My inflammation markers were out the roof when I first managed to diagnosis myself 18 months ago and had my doctor run tests to confirm. Last visit to my rheumatologist a month ago & they were very low. So one would think I could successfully carry on with my taper. I had gone from 15 mg daily down to 7 when the pain hit me like a ton of bricks. So I called my rheumie and he said go back up to 10 mg for a month. Tried that for a week and the pain never let up. 15 didn't work either. So now I'm at 20 mg, highest ever for me, and most of the pain is gone although I'm still locked up when I wake up every morning with shoulder and arm pain & stiffness. Very discouraged. Best of luck to you!

I’ve had no markers and have had PMR for almost 4 years now…was off prednisone after long taper but pain never left during or after finishing the taper …couldn’t walk or stand for long …really reduced my life . I thought it was osteoarthritis kicking in but dr put me on 5 mg of prednisone to see …did nothing …so jumped to 20 mg …with in 3 hours I could walk normally ..I felt like a miracle had happened …that was yesterday …stiff this morning but nothing like before …I’m to stay on this amount for a week and then see where we go from there…being pain free is certainly wonderful …fyi I’m on Actemra shots biweekly .sulfasalazine hydroxychloroquine daily but haven’t been this pain free in all that time since diagnosed