PMR and Covid vaccine

[XLSCSinger]

I had PMR diagnosed 18 years ago and was treated with prednisolone for just over 4 years with good results. As it is a known over reactive immune system, I am concerned about receiving the Covid vaccination which provides an auto immune reaction. Any thoughts please? I am 75 years old and would not like to contract Covid either! Has anyone had PMR and the vaccine and had any problems?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

There are some related posts about this - depending on which device you are using - either on right hand side of screen or scroll down screen and they are under normal posts.

General advice is usually have the vaccine unless you have specific allergies....many have commented they have had theirs whilst on Pred and all okay. A very small number have had minor issues, but that’s to be expected I suspect.

If you’ve had normal flu jabs successfully, then this should be no different - and no, you definitely don’t want COVID

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The vaccine does not cause an autoimmune reaction - it creates an IMMUNE reaction. Autoimmune means the immune system attacks the person's body - the vaccine means the immune system is able to attack the virus should it appear and prevents it (the virus) attacking your body. The vaccine is a controlled means of developing that immunity without the risk of developing a Covid infection.

The advice is that all of us offered the vaccine should have it unless there are very compelling medical reasons not to. PMR isn't one.

[maria40 in reply to PMRpro]

As I have multiple allergies I was advised to have the Astra Zeneca vaccine which I did yesterday. Today I feel very rough - shivering and sweating , feeling sick and yawning continuously. I'm trying to take a lot of fluids and paracetemol which seems to be helping a bit. I barely slept last night so hope this will go off soon - any advice would be welcome.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to maria40]

No advice to offer I fear - except patience. Are you supposed to report if you have more than just a sore arm? That is the only way they find the true incidence of adverse effects - data collected during the mass usage.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

I think so, but the ZOE Covid symptoms study is now incorporating vaccine effects on their app.

For @maria40 - covid.joinzoe.com

[maria40 in reply to PMRpro]

Much better this afternoon so short, sharp reaction. I wasn't told anything about reporting side effects, only that if they persisted for more than five days I should call 111 and to take paracetemol to alleviate. I can't record anything as I don't have a smart phone for the app. Think I'll have to bite the bullet and get one; problem is that in lockdown I can't get anyone to set it up for me and I'm pretty sure I won 't be able to do it without help.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to maria40]

I know the feeling! I have a friend who is totally disgusted I haven't got a smart phone - I have no need for one at all ...

[maria40 in reply to PMRpro]

Apart from situations like this, I don't feel I need one either. I only use it for the occasional text and call and mostly use my landline. But now even my GP surgery sends out text messages which can only be answered on a smart phone so I have to ring up and waste their valuable time.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to maria40]

I have a cheap pre-pay - they receive text messages too and you can text back. I resent this attitude of forcing people to have a smartphone - so if that's what they want to do they have to accept that some of us don't!

[XLSCSinger in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you so much for your very clear reply. I have obviously been confused about how the vaccine actually works. Your reply has set my mind at rest and I will not feel so concerned when I go for my vaccination next week.

[Bcol]

Hi there, I have PMR and had the vaccine on Sunday with no side effects at all.

[XLSCSinger in reply to Bcol]

Great news!

[seasara]

I am also concerned about this and nobody seems to have any clear advice as the vaccine is so new and therefore no reactions gathered so far

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to seasara]

Over 82 million vaccines have already been administered worldwide

bloomberg.com/graphics/covi...

That is a pretty impressive Phase 4 study - and if there were any problems they would have been flagged up by now. You will never have that in a Phase 3 clinical trial.

Most doctors are completely clear about their advice: have the vaccine.

[maria40]

Thank you for that. I'll have to look up how to access it the Yellow Card system. The problem with my GP texts is that many are multiple choice ; I tried once to respond and my phone simply keeps on saying it is loading but nothing happens. But I can respond to a plain text.

[maria40 in reply to maria40]

Thanks again, Londinium. I've now submitted a report via the Yellow Card system.

[XLSCSinger in reply to maria40]

For people who have internet access, the Yellow Card App can be downloaded at coronavirus-yellow card.mhra.gov.uk. I was given this information in my ‘guide for older adults’ together with my invitation to make the appointment for the jab. You can report side effects from the jab as it is not uncommon to feel feverish afterwards and it’s possibly a good thing to give as much information if PMR has featured in your life (as it has in mine).

[maria40 in reply to XLSCSinger]

I have now reported it to the Yellow Card scheme and I managed that from my laptop. Thank you.

[Hidden]

Hello XLSCSinger,

I’ve had 5 jabs so far, but apart from a suspected link between my first jab and PMR, I have had the rest of them with PMR and without any ill effects at all. A lot of the people in hospital with Covid are there because they haven’t had their vaccinations.