Letter this mornings post,for 5th covid vaccine.

[Harrywogan]

Just a quick question, has anybody had covid vaccine without having a flare. Last one for me set things back with PMR but also had flu one as well. Hopping I've to to up steroids after vaccine. X

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I have never had a flare with the flu jab and I've had one every year for the last 12 years - I didn't qualify in the UK, I had a mild flare with the second Moderna Covid jab, nothing with Pfizer but I developed a different problem with the Pfizer bivalent jab last November.

[autumnlass in reply to PMRpro]

Pfizer jabs have all been okay - but the Covid Autumn Booster was Moderna - had horrid fatigue for about 6 weeks. Which is the most likely for the Spring one? 😵‍💫

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to autumnlass]

No idea I'm afraid, I'm in Italy!

[LucilleG]

Last fall, I had both the covid booster and the flu vaccine at the same time and did not have a flare. I did take a Tylenol the day before and then the morning of the shots, followed by a Tylenol that evening and the next morning. I just looked back on my notes and see that I wrote that my "stomach felt weird" late in the evening, but it was gone by morning. I also noted that my arm was sore that evening and the next day, but was gone ~24 hrs later.

[Koalajane]

no flares for me with Pfizer or Moderna jabs. I left a few weeks between the Moderna and flu jabs t meat I had in autumn

[Susan1705]

mild flare with the first Pfizer of PMR symptoms. Developed GCA from the second Pfizer and mild flare with the October booster of Pfizer. Feb mild flare and May was Moderna with no issues. September last year was mild flare. No issues with flu jab

[Bridge31]

No issues with any jabs. I had the Moderna and the flu vaccine only days apart.

[OldPenny]

You'll find all the information on this link

gov.uk/government/publicati...

I'm having mine next week. Best of luck. OP

[PRL1957 in reply to OldPenny]

Unfortunately, that website gives very little information for the small minority of people that have adverse effects. Although it notes the 'very rare' cases of heart inflammation (myocarditis or pericarditis), other autoimmune conditions (e.g. PMR and GCA) do not get a mention.

I know absolutely that my PMR was triggered by the Pfizer vaccine in 2021 (albeit, probably following many years of accumulated insults - as per the 'last straw' hypothesis). And I know that diseases and other vaccines can also be triggers, but my suspicion is that RNA (which seems to be the mainstay of covid vaccines in the UK) is intrinsically more likely to trigger autoimmunity, compared with other (e.g. protein-based or killed virus) vaccines.

I have been holding out, hoping the Novovax (protein based) vaccine would become available. As it is easier to store than RNA, I am hoping that it would be made available via local chemists - but no luck, so far.

Fortunately, my wife and I have survived recent 'live virus inoculations', which has somewhat removed the 'boosters' question for us.

[LadyPam]

No issues with Astra Z, Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. I’m having my 7th vaccine this coming Thursday. Must say NHS have been in the ball in my area.

[OldPenny]

The relevant bits to your question re type of vaccine:

"You will be given a booster dose of a vaccine made by Pfizer, Moderna or Sanofi and approved in the UK. These vaccines have been updated since the original vaccines and target different COVID-19 variants. For a very small number of people another vaccine product may be advised by your doctor.

These updated vaccines boost protection well, and give slightly higher levels of antibody against the more recent strains of COVID-19 (Omicron) than the vaccines you would have received previously.

As we cannot predict which variants of COVID-19 will be circulating this spring and summer, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has concluded that all of these vaccines can be used and that no one should delay vaccination to receive a different vaccine.

The Sanofi vaccine contains an adjuvant (a chemical used to improve the immune response to the virus). This vaccine will only be offered to older people, who may respond less well to vaccines. The adjuvant in the COVID-19 vaccine is similar to the one used in the flu vaccine which is routinely given to over 65 year olds. The NHS website has more information about vaccine ingredients."

OP

[TheMoaningViolet]

Hi I've had four vaccines, the last one in September last year, and none of them caused a flare. I received two Astra Zenecas, Moderna and Pfizer, in that order. I was unwell with the first one and as sick as a dog with Moderna, but it all resolved within 24 hours. I also had Covid in June last year that caused headaches, vomitting (day one only) and high temperature, but nothing else (so no other cold symptoms).

[Flivoless]

I lay the blame for developing PMR with my first AZ jab but no dramas with subsequent jabs of various flavours.

[AshPen9]

My main inflammatory symptoms began a week after the first booster Harry. However I've had every jab available since then, including flu and booster on the same day, without any real problems. My first and second jabs were Astra Zeneca. Since then it has been Pfizer and on one occasion Moderna. The Moderna made me a bit below par for a day or so. I would always choose to have whatever jabs are offered to me. Hope that you go on OK with yours.

[PRL1957]

I can see you had an adverse reaction to your recent 'flu and covid vaccinations. Had you reacted adversely to previous jabs?

I know my PMR was triggered by Pfizer covid vaccinations in 2021, and I have steered clear of further vaccinations since then. I know the majority of people will not experience any long-term adverse effects, but that says nothing for the unlucky few who do.

My suspicion is that RNA (the mainstay of UK covid vaccinations) is intrinsically more likely to trigger autoimmune reactions than alternative (e.g. protein-based or killed virus) vaccines. So I am holding out, waiting for the Novovax (protein based) vaccine to be made available. As it would be easier to store than the RNA vaccines, I am hoping it will eventually become available at local chemists - but no luck so far.

In the mean time, my wife and I have survived a recent 'live virus inoculation', so that removes the question of further vaccinations for us... for a while, at least.

[Harrywogan in reply to PRL1957]

Thanks for your feed ,Prl 1957 ,my problem lies in should I up pred for 3 days before just in case before vaccine, or mayb after or just get vaccine and see wot happens, thanks Harry W.

[PRL1957 in reply to Harrywogan]

I cannot really comment on what the ststistics would suggest, but I think I would just get the vaccine and see what happens. (Although, because of it triggering my PMR, I have held off from further vaccinations since April 2021.)

I did not increase my prednisolone dose (10 mg/day at the time) prior to getting covid in Feb. was not ill enough to enact the 'sick-day rules' and was still able to taper successfully a few days after recovering.

If it helps you, my wife and I were monitoring our temperatures prior to getting vaccinated (as a check on whether we had been infected with covid), and my temperature started to rise systematically prior to experiencing the typical PMR symptoms.

[WaltzG]

Hi my PMR triggered by first vaccine, second caused flare, next couple were fine. I have recently been advised by a consultant (not rheumatologist) not to have any more since risks of vaccine outweigh benefits at this point.

[Karendeena]

Yes, I did and it also gave me a nasty attack of afib which went on for 30 hours. I'm not having a 5th one. Will probably re consider next winter but I am not having them every 6 months

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Karendeena]

If it had only been 30 hours I'd have accepted that - mone is still there after nearly 5 months - seeing the cardio next week on the 5 month anniversary to discusss ablation.

[toniaell]

When I saw a private consultant about my pmr he told not to get another covid booster unless there was a different strain of covid around as it would probably cause a flare. I had had very adverse effects to all previous covid vaccines whichever one i had! I know I'm not good with vaccines of any kind as for some reason my system just reacts very badly to them. I'm the same with a lot of meds and also have bad side effects from the steroids, which is why I take them on a night! Hope you're ok with whatever you decide.

[Harrywogan in reply to toniaell]

Thanks so much x

[Raven1955]

No issues for myself in the USA. First two were Moderna and the next 3 have all been Pfizer. Only reaction I had was with the 2nd and that was just a light fever for a couple hours. My most recent was last November.

[Karenjaninaz]

No problems at all with all Pfizer shots; I’m wondering though whether a bizarre rash is a result. I have a sprinkling of red, scaly round things for many months. Skin doctor gave me a mild steroid ointment which is effective but it seems like “wack a mole”; the dots pop up in assorted spots- mainly legs but a couple on my forearm. They are never totally eradicated.

[Odosmum]

I usually have 2 -3 days feeling unwell after most flu vaccinations. The years that I do not have them are notable! I have similar reactions to the covid vaccinations and I have had 6 so far (3 primaries and 3 boosters). I would not go as far as to say that I have definite flares though.

I did have a bad time at covid 4, when they gave me the flu jab at the same time. I was quite poorly for at least 2 weeks and would probably count that as a proper flare, although bed rest and paracetemol was sufficient. I did not feel the need to increase the pred. I reported to my rheumy who apologised to me and said that "they" always knew that some people would be adversely affected by the double whammy but getting the population vaccine covered in the shortest time possible was considered worth doing. He also told me that I should not have a double dose in future. I haven't!

In January I tested positive (as did my husband). We had no symptoms of covid and felt well the entire time. I think that is evidence that the vaccination programme is working to reduce the severity of illness.

My appointment for covid jab #7 has arrived. I will go ahead and have it. What I will also do is to make sure I have nothing urgent in my diary for the few days afterwards and plan to spend as much time in bed/resting as I need.

[sferios]

My symptoms all started with the Moderna bivalent booster. There is no doubt by me or any of the doctors I have seen that my PMR was "induced" by the booster shot. Literally the pain started four days after (right when antibodies are supposed to start forming), and within ten days I was in such extreme pain (all classic PMR symptoms) I went to the emergency room.

My rheumy specifically told me, "Under no circumstances should you ever get a covid vaccine again, and try not to get covid." She believes that my body reacted to the jab in such a way that I got PMR (although she still calls it a "PMR-presenting vaccine induced myalgia," and wonders if it is going to go away sooner than most PMR cases (as in six months, the average time covid-vaccine antibodies last).

I would love to believe this, but, I think other factors were at play too, like all the stress I was under over the past year. I tend to see the jab as just the "last straw" the caused the PMR. But we'll see.

[artfingers]

Never had a flare after flu or Covid vaccines. However, I always do one vaccine at a time and never do two or more at the same time. I had a beautiful dog that was given 3 vaccines at once and immediately developed Addison's disease due to it overwhelming his system. Led me from then on to be super cautious not to overwhelm my own body.