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

Hello @margaretva, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It's good to hear that you asked your rheumatologist for 1 mg prednisone tablets as it makes it easier to taper slower. You might want to ask for 2.5 mg prednisone tablets also as it makes it a little easier tapering until you get to the lower doses. Towards the end of my first round with PMR I found a good pill splitter and was splitting the 1 mg tablets going back and forth between 1 mg and 1/2 mg until I was finally able to stop taking prednisone and only have some minor aches in the morning.

You may find a few other discussions helpful also:
- Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR): Meet others & Share Your Story: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/polymyalgia-rheumatica-pmr-meet-others-share-your-story/
- PMR Anyone?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pmr-anyone/
- Resources / Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR): https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/polymyalgia-rheumatica-pmr/
- Rheumatoid arthritis questions: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/rheumatoid-arthritis-questions/

You mentioned your rheumatologist also has you on methotrexate and is not sure it's helping so wants to start you on Humira. Do they think you also may have rheumatoid arthritis in addition to PMR?

Thanks for all your help as mentor, John. I have read all of the PMR threads on this site. COVID vaccine went fine. No ill effects - my arm would have been sore but for the 6 mg prednisone, I suspect. In answer to your question, my rheum has always felt I was too young for PMR, and says there's so much cross over with non-serol. RA that Humira is worth a try. I was happy last summer when my blood tests were negative for rheumatoid factor, but apparently that is not as good news as I thought at first! Thanks again

I got my second Moderna shot 2 days ago. Was on 4-5 mg prednisone for both shots. No symptoms the first time. The second dose I had flu-like aches about 6 hours after the shot, but with 100mg ibuprophen I felt better.

I had my Astra Zeneca vaccination yesterday evening and so far 24 hours down the track absolutely no side effects. Unfortunately my wife (has CLL) didn’t fare so well. Very sore arm, headache, couldn’t sleep last night and heart palpitations. The palpitations are subsiding now though but headache persists. Second dose in three months.

Hi everyone. I was just diagnosed with PMR after 11wks of lumbar then hip, knee & eventual shoulder pain, stiffness & loss of range of motion. My symptoms occurred 2 days after my 2nd Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine. I developed a 101.3 temp within 12 hrs. I was bedridden for 13 hrs and woke up feeling much better but had bilateral lumbar pain. Symptoms progressed to other body parts within 2 wks. R/O spine problems with negative MRI. C-Reactive Protein, Anemia & “text book” symptoms confirmed diagnosis. Started Prednisone 20mg and starting to definitely feel better. Wondering if anyone else developed this after the vaccines immune response? BTW I think the vaccine is a miracle and don’t want to cause any vaccine hesitation. This syndrome can occur after a flu or any vaccine.

its very frustrating to hear one doctor tell me he does not think I have PMR and another tells me I do . I am taking Advil every day and do not get relief from the pain until early afternoon, I have also noticed my eyes become very sore. I have been resistant to go back on the prendnisone

Hello @cara7 and @marymv, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a welcoming online community where patients and caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others. You might want to join the following discussion and meet other members with PMR and learn what they have shared.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR): Meet others & Share Your Story: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/polymyalgia-rheumatica-pmr-meet-others-share-your-story/

PMR can difficult to diagnose. Here's some more information on PMR you might find helpful - Polymyalgia rheumatica - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/polymyalgia-rheumatica/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20376545

@cara7 Have you seen a rheumatologist or thought about getting another opinion?
@marymv My PMR is currently in remission but the only bad side effect I had was the second day after my 2nd Pfizer shot. I had extreme fatigue that lasted all day.

Thank you!

Hi, i am a physician, internal medicine
,,3 and 4 years ago i got PMR about month after flu vaccine, ,,elevated sed rate,,normall C reactive protein
,,,Rhematologist put me on prednisone taper and slowly got better in about 2 to 3 months
,,for last 2 years i got flu vaccine without get PMR
,,however, i got Pfizer covid vaccines 1/21 and about 6 weeks later got what i am pretty sure was severe flare PMR in my right hip,,buttock with pain,,and best described weakness or "wobbly legs",,i could not walk without pain or jog
,,i started prednisone taper and about 3 weeks seem to be better now,
,,there is not much literature on PMR being triggered by vaccines,,,but sure seems in my case to be the culprit,
,,

hi, see my comment above