@jeff97

"I guess the biologics really are important for getting people off of prednisone faster."
-------------------
If a biologic works and allows people to get off prednisone then that needs to be encouraged. With the often held belief that Prednisone is the "only option" and the "slower the taper the better" then things aren't likely to change very soon.

I would take issue with the idea that people aren't taking enough prednisone if they have any pain at all. "No pain" is not the best goal to have. Withdrawing from any medication can be a painful experience. I was told to expect some pain.

There is an abundance of research that says joint pain, muscle aches, and fatigue are common and expected symptoms of prednisone withdrawal and not necessarily a sign of an insufficient prednisone dose. I can confirm when the body stops relying on external steroids and the adrenals start natural cortisol production again --- the withdrawal symptoms are aches, stiffness, and discomfort similar to PMR.

When symptoms aren't like the symptoms you had when PMR was originally diagnosed maybe it is better to think that something else might be happening. I used to read recommendations to increase prednisone for "niggles of pain." I wasn't sure what a niggle was because what I experienced didn't seem like a "niggle."

I think it is ironic that the word "niggle" comes from Scandinavia and the word originally meant to do something ineffectually. It reminds me of PMR and Prednisone tapering.