A month after having my 4th Covid vaccination & a flu jab in September ‘22 I was diagnosed with PMR - coincidence probably? Anyway, I’ve received my invite for a 5th Covid jab ‘as my immune system is compromised’.
As this would be my first vaccination since being diagnosed I would be interested to hear people’s thoughts on the need/safety of having another one now. I’m making good progress in tapering Pred from 20mg to 8.5mg and I’m scared it might upset things. The experience of others ahead of me on this journey will help me make the decision whether to go ahead or not. Thanks.
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Sherlock57
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Personally, having developed PMR after the first vaccine and it getting worse after the second shot, I have decided not to have any further vaccines. I shall concentrate on my health from the point of view of good diet and exercise as I am able and keeping myself as fit as is possible.
I don't deny that the results of developing itself could have resulted in as bad an outcome if not worse, but I'd rather not tempt providence at this stage. Each to their own and I'm sure many would rather accept the vaccine. It's your choice.
hi miserere! I agree! I developed the dreaded PMR after my second Phitzer jab, doc told me, and as you know our lives change quite dramatically. She said no more jabs of any description. I think we have enough to worry about whether we will get a flare and also attempting to avoid stress in our lives. Keep smiling,
It is your choice. I had a 4th booster after developing GCA in Oct 22. I had no reaction but I did have a flu like virus after the flu vaccination, something I’d never experienced before. It may or may not have been related. There were a lot of viruses around at that time. I’ve just been for my Spring booster today. My decision has been based on all friends who have had Covid feeling quite ill and taking some time to get over it.
I think it has to be your choice, because people have reacted to the virus and to vaccinations in different ways.
In my case, vaccination (Pfizer-BioNTech, Feb. and April 2021) triggered my PMR so I have avoided any subsequent vaccinations... and worried about how suppressed my immune system might be on prednisolone. Then, we caught covid two months ago - but did not realise (-ve rapid antigen test and it felt like a mild cold) until my wife (also only vaxxed twice) came down with the typical, more severe symptoms (temp. above 38°C for 3 days, fatigue, loss of appetite, no sense of tase or smell, bad 'flu-like symptoms for over a week).
Fortunately, we are both better now - but for me, the PMR I got after my vaccinations (pain, reduced mobility and considerable fatigue for 6 months, prior to diagnosis and prednisolone) was much worse than 3 days of feeling a bit ill with covid.
Except you probably only felt "a bit ill with Covid" BECAUSE you had had the 2 vaccines, Bith my young relatively healthy daughters have been in bed for over a week bith times they had Covid - though they were heavily exposed as front line NHS staff.
My 2 vaccinations were almost 2 years before I caught covid, so I expected to have very few antibodies left from that - although other parts of the immune system might 'have a longer memory'. Perhaps I have a particularly feisty immune system that will pick a fight with anything or anyone - currently me, causing my PMR!😊
My wife, with the same vaccination history, was much worse than me - although not bedridden for a week.
I am sorry to hear that your daughters were so badly affected. I hope they are well now. As NHS staff, had they been vaccinated when they caught covid, or was it before vaccines were available?
As I said, people have reacted to covid and the vaccinations in different ways - and I don't suppose anyone will ever be able to work out exactly why I reacted as I did.
One had it right at the start when it wasn't recognised but has had it since with identical symptoms and confirmed by swab. The other one is CEV so was isolating at first but went back to work before getting a jab. The first time she had Covid it wasn;t from work - her husband caught it at a stag do (he was best man) and infected her, he'd tested, the culprit hadn't and had symptoms by next morning!
The T-cell memory and slower B-cell memory probably hung on despite the time.
Until vaccine no 4, I'd never had a reaction but that was the first one where I had PMR although it hadn't yet been diagnosed, and I'd also had my first bout of covid in May 2022. I did have a strong reaction to no 4, but it was only a very bruised and swollen shoulder. I've also just been called for no 5, I will probably have it but as I've just had major lung surgery I will be asking my GP and the chest clinic for advice.
Thanks for your thoughts folks. I’m seeing my GP tomorrow and will ask his advice. I’m just scared that the Covid jab will upset my already fragile immune system. I haven’t caught Covid (yet) even though I worked in a supermarket all through the last 3 years so no idea what it might do to me also. It’s a tough decision whether to have jab no 5 or not.
None of them upset my immune system badly. The last one seemed to upset something else - but the cardiologist says the medication I was on also stops working after 5 or 6 years, I'd been on it for 10!
Working in a supermarket over the past 3 years without catching covid seems quite remarkable. It could suggest you are one of the lucky people who are immune to covid or react asymptomatically. Of course, in itself, that doesn't mean you shouldn't get vaccinated.
I am down to 3mgsprednisolone at the moment. I was not sure if this meant still being immunocompromised. I had no automatic right to a sixth dose being 74 and not 75 till November. I received an invitation but sought advice and was told it was ok to book. I will still need to take some proof when attending the appointment to prove it all.Then I suppose it will be up to the decision of those administering the vaccination as to whether I have it or not.
Hi Sherlock57, I can relate to your dilemma re further Covid vaccination. Similar to you I experienced debilitating symptoms a week after having Covid which finally was diagnosed as p.m.r.
Coincidence?? Maybe, maybe not.
No Doctors will call on that one.
Suppose its a bit academic. The reality is I have a really nasty disease
I was somewhat hesitant to receive my 5th dose but at urging of my doctor had it yesterday.
Hi, I had the Astra Zeneka vaccine in February 2021 and they gave me my second in March (six weeks later.) I started to get pains in my pelvis around April/May. Long story short, I was diagnosed with PMR in June 2021 and last year (2022,) after scans, Large Vessel Vasculitis. I won’t be having the next Covid booster.
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