Polymyalgia

[Spinnie]

Is there much evidence of links with vaccines? I have seen a few mentions in academic papers but wondered if there was more recent evidence.

Three weeks ago I suddenly started with symptoms- pain, initially in arms and inability to sleep because of this. It all started 6 days after having had both covid and flu vaccines on the same day.

I have osteoarthritis particularly in knees and hands but the pain in upper arms and upper legs and hips has come totally out of the blue and is extremely debilitating.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi and welcome,

As is often discussed in this forum, any vaccine may trigger PMR and/or GCA.

The old Zostavax® vaccine [now superseded by Shingrix® ] for Shingles did have a warning in the patients information leaflet re PMR, and there have been various studies over years re the influenza vaccine, and more recent ones following the introduction of the Covid vaccines on the subject.

What we normally say is that it can be the final straw to your autoimmune system which is already under stress- and you probably have to be in the group susceptible to getting those diseases anyway. Otherwise, everyone having a vaccine would succumb, and that obviously doesn’t happen.

The fact that you had both vaccines together would have meant that your immune system was stressed more than if you had taken them separately.

Now you are here, maybe have a look this to see how to manage your PMR - and has it been officially diagnosed - or do you just think you have it?

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Spinnie in reply to DorsetLady]

Hello and thanks for your prompt response- the link looks useful. No as yet , I haven’t been diagnosed though my medical practitioner seems to think that it’s this. I am awaiting blood tests.

I have gone from being a fit, active and healthy person to something on the other end of the scale in three weeks. I used to walk 25-30 miles a week with the dog ( despite osteoarthritis pain in the knee which I was able to manage) All the other symptoms are new. Now, some days, I can barely walk upstairs; it has all come as a complete shock and I am trying to process it all. I will have a proper look at the website that you suggested. Thanks for your help

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Any vaccine can trigger PMR/GCA - but so could the disorders they are meant to protect us from, or any other illness, trauma, mental or emotional stress and and and ... It is a culmination of insults to the immune system over many years and eventually something is the thing that breaks the camel's back and the immune system goes haywire. There is no single thing or event -it requires a genetic predisposition as well as a coincidence of other events to set it off/

[Satya70 in reply to PMRpro]

I had a flu shot on Monday and severely increased PMR pain on Tuesday. How long do reactions to vaccines usually last?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Satya70]

A few days usually- did you take paracetamol for 24-48 hours afterwards? Are sure it is PMR pain and not usual muscular pain from vaccine?

[Satya70 in reply to DorsetLady]

Didn’t take paracetamol. Maybe I’ll do that now. Thanks.

Definitely PMR pain. In all the usual places, just more intense.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Satya70]

Try paracetamol for a couple of days -and if makes no difference then you probably have your answer. So may need to treat as flare.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Satya70]

If the paracetamol doesn't help and it gets worse then possibly need to regard it as a flare. I had a short flare with one Covid vaccine, never with any of the others, it does vary. But some reactions to a vaccine can be immediate.

[Rostom]

My message here is not a clinical report as such, purely my own experience. I had a anti-Covid vaccination and within a week felt awful with shoulder and hip pain. I stupidly soldiered on for a further three weeks (by now being unable to rise from a sofa or climb stairs, etc.) before asking my GP for help and he, after a blood test sent me to hospital where PMR was diagnosed.

Obviously most people will not have any reaction after their vaccinations and I would still have the inoculation again, despite the PMR. I feel that although pretty horrible, PMR won't kill me but Covid could!

I guess that there is a link to one's immune system with almost any inoculation as, as has been said by others, it is the one drop of water that makes the bucket overflow.

A simple blood test will help your GP make a diagnosis and once you have that you can begin the upward journey to being PMR-free.

[Spinnie in reply to Rostom]

Thanks for your response. My experience so far has been very similar to yours and I share your views on vaccinations. I was just surprised to hear that PMR seems to be triggered by vaccinations and there is absolutely no reference to, or warning about this. Perhaps GP surgeries should not be offering two vaccines on the same day to elderly patients. Clearly it is more efficient in terms of admin but it must be upping the risk considerably.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Spinnie]

There are some vaccines that list PMR as an adverse effect - the old shingles vaccine was one.

I think it is OTT to say "PMR seems to be triggered by vaccinations". ANYTHING that pokes at the immune system can potentially be the final straw that breaks the camel's back and a system that was already close to breaking point goes haywire after a vaccination - or the illness related to it, Or a myriad of other factors,

In fact, studies have noted that in most people giving 2 vaccines on the same day INCREASES the immune response to the vaccines. Which supports the concept of 2 done together. But these studies almost always are restricted to the healthy. An increase of response in the immune system of a patient with an autoimmune disorder could be a problem,

[Spinnie in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks - fair comment- I wasn’t even aware of PMR until a week ago and it’s a steep learning curve - I was making assumptions based on little more than anecdotal evidence and from some fairly limited internet research and a couple of replies on this forum. I will make sure that I do more research.