rheumatologist what happened to my other autoimmune problems. She said the were still there and they didn't go away. She just sympathized with me that I had PMR in addition to all the rest.
Taking prednisone on a long term basis was completely unlike anything I had ever done previously. I was always able to taper off prednisone in a month or two for my other problems. No such luck after PMR was diagnosed. I took prednisone for PMR for more than 12 years before I was able to taper off with the help of a biologic that my rheumatologist wanted me to try.
The endocrinolgist who addressed my problem with adrenal insufficiency caused by long term prednisone use was also very helpful. The problem with adrenal insufficiency was suspected when I got to 7 mg of prednisone, Adrenal insufficiency was confirmed when I reached 3 mg of prednisone.
I never would have managed everything alone. I survived all the additional medical problems while being treated for PMR.