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.

barbaraphyllis | @barbaraphyllis | Nov 7, 2023

In reply to @khmc "Shingles is a live vaccine NOT recommended by the information on PMR/GCA website" + (show)

That’s good to know. It wouldn’t have helped me when I had the first dose as I had no auto immune issues at that time. My rheumatologist initially told me not to get the second dose after it triggered my PMR but months later gave me the okay. Guess any live vaccines are not recommended for us.

khmc | @khmc | Nov 7, 2023

It is so frustrating how little seems to be known about GCA/PMR. We can only be our own advocate and educate ourselves.

megz | @megz | Nov 7, 2023

In reply to @barbaraphyllis "That’s good to know. It wouldn’t have helped me when I had the first dose as..." + (show)

Not only are live vaccines not recommended for people with auto-immune conditions, they are not to be taken at all.

Zostavax is the live shingles vaccine which should not be taken. Shingrix is not live vaccine. I would still not take Shingrix myself. Before Zostavax was discontinued in the US - still available in Australia where I am - the confident claims about how "safe and effective" it was proved to be untrue. It prompted shingles outbreaks in some people instead of preventing it, and killed 3 people in Australia.

bradninchgirl | @bradninchgirl | Nov 8, 2023

In reply to @barbaraphyllis "That is a scary list of additives but it really doesn’t matter whether PMR was triggered..." + (show)

I understand how you feel. It' been four years since I was diagnosed (at last) with PMR. I am pretty much over the flare up but I am now looking at a 79 year old woman who has aged drastically over that time. I am mentally not the same person and really don't recognize the person in the mirror. But it is what it is and I have no choice but work with what I have. Not something I am good at. I am definitely a Berger King kind of person, I want it my way, but I have to come to terms with the fact that those days are gone. If I could take back those 8 weeks when my husband was getting over a broken leg, and being the good guy, I stepped up to take care of our large garden as well as the housework and taking care of him. I also made it worse by eating omelets made with the beautiful tomatoes and peppers in the garden, along with pork chops and home fried, and chinese food. But that was yesterday and now I have to take care of today. With the need for flu and covid shots coming up I have a hard decision as to take them or not.

Not that it's any physical help but be aware that you have friends here and getting things off your chest can be a big help.

emaureen | @emaureen | Nov 8, 2023

In reply to @bradninchgirl "I understand how you feel. It' been four years since I was diagnosed (at last) with..." + (show)

I had the first Shingrix shot a month or so before PMR hit in May, the second in September. Don't feel that there was any connection. With the second, my arm was hot and sore for a couple of days, but really, PMR was worse before prednisone kicked in. In June I could barely use my upper arms and shoulders - getting into/out of bed was a challenge, and never mind dealing with sweatpants. Fortunately, my lower half was never afflicted. I've known many seniors who had Shingles, it's terrible and can last for months.

I'm turning 80 soon, down to 7mg prednisone from 25mg. Don't much think about PMR except first thing in the morning (fully functional but a bit achy, particularly those first days when tapering to a lower dose). Dietwise: I eliminated concentrated sweets and have been eating a bit less, but that's about it. Food has had no impact either way, although admittedly my palate leans toward bland. The rheumatologist says it's okay to have the next covid booster. (PS: I think those omelettes sound WONDERFUL)

bpyle47 | @bpyle47 | Dec 17, 2023

In reply to @megz "Not only are live vaccines not recommended for people with auto-immune conditions, they are not to..." + (show)

When I had the Shingrix vaccine, it started the worst pain. I had shingles two times before the vaccine and then after it, the pain got so much worse and I got shingles again.

bpyle47 | @bpyle47 | Dec 17, 2023

In reply to @emaureen "I had the first Shingrix shot a month or so before PMR hit in May, the..." + (show)

I am not getting another Covid Booster, nor the second Shingrix, nor any other vaccine. At this point I do not trust the Pharmaceutical Industrial Complex and their ties to the government!

jixster | @jixster | Dec 28, 2023

In reply to @bpyle47 "I am not getting another Covid Booster, nor the second Shingrix, nor any other vaccine. At..." + (show)

I contracted PMT about 10 -12 days after my second Shingrix shot. I am looking for information of this is a rare side effect or not. I read somewhere that there was once a warning in info insert for Shingrix but can’t find an image or other info.