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.

In reply to @veronixa "Coincidence!" + (show)
@veronixa

Coincidence!

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No coincidence. Mine started after my Covid-19 vax in May 2021 and I went all summer in a lot of pain not knowing why. Then, in August 2021 after my second vax, I went into the full PMR mode of pain from the neck to shoulders, to arms, to hands (had to wear splints), hips, back of buttocks and thighs, and was not diagnosed until Jan. 2022. PMR does not run in my family, nor any other related disease. Never had these symptoms before the vaccines and despise my decision to get them, even though we were forced into it. I will never get a booster.

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Yes, I am convinced my PMR symptoms are related to the adjuvants in the high-dose (senior) flu vaccine I got in October 2021. Happily, I seem to be recovering, although very slowly, eight months later.

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@milld835

No coincidence. Mine started after my Covid-19 vax in May 2021 and I went all summer in a lot of pain not knowing why. Then, in August 2021 after my second vax, I went into the full PMR mode of pain from the neck to shoulders, to arms, to hands (had to wear splints), hips, back of buttocks and thighs, and was not diagnosed until Jan. 2022. PMR does not run in my family, nor any other related disease. Never had these symptoms before the vaccines and despise my decision to get them, even though we were forced into it. I will never get a booster.

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I can understand your thinking… I wasn’t sure about getting a booster but did and it did not make my PMR worse, fortunately.

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Yes. A day after I had my first Covid shot I woke up to a stiff neck and shoulders. I went down hill after that day and about a month later I could not get my socks on in the morning. I was going to massage therapy and chiropractor thinking it was just the work I do. I was diagnosed and thinking back the shot is what triggered this PMR. Here I am a year to the day later and still fighting with PMR. I tried going off the prednisone faster. Not good. Learning as I go.

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@brad64

Yes. A day after I had my first Covid shot I woke up to a stiff neck and shoulders. I went down hill after that day and about a month later I could not get my socks on in the morning. I was going to massage therapy and chiropractor thinking it was just the work I do. I was diagnosed and thinking back the shot is what triggered this PMR. Here I am a year to the day later and still fighting with PMR. I tried going off the prednisone faster. Not good. Learning as I go.

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Me too. Chiropractor, physio and massage and nothing was helping (of course). So frustrating and expensive. Chiropractor thought it might be RA and I suggested PMR after researching and he gave a very reserved maybe. Not RA as bloodwork showed. Extremely high CRP and in Jan. 2022 finally was referred to a Neurologist (because he was willing to take me in on urgent basis) and he diagnosed the PMR, prescribed Prednisone 20mg. An overnight miracle, although tapering is difficult and should be done at a snail's pace.
Family doc (who has since retired) said it was just old age as were most of his diagnoses. This is a great group for learning things about PMR, GCA and other related. Stick with us, because truly, the doctors do not know much about it at all. Very slow on the tapering.
Also, if I may, suggest this amazing site: https://healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk/
Cheers ~ Deb

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@maureen158

I can understand your thinking… I wasn’t sure about getting a booster but did and it did not make my PMR worse, fortunately.

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Fortunately for sure. I'm glad it worked out positively for you. Take care...

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@milld835

Me too. Chiropractor, physio and massage and nothing was helping (of course). So frustrating and expensive. Chiropractor thought it might be RA and I suggested PMR after researching and he gave a very reserved maybe. Not RA as bloodwork showed. Extremely high CRP and in Jan. 2022 finally was referred to a Neurologist (because he was willing to take me in on urgent basis) and he diagnosed the PMR, prescribed Prednisone 20mg. An overnight miracle, although tapering is difficult and should be done at a snail's pace.
Family doc (who has since retired) said it was just old age as were most of his diagnoses. This is a great group for learning things about PMR, GCA and other related. Stick with us, because truly, the doctors do not know much about it at all. Very slow on the tapering.
Also, if I may, suggest this amazing site: https://healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk/
Cheers ~ Deb

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Thanks Deb! I will check out the Resource site you attached. I still cannot believe this is happening a year later. I am back on pred as of today. Here’s to trying again.

Brad

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There is a doctor here that does a IV transfusion that claims to remove mercury and other crap from your system. Has anyone tried this sort of thing to get rid of PMR?

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@barbwhitmore

There is a doctor here that does a IV transfusion that claims to remove mercury and other crap from your system. Has anyone tried this sort of thing to get rid of PMR?

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@barbwhitmore, I would be a little suspect of any claims without scientific evidence. Here's some information on the diagnosis and treatment of PMR from Mayo Clinic - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/polymyalgia-rheumatica/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20376545

Have you been started on any treatment like prednisone to help with the PMR inflammation and associated pain?

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Yes, I came down with symptoms within a week after my flu shot. Didn't get diagnosed for 6 months.

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