Hello @phogan0609, You will notice that we merged your discussion with an existing one on the same topic. If you click the link below it will take you to the beginning of the discussion where you can read the experiences of others on PMR remission.
-- PMR Remission: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pmr-remission/

I think it's still possible to have PMR with normal inflammatory markers. It sounds like you might not really be in remission or possibly have something else going on? My PMR is in remission but I still am stiff in the mornings until I start moving around. You mentioned you are still having shoulder and hip pain and problems with mobility. Have you discussed the pain with your rheumatologist or doctor?

@phogan0609
I had my first PMR when I was 50, practicing a lot of sports. I took 3 months prednisone and when my reumatologist prescribed me only 2 mg for another month I decided to quit taking it.
I never returned to the old (active) me,..felt very stiff every day and worse in the morning. It did get better after 3,5 to 4 years. Playing golf with less pain and stiffness is when I realized I was getting better.
Now I’m back in the middle of a PMR flare after 9 years (59) and I’m taking 15mg of prednisone. For me personally I think stress has been the trigger both times. I also changed my diet to less sugar, no alcohol and more fruit. What PMR can do to your quality of life 🙁

@phogan0609 I am so sorry that you are experiencing so much pain. Research shows that there is a small percentage of PMR patients who have normal inflammation rates. I am one of them. I started having Symptoms (debilitating bilateral neck, shoulder & hip girdle pain) in March of this year (at age 54) and, after a lot of research, I diagnosed myself with PMR. Initially, both my primary physician and rheumatologist insisted that I likely had arthritis because my inflammation lab results (CRP and sed-rate) were normal and I was quite young as compared to most PMR patients. However, after my x-rays showed no arthritis, I insisted on taking 20 mg of prednisone. Except for lingering mild bursitis on my right shoulders, all of my symptoms disappeared within 48 hours. My rheumatologist wanted me to taper off prednisone quickly, but I advised her that a quick taper is the main cause of relapses, according to studies. Within a month, I tapered down to 10 mg and started reducing my dosage by 1 mg every month. I am doing well at the moment and my Rheumatologist agrees that we should go by my symptoms rather than my lab results as part of my treatment. If you are still suffering from debilitating, bilateral pain, you are not in remission but are likely experiencing a PMR flare because you may have tapered off prednisone too quickly, causing adrenal insufficiency. A slow taper is key to getting your symptoms under control. Please talk to your doctor. You should not be experiencing so much pain if you are truly "in remission." Also, keep in mind that prednisone initially makes (almost) everything feel better so it is extremely important for you to be able to distinguish whether the pain you are experiencing now or as you taper down is truly due to PMR rather than some other condition. For instance, as I reduce my prednisone dose, my lower back pain is gradually coming back but I know that this is due to pre-existing osteoarthritis (OA) which I already had before I came down with PMR. Generally, PMR pain is on BOTH sides of your neck and/or shoulders and/or hips, etc.