PMR and Flu Vaccine

I have PMR and GCA. I will be done with prednisone in 2 weeks, but I still take weekly Actemra injections. I plan to get a flu shot and possibly a Covid booster in 2 or 3 months.

I have had Covid boosters. Don’t do flu shot. No effects.

Answer to your questions, 1. yes, I have fatigue and just really tired after a flare up. I try to rest more than usual and increase protein in my diet and that seems to help me get back on track. 2. I do get a flu shot every fall.

I don't fit your criteria but I am commenting anyway. I am in my seventh year of what started as pmr and gotten sidetracked with other seemingly inflammatory conditions. I am stuck at 3 mg prednisone for the time heing.
I will not get another covid booster. The last one had me feeling bad enough that I feel getting another one would be tempting fate to set off a very bad reaction.
It seems from some of the articles I have read that the flu shots are not always effective against the predicted viral strains. I did not get the flu vaccine last year. As of now, I do not plan on getting another one.
From my experience with all of this, I would suggest you maintain a healthy anti-inflammatory diet as much as possible and be especially mindful if flu or covid is spiking and you have opted not to get vaccinated.
Having tried to taper below 3 mg twice already, I have definitely felt fatigued. I guess I'm blaming low cortisol?.
Maybe your adrenals are still trying to recover completely.

Re: vaccines. I will not get another covid vaccination and, now that I have PMR, and am reluctant to get flu vaccinations as well. My brother and I both contracted PMR within 7 days of receiving covid booster shots last fall. His condition devolved into GCA and pericarditis. According to European and Japanese studies published on PUBmed, there are reports of higher than expected incidences of PMR within 30 days of receiving covid booster shots. There have been no studies in the US reporting on adverse effects, if any, from receiving MULTIPLE covid vaccinations. The FDA ignores its drug adverse event reporting system unless the adverse events are reported in the news. (I base this statement on personal knowledge- I worked for the DOJ and litigated cases against pharmaceutical companies on behalf of the FDA).

Hi John. I came down with full blown PMR classic symptoms 4-5 days after my second Covid shot. After seeing many doctors over 4 weeks my Orthopedic doctor diagnosed it. Referred me to Mayo. From Mayo I found a rheumatologist here in TC that is fabulous and was willing to advance my treatment to begin tapering the prednisone and treat the PMR with drugs now being used for PMR - I asked my rheumatologist at Mayo many times to please try this or that which, I am now taking but the Mayo said no. So I switched doctors. For me my doctor does not recommend any vaccine. I’ve not had any for about 3 years. I’m still flu free but that is likely related to the prednisone and Actemra I am on. Do your research Ask questions ask about options research options and chose the ones you are willing to accept the risks. They all have similar side affects but some are better tolerated and target the condition. Good Luck. We’re all with you. 👍🏻☺️

Seems you have done really well in having the PMR only stick around for under 12 months. That is quite a short period for this illness. I had a flu shot in July 2023 (southern hemisphere) and within 2 days was in intense pain across the shoulders, front and back, The inflammatory markers escalated rapidly and I could hardly get out of bed. The flu vaccine as a trigger is documented in the research literature, although considered to be a rare side effect of that vaccine. I am still battling with PMR and occasionally have to go up to 20 mgs daily of steroids to get the inflammatory markers back to normal. The rheumatologist did say that the markers were quite volatile. So steering clear of flu vaccines and Covid boosters at this stage (although I had 5 prior to PMR) .

I appreciate your comments. From my experiences over last 2 years with othe PMR people and conversations with my rheumatologist PMR is no longer a rare side effect of the COVID vaccine. Perhaps anything with the MRNA in it is also included. 🤞🏻my only hope now is that it will burn itself out. And hopefully not return. 👍🏻🤞🏻

I got the Shingles vaccine and it woke up PMR..I now take Methotrexate because Prednisone made me eat..I have no pain now!

I have found the the tiredness and fatigue are a result of coming off prednisone too fast. I was diagnosed with PMR, put on prednisone 15mg tapered down to 0 in 16 months and within six weeks had a relapse of PMR. Now back on prednisone starting at 10 mg decreased to 5 in two months now slowly droping 1mg every two months. I still get the fatigue after dropping but it only lasts a couple of days. I have had one COVID booster and one flu shot since being diagnosed and didn't seem to have any symptoms. I have had flu shots every year for the past 30+ years.