The pain is not a sharp pain to me; it is more a severe soreness of my muscles when I move them. It was primarily my thighs, triceps, biceps and traps area. I have been on Prednisone close too two years now and have been almost pain free. I have also been lifting weights since I have been on the prednisone. I think it is more of the prednisone than the weightlifting which is easing the pain. If your sed rate and c reactive protein levels are normal, I doubt it is PMR. My levels were thru the roof. I hope my comments help you. Lots of luck.

In my experience with PMR you it hits you quickly and hard. You’re not tired, you’re exhausted, you don’t have a little pain, you hurt all over, you can barely get out of bed, and someone has to put your socks on for you. Prednisone with all its downsides was a savior for me.

I actually had to be wheeled in to my doctor's Day Call (its like the Urgent Care practice in the very big Internal Medicone clinic I go to) because of what Id thought were acute injuries due to overdoing my hiking. Xrays were mostly normal. To my IM Dr, who ordered sed rate and CRP - normal. A month later I saw an orthopedist/sports medicine dr. He thought it was rheumatoid as did my IM dr. Ordered a repeat on Sed rate and CRP. Told me to prepare to meet a rheumatologist in my future. Got back to my IM Dr and my labs were now abnormal, so hallelujah- referral to rheumatologist who diagnosed PMR.
I usually described my pain as "aching", it is a dull pain that varies considerably in intensity.

In the initial onset of this crazy thing PMR, nothing helps! Throbbing muscles, shoulder and hip stiffness. Neck so tight I couldn’t move my head. No sleep. Confusing and frightening. The quick referral to the RA doctor was such a relief. Prednisone helped immediately! Still tapering and started Kevzara. Back to daily walks, swimming, and bike rides within 3 months of onset. Physical therapy has helped a lot too. 8 sessions so far. Hang in there!