In another thread which I began on a different subject, the possibility of a link between PMR and COVID vaccine came up. In that thread, for the first time I saw something other than idle speculation that the vaccine and PMR might be l inked:
A study published in the journal Rheumatology in 2023 found that the rate of PMR was slightly higher in people who had received a COVID-19 vaccine than in those who had not. However, the study's authors concluded that this difference was not statistically significant, and that more research is needed to determine whether there is a true link between COVID-19 vaccination and PMR.
I was also directed to a U.S. NIH study which noted, inter alia::
However, growing evidence suggests that COVID-19 vaccination may cause new-onset autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune glomerulonephritis, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, and autoimmune hepatitis. Nevertheless, the causal relationship between COVID-19 vaccines and these autoimmune diseases remains to be demonstrated. In this review, we provide evidence that vaccination induces autoimmunity and summarize possible mechanisms of action, such as molecular mimicry, activation by bystanders, and adjuvants. Our objective is not to refute the importance of vaccines, but to raise awareness about the potential risks of COVID-19 vaccination. In fact, we believe that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the possible risks and encourage people to get vaccinated.
This led me to check my "medical log" and I realized that I was slammed, overnight, with a full-blown, nasty case of PMR either one or two day after my second Moderna booster in Feb 2022. You might ask, Duh, did it take this long for you to figure that out?
In my defense I would say that at 84 years of age, with three years in the military and a career spend in numerous countries around the world, I have received more than my fair share of inoculations and not one single time ever had a reaction other than a sore arm and so I never put the two together.
I was signed up to the the latest booster today, at a clinic, but I cancelled the appointment. My wife and I had COVID in February this year and it wasn't much worse that a nasty cold.
I will take a nasty cold over a full-blown case of PMR any day.
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Mansplainer101
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Please do not think that I am doubting you because I am not... but could you provide a link to any discussion of that subject as I'd love to show it to my doctor.
Except "it wasn't much worse that a nasty cold" was BECAUSE you had had the vaccine and your immune system was primed and able to respond better,
I had a flare of PMR for a few weeks after my second jab - but not with any others.
All those jabs you had earlier in your career were probably also instrumental in laying part of the foundation for your PMR at 84 - it is thought to be an accumulation of what are called "insults" to the immune system over an extended time and eventually there is a straw that breaks the camel's back and the immune system goes haywire, turning on itself unable to recognise your body as self. That final straw may be another vaccine - or it might have been Covid itself, an accident, an illness, emotional or mental stress. Or a chemical or environmental factor. All of those also contribute to the straws on the camel's back,
Good points, all. Nonetheless, being in exceptionally good health for 84 (most people guess my age to be around 65), I am going to roll the dice and forgo another COVID shot for two months, when my next physical exam is due, and bring this matter up with my doctor then.
All your informed input is greatly valued and I have told any number of other seniors with whom I am in contact about what an extraordinary service HealthUnlocked is.
Just for the fun of it, using Google AI Bard, I asked "What is HealthUnlocked" and this is what it returned:
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yes my second covid vaccine triggered a recurrence of pmr! 2 days later. Can’t prove it of course! But certainly not having any more covid jabs Thankyou!
I think your natural immunity would be enough at this stage and you should no longer need boosters of the vaccine...after having had covid..natural immunitt is your best weapon
I fear the science says otherwise - both natural and acquired immunity fade over time, not just Covid but also flu which even fades over the 6 months of the flu season so having it too early is not always a good idea.
My PMR/GCA came with a vengeance 2 days after first covid vaccine....had had lots of flu jabs over the years without reaction.... have had another 3 covid vaccines since without a flare ......Good luck whatever you do ...
• Pfizer and Moderna are mRNA vaccines, which means they deliver instructions to the body's cells on how to make a protein that triggers an immune response.
• Novavax is a protein subunit vaccine, which means it delivers a harmless version of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein directly to the body.
Speculating, I wonder if perhaps seeking out the Novavax vaccine might reduce the chance of a serious flare of my PMR?
I believe you are in danger of over thinking this. I refer you back to PMR Pro's response earlier in this thread regarding insults to the immune system. This is not a mathematical equation, or direct cause and effect, this is the as yet the poorly understood realm of auto immune conditions.
My experience is that my first Covid vax in January 2021 triggered PMR within 3 days. I have since had a total of 8 Covid vaccinations/boosters from different manufacturers with no further ill effects. In UK we cannot choose the manufacturer, we get what we are given! I believe that in my case there might be some predisposition to PMR in my genes as my older brother started PMR a few weeks BEFORE his first Covid vax. May be we have Viking ancestors, we all have very blond hair (or did once!)
Eight weeks after my covid jab in November 2022 .I was diagnosed with PMR which a year later was informed I was misdiagnosed & it was fibyermalagia . I'm 59 & was hoping to work a few more years . I was so fit before & now I'm on benefits skint on crutches & my life has changed for the worst . I'm gutted tbh . I wish you well🙏🙏
I am not sure what triggered my PMR but I don’t really think it is worth worrying about because I have it!
I have had all the vaccines offered including flu, pneumonia, shingles and Covid and not had a flare after any. I am grateful about that but I would never refuse a vaccine unless it was a live one
First vacc triggered GCA for me - protruding TAs within 4 days. Third vacc, when I was on 7mg pred, caused a flare. My rheumy has said it's not a good idea to have another vacc. Key issues, I think, are whether anyone has serious underlying respiratory problems and overall health which you say is good. It's a balance of risks, as people have pointed out.
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