PMR after PFIZER SHOT: Hello from Ontario, Canada... - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

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PMR after PFIZER SHOT

SeekingPMRinfo profile image
11 Replies

Hello from Ontario, Canada. After suffering with sudden "pain" for a number of weeks, my GB (no in person appointments) told me to go to Emergency Dept. at the local hospital on 19 May. I was fortunate the on duty Dr. was able to establish that have PMR! (whatever that was??!!!) and prescribed 20 mg of Prednisone. Luckily I found this Forum the next day with all the wonderful explanations, hints and encouragement which has helped me keep my sanity. Thanks to all.

After 5 months with only (caring) GP contact by telephone, this week I finally had an in person appointment with a Rheumatologist and when I told him I started to have 'pain' 2 weeks after my 1st PFIZER shot, he said I was his 4th patient he had seen recently who had the same story !

I wonder if there are any others from Canada on the Forum who have the same story. Please discuss it with your doctor(s),

I feel I am now well connected to medical care and am at 14mg/day PRED. and will taper down 1mg every 3weeks to hopefully be at 10mg by the end of the year when I will see the Rheumatologist again.

Again, thanks to all posters who have made this forum such a success.

Best to all

Judy in Canada

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SeekingPMRinfo
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Seacat30 profile image
Seacat30

If you have a bit of a search in the forum I think you will find references to PMR (and GCA) becoming evident soon after all the Covid vaccines not just Pfizer. In my case it was 5 days after Astrazeneca. I have submitted a yellow card in the UK.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

I had a flare shortly after the second Moderna shot - not that it is putting me off looking forward to the third shot ;)

In fact, there is no single cause of PMR and it is a culmination of a history of insults to the immune system over the years and eventually something is the straw that breaks the camel's back and the immune system goes haywire, unable to recognise the body as self and it starts to attack it in error, causing inflammation and symptoms. It may be an illness, and accident - or any other forms of stress including mental and physical stresses. It also happens with other vaccines, many people will say that it started after the flu shot or the shingles vaccine, expecially the Zostavax one. But at the same time, there are many of us who had never had a flu or shingles jab prior to PMR - and many of us who have had one two or even 3 Covid shots without any adverse effect at all. And even just a stressful life situation will cause a flare as I know to my own cost. Given that - I hate to think what actually getting Covid would do to me, never mind my husband who would almost certainly not survive it.

Ruadh profile image
Ruadh

Hello Judy in Canada - This has just happened to my s-in-l, in the UK. GCA / PMR. Was on Pred, had been on it for two or pus years, down to nil Pred. Doing well. Then, had the two Pfizer Jabs, next thing, shoulders back with a vengeance. In a bad way. I told her that I reckoned it the result of the jab - yet another side effect that has come to light. I passed on the synopsis of your post, she was very quiet. I am now awaiting further updates from her. Hope she reports it onto the Yellow card system (UK) and that you and your rheumatologist report it to yr equivalent to the USA VAERS site.

Sickening what is happening the world over. Take care. And great that you have such a super GP.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Ruadh

I'll take PMR over the risk of severe Covid any day. If a healthy 15 year old unvaccinated kickboxer can die of Covid I see no argument against the jab.

Carriemetz profile image
Carriemetz in reply to PMRpro

Quite. Poor child. A very sad story.

I had the same experience here in UK shortly after a the phizer jab developed severe CTS then diagnosed with PMR followed soon after by a stroke in July getting over the stroke but being held back by PMR symptoms, interred to see whether you get any more replies please keep me posted if you wouldn’t mind

Kimbleman

SeekingPMRinfo profile image
SeekingPMRinfo

Thanks to all who have replied to my original message. Just to clarify I am not suggesting that people NOT get the COVID shots. Far from it. I believe it is extremely important that ALL that are eligible get the vaccine. It is the only way the world will be able to return to some kind of normal life. My reason for posting was that, as far as I know, Canada does not have a YELLOW CARD system or similar and so I was attempting to do my small survey to add to my rheumatologist's comments. Also, there has been little or no discussion of PFIZER side effects in the Canadian press. It is very concerning that.there are others here that have had bad reactions as noted in their messages. In the meantime, I am attempting to keep a positive attitude for the future and will do so by continuing to read all the posts here. Best to all. Judy in Canada

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to SeekingPMRinfo

canada.ca/en/health-canada/...

is the details for your national reporting system.

SeekingPMRinfo profile image
SeekingPMRinfo

Thanks PRO. I shall report my details.

My PMR symptoms began after a covid infection in March 2020. The PMR symptoms began around June 2020. I had the 1st Pfizer vaccine in February 2021. A month later, the PMR symptoms really ramped up. I have had a lot of stress in my life - physically and psychologically- so I think my immune system went haywire after covid. I’d say the vaccine exacerbated the symptoms. I’m now actively trying to dampen down my immune response - with prednisone and other measures like inflammanx (nutri advabced), breathwork etc. But it is incredibly hard. Good luck. This group is a fantastic source of information and support.

SeekingPMRinfo profile image
SeekingPMRinfo

Reporting in Canada as suggested by PMRPRO:

Sadly when I tried to report my details. I got this message:How to Report

For the General Public

Should you experience an adverse event following immunization, please ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to complete the Adverse Events following Immunization (AEFI) Form.

For health care professionals

If a patient experiences an adverse event following immunization, please complete the appropriate Adverse Events following Immunization (AEFI) Form and send it to your local Health Unit in your province/territory.

I trust my rheumatologist has done so!

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