Had Shingles shot and now have PMR

Posted by terre @terre, Apr 1, 2019

The shingles shot has now been replaced with a new one that is giving in two doses. I had the shingles in 2014, but since you can get them again I had the shot. Now I have been diagnosed with PMR. The original shot has PMR as a possible side effect. I was never informed of that possibility.

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

I think most doctors would
know when they don’t have a definitive answer best err on
the side of caution. Risk vs benefits can be tough with no studies. Shingles vaccine is not fully preventive. There is a treatment that helps with Zoster if started promptly.
I had a mild case of Zoster while on low dose prednisone for PMR. This was after having had the old vaccine years before and one year after receiving the first dose of the new Shingrix.
I decided not to take the
the second dose. I’m left with
minor nuisance intermittent neuralgia in that ear canal.

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@edwardh

tough decision, if pmr is triggered by the vax and another vax is going to activate an immune system already going awry.... On the other hand, if you already have pmr perhaps another vax won't make much difference? Don't know. My doc said to not get boosters at the present time out of perhaps excess of caution. I think there is presently a lot of uncertainty surrounding the workings of the immune system in particular and vaccines in general.

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I have been advised to avoid vaccines as well. Covid vaccine probably triggered my PMR.

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I also developed PMR after Shingrix.

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I developed PMR after Shingrix in March 2023. 5 months later still not under control. What did you all do about Covid and flu boosters and season?

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@celiacm

I developed PMR after Shingrix in March 2023. 5 months later still not under control. What did you all do about Covid and flu boosters and season?

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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?

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@celiacm

I developed PMR after Shingrix in March 2023. 5 months later still not under control. What did you all do about Covid and flu boosters and season?

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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.

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@megz

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.

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Don't we just need to avoid vaccines that contain "live" virus? Currently down to 9.5mg prednisone. A couple weeks ago the rheumatologist said I'm responding well and am okay for Covid, flu, shingles vaccines. Had my second Shingrix shot last week, for the first few days felt very tired and had sore/hot upper arm (normal Shingrix reactions, although I had none for the first dose).
I'll have the fall flu shot when available and the newly approved covid shot when it's time. Initially I was terrified of a terrible death from covid. Then the vaccines came in and fear shifted to loss of stamina from long covid. At 79, stamina is a really major factor of health and well-being. I have stayed masked in any crowd situation and on the bus.

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That is very interesting. I never connected the two, but I got mine after shingles shots also.

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@vandyms1974

I have been advised to avoid vaccines as well. Covid vaccine probably triggered my PMR.

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I think that is what triggered mine along with many other things people have that were previously healthy.

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@sunshine4u

I think that is what triggered mine along with many other things people have that were previously healthy.

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My rheumatologist said to keep getting the Covid vaccine, even though she thinks it triggered my PMR. Did your doctor tell you not to get the vaccine again?

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