COVID after 2 vaccines and PMR flareup

[Pawscat11]

Covid & PMR

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.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

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.

[Pawscat11 in reply to DorsetLady]

This is flare up after covid after itself not vaccines although I have had both vaccines

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Pawscat11]

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 -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Pawscat11 in reply to DorsetLady]

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.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Pawscat11]

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 😳

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pawscat11]

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.

[SheffieldJane]

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!

[Pawscat11 in reply to SheffieldJane]

This is a flare up after covid itself having had 2 vaccine I still ought covid

[SheffieldJane in reply to Pawscat11]

Poor you!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

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.

[Nightingales]

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.