I reluctantly got the high dose shingles vaccine two weeks ago. This was after developing PMR following the shingles vaccine in January 2023. I’ve been miserable ever since my flu shot. Extreme fatigue, depressed, sleeping around the clock, weakness and bilateral pain in my shoulders/neck, hands, knees and ankles/lower legs.

I’m currently tapering at 4mg of prednisone. I’m not sure how much of my symptoms are related to the recent vaccine, whether I’m having a general PMR flare or is this adrenal insufficiency. Should I be increasing my prednisone dosage or toughing it out as my adrenal glands learn to produce cortisone.

My phone appointment with my rheumatologist scheduled for last Thursday was canceled and rescheduled for the end of the month at a time when I needed him the most.

I know I will not get the second shingles shot. But what about the RSV or latest COVID specific booster. I’m almost 86 living in a large continuous care senior facility. Damned if I do and damned if I don’t. What are others doing?

I'm not having vaccinations of any kind while I have PMR. Our bodies immune systems are already in hyper overdrive, so I have no intention of stressing my immune system any further for now.

We should all make our own decisions depending on our circumstances. I rarely go out and always wear a face mask if I do, so my chance of infection is extremely low anyway.