3rd Covid vaccine

[Janann25]

I had my 3rd vaccine on Tuesday and felt no ill effects Wednesday and Thursday BUT, overnight and this morning I feel dreadful. My problem is that I don’t know whether this is a reaction or whether I have a flare of PMR. I had no reactions to the first two vaccinations. I took two paracetamol about 4.30 this morning but they haven’t helped so that makes me think this is more likely to be a flare.

As some of you will know, I had to increase my Pred last week and intended going back to 5mg today but now I really don’t know what to do!

Any advice gratefully received…………

[SnazzyD]

The intense Covid vaccine reactions can happen any time in the first week judging by myself, friends and family. My husband was ok and then day 3 was bed bound. It doesn’t all happen in the first 48 hours necessarily. Paracetamol didn’t help my muscles pain much. Given that you have an obvious cause I’d not pop up the dose too quickly because it might affect the effectiveness of the vaccine.

[Janann25 in reply to SnazzyD]

Because I increased my dose last week, the plan was for me to go back to my original dose as from today but I’m not sure about that.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Janann25]

I should give it another few days to see how things pan out…..and was 3rd vaccine a different one to other two? I thought that was the intention, if so maybe why you reacted….

[Janann25 in reply to DorsetLady]

Ok, I’ll wait a couple more days before I go back to 5mg. And no, each of my vaccinations has been Pfizer. I’ll be interested to hear how other people get on !

[Teekay2]

I have just been contacted and booked for 3rd jab next tuesday. I am on TCZ but no mention of this advice "where possible, the third primary dose should be delayed until 2 weeks after the period of immunosuppression, in addition to the time period for clearance of the therapeutic agent" and what it means for me. I shall try to contact Rheumatology for advice. Already feeling nervous about having to coming off TCZ for 4 weeks for an operation. I wanted to get the 3rd jab in before I go for the op.

[Janann25 in reply to Teekay2]

I have no experience of TCZ but I’m sure your Rheumatology Dept is your best choice for clarification. I hope all goes well for you.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

A friend on another forum had hers yesterday. I don't think she had any problems with the first two but she is absolutely floored today.

[Janann25 in reply to PMRpro]

I’m now sure this is Covid jab reaction but I won’t go back to 5mg until tomorrow. Hopefully I’ll be back to normal by the following day.

[Asbeck]

I have had 2 doses of the Pfizer vaccine. 11 days after the 2nd dose, I had a terrible flair of PMR. Generally, I watch the GCA, but the PMR (after its 1st presentation) does not give me the intense pain it gives to most of you. In fact even after 6 months after the vaccine, the PMR remains bad. It's been 8 years for me. I loath to take more than 3 days or so of a higher dose of Pred. than my standard 5 mg. I did take 15 mg. for about a week with the "flair." And my Rheumy gave me a muscle relaxer med. Truly, I needed an apparatus which made my toilet seat higher, and a walker. The Rheumy told me to go to bed. I did for 3 days. It was bad. As I said: Still pretty bad. I am afraid of the 3rd shot (an additional 2nd shot). I wonder if my body just attacks itself when it has new antibodies and nothing for them to fight. Depending upon how the studies go, I might wait for a new 3rd dose, made up of some different things than the 2nd dose. But, I may not. It's a hard call.

[Wallydb]

For two days straight after having my third Pfizer jab I was absolutely floored. I really felt my age. On the third day I was fine. Hope you get well soon.

[Wallydb]

Forgot to say that after my first two jabs I was fine. No side effects at all.

[Janann25 in reply to Wallydb]

Thank you so much for your reply. Like you, I had no reaction after first two Pfizer jabs but this third one - also Pfizer - is not nice. Hopefully I’ll feel better soon.

[seamaid]

Oh dear I am due to have my third one in a couple of weeks time, The first two were the Astra Zenaka ones but will be having the pfizer for my third , I am now worried as have only been tapering for the last two months ( at 1mg a month as per Rheumy ) so would not be able to up my preds too much if it affects me too much ,I am having my flu jab tomorrow and aam now wondering how I will be with that as well ?

[Janann25 in reply to seamaid]

I’m definitely not an expert on this but I don’t think you need to change your dose - my own problem was that I was already dealing with a flare and then also had the booster. Im feeling ok again now so please don’t worry too much.

[seamaid]

Thank you Janann that helps . I am not normally a worrier but do seem to be a bit all over the place at the moment, but was only diagnosed in August so early days to come to terms with . Thank |Goodness for this forum