Could flu shot be connected to pmr?
Posted , 19 users are following.
Just seems odd that this started about a week after getting my flu shot. First trip to express clinic was told reaction to shot and to take tylenol. Second trip to primary care doc after bloodwork said serum sickness and prescribed anti inflammatory. After a week with no relief referred to rheumatologist and more bloodwork and diagnosis of one and put on prednisone that was 4 days ago and still no better. Taking 20 mg pred daily. Will this ever get better?
1 like, 43 replies
DPV carlene22578
Posted
You have probably already received many answers on this...but since I just saw it, I'm responding.
YES, I had the senior flu shot and quickly developed PMR. My rheumatologist said she has heard several instances of it happening. I've had it for two years now and it's well controlled with the prednisone. I started at 40 mg and things quickly got better. I'm now at 12 mg...hoping to get down to 7 or 8.Even though prednisone is a miracle drug...it's still nasty and I can't wait to get off it!!!!!
Hopefully by now you have everything under control and are feeling good!!!
Michdonn DPV
Posted
Hi DPV, just take your time reducing your Pred we all want off it as quick as possible, but rush into a flare and you will take more for a long period of time. Stay active, positive and smile.🙂
carlene22578 DPV
Posted
Have got mixed comments but I really do believe that shot is what led me to pmr. I started on 20 mg then had to up to 30. It has been almost a year for me now and I just had to up to 15mg from 13.5 due to a flare.
EileenH carlene22578
Posted
It very probably was the final straw that sent your immune system into meltdown.
DPV carlene22578
Posted
so sorry that you and so many others are going through this , WISH SOMEONE HAD WARNED US THIS WAS A POSSIBILITY. NO MORE FLU SHOTS FOR ME...GUESS I'LL JUST KEEP WASHING MY HANDS EVERY FIVE MINUTES DURING THIS FLU SEASON . STAY WELL AND THANKS FOR THE RESPONSE,
celia14153 DPV
Posted
It's a matter of personal choice but I really don't think 'flu vaccines give us Polymyalgia. Live vaccines are an issue because our immune systems are compromised. It's for that same reason that I'll be getting the vaccine as I don't want to be clobbered with flu and having to subsequently raise the Pred or suffer a flare. But as I said it's totally up to each of us to make our own decisions and this Forum is very helpful in helping us do that!
EileenH DPV
Posted
No, it is NOT that the flu vaccine gives you PMR . Something finally overloads the immune system and it goes wrong but it could have been anything: emotional or physical stress, an infection (so the flu itself), an operation or accident or chemical exposure that was the final straw.
You really NEED the flu shot more than ever now as your immune system is compromised and especially when you are on pred or any other immunosuppressant medication. Otherwise you could become quite ill and it take a long time to get over it. You can't catch flu from the vaccine as it is a dead vaccine, sort of like the flu's overcoat, and it prepares your body to respond more quickly when it meets the real thing.
Some people develop PMR soon after the flu vaccine but others have had a lot of stress of some sort. I had never had the flu shot before I developed PMR nor any other vaccine for many years. You can't say it was any one single thing - it is a lifetime of events that just build up the effect. And working too hard is as likely as anything else.
DPV Michdonn
Posted
thanks, now i'm reducing it by 1/2 mg every two weeks
i did get the regular ... not senior.... flu shot two days ago with reserved blessing from my rheumatologist.
So far, no problems. fingers crossed,
Duffer55 carlene22578
Posted
i am currently undiagnosed, but exhibit all the symptoms everyone else has. sudden onset after the flu shot. within a week . coincedental??.
Michdonn Duffer55
Posted
Duffer, I think many of us have different theories as to the cause from our own experiences. Mine, a virus that was laying in waiting. I came down with a stomach virus and then PMR several days later. I could not understand what was happening to me . Good luck on your journey. Stay positive and smile. 🙂
EileenH Duffer55
Posted
Possibly not coincidence - but you can't say it was "just" the flu shot since it is likely to be a culmination of many insults to the immune system over many years. Eventually one last insult breaks the camel's back and in this case it may have been the response to the flu shot - but if you hadn't had the flu shot and got the flu, it might have done it! Or the next bad cold or something entirely different such as surgery or an accident.
However - there is a form of arthritis called reactive arthritis which starts in response to something like an infection or vaccine. That could well be a similar mechanism, some of the symptoms can be similar too, and there may even be a version of PMR that develops for the same reason. The arthritis version doesn't last long, usually just a few months, but there is no way to know which or whether it is.
Duffer55 EileenH
Posted
the flu shot was the only external factor since i was fine before. at least i think i was, but maybe i had some underlying symptoms that were just waiting to explode. i did not have a cold or anything going on prior. my only thought is i was predisposed to get this anyway, maybe this triggered it. i only referenced it because i see others had a similar experience. i also work in health care so who knows what i have been exposed to in the past.