Return of fitness

Keep at it while you can. I was fairly active - though not with the sort of high activity you currently enjoy, well done - till I reduced to 8mg earlier this year and became fatigued. I did get some energy back after a few weeks, but by 6.5mg, normal activity had to reduce because moderate pain and lethargy had set in. By 6mg I'd had a full-on flare and was too tired and sore to do much at all.

The prednisone may be helping you stay active. I'm currently reducing again to 8mg. Energy levels are still good so I'm deliberately getting all the bigger jobs in the yard and home done while the prednisone lets me, just to have some solid progress made before another possible (hope not!) relapse stops me doing anything. We need to achieve whatever we can while we can.

I was going to start tapering at 4 weeks instead of 6 next month but that would clash with the flu and Covid boosters so guess I will leave that until next lot. I know at some time in the future it will raise its ugly head and I will have to stick to dog walking for a while.

PMR is not considered a muscle wasting disease but inactivity can be. Good job for working through it. I did my best to fight through it. Mine started during covid and gyms were closed. So I did all I could to stay active and I agree it helps. 9mg is still quite a bit of prednisone. No doubt the prednisone is giving a little rush. I was only on for 6 months and my cholesterol was up, my A1C was up, and my blood pressure was up. I also developed a gastritis. So good luck. Most likely when you get down around the 5-7mg its the lack of cortisol that is causing the pain not the PMR.

I am your same age and also treasured my fitness level. Sadly, I have not been able to keep at it the way you have. I have had to let go of previous goals, which in the long run is good in my opinion. Above all, I've had to embrace adaptability, which is what graceful aging is all about.

Trust me I have adapted. But at the start of this I even brought normal clothes instead of my usual sportswear to go out in. In the 70’s I was the mum that wore Ronhill tracksters to walk my kids to school and apart from the change of labels on sportswear nothing much has changed. Had to adapt after 3 joint replacements but you find a way. I remember watching a comedy show with my daughters where they said no one over 30 should wear a ponytail, my 3 girls turned and looked at me then laughed for at least 5 minutes. To me this is aging gracefully, looking after my body and staying strong and happy. Guess we are not that different.

I am 83, diagnosed with PMR in January 2023. I am also retired military after 36 years of service where fitness was a job requirement. I have been doing CrossFit for 8 years starting when I was 75. I enjoy CrossFit and go twice a week because your body is the machines except for the bikes and rowers. When I was diagnosed Doc said do not stop CrossFit it is important to your recovery. I can't do everything I did while wearing a uniform but aging does continue and you have to adjust to the new reality. I try for 10,000 steps daily and usually get it done.
Good Luck