1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Can PMR (Polymyalgia Rheumatica) be induced by vaccine?

Posted by kristem2020 @kristem2020, Jan 2, 2021

Good evening, I’ve recently been diagnosed with PMR. It came on a week after my flu shot October 23, 2020.

Has anyone experienced the same diagnosis after a flu shot?

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

barbwhitmore | @barbwhitmore | Jun 16, 2022
In reply to @priscillat "I got the senior flu vaccine and shingles vaccine the same day in September 2019. The..." + (show)
@priscillat

I got the senior flu vaccine and shingles vaccine the same day in September 2019. The next day I noticed I was very sluggish on the tennis court; 3 days later I couldn’t lift my arms, couldn’t roll over in bed - pain and low grade fever for 3 months until I was diagnosed properly. Didn’t know which vaccine to blame, so I blamed the combination. Weaned successfully off prednisone in about 18 months; then had the second Moderna vaccine, and all the PMR symptoms came back. I’m on a much slower reduction (about 3 years I hope) this time. I’ve had the regular flu vaccine in the fall of 2020 and 2021 with no problems. Also no problems with two COVID boosters. I think that some very powerful vaccines cause a very powerful reaction, as in my immune response went overboard. Tough choice to make when presented with life saving vaccines…..

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Not a tough choice for me in the future. I will NEVER get another flu vaccine! The effectiveness percentage is usually under 10% and the suffering if it adversely affects your immune system is horrible and long lasting. The girl at CVS who administered the flu vaccine was fumbling around with papers, didn't tell me the jab was coming, I was startled and moved slightly which seemed to give her concern but she completed the jab. So, don't know if that too caused part of my issue. Has anyone had problems with the calcium supplement they want you to take because of bone loss? Reviews online causing me concern. Took two prednisone last night after taking myself off for a week and finally got some sleep. Probably up the dose today based upon all of your helpful comments in this blog but will see how much the hot tub helps. The hot tub does help for those who don't already know that.

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barbwhitmore | @barbwhitmore | Jun 16, 2022
In reply to @milld835 "Mine first began (although I did not put 2+2 together) back in May 2021 about a..." + (show)
@milld835

Mine first began (although I did not put 2+2 together) back in May 2021 about a month after my first Covid-19 vaccine. Sore neck, so shoulders, etc. Then in August 2021 about 10 days after my second vaccine, the caca hit the fan and I was all the way down with pain, but could not get my GP (who has since retired) to admit that it was not just simply "old age". Finally in December, he referred me for blood work at my request because I was getting worse. My CRP was in the 40's. Just before he retired, he got me referred to a Neurologist and at beginning of January, 2022 I was diagnosed with PMR (never had heard of it). So in answer to your question, yes....although my Rheumatologist (not for long), asked me if I didn't think I was just supposed to get PMR. This is NOT something which runs in my family at all. Lots of other illnesses, but nothing related to PMR, RA, etc.

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Me too and I have 8 siblings and parents that lived to be over 100. I can't get any doctor to say that the vaccine caused my pain so I have been living with uncertainty thinking maybe I have cancer that they missed as cancer does run in my family. Every time I get pain someplace I haven't had in the past I think the worst. But, the pain from this crap can't get any worse than I experienced both before and after stopping prednisone on my own last week. I have never taken more than 5 mg and slowing down wasn't working for me so after getting to 3mg and after a two week vacation, I just stopped cold turkey and that was dumb. I do have a doctor and he told me to go to 3 1/2 but I know better. LOL Took 2 mg last night and slept. Going to try hot tub and stay on 2 mg if I can manage the pain but think I have internal organ inflammation also. Does anyone else have arm pit pain? Does anyone have organ inflammation?

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1 reply
milld835 | @milld835 | Jun 16, 2022
In reply to @barbwhitmore "Me too and I have 8 siblings and parents that lived to be over 100. I..." + (show)
@barbwhitmore

Me too and I have 8 siblings and parents that lived to be over 100. I can't get any doctor to say that the vaccine caused my pain so I have been living with uncertainty thinking maybe I have cancer that they missed as cancer does run in my family. Every time I get pain someplace I haven't had in the past I think the worst. But, the pain from this crap can't get any worse than I experienced both before and after stopping prednisone on my own last week. I have never taken more than 5 mg and slowing down wasn't working for me so after getting to 3mg and after a two week vacation, I just stopped cold turkey and that was dumb. I do have a doctor and he told me to go to 3 1/2 but I know better. LOL Took 2 mg last night and slept. Going to try hot tub and stay on 2 mg if I can manage the pain but think I have internal organ inflammation also. Does anyone else have arm pit pain? Does anyone have organ inflammation?

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I guess at this point it doesn't matter what caused it...we have it. I'm in the midst of a flare so some pain has returned. Rheumatologist reduced my prednisone too much too fast. She's very unreachable, so I increased it by 1/2 mg. which seems to have helped somewhat. Your body knows best. Armpit pain no. Other pains yes. Extreme fatigue. It will get better though. Just a rough patch. Know not of organ inflammation. Maybe a trip to your doctor is in order?

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maureen158 | @maureen158 | Jun 16, 2022

My PMR developed after my second Covid vaccine. My PA diagnosed it quickly and ordered blood work…my initial sed rate was 45. After a year of tapering, I am on 2.5 prednisone and my sed rate is 14. I have a low level of discomfort but can exercise and do other physical activity, just not as quickly or as much as before. I haven’t seen a rheumatologist but wish I had and am going to someone next week.
You can report adverse event to CDC via http://www.vaers.hhs.gov
Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System

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2 replies
kidolibrarian | @kidolibrarian | Jun 16, 2022
In reply to @maureen158 "My PMR developed after my second Covid vaccine. My PA diagnosed it quickly and ordered blood..." + (show)
@maureen158

My PMR developed after my second Covid vaccine. My PA diagnosed it quickly and ordered blood work…my initial sed rate was 45. After a year of tapering, I am on 2.5 prednisone and my sed rate is 14. I have a low level of discomfort but can exercise and do other physical activity, just not as quickly or as much as before. I haven’t seen a rheumatologist but wish I had and am going to someone next week.
You can report adverse event to CDC via http://www.vaers.hhs.gov
Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System

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Definitely, I developed PMR after my first Covid shot and a full blown case after my second shot in 2021. My rheumatologist says she has seen many new PMR cases with both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.

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2 replies
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jun 16, 2022
In reply to @kidolibrarian "Definitely, I developed PMR after my first Covid shot and a full blown case after my..." + (show)
@kidolibrarian

Definitely, I developed PMR after my first Covid shot and a full blown case after my second shot in 2021. My rheumatologist says she has seen many new PMR cases with both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.

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Hello @maureen158 and @kidolibrarian, Welcome to Connect. I think it's a great idea to report your symptoms to the VAERS system. @kidolibrarian if you have not already done it, I would recommend reporting the side effects using the link shared above.

I think you both might find the following discussion helpful -- PMR Dosages and Managing Symptoms: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pmr-dosages/

Do you mind sharing what dosage of prednisone you were started on and your current dosage?

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loyal | @loyal | Jun 17, 2022
In reply to @maureen158 "My PMR developed after my second Covid vaccine. My PA diagnosed it quickly and ordered blood..." + (show)
@maureen158

My PMR developed after my second Covid vaccine. My PA diagnosed it quickly and ordered blood work…my initial sed rate was 45. After a year of tapering, I am on 2.5 prednisone and my sed rate is 14. I have a low level of discomfort but can exercise and do other physical activity, just not as quickly or as much as before. I haven’t seen a rheumatologist but wish I had and am going to someone next week.
You can report adverse event to CDC via http://www.vaers.hhs.gov
Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System

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I plan to contact this vaers site. I think my PMR came after myb1st booster 11/2021.

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kidolibrarian | @kidolibrarian | Jun 17, 2022
In reply to @kidolibrarian "Definitely, I developed PMR after my first Covid shot and a full blown case after my..." + (show)
@kidolibrarian

Definitely, I developed PMR after my first Covid shot and a full blown case after my second shot in 2021. My rheumatologist says she has seen many new PMR cases with both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.

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I started over a year ago with 5 mg and have tapered down to 2 mg now. I still have pain and stiffness most all day but can function after a couple hours. My doctor wants me to lower the dose to 1 mg in July but I’m not optimist because of my current pain and stiffness. I never take prednisone on an empty stomach because the last thing I need is gastrointestinal problems. I usually have a piece of toast with peanut butter as well as a bowl of cereal before taking meds.

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1 reply
milld835 | @milld835 | Jun 18, 2022
In reply to @kidolibrarian "I started over a year ago with 5 mg and have tapered down to 2 mg..." + (show)
@kidolibrarian

I started over a year ago with 5 mg and have tapered down to 2 mg now. I still have pain and stiffness most all day but can function after a couple hours. My doctor wants me to lower the dose to 1 mg in July but I’m not optimist because of my current pain and stiffness. I never take prednisone on an empty stomach because the last thing I need is gastrointestinal problems. I usually have a piece of toast with peanut butter as well as a bowl of cereal before taking meds.

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Me too and many others.

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milld835 | @milld835 | Jun 18, 2022

Not after a flu shot, but after the Covid vaccines.

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