I posted 25 days about my friend and neighbour’s alarming symptoms. She was suffering from head, neck pain and joint stiffness and trying to get a diagnosis from the medical profession.
Thank you for responses and advice. The diagnosis is finally PMR (not GCA) and prednisolone has been prescribed. (A tardy prescription from a consultant to the GP that hasn’t arrived yet.)
The PMR symptoms started soon after my friend’s Covid booster jab and she initially thought she was suffering from an extreme reaction to the jab that would fade after a day or so. However she is now convinced that the jab triggered the PMR. Although not anti vaxx she has always been concerned about negative media stuff around the vaccine. Is there any evidence for this? As a former sufferer from PMR I am hyper aware of the complicated nature of our immune systems and the havoc that Covid can cause to the immune system.
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Downbytheriverside
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It might have been the final insult to her immune system that triggered the disease. I had a long period of stressful events before I was diagnosed. I am not aware of any studies about this vaccine leading to PMR illness. PMRPro is the one to ask.
There has been a study done whereby PMR symptoms have started after the third (Booster) shot of the Pfizer vaccine. My symptoms began very soon after my booster but Ill never know if it was merely a coincidence or a result of the booster. The booster was the only jab I had a reaction to. All my jabs were Pfizer which was the only one available in NZ at the time.
Thanks everyone. I rather suspect that may be more cases of PMR and GCA occurring after suffering Covid. However there may be some evidence of a vaccine trigger occurring.
I suffered from PMR after a nasty bout of influenza. I hadn’t received a flu jab at that time. Ultimately it comes to a weighing up of the risks. Unfortunately my friend has a few anti-vaxx friends and this is adding fuel to the fire of misinformation.
Vaccines triggering PMR/GCA has been discussed on here many times over the years - irrespective of what particular vaccine.
In most cases, it’s just the final nail in the coffin to an immune system that is already under stress (for whatever reason) - if it weren’t the vaccine it may well have been something else.
In some cases it may well be the vaccine, but it’s extremely difficult to prove either way.
You are quite right. I’m also wondering if, considering the large number of Covid cases in our small village, this lady may have been suffering from Covid itself. It’s impossible to know now.
There is no single cause of PMR - it is the accumulation of effects on the immune system over years and eventually one thing is the straw that breaks the camel's back and the immune system takes the huff and turns on the body and attacks it because it can't recognise it as self. It can be illness, infection, an accident, a stressful situation at work or in the family, bereavement, even moving house, an environmental or chemical problem. All of them - and probably many other things - can put stress on the immune system all through our lives and then be the final straw.
Vaccines have already been linked to PMR developing, especially the Zostavax shingles vaccine (which can also cause shingles believe it or not!) and quite a few people say their PMR or GCA started soon after the flu jab, especially the one for over 65s with the adjuvant in it. At the same time, loads of people develop PMR/GCA having never had a flu jab in their lives - I hadn't. And it could just as well be the flu that did it, or shingles, or anything else.
Covid itself can lead to Long Covid and there are a lot of symptoms there that suggest Long Covid is an autoimmune condition triggered by the virus.
Does she remember having any niggles earlier? Although lots of people say their PMR appeared after a specific thing, when they look back they realise there had been warning signs, like stiffness, fatigue, difficultly doing certain things, that were happening for no apparent reason - and then PMR seemed to appear overnight.
My friend is a strong, robust woman. Although in her early 70s she is the life and soul of the village and a vigorous organiser of local events. However now I think back to last November and December she had been complaining of aches and tiredness. Also she had mentioned experiencing difficulty sleeping, persistent back pain and some low level melancholy/depression. She put down a lot of these symptoms to the ennui of Lockdown and the usual winter fatigue we were all experiencing.
I believe that my PMR was triggered by a flu jab Six years ago. I understand that it mayHave been the final straw that broke the camels back.
For the last few years I have been on low doses of prednisolone and my PMR has been well managed. (Between 2 and 3 mg). In August 2020 I Had surgery due to a bad fracture in my wrist and that didn’t trigger a flare. However, since my third vaccine in November which was Pfizer my PMR Has flared. My NHS Rheumatologist said that a number of her patients had flares after the booster.
I realise that that’s not scientific evidence that the booster can trigger a flare but it’s interesting to think about.
I couldn’t wait to get my vaccines and I’ve never followed social media or any conspiracy theories about vaccines, but I suppose we are finding out as we go along.
Although not yet officially diagnosed with PMR (my symptoms match the condition but waiting for rheumatology hospital appointment - and waiting and waiting) these symptoms did occur soon after COVID booster and I have thought it was ‘the nail in the coffin’ after an extremely stressful couple of years! Used to be able to do a 6 mile walk every morning for leisure to then struggling to achieve 6 steps. However, after telephone appointment with GP he agreed to prescribe meds after I mentioned I was a full time carer for my husband and could barely look after myself let alone a n other - so am now propped with 15mg prednisone daily to mask the issue.
Not immediately (which the GP expected it to) but I would say it’s now tolerable - my biggest struggle is the fatigue I have - I’m trying to pace myself and tackle one ‘chore’ a day, not easy when someone else needs your care. Been taking the steroids for 10 weeks now.
Tell me about it - I was sole carer for my husband until his death last autumn. I needed to go up to 19mg to cope towards the end,
15mg is the bottom of the range for starting dose - the 2015 Recommendations say up to 25mg, exceptionally 30mg. You need enough for the speedy improvement - and if you haven't been diagnosed and treatment started quickly you may well need more.
Yes probably need more to relieve all symptoms but GP wasn’t convinced that I have PMR (blood results weren’t improving after a few days use of pred). So the wait continues to meet Mr Rheumatologist! Autumn isn’t so long ago - things must still be so raw, sending a virtual hug.
I got PMR after the first vaccination, and yellow carded it,as I'm told that any vaccination is liable to cause PMR, but I'm not sure that is true , just wanted to be sure that officialdom knew.
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