1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Covid and Flu jabs all done

Posted by tiateacake @tiateacake, Oct 13 3:48am

I decided to have both jabs together and so glad I did. The nurse was about to tick the younger person box and was very complimentary when I gave my date of birth. So that was nice. My weaker left shoulder started hurting within an hour. Here we go I thought. Once home I did lots of windmill actions and some shoulder exercises with 1 kilo weights and that sorted the shoulder. I had an extra half mg of Pred ready for the morning just in case. The usual horrible side effects started around midnight but they only lasted about 8 hours. Luckily the flu side arm is fine so I can lie on it. Hopefully I can get back to the gym tomorrow. My Dobermann has been lying on the bed keeping me company and taking most of the bed of course. But she has gone off to her own bed now so she must know I am feeling better.

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tiateacake | @tiateacake | Oct 17 10:50pm
In reply to @michik "Thanks @tiateacake. I walk a lot every day, 3 to 5 kilometers. My early morning walk..." + (show)
@michik

Thanks @tiateacake. I walk a lot every day, 3 to 5 kilometers. My early morning walk starts out feeling pretty stiff, but I push through and by the time I get back home I feel way better. The more I move the better I am. My late afternoon walks are more comfortable! I will be starting at the pool tomorrow as it was closed for maintenance.
It can be frustrating! I find it's a real balance between the right dosage and not overdoing it.
I bumped up to 8.5 mg yesterday, still very stiff today and wonder if i should just go back to 10 for another week. 🤷

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Pretty sure the pool will really help you. I tend to get my swim out of the way then spend 15 minutes on exercises. Interesting thing has started happening for me in the pool, after triple joint replacements I would struggle doing balance exercises in the pool and that was getting worse a year before PMR showed itself, I had tripped over dog a few times when she was a bouncing pup plus X-ray had shown remaining joint was only at stage 2 but all ligaments were healthy and strong so I gave up telling medical people something was not right. Now I can stand on one leg ( either leg) for as long as I want in the pool without a wobble. Everything I read about PMR says it takes weeks, days or instant to show never says years but I am sure mine was starting to say hello a couple of years ago. Wait and see how you feel after the pool. Going back to 10 is a bit drastic. Hopefully you will get a natural high after the pool and that helps. Enjoy.

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1 reply
brian326 | @brian326 | Oct 18 4:17am

I decided to get them separately and got flu vaccine last week. No problems. I know there is uncertainty from some folks about vaccinations with PMR. Everyone should make their own judgements but I’ve asked multiple doctors that I trust and I feel comfortable that getting vaccinated is my best option for staying healthy with PMR. Covid vax in a couple weeks. Stay well!

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prestol | @prestol | Oct 18 8:23am
In reply to @michik "I think I need to slow down the tapering. I am so anxious to get off..." + (show)
@michik

I think I need to slow down the tapering. I am so anxious to get off the prednisone! My SED was never checked but my last CRP was back down to 2.2. So I figured it was ok to try to taper faster. I am wondering though why the SED rate was not checked. Is it as important in the diagnosis as the CRP?

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My CRP was normal but my sed rate was high at the time of diagnosis. Only once during a mini-flare was my CRP high, otherwise it is always normal as my sed rate has gone up and down. So yes, I think it is important to check both regularly. Or at least my rheumy thinks so.

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1 reply
mishra1423 | @mishra1423 | Oct 18 8:23am

Adorable!!! Glad you feel better!! Dogs sure know

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michik | @michik | Oct 18 10:18am
In reply to @tiateacake "Pretty sure the pool will really help you. I tend to get my swim out of..." + (show)
@tiateacake

Pretty sure the pool will really help you. I tend to get my swim out of the way then spend 15 minutes on exercises. Interesting thing has started happening for me in the pool, after triple joint replacements I would struggle doing balance exercises in the pool and that was getting worse a year before PMR showed itself, I had tripped over dog a few times when she was a bouncing pup plus X-ray had shown remaining joint was only at stage 2 but all ligaments were healthy and strong so I gave up telling medical people something was not right. Now I can stand on one leg ( either leg) for as long as I want in the pool without a wobble. Everything I read about PMR says it takes weeks, days or instant to show never says years but I am sure mine was starting to say hello a couple of years ago. Wait and see how you feel after the pool. Going back to 10 is a bit drastic. Hopefully you will get a natural high after the pool and that helps. Enjoy.

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Thank you! I am staying at 8.5 for now and fingers crossed that the swimming will help. Thank you for the support.

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michik | @michik | Oct 18 10:21am
In reply to @prestol "My CRP was normal but my sed rate was high at the time of diagnosis. Only..." + (show)
@prestol

My CRP was normal but my sed rate was high at the time of diagnosis. Only once during a mini-flare was my CRP high, otherwise it is always normal as my sed rate has gone up and down. So yes, I think it is important to check both regularly. Or at least my rheumy thinks so.

Jump to this post

Thank you, I'll ask my GP next time I see him. I am trying 8.5 mg for now. Hopefully symptoms will lessen and I don't have to go back up to 10 where I was comfortable.

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michik | @michik | Oct 18 10:28am

Thank you for this. I am clearly trying to rush things and paying the price! If my symptoms ease up at 8.5mg I'll stay there for a month then go down 1mg at a time. If in a couple of days things have not improved I'll go back to 10 for a month where I was comfortable and go on the monthly 1mg reduction and hope for the best. Thanks again and best of luck to you as well.

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shannonjp | @shannonjp | Oct 19 2:02pm

Well, I did it. I got both my flu and Covid shot last Wednesday. I’ve only had the Moderna vaccine until now but the pharmacy only had Pfizer so that’s what I got.

About 8 hours after I got the shot I felt a bit flushed but I went to bed and slept just fine. In the morning I felt a little achy but some Aleve did the trick. The side effects lasted about 30 hours and then I was fine. I’m happy I got the shots and will be more confident going into the holidays

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art43 | @art43 | Oct 20 10:00am

One year PMR anniversary, 9 months since remission, now on 2.5 P and 2000mg Tart Cherry (antioxidant).
Have separately had both Covid (Novavax) and flu vaxes with no side effects. RSV will be next.
This too shall pass.

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