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.

@veronixa

Yes I got the flu shot on 9/16, within a couple of days I had pain in both arms, initially I didn’t connect it to the flu shot. By 9/28 I was at the orthopedic Dr!! Surely no councidence

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Not a coincidence I’m my opinion. I was very hesitant to get my Covid vaccine and I got one last Thursday. I had a flareup three days later so bad I couldn’t get in and out of bed or use any of the bathroom facilities myself for about 48 hours. It was just awful I had to increase my prednisone to a high dose after I was down to 5 mg and I’m on the chase. So when I say no coincidence if the flu shot did this to me and then the Covid shot it’s something they’re putting in the vaccines. Just my opinion

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@kristem2020

Not a coincidence I’m my opinion. I was very hesitant to get my Covid vaccine and I got one last Thursday. I had a flareup three days later so bad I couldn’t get in and out of bed or use any of the bathroom facilities myself for about 48 hours. It was just awful I had to increase my prednisone to a high dose after I was down to 5 mg and I’m on the chase. So when I say no coincidence if the flu shot did this to me and then the Covid shot it’s something they’re putting in the vaccines. Just my opinion

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I also had a severe flareup after receiving the Pfizer vaccine for Covid 19. I had been symptom free for thirteen years prior to receiving the shot.

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Yes, same happened to me after first round of Moderna in Jan 2021. Did you go back for 2nd dose? I’m still on 15-20 mg prednisone and waiting…

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@karinaph

I feel there is a likely connection with vaccines and PMR. I too had the difficulties ambulating, severe pain and then some vision issues. All after my “ senior” flu shot and the shingrix vaccine. Remember the senior shot is 4x stronger than normal flu shot. This past year, I opted for the regular formulation not the senior dose. It appears from the literature that John has so kindly shared, along with another I read recently, that the adjuvants may be the factors that are triggering this over reaction in some people, like us.
I’m watching closely on our covid vaccines , as to which one may be more suitable. I do want to get the vaccine, but I have my trepidations. I’ll check with my rheumatologist too, and perhaps my endocrinologist too. Please share any insights you may have from your practitioners too. My docs are with UCSF just for reference.

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Have you consulted your Docs and decided for or against Covid vax yet? I got PMR after 1st Moderna and am wary of taking 2nd shot —but I have 10 grandkids without vaccines so I am gathering info from other PMR patients to consider what might happen.

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@2heal

Have you consulted your Docs and decided for or against Covid vax yet? I got PMR after 1st Moderna and am wary of taking 2nd shot —but I have 10 grandkids without vaccines so I am gathering info from other PMR patients to consider what might happen.

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Hi, really sorry to hear of your experience. I did get the Pfizer vaccine, and had mild symptoms after. Normal post vaccine arm pain and some lethargy for a day. I was at 8.5 mg prednisone at the time. Just curious, do you have an underlying autoimmune issue? I did and I think that is what contributed to the OMR after the shingrix vaccine.

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@veronixa

Yes I had the same thing happen to me!!
Initially the pain presented itself in both my upper arms. So I went to an orthopedic Dr, he gave me 2 shots of cortisone so I was ok for 5 weeks, and then it returned!!?that’s when I was diagnosed with PMR

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yes I had the same reaction about 3 days ater the shot it wasin my legs too

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@veronixa

We need to find out where to report this because I’ve read that it’s unusual and not many cases being reported!! I want to report it so they know just how common it is!!

I know one thing for sure, no covid vaccine for me and never another flu shot!!

I saw a video that states that one of the side effects of the covid vaccine is autoimmune diseases. Beware!!

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After my COVID shot ive been experiencing major pain in legs and pain in both arms that permeate down to joint, Major muscle pain in calf’s and joint pain. I thought maybe thyroid! I’ve been drinking hot tea to see if it goes away. j can’t even walk the distance i was walking my dogs. I’m 58, Now i go 1/2 block and return hime and I’m exhausted and I’m usually very healthy, i eat organic s, blueberries for inflammation. I knew i should not have taken that COVID SHOT, I’ve never even taken a flu shot, I usually have a great immune system. Someone told me to drink BONE BROTH. I’m going to sip on that! Very worrisome!

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@sdenver

After my COVID shot ive been experiencing major pain in legs and pain in both arms that permeate down to joint, Major muscle pain in calf’s and joint pain. I thought maybe thyroid! I’ve been drinking hot tea to see if it goes away. j can’t even walk the distance i was walking my dogs. I’m 58, Now i go 1/2 block and return hime and I’m exhausted and I’m usually very healthy, i eat organic s, blueberries for inflammation. I knew i should not have taken that COVID SHOT, I’ve never even taken a flu shot, I usually have a great immune system. Someone told me to drink BONE BROTH. I’m going to sip on that! Very worrisome!

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One week after second Moderna, I developed GCA. And I knew I shouldn’t have taken it either but I was afraid not to!!!

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@sdenver

After my COVID shot ive been experiencing major pain in legs and pain in both arms that permeate down to joint, Major muscle pain in calf’s and joint pain. I thought maybe thyroid! I’ve been drinking hot tea to see if it goes away. j can’t even walk the distance i was walking my dogs. I’m 58, Now i go 1/2 block and return hime and I’m exhausted and I’m usually very healthy, i eat organic s, blueberries for inflammation. I knew i should not have taken that COVID SHOT, I’ve never even taken a flu shot, I usually have a great immune system. Someone told me to drink BONE BROTH. I’m going to sip on that! Very worrisome!

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Hi @sdenver, My PMR is in remission and I had both Pfizer vaccine shots earlier this year with only the normal minimal side effects, the worst being the extreme fatigue the day after my second vaccine shot. I posted a few reference links earlier in this discussion on influenza vaccines and PMR which may provide some insight. Here is the link to the post - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/331519/.

Have you discussed the symptoms with your doctor?

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@kristem2020

Thank you for your reply. I received the flu vaccine October 23, 2020 and by oct 30 , 2020 I had debilitating joint and muscle pain. I could sit on the toilet with out assistance because my left knee, quad, and hamstring were too painful. My hips were also very stiff. My left knee was the size of a softball and the leg was swollen. My SED was in the 40s. My CPR was not far behind.
Within another week my shoulders and arms followed suit with immobility. I was put on a low dose of prednisone which did not help. I suffered for weeks while the Drs
We’re ruling out other diagnoses. Cat scans, ultra sounds, and MRIs. Oh and neurological testing as well. All negative. I went to Brigham and women’s and that’s where I was diagnosed with PMR. Like others I suffered more that I could ever imagine immobility to be.
I’m 100% better but not 100% by any means. My life has changed from an extremely active woman to one who is struggling to find out what caused this so I can fix it.

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That is scary, considering i took the COVId SHOTS AND MY SHOULDERS ARE IN PAIN AND MY LEGS ARE IN SERIOUS PAIN NOW ALL THE TIME.

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