Thanks @dadcue - that really helps me as it sounds familiar. I saw lots of people increasing their dose or going back on for a week or two and I worried about that for two reasons. First, you have to get the inflammation down but second, if it is nothing like full blown PMR then that’s dangerous territory. It’s a very dangerous drug but of course is the only thing that works for the real PMR. As noted, we are nearly all getting on in years when we get this so it’s hard to separate aging stiffness from what might be a flare. I’ve avoided taking anything other than Panadol 3 times in the last six months when it was needed to move without fear of aches and stiffness at a funeral and when travelling. Otherwise I’ve found that as hard as it is to get going some days exercise is the best medicine, if you can manage it. It helps osteoarthritis, which I have, although mildly. I guess it’s a personal choice but I listen to my GP. Markers are completely normal. When I was in agony they weren’t. So, for me, blood markers are the key. My husbands aunt had it in her 70’s and lived to 100. That was even after they gave her a ridiculously high dose at first of 60mg (now the standard is 15mg) and caused her to have a mini heart attack. As I say, it’s not a drug to play with at all.

I’m so thankful for all the responses as I can now trust my own instincts, as others have done.