Perseverance isn't the word that describes it. I took prednisone because I didn't know what else to do. I almost refused Actemra because someone told me prednisone was the "only option" for PMR. The same person said prednisone for the rest of my life would be better than Actemra because of the "quality of life" I would have on Prednisone. . I almost believed it because I didn't think the rest of my life would be very long. The same person advised people to increase their dose whenever they experienced pain contrary to what their doctors advised

The person who had the adrenal crisis was saying the exact opposite. She wanted me to decrease my Prednisone dose in order to preserve whatever adrenal function I had left. Sadly... the person who had the adrenal crisis said her quality of life was zilch. She didn't want me to have the same fate.

I only tried Actemra to get the "inevitable flare" over with! Whatever enlightenment I have came after I tapered off Prednisone. People who are able to taper off Prednisone without a biologic or another alternative are the medical marvels to me.