PMR for 3 yrs on August 1st. Have been down to 0.5 mg Pred 3 times, most recently stayed there for 3 weeks and thought I'd made it this time! But tested +ve for COVID yesterday (1st time). Decided to go up to 5mgs for just a few days and feeling not too bad. Have now been summoned for 5th +flu jabs- to be taken together. Plan to take the flu one once I'm feeling better but really not sure about a 5th COVID. I still got the bug after 4 jabs, together with a careful lifestyle, and anyway, won't I now have some natural immunity? Feels like we're all getting a bit blasé about subjecting our bodies to boosters and from what John Campbell has unearthed this newest one has not been thoroughly trialed on humans. I just want to concentrate on getting off Pred! Grateful for any thoughts please.
5th jab or not?: PMR for 3 yrs on August 1st. Have... - PMRGCAuk
5th jab or not?
The vaccine does not protect you from CATCHING Covid, that suggestion was based on misinformation by some media sources, What it does is protect you from developing a serious, even life-threatening infection and also provides some protection against Long Covid. No vaccine stops you catching the relevant disease.
I think you will need to wait a month after the Covid is gone before you can have a jab.
Yes, thanks I'm aware on both counts. So maybe I should try another taper within that month's grace period & think again!?
Er - NO! No tapering until you are fully recovered from Covid You may even need a bit more pred - Sick Day Rules! Your adrenals will be struggling a bit I suspect.
Thanks- agreed 😊
PS, get well soon
You have to wait 28 days after the start of Covid before you have the vaccine.
There are different strains all the time. I’m going to stick with the programme. My recent Covid was horrible enough to fear a worse bout. A colleague of my son’s has had it 3x but recovers quickly. I agree about not having flu and Covid jabs together though. I needed extra Pred for 3 days - very wobbly. I caught it in hospital everybody masked up - I wondered about the public loo. We just need to dilute this thing.
Couldn't agree more Jane. The majority of people are going about their daily lives as if everything is normal again, and life of course is far from that. Everyone I walk past could pose a potential covid threat and although I fear the possible consequences of so many vaccinations, I fear the consequences of catching covid more!
An acquaintance told me only yesterday that he had his nan's funeral today. His sister has covid, is still testing positive for it but apart from the sniffles, feels fine......so..... she's still going to the funeral! As you can imagine, I had MUCH to say about that!! How utterly selfish and irresponsible. There'll be elderly, vulnerable people attending also. Couldn't believe it.
I've just had my flu jab and all good there but not yet been called for my autumn covid booster.
Hope you're doing ok now after your unfortunate experience with your last booster?
A very good question. One I would have been asking myself before joining this forum and understanding so much more about PMR GCA. I got Covid for the second time in July inspite of forth vaccination. I caught it from my neighbour who mentioned she might have it after I had been with her for half an hour. When I asked her if she had tested she said no she didn’t have any LFTs and testing was for sissies as we had to learn to live with this disease!
The Covid I caught was like a very heavy cold for three days. I tested positive for about a week. I thought I had survived quite well. However it played havoc with PMR. I knew nothing about sick day rules. I failed to recognise signs as they were different so I thought it was possibly long Covid or steroid cramps. I continued to tapper! All in all I got myself in a horrible mess.
Now I found this forum I am much more confident. I plan to get the 5th jab and have the flue but at least two weeks apart. I believe immunity does not last Both Covid and flue change continuously.
I can’t quite find a comprehensive guide to sick day rules increase by 5 ………? Could someone put up a link? 🥴
I am having my 6th Covid jab tomorrow. No ill effects just a sore arm for a few days.
Have not tested positive so happy to carry on wearing a mask 😊😷
had my 5th jab in July, no side effects apart from the normal sore arm for a couple of days, I’ve no idea what sort it was though, would not have been happy to have flu at the same time , although I do think that’s more important than the covid one as I believe a bad flu epidemic could be almost as bad as early covid
Thanks for feedback. Agree about flu. Re 5th booster- I'm more interested in whether I really need it now that I've had the real bug & presumably developed some natural immunity.
It doesn't last though - my daughter had Covid in June I think, didn't catch it at work that time (she works in the ED) but from OH who got it at a stag do (he'd tested, the culprit hadn't) but this time it is from work, patient last Sunday night she thinks). The difference: in June she was wearing FFP2 masks, this time just a surgical mask. She isn't entitled to jabs or antivirals despite quite bad asthma and hypertension - was bad enough to be shielding first time round.
I took the Flu vaccine about 2 weeks ago with no problem. Had the new booster 2 days ago and feel like I was run over by a truck. But, that is what can happen. Everyone reacts differently. I am on 20 mg of Prednisone. Personally, I think it is important to take these vaccines as we are quite vulnerable. My best to you.
just need to add for the record that all the vaccines (including the new bivalent) have been fully tested.
Be very wary of Dr Campbell and his YouTube channel. He has slid over to the anti vaxx side of life where covid is concerned.
Please discuss with your doctor who knows you well.
Has he? I haven't really heard much of his recently - I was a bit sceptical of one or two of them ...
I will thanks- although that's not quite how I read it. And unfortunately my GP doesn't know me well. I never see the same one twice in my large practice. That's why I have relied heavily on the experience and advice offered in this great forum over the last 3 years 😊
PMRPRO - I have a big interest in mis and disinformation online and the impact it has on many things.
Portobello - what I mean is that your GP has access to your medical records and you can discuss face to face what is right for you. Campbell cannot do that and has no idea of your medical circumstances. I dont think he is in a position to advise.
The forum is fantastic I agree!
That's good. As a former information scientist I too like to monitor all the sources I can. Would never take sole advice from Campbell or anyone else. Have lost all confidence in transparency of so many fields/organisations- not least as a result of my adult son being damaged by either the virus or the vaccine. Appreciate your input.
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