Can Covid trigger PMR?

[Lyra42]

I’ve been diagnosed with PMR this morning. My symptoms started the week immediately after my son tested positive for Covid-19. I have never tested positive for Covid - I have tested virtually every day for the last couple of years because I work in the social care sector.

Just wondered if contact with the Covid virus can trigger PMR - seems rather a coincidence. Anyone doing any research on Covid and PMR? I’d be happy to participate.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi and welcome,

Over the years many people have thought different things triggered their PMR - flu, shingles, Covid, an accident, an operation - vaccines for flu, shingles, Covid!

What is it usually is an autoimmune system under stress for a variety of reason, and the last thing that happened was enough to send it over the top and into meltdown... so that was probably your scenario.

Maybe have a look through the FAQs - healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

starting with this one for general advice about your illness and what may lie ahead for you - not as scary as it looks at first sight -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Lyra42 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you! Just getting my head round it - very strange illness

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Lyra42]

Yep -but plenty of info and help on here …Stick with us -we’ll get you through

[PMRpro Ambassador]

ANYTHING could trigger PMR. There is no single cause - but anything that can stress the immune system leaves its mark throughout life. That includes illness and infection, trauma, mental and physical, environmental or chemical stressors, emotional stress - I could go on and on. Vaccines - not just Covid but also the flu and shingles vaccines have been implicated. In addition there is evidence that there is a genetic tendency to be susceptible to developing PMR but not on its own, it needs an external trigger of some sort. So at some point in life something happens that is the final straw - the camel's back breaks and some form of autoimmune disorder develops. The older you are, the more likely it is but that is also variable.

If it hadn't been (maybe) Covid, it would have been the next insult to the immune system. No two people have the same background - I'd never had a flu or shingles jab, no recent surgery or illness or any easily identifiable trigger. It is a mysterious disorder.

[Lyra42 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. That’s really helpful

[Missus835]

I don't know about Covid per se, but mine started immediately after my first jab in May 2021 and then escalated after the second jab in August 2021 at which time I was pretty much debilitated from the pain and CRP Level was 42.6. Only diagnosed in Jan. 2022. Personally I'm blessed not to have had Covid as far as I'm aware. Was rarely sick until this. Stress can do so much to your body including the tenseness of muscles and also "invent" things by continually dwelling and replaying scenarios (which, not for nothing, is pretty much impossible to avoid). I also have General Anxiety Disorder which does not help. All the best to you.

[Lyra42]

Thank you!