covid vaccination

[Glyngin]

in a dilemma.Reduced Prednisone to 5mg after 5 years up & down for PMR. Feeling good.Am due my Covid vaccination & can’t decide wether to have it.Opinions seem to differ. I had it last October but still got Covid in December. Any advice please.

[NewPMR]

Although only recently diagnosed with PMR I read lots of advice on here re the covid and flu jabs. I tend not to have a bad reaction from them. The advice was the have the jabs separately with a gap in between. As our immune systems are compromised by the steriods, we are more at risk of getting unwell if we catch these illnesses. They dont prevent it, as you know, but hopefully they mean you don't get as bad as if you hadnt had the jabs. On the NHS website, anyone living someone who is immuno compromised can also get the jabs as priority it seems! Wishing you all the best. Im sure you will get further advice from more the Pro advisors soon.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

As we always say, it’s your choice entirely, but my view is go for it. As you know it’s not a guarantee you won’t get Covid again, but it does definitely make a difference to the severity of it.

[Glyngin in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes I agree but does it not interfere with your pmr & make it worse hence getting to 5mg I can’t face increasing again. Heard so many people saying that they are convinced Covid vaccine started their Pmr & my rheumatologist says he has seen more cases since Covid.

Interesting research for someone 🤔

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Glyngin]

There has been research on covid related PMR.. this is just one -albeit small -

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articl....

But as we have known for years any vaccine may trigger it.. and with the thousands/millions of people vaccinated over such as short time for Covid then it’s much more noticeable.

[Glyngin in reply to DorsetLady]

Many thanks for info.

[NewPMR in reply to Glyngin]

With so many thousands of older folks being vaccinated during Covid there will have been many who developed PMR at that time but possibly they would have anyway. Did last years jabs adversely affect your PMR or your tapering journey. Would make interesting research, wish they would look into PMR more as many doctors seem to have never heard of it and have unrealistic ideas of how we should get through it! Sorry for rant!

[Glyngin in reply to NewPMR]

Yes last year’s jab did effect pmr & had to increase prednisone hence bit reluctant now.Its taken me 5years to taper to 5 mg & I feel so good.Will be having an RVS vaccine soon so thinking maybe that’s enough.As everyone says it’s my choice but a difficult one🤔😉

[Blossom20 in reply to Glyngin]

I think you've already answered your own question....you'll never know the answer - you might have it and trigger pmr again, or you might not have it and get covid more severely, or get covid mildly?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

But without it you would probably have had a worse dose of Covid. Vaccines don't stop you getting the disease they are for, they help you fight it off and not become as ill.

ANY vaccine can trigger PMR in the first place, but so can the illness they prevent getting really bad, and so can a whole host of other things and events. Some people may get a bit of a flare - but even the stress of going on holiday can trigger a flare! Others have a vaccine and find their PMR improves. I have had all the Covid jabs offered to me here in Italy - the second triggered a bit of a flare for a few weeks, none of the others have affected the PMR.

[Koalajane]

I have had all the vaccinations offered and although a bit of aches after my last Covid jab it was not a flare and I have never flared after. I am a long termer and after over 7 years am at 3.5mg. I have never considered not having the vaccinations.

But only you can decide.

[Glyngin in reply to Koalajane]

Many thanks that’s reassuring.

[Grammy80]

Hi, I'm in the States and was told by my doctor to make sure I got Moderna...dead vaccine. I'm a long-term steroid user, 2019, with GCA.....just sharing and cannot address the other two manufacturers... I'm holding off for another few months since I just dropped to 40mg per day....be well💞

[Glyngin in reply to Grammy80]

Thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Grammy80]

There are no Covid vaccines that used live virus - the term "dead vaccine" is redundant with Covid jabs, they work on a different concept.

[Grammy80 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks....that's great and I was hoping you'd save me once again...💞