Can the 'flu jab cause PMR?

Hello!

I had a 'flu jab last October for the first time, and started with the symptoms PMR a few days afterwards, or was this just a coincidence?

I am getting really good care at my local hospital - but am uneasy about having the 'flu jab again this Autumn and wonder if anyone has any advice for me.

Many thanks!

[Sue8]

I will be looking for your replies on this as I have been told to have it this year as recently diagnosed diabetic followed by PMR.

[Hidden]

Hi Kazzy,

In theory, the flu jab, because it is not a live vaccine, should not cause a big shock to one's system. However, lets face it , we are into unknown territory here. I cared for elderly, very ill people, before I developed PMR. Some of them, after their flu jab, certainly had a slight dive in their health after having the vaccine, but soon recovered.

I had my first flu vaccine after I had the accident that led to my developement of PMR. I was not taking steroids at the time. Who knows if the vaccine contributed to me getting PMR. If I had been on steroids, there may have been a slight drop in my health, but I feel that after a few days, I would have recovered.

What you have to consider is the consequences of getting flu, which can be a killer, against maybe a slight drop in your well being.

I felt no after effects in the days following my jab, and this year I will certainly have one again. I have had full blown flu twice in my life, and both times I really thought I was going to die.

Remember, prednisolone depletes the immune system. I, myself would choose the vaccine to help.

Pats.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Pats, you have been most helpful, I will probably get it done as I need to be as fit as I can be, I suppose I will never know what caused my PMR, just have to keep on going!

[Annodomini]

I would never go without my flu jab. My PMR started in the spring,so nothing to do with the jab and I had it as usual last autumn with no ill effects. I hope that I will never again have flu which is so debilitating - seemed to have it every year in my teens and the Asian flu of 1957.58 was just appalling.

[Hidden in reply to Annodomini]

Thank you Annodomini !