Can PMR (Polymyalgia Rheumatica) be induced by vaccine?

First I had to get the PMR under control, after that it took about a year.
I started using marijuana patches for pain and was able to get off the
cortisone.

Linda7 you and I have the same heritage. We are probably related! My PMR came on after the 2nd Pfizer booster shot in July. I already had some inflammation in my system from a shoulder injury so I think that plus the shot and the genetics sent me over the edge.

I also was sick twice in May which I thought may have been Covid, but I tested negative on the home tests. If I had Covid in my system a couple of months prior, it's no wonder my system went haywire.

I will not take anymore vaccines for a long time.

I know mine was a result of both Covid vaccines. Pain in neck and shoulders started immediately after first shot in May 2021 (I thought it was my pillows) and escalated until second shot August 4, 2021. August 14, 2021 full blown PMR until I was actually diagnosed in Jan. 2022 and finally put on Prednisone. This is not a genetic thing. Arthritis-related diseases do not run in my family. No autoimmune. So there you have it and here we are stuck with it, for awhile anyway. All the best.

Same thing happened with my husband. Second covid vac...full blown PMR!

These comments have been very helpful for me. I have been treated for PMR since December 2020. I have had all 4 covid vaccines available. I thought it was my imagination when following each shot I experience an increase in severity of PMR symptoms that.lasted 6 weeks. I am really reluctant to take the latest vaccine when it.comes available but I am in the high risk category and support the.vaccine.program generally . I will have to talk to rheumatologist, but may decline for as.long as.possible.

Hi @mary4, Welcome to Connect. So sorry to hear the vaccine caused your PMR. I'm also in the high risk category and have had both vaccines and 2 boosters but I was lucky in that it didn't cause my PMR to come out of remission and I just had the normal side effects of the vaccine.

You mentioned the PMR started in December 2020. Are you still on prednisone or an alternative for treatment?

I am still on prednisone. Started at 20 mg. I am now at 3 mg and tapering 1 mg every 2 months. I was curious when reading comments how it seems many people have been pain free on treatment. That has never been the case for me. My rheumatologist is guided by my chemistries as opposed to subjective report of experience. My pain has always been between 4 and 7 with much at upper end. I cannot take tylenol, or advil kinds of drugs. I will say the higher range of pain is diminishing. Perhaps I misinterpreted the other comments re pain. Thx for your feedback.

When my PMR was active and I was tapering, I would wake up with a pain level between 1 and 2 with stiffness but it would go away shortly after getting up and moving around and also taking my prednisone dose for the day. The rest of the day was relatively pain free. My Mayo rheumatologist told me the goal for the prednisone treatment was to help the pain as well as inflammation.

That is very helpful information. I am seeing my rheumatologist on Monday. We will have a discussion. I have considered a trip to the Mayo clinic for another opinion. I am in Canada and like the rest of the world have not.been travelling generally, and certainly not on planes. Perhaps more opportunity now. I hope you are now well. Thank you again for the helpful feedback. There is nothing comparable to Connect in Canada. It is.so helpful to hear from people with lived experience. Thank you.

I'm curious if all respondents had the Pfizer vaccine, like me. Regardless, I suggest you report your reaction to the VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System): https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html