I’ve just been diagnosed with PMR my crp was 105, my symptoms virtually disappeared after 4 hours of taking 15mg of prednisolone last Saturday and things are nearly back to normal. I was a relatively fit and healthy 56 year old female. 14 months ago I started to get aches and pains on waking up and post exercise stiffness didn’t go away after 4 or 5 days. This was about 6 weeks after my fist Pfizer jab. I changed mattress and bought neck pillow I went to physio for hip pain I ended up with extreme shoulder pain about 10 months ago and was diagnosed with frozen shoulder. I had a steroid injection after which I felt like the bionic woman no pain anywhere. I did not know about PMR at this point I mentioned it to a few healthcare people about the miraculous other results from the shoulder treatment but nobody put two and two together. A few weeks later I had a second Pfizer jab after which the same old stiffness and pain in shoulders neck hip and upper arms came back. I went to Osteo and was training and stretching rotator cuff and all manner of things but nothing worked was just getting stiffer. Last week finally went to GP told him the story and he thank goodness suspected PMR which I had never heard of mainly on the evidence from the previous impact of the steroid injection. So got bloods tested crp was 105 everything else normal. Started pred 15mg last Saturday and now on the journey with that. Feeling more and more normal and flexible each day and fingers crossed things will go according to plan but appreciate they may not! I certainly won’t be having any more Pfizer jabs. GP says the jab may have caused it but very rare.
Written by
Lulucat46
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Many have thought a vaccination [whether flu, shingles, covid etc…] caused their PMR, but more likely it was the final straw to an already under stressed immune system.
You might like to have a look through this intro post, and there is plenty more info in the FAQs, but just be aware you are not ‘back to normal’…
Welcome to the forum where you will find a wealth of knowledge from our ‘experts’ and support when/if you need it. I hope you have a smooth journey to eventual remission 🙂.
The GP may think it is rare - but other vaccines are implicated in triggering PMR by irritating the immune system and being the final straw that sends the immune systeme into meltdown, unable to recognise your body as self and so it attacks body tissues in error. Both flu and shingles jabs have been blamed. Your journey is pretty typical I'd say, even down to the misdiagnosis of frozen shoulder! Mine wasn't triggered by a jab, hadn't had any, but the second (Moderna) jab caused a bit of a flare, the rest have been fine PMR-wise. The bivalent one triggered my atrial fibrillation but that is completely different.
I believe that Pfizer have admitted that a vaccination can trigger PMR. You are lucky that you seem to have a good GP who knows about PMR. Four hours for the magic of the steroids to work is pretty good, it took me fifteen hours twenty five minutes!! Remember PMR is life changing, the steroids just relieve the pain they do not get rid of the PMR. The PMR mantra is rest, rest, rest. Don’t assume you can carry on as if you are back to normal. Just take your time. PMR is very good at biting back.
hi Lulucat46! Ah well, another one bites the dust. My doc told me immediately that my Phitzer second jab had triggered this disease and no more vaccines of any description. My doc obviously went to a different university than yours. Keep smiling!
This happened EXACTLY as you describe - to me. First Pfizer jab May 2021. Pains in neck, headaches, shoulders etc. all summer. Changed mattress, pillows and it just kept on. Fast forward to Aug 2021, 10 days after second jab and the PMR hit the fan (only I didn't know what it was). By November/December, I was completely incapacitated. Went to GP (who was about the retire). Insisted on bloodwork to test for RA. Came back with really high CRP. When I called him I was angry crying and he referred me on emergent basis to a Neurologist here in Halifax, who diagnosed PMR and immediately put on 20 mg. of Pred. It has been a roller coaster ride since then, but the Pred worked within a couple of days, I was able to move arms, shoulders, legs. This DOES NOT MEAN WE ARE CURED. The Pred reduces the inflammation and hence relieves/irradicates the pain. "Normal" is no longer in my vocabulary, although I would wish everyone's former "normal" to come back. We must learn to live with the PMR; don't fight against it. If you do start to taper it down on the advice of your GP, do it very, very slowly.
The GP who diagnosed me with 'old age' has now retired. He was my GP for 29 years and now I don't have a GP. On the wait list. So everytime something rears it's ugly head, I'm forced to go into an ER. Walk-in Clinics do not have all my records.
Stick with the Prednisone, don't rush it. One day at a time because it is a long-term autoimmune disease. Listen to your body. If you feel great on any given day, don't overdo it because it may cause you to feel totally wiped out over the next few days. All the best to you.
the Pfizer caused me no problems. I had flares after the Spikevax jabs(3). I still have a frozen shoulder? my fault haven’t been to GP about it because she will most prob say arthritis. Am going this week tho if I feel brave enuff 😂🤣😂
Not as rare as you think. I know a lot of people who have nerve inflammaton in the UK. Includes me by yhe way . Good luck on your journey judt br aeare of GSA symtoms just in case they appear.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Seronegative PMR
PMR for 2.5 years tapering
I could have PMR…
I’m new and worried about my PMR 
PMR with no hip involvement, common?
