Re the loneliness: The docs said “PMR's very common.” (They had no problem diagnosing it with me - I had kept a diary of symptoms and they nailed it on the spot.) But looking around, I knew no one who had PMR, had never heard of PMR even though I’m fairly well informed on medical conditions, and in my sprawling city with its multiple hospitals and research institutions, there are no PMR support groups. What’s up with this? Researching PMR online, I saw “PMR is a common disorder,” also “PMR is a rare disorder.” On sites that listed rheumatic autoimmune disorders, not a single one included PMR. Finally I found my way to this group. Without it, I would have been completely lonely.
After a year of Prednisone, I am thank the Lord off it and left with garden variety osteoarthritis that was lurking in the background. But relapses happen, so who knows?