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Antiviral flu medication and PMR
I was diagnosed with GCA and PMR in October 2023. I’ve been off prednisone since June 2024. I chose not to get the flu vaccine this year. I still have daily PMR pain, but I managed that with over-the-counter pain medicine.
Sometimes anti-viral medication’s are given after a flu diagnosis. I’ve been wondering if the antiviral medication’s can possibly cause a PMR flare? If you have any knowledge regarding this subject matter, I would love to hear from you. The CDC has four antiviral medication‘s approved for use.
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Good ?. Had 3rd covid and vaccine 4 sure did not prevent. However the 3 day antiviral worked well, so far, no increased pmr issues. My RA doc said, take a high quality vitamin "e", it can boost other natural help. Good luck.
I’m sorry I don’t have any experience with anti viral medicine. You mentioned you were diagnosed with PMR and GCA. I was diagnosed with PMR over a year ago and I’m almost done tapering ( down to 1/2 mg daily. My Rheumatologist is talking about GCA now. He said I can get a pet scan to see if any signs of it and if so he wants me to take injections of Actimra. (Not sure I spelled that correctly) I was wondering if you would mind sharing how you were diagnosed with GCA and/or your symptoms that told Dr you had GCA?
I don’t have symptoms the Dr asked about like sensitive scalp- jaw pain. I don’t want to take those injections but Dr said if GCA not treated vision could be lost.
I really appreciate anything you would share to help shed some light on this. Thank you so much
My GCA started Oct 2023 with headaches, swollen temporal arteries, and scalp sensitivity. I never get headaches. My GP prescribed migraine medication but it did not help with the headaches. Finally after 42 days of headaches I was able to get into a rheumatologist who took one look at me and said I know what you have. He did not do a biopsy or a PET scan but immediately prescribed 60 mg of prednisone. Headaches disappeared within three days. I had lots of follow-up appointments. Along with GCA I developed lots of body pain and was diagnosed with PMR after many CT scans. We started a slow taper in December. Prednisone controlled both my GCA and PMR and the inflammatory markers results were very good by January 2024. I had numerous side effects from the prednisone. Rheumatologist informed me about Actemra and left the choice up to me. I tapered down 0 mg of prednisone June 2024. My endocrinologist tested me for adrenal insufficiency, and there was no indication after eight months of therapy. I do have daily polymyalgia pain as I mentioned, and I usually control that with a minimal dose of Aleve or ibuprofen. I have had some equilibrium problems since the beginning. Sometimes I wonder if they’re still isn’t a little bit of GCA going on. I’m going to request blood test. Inflammatory markers soon. This is my story. I wish you well.
Everyone’s body reacts differently to these strange, autoimmune illnesses. Stay in touch with your doctor, this website is a great source of information. Keep reading research studies if you can.