Yes. Promptly responded to 20 mg of prednisone within 6 hours. ESR, CRP, all rheumatic disease blood markers and lab tests were and have remained normal/negative. Took 18 months to taper off prednisone due to relapse at the 5 to 7 mg level. Unfortunately developed giant cell arteritis one day after finishing prednisone so am back on prednisone. This has been an unpleasant experience, but fortunately I am functional, can walk, swim, exercise, lift weights, read, drive, bike ride, and have not suffered vision loss. For that, I remain thankful. Good luck to you on this journey.

At this point in my knowledge of this illness I have a few thoughts that may be helpful. Firstly, PMR does not cause permanent joint or muscle damage, but giant cell arteritis (also called temporal arteritis) can cause permanent vision loss if not treated urgently with high dose steroids (usually prednisone 40 to 60 mg once a day, and rarely hospitalization for IV corticosteroids). So be on the lookout for the onset of one sided headaches, jaw pain, pain with chewing, eye pain, and rarely tooth pain (tooth pain is rare, I only know this because I had this).

Secondly, there is a lot of evidence linking various types of stress (work, emotional, psychological, life, family, financial, relationships, etc.) to the onset of various autoimmune disorders. Stress is something that each of us may be able to have some control over, unlike other factors like politics, the economy, genetic inheritance, sunspots, moon phases, teenagers in the family, etc., (you get the picture). I recently read “The Myth of Normal” by Gabor Mate, MD, and found it helpful in improving some issues. (But it didn’t prevent me from developing GCA, so go figure.)

Lastly, I tried various diets and supplements with no noticeable improvement, so I basically stick to a Mediterranean diet. (I do try to minimize my sugar consumption, but unfortunately the neighborhood Girl Scouts know that I am a regular customer, and cookie season is in full swing. I rationalize this as doing my part to support the local economy 😂.)

Thanks for listening, I’m feeling better already.