Flare probably caused by bivalent jab, ongoing side effects. Others with same experience? How long? Up the pred again?

[Ebiker]

In previous post I described what was a flare and had conversation with Pro and others. The +5mg did not sort the stiffness so decided it was not from overshooting but a reactivation of the pmr. So back to where I was early days over 3 yrs ago. Upped to 12.5mg for 9 days now and still feeling dreadful most of the day. Should I up to 15mg to zap it? The stiffnees is not bad, has not lessened, no pain but awful fatigue, dead head, hot flushes particularly after eating and on wakening, dry nasal passages and need to spend a lot of hours dozing. I am feeling lousy most if the time.

Are these side effects of the pmr flare or side effects from the jab? I know many have had flares after the vaccines.

I know there are no definite answers to these questions from all the posts and links I read on this site but anyone else experiencing similar? The jab was over 2 months ago. I started a 5 week slow taper at same time!

Doc thinks it could all be knock on from vaccine..for how long, I ask! He says there are patients in the community with side effects.

Welcome advice/comments. Thank you.

[piglette]

PMR is an illness and even steroids do not allow you to go back to how you were before. PMR is life changing, remember you are ill.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I'm much the same - though the worst bit is the deterioration in the paroxysmal a/fib and not in anything I could identify as PMR-related though that may have more to do with being on Actemra. I struggle to get going in the morning but don't sleep all the time otherwise at least!

It is 6 weeks since my jab and to be honest the a/fib is possibly worse, not improving. I have upped my pred to help control the a/fib. Nothing would have persuaded me to taper at the same time though!!!!

[DeepThought2]

Had also some strange symptoms after the bivalent jab (on Actemra for LVV) some a bit comparable with the original disease onset but milder (increased heart rate, flu like feeling on some days, heavy legs) but some different (strong fatigue in the afternoon, bad sleep). It took approximately 2 months, reducing the Actemra injection interval from 14 to 7 days and a 15mg pred pulse for 4 days to resolve (still sleeping not really well some nights). Had comparable symptoms (though shorter) after my Covid infection. Covid (and obviously also the jab) seem to trigger autoimmune reactions - but difficult to say if it’s a „side effect“ or a flare. I will stay on 7 day Actemra for some time.

[Ebiker in reply to DeepThought2]

Thank you. Helps me knowing others have had same.

[Ebiker in reply to DeepThought2]

Thanks for reply. My thoughts were similar - difficult to say whether side effects or flare. Hope you continue to improve.

[PMRrunner]

I had my covid booster in early October and had a definite increase in stiffness and fatigue after it. Only now feeling back to my pre-booster self and ready to start to think about tapering again.

[Ebiker in reply to PMRrunner]

Thanks for this. Most reassuring to know.

[Ebiker in reply to PMRrunner]

Thank you. Helps me knowing others have had same.