COVID jab and planned reduction within first three weeks

[RoadTrip]

I am due to get my COVID jab on Tuesday 👍👍👍

Having read most of the threads on COVID vaccines, I know that you should not alter your Pred dose for it, confirmed in Sarah Mackie’s excellent talk.

I understand that it takes about 3 weeks for the immune system to fully react to the jab. During this period I am due to reduce my pred dose. In order to maximise my immune response to the jab is it wise to just keep to the same pred level and delay the reduction, given the jab needs all the help it can get due to my reduced immune system as have been on 20+ mg for about 6 months?

Obviously every reduction risks a flare and much higher pred doses.

[Mai45]

RoadTrip, I had a GP review by phone on Monday and my Covid jab yesterday (Friday). I’ve been reducing my Pred dose reasonably successfully and expected to start the next taper around now. My GP told me not to. Her advice was to stay exactly as I was for the rest of the month, as reactions to the vaccine can vary. “Best let that settle before changing anything else”

I’ve been very lucky, having had the same GP for the 4+ years since PMR landed and she’s brought me down from 30mgm to 2.5 with only a few flares so I do trust her judgement

Hope that helps.

[RoadTrip in reply to Mai45]

Many thanks. Makes sense, I’m on a bit higher dose than you though.

Good luck with your next reduction when you begin it.

[Mai45 in reply to RoadTrip]

Good luck to you as well! I had looked at your bio, and realised you were in a very different position but felt the general principle seemed sensible and might help.

[RoadTrip in reply to Mai45]

A great help, thank you.👍 and agree seems sensible.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Might be wise just to put on hold for next 3 weeks.

[RoadTrip in reply to DorsetLady]

Many thanks.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You can just go about the reduction if you feel up to it. Pred does suppress the immune system a bit but more important is whether you you feel well. If you have longer lasting effects from the vaccine (you shouldn't, you should be back to normal after 4 or 5 days) wait a bit just in case.

[RoadTrip in reply to PMRpro]

Many thanks, was just bit concerned a flare at new lower dose might mean vaccine would be less effective.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to RoadTrip]

I doubt the flare will affect the efficacy of the vaccine - I can't think of any good reason for that

[RoadTrip in reply to PMRpro]

Sarah Mackie, in questions after recent talk, suggested vaccine effectiveness might be dose dependent, hence if flared would result in higher pred dose, hence less effective?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to RoadTrip]

That is fair enough - but if you want to avoid having a flare that is a reason for taking the right dose of pred and not reduce it because of thinking that would improve the vaccine so to continue with your current dose that manages the PMR. It isn't the FLARE that is the problem, it is the potential dose of pred.

[RoadTrip in reply to PMRpro]

Sorry, just stressing a bit about next reduction, a week after jab. Head been a bit iffy today, so may stay at current dose a bit longer than planned anyway. Thanks for your help.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to RoadTrip]

Then wait a week or so more - reductions aren't set in stone.

[RoadTrip in reply to PMRpro]

Many thanks, slow and steady it is.

[Ansteynomad]

Useful post and comments - thank you. I am two weeks past my first Pfizer jab and only today has my heart rate finally returned to the level it was before I had it. I am due to drop from 4mg to 3mg tomorrow, but I'm wondering now whether I should wait another week.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Ansteynomad]

I would definitely wait - what's the hurry? You don't want to risk a flare.