1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

PMR symptoms drastically improved during COVID/Omnicron infection.

Posted by marymv @marymv, Jan 6, 2022

Hello,
I developed PMR Jan 26th of 2021 a day & half after my 2nd Pfizer vaccine. Dx in Apr /2021 started Prednisone 20mg now on 8mg. Weaning under 10mg has been a return to more stiffness & a limp until mid to late day. Developed cold like s/s Monday. I tested positive for COVID Monday night via PCR. Shockingly I woke up Monday with 75% less stiffness, pain & no limp. Its day 4 & PMR is still greatly improved. Is it possible that since developing PMR after my 2nd Pfizer vac a yr ago that having COVID has effected my immune response to PMR? Thank you.
Best,
Mary M

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

12345chris | @12345chris | May 6, 2023
In reply to @chrissieg "I find the concept of our autoimmune system being distracted from PMR to deal with Covid..." + (show)
@chrissieg

I find the concept of our autoimmune system being distracted from PMR to deal with Covid (or other viral infections) fascinating. Could there be something in this? Anyone out there with more info?
I’ve found that taking just 1 x 256mg Nurofen (NSAID) tablet. during the night (around 3am) usually leads to much less pain & much improved mobility when waking in the morning. I’m on 5mg of Prednisone (taken around 9am). Maybe the medications used to alleviate Covid symptoms are the reason PMR symptoms are reduced too?

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The.Covid PMR improvement happened before I started meds so the.Covid Virus diverted my immune system which shows a clear
Covid link in many cases.

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tag52 | @tag52 | May 12, 2023

I have Covid right now and my PMR symptoms are much better. On the fence about taking Paxlovid. I need to decide soon, but are any of you anxious about taking it? The pharmacist freaked me out with all the warnings and she did not seem real encouraging about it. Doctor said many of her patients rebound effects.
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/paxlovid/who-can-and-cannot-take-paxlovid/
The above article was interesting. My doctor said PMR is an autoimmune disease in the rheumatoid family.

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1 reply
queenie2030 | @queenie2030 | May 13, 2023

When I had covid in Sept 2022 my PMR pain virtually disappeared while I was on Paxlovid. Covid did resolve in a few days but after finishing Paxlovid I did rebound but the symptoms were far less severe and shorter than the first round, I felt Paxlovid was well worth taking. The ER doctor told me to reduce my prednisone dose while taking Paxlovid which I did. Result was a painful flare after I recovered and I went back up to my original prednisone dose. I increased the dose for a few days then all was ok again. I think the Paxlovid kept me out of the hospital and I would take it again. Best of luck to you.

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alexmemphis | @alexmemphis | May 15, 2023

While on very low dose prednisone, I developed a “stomach bug” and stopped my prednisone because I couldn’t keep anything on my stomach. I didn’t seem to have PMR pain for several months after that. I wish someone would do a research project with all of us PMR folks and try to learn more about this disease! Mayo, NIH, somebody?

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marieameehan | @marieameehan | May 16, 2023

I had Covid Jan 23 and yes,
My PMR pains were practically non exsistent until I began to improve!
Very curious to know why?

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12345chris | @12345chris | May 17, 2023

I had the same experience when catching covid.
Its very weird

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marid57 | @marid57 | Jan 14 11:43am

The same happened to me. Covid came, pmr symptoms left. I'm still on 5 mg prednisone and not taking any nsaids. Wondering how long this reprieve will last!

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pb50 | @pb50 | Jan 14 11:53am

I tend to think that your immune system just got nudged to fight a real foe, and is fighting Covid - so now it can lighten up on fighting stuff that you didn’t need it to fight anyway .. like itself.

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pb50 | @pb50 | Jan 14 12:15pm
In reply to @tag52 "I have Covid right now and my PMR symptoms are much better. On the fence about..." + (show)
@tag52

I have Covid right now and my PMR symptoms are much better. On the fence about taking Paxlovid. I need to decide soon, but are any of you anxious about taking it? The pharmacist freaked me out with all the warnings and she did not seem real encouraging about it. Doctor said many of her patients rebound effects.
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/paxlovid/who-can-and-cannot-take-paxlovid/
The above article was interesting. My doctor said PMR is an autoimmune disease in the rheumatoid family.

Jump to this post

Could be just me but with the antiviral for flu I was sicker than I was without it. Because of that I’m inclined not to take paxlovid - though I’ve had each and every vaccine they will give me

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nancy53 | @nancy53 | Jan 15 10:59am

I have not had Covid (yet) and fingers crossed that I won't. With the current upsurge in all things respiratory/viral, I've been terrified of getting Covid on top of PMR.

These comments have allayed my fears somewhat.

I still plan to wear a mask when out in public - my state is in the RED zone with Covid cases.

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