I wonder if anyone else has had covid after two vaccines ( Moderna) and experienced PMR flareup. I was ill with covid for 2 weeks loss of taste is still a problem and tiredness. I was not completely bedridden and would consider I had it mildly coughing and needing to sleep each day. I was tapering down to 11.25 of prednisone after 2 years with PMR. I have no other health issues and am 56 years old. I have PMR in both my hips/thighs and my shoulders/arms. I now have pain back in my legs and hips and stiff shoulders. I contacted my consultant who immediately told me to go back to 20 mg for 3 days 15mg for 3 days and then on to 12.5mg and see her in 2 weeks after blood work up. I am wondering if this is a short term thing or am I back to square one again. Any experiences of this would be appreciated.
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Pawscat11
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Have a look at related posts re flares after vaccine - has been discussed a few times…hopefully your consultant is correct…but you won’t know until you’ve tried it.
Sorry misread that! ..But at least COVID after the jabs was lessened..albeit not pleasant I’m sure. Agree with PMRpro regarding a longer time at higher dose, but hopefully I hasn’t set you back to the beginning. This post might help regarding flare - you need to read through it a bit to get to relevant section -
This is really helpful as it may be coincidence and caused by the steroid reduction and not the covid. I will follow consultant instructions for now as the 12.5 she is getting me back to was where I was OK before the reduction and the covid. Maybe then wait a while before I start reduction again. It just seems 2 years on more than 10mg is a lot of steroids and I was hopeful of being be able to get lower.
There are many who have been around that level of steroids for that time - unfortunately, you need what you need whether the doctors or the individual likes it or not. You will get lower - it’s just a matter of time, illness activity and patience.
As for a “lot of steroids” - it’s all relative really - me over 4 years and on high doses for GCA first couple of years - now in remission for 5 years and haven’t crumbled yet 😳
It took me 4 years to get reliably below 10mg originally - well above that again now. Various reasons - mostly stress. Been on pred for over 12 years, currently 15 for the last 2 years - I haven't crumbled yet either, my bone density has hardly changed.
People are reporting experiences like yours. Well, reactions to the jabs giving mild Covid symptoms and a flare up of PMR symptoms. I think your Rheumatologist is on the right lines. Personally I would have increased to 20 mgs and stayed there for a week to 10 days then return to the dose I was on previously, in the hope that this would stop it in its tracks. You do not need to taper within a fortnight, so the short sharp shock should be ok. Whatever we experience will not be as bad as full blown Covid with an autoimmune disease. Good luck!
I doubt anyone knows at this stage - after all, Long Covid bears a lot of resemblance to PMR and other autoimmune disorders and a/i disorders are well known to make their own rules. I think it is a how long's a piece of string question unfortunately.
Sorry you had to go through that. It must have been scary. But it is reassuring that you had a mild case. I haven’t any advice to add except to say I hope you feel better soon. I for one cannot wait to get a booster injection in the autumn.
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