Pfizer vaccine temporarily stopped my PMR symptoms

[GC12343]

I developed PMR symptoms in late March. I woke up one day with extreme pain/stiffness in both hips and shoulders which lasted most of the day. The next 4 days I woke with the same pain until I received my first vaccination. The next morning I had no pain or stiffness at all. After 4 days the symptoms returned. I was eagerly awaiting my second vaccine dose to see if it had the same effect and hoping the symptoms would disappear forever. After 4 miserable weeks I received the second dose. Same reaction. No symptoms at all the following morning and for another 4 days. Then it all came back with a vengeance. I then saw my primary physician and a rheumatologist. I started on prednisone a week ago and my symptoms now are only mild in the mornings and gone in the afternoon. The rheumatologist had no idea why the vaccine would have suppressed the symptoms. Anyone have a similar experience or any idea what could have given me total relief for 4 days each time?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Rheumies may not know but it isn't that uncommon for people who develop another illness, infection for example, to have some time without any PMR symptoms, it also happens to people on antibiotics for the course of the abx. It's as if the immune system can't multitask ...

[Lookingforideas in reply to PMRpro]

Actually that might be true. I noticed that maybe 2days after my 1st AZ jab - so that was after the dodgy side effects had stopped- that my ‘MS leg’ which is a bit lazy, was lifting almost normally and I felt a bit ‘lighter’ somehow. Only for a couple of days though. After the 2nd I thought I was going to start the same side effects as after the first, but it was just a brief flash of the fluey feeling for about 1/2 hour, and a ‘hot flush’ then it went away and I didn’t get the same lightness as after the first, but was quite unusually energetic the next day. Our bodies are very complex aren’t they!?!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lookingforideas]

Very!!! Which is why it doesn't always pay to specialise, specialise, specialise. Holistic approaches are invaluable ...

[Lookingforideas in reply to PMRpro]

Absolutely!!! Body & mind - all intertwined - ha ha I’ve just made a poem😂. There’s no end to my talents 🤪😂😂 but seriously, if there was a more holistic way of doing things within our medical institutions and maybe some preventative stuff - more education for ‘us masses’ on healthier ways to live and Why our current lifestyles are killing us ... the NHS would save a fortune 😁

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lookingforideas]

Exactly - but shortterm-ism funding doesn't encourage that and the education must also be holistic too. It starts in early childhood - mine learnt such a lot about healthy living and eating in kindergarten in the German early years education system. The fixation with diet and exercise/movement, and above ali, fresh air, persists a lifetime. They aren't perfect - but a lot better than the UK/USA.

[Lookingforideas in reply to PMRpro]

Yep, starting early is the key (digressing slightly but it’s the same with languages - uk system starts way too late). We need a ‘common sense’ middle of the road party to run & educate the country in a proactive way with a long term view. It’s never going to happen though is it ?😢. Our system isn’t conducive... ooops, Sorry!!!!! shouldn’t mention politics right?🥴😊

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lookingforideas]

Not really a digression - and it is the reason. Doubt many see it as politics though - though of course it is. Germany does music early too.

[Lookingforideas in reply to PMRpro]

My stepkids (in their 40s now) went to school in Germany in their early years when my husband was in the airforce - they all loved it and think it did them a lot of good ...

[Manchesterlady]

My PMR disappears when I am on antibiotics

[jessiem]

My symptoms disappeared for 6 days after each AZ vaccine.

[ChrisinNam]

Aha! That's why I felt so much better around the times of my vaccinations, and feel dreadful now.

[pata63]

Hmm. The opposite has just happened to me. I've just had my flu shot and 12 hours later my pelvis and hips are back to very stiff and sore like they were before I was diagnosed with PMR and put on prednisone. I'm not expecting to be offered my first Covid-19 shot for at least another month but I'll be interested to see how that affects my PMR.

[scrambledegg]

I have psoriasis as well as PMR. Both improve even if I just get a cold. I think the immune system is so busy dealing with a real issue it stops attacking things that don't need its attention

[MrsNails]

I have found several times when l’ve had a Chest Infection (that usually impacts on my voice also) when l’m on Antibiotics & rest more than usual l find the PMR doesn’t impact on me as much. Anecdotally, when l had a Breast Cancer Diagnosis (l already had PMR) l most certainly had a Surge of Adrenal Function - as l suddenly was became more like the old ‘Me’ - l now had a much bigger battle to face & it was like l ‘found’ the energy for somewhere, it was quite a strange experience, l mentioned it to the Consultant & she said the body can & does react when necessary, so who knows?.....

[kulina]

I'm so glad we're discussing this! For the longest time I thought it was all in my head. Every time I catch a cold I have no PMR pain. I told my Rheumy about it and he looked at me like I was crazy. It's like my body forgets about PMR because it's fighting the cold. 😀 I really think this phenomenon should be studied and this might be the new treatment for autoimmune disorders.