My Rheum tells me that the inflammation and pain from PMR is NOT a sign of damage occuring in the body and that Prednisone will do me more harm than the PMR. Her agenda is to get me to take strong immunosuppressive medication to replace Prednisone, this is something I'm not willing to do because I know it will make me a lot sicker. Your Rheumatologist is taking a similar approach by scaring you about the inflammation in order to get you to take Methotrexate or Leflunomide. I would love to know how many Doctors would be willing to take these drugs themselves !!! I have read a number of research papers that indicate long term inflammation has very damaging effects on the cardiovascular system so it has to be controlled somehow but the current medications are pretty terrible. The Doctors advice is a guide and you need them for prescribing when necessary but do your own research and make up your own mind what you think you need.