I was 1 month off prednisone in March 2021 when I received the second of two initial (Moderna) vaccines. PMR came back within a couple days; could not lift my arms or turn over in bed. I started back on prednisone sometime in April 2021 after blood tests showed elevated ESR and CRP. I’ve had no trouble with COVID boosters, but am concerned that this new vaccine is also mNRA, in the US anyway. My blood markers now are perfectly normal, and I’m down to 2.5 mg prednisone. I’d like to get the latest vaccine before we travel to Portugal in February. Has anyone one had experience with this vaccine that can allay my fears……or advice to share. Much appreciated. (I haven’t had a covid booster since last January).
Should add that I have a great rheumatologist who will support me either way.
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Likewise, I had a Moderna (mRNA) booster vaccine for Covid in November 2021 ( whereas all my other earlier Covid vaccines had been Pfizer) and almost immediately experienced almost all of the classical PMR symptoms.
Of course these were new to me and it took a further 8 weeks for my own and GP’s conclusions to focus on PMR - and rightly so.
However the current booster being offered here in Scotland is a Pfizer one which I have had recently with no issues. Hope this helps.
In the US you should be able to get Novavax, a protein-based vaccine, the new version also effective (for whatever good that will do) against XBB. Unfortunately the mRNA monovalent vaccines aren't doing well against the new variant, and I haven't heard if Novavax has the same problem. Kind of looks like they should have stuck with bivalent because some research I read about today indicates that the JN.1 variant of Omicron which is causing the huge surge worldwide is reverting to some of the worst effects of the original disease, attacking the lungs.
If Novavax had been approved in Canada just a few weeks earlier I'd have got it but we had company coming from afar and I'd have been 8 months past previous vax by then so had Pfizer a couple of weeks before they arrived. Past versions of Novavax apparently maintained higher immunity levels months longer than the mRNA vaccines.
I had what I assume was the latest vaccine in December - certainly mRNA, there is no other option here, but not sure if it was Pfizer or Moderna. Not a sign I'd had anything except a very slightly sore arm. Last year with the bivalent one it woke up my atrial fibrillation good and proper - I'm having an ablation today to deal with it - but there was no effect at all on the PMR.
I had the non MRNA vaccines with little side effects, then had two mRNA boosters and decided I couldn't do that again! My arm was red and swollen for weeks. But having both PMR and myeloma I know that i really ought to have my boosters. I spoke with my GP surgery and after a short telephone trail I got through to a team that deal with the counties vaccines. They offered me Sanofi which is non MRNA. I had it on Fri 20th Oct and was planning on staying in bed all the next day to help cope with it. By 7.30am the next day I was out dealing with my son's house and his neighbours as they battled flooding from storm Babet. I finally got home around 1pm and realised I was suffering with no side effects whatsoever. Never having mRNA again..highly recommend Sanofi.
I had the original J&J (not mrna) vaccine which caused me a full blown flare that lasted months. Due to that I have opted to not have any boosters. It is a very personal decision. I did get Covid in 2022 and it was rough but I did okay. I share only to point out that even a “regular” vaccine can trigger a flare.
My Rheumatica said about tge same thing - could be any vaccine, a virus, a stressful time. All could make me flare. I can deal with a flare (I’ll go to Portugal armed with prednisone), but I don’t want to come down with COVID there.
I'm in the US and had the most recent Moderna mNRA vaccine of Covid back in late October and am now sitting here 5 days in with my first ever Covid infection and with me being on 12 mg of prednisone.
I was suppose to start tapering down to 11 mg this week using DL's 5 week slow taper but decided to stay at 12 mg for now so not to make matters worse for myself.
I guess I can resume tapering when I no longer have symptoms and my next test comes back negative.
I tested positive for COVID (I assume the new strain) on Dec 12. My husband who had the newest vaccine in November, never isolated from me - and never caught it. I took PAXLOVID on day one and was better by day 2. Tested negative on day 6. That’s great stuff. Hope you feel better soon.
With my health insurance here in the US, the cost of Paxlovid would be about $397 for 5 days worth of medication (20 pills) which is cost prohibitive for me. And I am told I have very good insurance. 😳
Through December 31, 2024: Anyone uninsured or covered by federal programs, such as Medicare or Medicaid, can receive USG-procured, NDA-labeled Paxlovid at no cost through the USG PAP operated by Pfizer (see COVID-19 Therapeutics Commercialization Transition Guide | October 20, 2023 (hhs.gov)). HHS has confirmed that the USG PAP can be used for residents during their SNF Part A stay.
Through this program, participating PAP dispensing sites will be reimbursed for any product dispensed, along with a dispensing fee. Pharmacy enrollment in the Paxlovid USG PAP is managed by Pfizer and its partner, AssistRx. Pharmacies that would like to learn more about participating in the U.S. Government PAP should contact the program vendor at PharmacyNetworkContract102101@assistrx.com.
A patient needs to sign up to participate in this program and will receive a voucher that can then be provided to a participating pharmacy to receive Paxlovid at no cost. They can visit the website or call1-877-219-7225 (1-877-C19-PACK).
I am a retired federal worker with really good healthcare but the $397 copay for Paxlovid as you can see is ridiculous. I have 4 ½ more years until I can go on Medicare Part B (I have Part A due to a disability), then everything changes.
So far since getting Covid it hasn't been terrible. Mild nasal and chest congestion, fatigue, some sneezing, and a hacking cough that began as dry then became mildly congested but thankfully the coughing has finally abated. But I did lose my taste.
I'm just a little frustrated at the moment because I had to postpone my next scheduled prednisone taper.
Have you seen this article? I'm sure people will say it's a right wing conspiracy but there could be some truth to it. Maybe the vaccines are changing our DNA?? content.govdelivery.com/acc...
slightly off topic as I don’t have PMR but a chronic rheumatoid condition. I had my 3rd covid vaccine at the same time as my first ever flu vaccine last October. By coincidence or not I’ve been unwell since then with a host of new ailments still under investigation. So far all the scans and scopes have found nothing much except low BP and diverticulitis which don’t account for my symptoms and being unwell for over a year. Next time I get vaccinated for anything I’m asking for the non live version just in case that is the cause but don’t anticipate any more vaccinations until I’m old enough for shingles protection. I don’t believe I’ve had covid and have not been offered another flu jab as not vulnerable as far as I know. I think my body reacted badly to those jabs due to my AI condition but not having the vaccination never occurred to me. However if cancer is discovered in my next scope things could change and I may be offered more jabs so will ask for a different one just in case.
My PMR started in May 2021 after my first of two Pfizer jabs and escalated 10 days after the second one in August 2021, which debilitated me completely. Have not had a Covid jab since, nor will I, so I can't speak to the new boosters. Best of luck whichever you choose.
Thanks. It’s a really tough call. We’re going to Portugal 2 weeks after I’ve scheduled my vaccine. I know how to treat PMR, and I’ll go prepared. I don’t want to come down with COVID in a foreign country.
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