Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR): Meet others & Share Your Story

My PMR symptoms began not long after I got my Maderna COVID shots. I’m still waiting for my 1st appointment with a Rheumatologist. (Dec.). Needless to say, I’m gun-shy of the booster. Is there any information on ‘COVID immunization shots being related to an onset of audio immune diseases’? Thank you for all your help.

I had my first bout of PMR thirteen years ago in 2008 when I was 62. It lasted six to eight months and then went into remission until January 2021 when I received my first Covid vaccination. I didn't suspect the vaccination at first and went ahead with the second shot, after which I became unable to function without assistance for the simplest tasks. Then it dawned on me that the Covid vaccination had re-triggered the PMR. I began prednisone treatment and got almost immediate relief from the pain and stiffness. As soon as the lab tests showed that the inflammation levels had returned to normal, I started a slow taper of the prednisone. The rheumatologist gave me a schedule and advised that it would take three months if things went smoothly. I felt extremely lucky to be able to discontinue the prednisone after carefully following the prescribed schedule. Although I still have some residual pain and stiffness, particularly in the morning, I am continuing to improve. I even went ahead with the booster shot, since the rheumatologist advised that I would likely have a more severe case of Covid with a worse outcome because of my autoimmune condition. He said it would be better to take the booster and then deal with the PMR again than to risk contracting Covid. Before I took the shot, the pharmacist opined that since I had overcome the PMR my body had adjusted to the antibodies and he must have been right because I have had no issues with the booster. I am a 75 year old woman and weigh approximately 100 lbs. I feel very grateful to be mostly pain free after enduring a debilitating bout of PMR.

A very good question I started my pmr symtoms 2 weeks after my first Pfizer shot and when I got my second I was just diagnosed and on 40 mg of prednisone I just got my booster this time Moderna and on 10mg not sure how effective these shots are being on this drug it appears that some folks get this disease after a vaccination ie flu ,shingle, Covid, etc would be nice if there was more research on this I just got my 65+ flu shot

I weaned myself off prednisone three or four times. I replace drugs with Green Tea, black pepper, Turmeric, Ginger, Cinnamon and a pat of butter in the tea. Two cups per day does the job.

Good info. I too was over eager to taper and had a bad reaction, with giant cell arteritis symptoms. So back up I went to 15 mg. I have been on prednisone for 18 months, I’m sorry to say. Just at 5 mg this week and have been tapering very slowly by .5 mg/ month. I do notice the increased stiffness/ nerve pain for about a week or so after dropping the dose, but then I level off. I’m hoping to go down to zero by mid 2022.

I had an echo and a streww test yesterday. I never had heart issues before. With excercise I get some pressure on my chest It goes away if i sit for 3 or 4 mins. Could this be brought on by the Pmr or the steroids?

My doctor is sending me for an echocardiogram to check things out because I am on prednisone just as precaution check. I have been on prednisone since June started at 40 mg have tapered to 9. reducing now 1 mg per month if all goes well. Fingers crossed

my doc sernt me fpr an echo and a stress test. I haven't got the results yet. I wonder if pmr affects the hesrt.

I was diagnosed 7 months ago and am now down to 6 mg. of prednisone a day. I too have unusual sweating, and fatigue. I used to work out at least 3 times a week before PMR, that has all gone downhill. Because of Covid, I work out a bit at home, but it isn't the same. I feel tired almost all the time. My legs don't work as well as they used to. I can no longer squat without holding on to something, and it hurts to stay in a squatting position. I am 72, soon to be 73. I feel like I aged 10 years in the past year. Hopefully when this goes away I can regain the strength in my legs and arms. I wish you well. Thank God the prednisone stops the pain in my muscles. But is does cause me to nibble too much, and sleep is difficult at night. But I remember having sleep problems even before prednisone. That might be age related. Who knows? Good luck to you, this is an amazing group of people you have aligned with. I love this Mayo Clinic connect. It helps to talk with others going thru much of the same things you are.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I agree, this site is amazing. I’m 71 so your age. My 20mg ea day of prednisone doesn’t take away my morning pain but by afternoon I’m better. I wish you well and here’s to remission!!! Take care!