1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Is it safe to get the Corona Virus (COVID-19) vaccine with PMR?

Posted by ncgal @ncgal, Nov 19, 2020

Just wondering if anyone has found out if it is okay to get the corona virus vaccine once it comes out. I'm 78, so past the 65+ age for early vaccinations, plus having the autoimmune diagnosis. I don't see my rheumatologist for another two months but guess I'll call him to find out if t comes to that. Just thought I'd see if anyone else has found out. I had no problem with the flu shot.

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Feb 16, 2021
In reply to @johnbishop "@merpreb - My experience with PMR when it's active is that the pain is always there..." + (show)
@johnbishop

@merpreb - My experience with PMR when it's active is that the pain is always there unless I'm taking prednisone to control it. Then as I'm tapering, if I go too fast, the pain returns with different levels of intensity. The two big things that I believe help keep my PMR at bay are diet and exercise - not the cardio type but the just keep moving stuff, walking, stretching, etc.. PMR diagnosis usually involves Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) blood tests to check the levels of inflammation in your body but they are just pointing to the possibility of PMR not a diagnosis if the levels are high. A physical exam by a rheumatologist is usually needed to confirm.

I've mostly focused on reducing or eliminating processed meats, sugar, fast food, and fried foods. Here is a good article on Medical News Today that offers some suggestions -- What to eat if you have polymyalgia rheumatica: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321683

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@johnbishop- Thank you. I will definitely have to find a rheumatologist and get those tests done.

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kimh | @kimh | Feb 16, 2021
In reply to @ssobx "I have PMR. Was on prednisone for almost a year. Slowly weaned off in December. No..." + (show)
@ssobx

I have PMR. Was on prednisone for almost a year. Slowly weaned off in December. No pain. Had my first vaccine shot about 3 weeks ago. Had a flare up about 2 weeks after the shot. Went on prednisone medral dose pack and finished last Friday. Getting 2nd shot his Friday and I’m hoping I don’t get another flare up. Won’t stop me from getting it though.

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Thank-you for the update!

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1 reply
dudeofdad | @dudeofdad | Feb 16, 2021
In reply to @kimh "Thank-you for the update!" + (show)
@kimh

Thank-you for the update!

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Thanks for posting @ssbox. Any firsthand information is good information. I am down to 6mg/day without much soreness. I’m still laying low on the vaccine, but had a heart attack last Thursday. I had angioplasty and two stents put in through catheter surgery. I’m as weak as a baby in a big boy’s body!

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Jeff Down Under | @legendts | Feb 17, 2021

Any thoughts on the effectiveness of the vaccine/s while on Prednisolone considering it suppresses the immune system while the vaccine/s boost it? We are lucky re the Covid-19 situation in Australia and can’t imagine how difficult it must be for those of you in the USA, UK and most of the EU countries fighting it. Our thoughts are with you.

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1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Feb 17, 2021
In reply to @legendts "Any thoughts on the effectiveness of the vaccine/s while on Prednisolone considering it suppresses the immune..." + (show)
@legendts

Any thoughts on the effectiveness of the vaccine/s while on Prednisolone considering it suppresses the immune system while the vaccine/s boost it? We are lucky re the Covid-19 situation in Australia and can’t imagine how difficult it must be for those of you in the USA, UK and most of the EU countries fighting it. Our thoughts are with you.

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@legendts, I'm not sure there is really enough data on the topic but I would definitely have a conversation with my doctor or rheumatologist on the risks vs benefits. Here is some additional information that you may find helpful.

Recommendation on the Mayo Clinic website - excerpt from link below - "While you are being treated with prednisone, do not have any immunizations (vaccines) without your doctor's approval. Prednisone may lower your body's resistance and the vaccine may not work as well or you might get the infection the vaccine is meant to prevent." -- Prednisone (Oral Route) - Precautions: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/prednisone-oral-route/precautions/drg-20075269

Prednisone and Coronavirus: Do Corticosteroids Make You Immunosuppressed and Higher Risk for COVID-19?:
- https://creakyjoints.org/living-with-arthritis/coronavirus/treatments/prednisone-steroids-immunosuppressing-coronavirus/

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sherrybird | @sherrybird | Feb 25, 2021

Received the 2nd shot yesterday morning. Felt fine all day (had some brain fog), but woke up at 1:00 this morning with chills. Sure enough, temp of 100.5. Took a 650 mg tylenol as recommended, and it was brought down to 98.8 in a half hour. Definitely made my PMR flare, though. I'm not on prednisone, and usually take Naproxen for flares. Was told they only recommended Tylenol with the vaccine, and to call my doctor if I want to take Naproxen. So, I'm just happy that the tylenol addresses the fever. I'll tough it out today and see what happens.
I also have NO appetite. Not nauseous, just not hungry. Am eating, because I think I need fuel to fight the fever, but not hungry.
I got the Phizer vaccine.

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3 replies
kimh | @kimh | Feb 25, 2021
In reply to @sherrybird "Received the 2nd shot yesterday morning. Felt fine all day (had some brain fog), but woke..." + (show)
@sherrybird

Received the 2nd shot yesterday morning. Felt fine all day (had some brain fog), but woke up at 1:00 this morning with chills. Sure enough, temp of 100.5. Took a 650 mg tylenol as recommended, and it was brought down to 98.8 in a half hour. Definitely made my PMR flare, though. I'm not on prednisone, and usually take Naproxen for flares. Was told they only recommended Tylenol with the vaccine, and to call my doctor if I want to take Naproxen. So, I'm just happy that the tylenol addresses the fever. I'll tough it out today and see what happens.
I also have NO appetite. Not nauseous, just not hungry. Am eating, because I think I need fuel to fight the fever, but not hungry.
I got the Phizer vaccine.

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Hi @sherrybird . Thank-you for the update on your symptoms after the second shot. Please stay hydrated! Get well soon!

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karinaph | @karinaph | Feb 25, 2021
In reply to @sherrybird "Received the 2nd shot yesterday morning. Felt fine all day (had some brain fog), but woke..." + (show)
@sherrybird

Received the 2nd shot yesterday morning. Felt fine all day (had some brain fog), but woke up at 1:00 this morning with chills. Sure enough, temp of 100.5. Took a 650 mg tylenol as recommended, and it was brought down to 98.8 in a half hour. Definitely made my PMR flare, though. I'm not on prednisone, and usually take Naproxen for flares. Was told they only recommended Tylenol with the vaccine, and to call my doctor if I want to take Naproxen. So, I'm just happy that the tylenol addresses the fever. I'll tough it out today and see what happens.
I also have NO appetite. Not nauseous, just not hungry. Am eating, because I think I need fuel to fight the fever, but not hungry.
I got the Phizer vaccine.

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Thanks for the update. Hope you continue to get better. I’m getting the second in early March, I’m on P though so not sure what to expect. Hope your PMR symptoms subside!
Best, karinaph

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peggyp | @peggyp | Feb 25, 2021
In reply to @sherrybird "Received the 2nd shot yesterday morning. Felt fine all day (had some brain fog), but woke..." + (show)
@sherrybird

Received the 2nd shot yesterday morning. Felt fine all day (had some brain fog), but woke up at 1:00 this morning with chills. Sure enough, temp of 100.5. Took a 650 mg tylenol as recommended, and it was brought down to 98.8 in a half hour. Definitely made my PMR flare, though. I'm not on prednisone, and usually take Naproxen for flares. Was told they only recommended Tylenol with the vaccine, and to call my doctor if I want to take Naproxen. So, I'm just happy that the tylenol addresses the fever. I'll tough it out today and see what happens.
I also have NO appetite. Not nauseous, just not hungry. Am eating, because I think I need fuel to fight the fever, but not hungry.
I got the Phizer vaccine.

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How long have you had PMR and why aren't you on prednisone? If the PMR inflammation is not controlled, it could develop into Giant Cell Arteritis which can cause blindness.

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2 replies
sherrybird | @sherrybird | Feb 25, 2021
In reply to @peggyp "How long have you had PMR and why aren't you on prednisone? If the PMR inflammation..." + (show)
@peggyp

How long have you had PMR and why aren't you on prednisone? If the PMR inflammation is not controlled, it could develop into Giant Cell Arteritis which can cause blindness.

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I was diagnosed in 2013. I also had a vitamin D level of 2. Can't remember my sed rate, But it was high. When my vitamin D levels were brought back up fo normal, my sed rate also dropped. I get tested 2x's a year to make sure the sed rate doesn't go crazy and my D levels don't drop again. I am lucky that I can control the flares with Naproxen. I'm also thankful that my Dr didn't want me to get on the prednisone merry-go-round.

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