I started on 15mg and started exercising again after a month, just small amounts and light weights but it was a start. I had a problem when I went from 12.5-10mg as that was on the standard list of tapering I was given. Had to increase up to 11mg for 6 weeks then start dropping by 1mg every six weeks. Only waited 5 weeks on last taper and doing well on 8mg. Going to drop to 7.5 on the 3rd day of week 4 ready for 7mg the week after. My left shoulder does complain in the morning but a swim really sorts that out, I thought it would be impossible to swim front crawl again but I was actually faster then before PMR and all stiffness pain goes away. If your hip is playing up aqua jogging and cycling movements in a pool would help.