@elizabethannr all... Suggestion: Ask your doctor next visit why he thinks you may have rheumatoid arthritis. Hopefully, you had a good discussion about his suspicions and you asked all your questions? If not, you must begin doing that at your visits. You need information to make decisions about your health care, and you are your advocate. He's supposed to be knowledgeable and with you asking legitimate questions, you'll work together to resolve your health issues.

Rheumatoid Arthritis in an autoimmune disease. PMR is an autoimmune disease. Frequently, if you have one you can expect another autoimmune illness... I have osteoarthritis, has another name now and is quite degenerative. No rheumatoid although the doctors thought a long time I did... blood-work didn't support that diagnosis, but arthritis is severe. I also have Sarcoid, Vasculitis, GCA and probably others not yet diagnosed!!!!!

Yes, absolutely, reducing Prednisone can let other pain producers show their faces... Prednisone is an excellent pain reducer as it reduces inflammation, swelling which both increase pain. So, if you have joint issues anywhere with pain and inflammation... hips - PMR, back, shoulders - PMR, fingers, wrists, feet, knees, etc... You may expect those areas to begin yelling at you with Prednisone tapering. Doc should explain that to you...

I am tapering from 20mg Prednisone since last May. A full year. I've written about that year in this site so won't go in depth, but am having trouble tapering. If I get below 14mg, the increased pain is severe, muscle spasms and paralysis returns with a vengance, my legs won't work and feet won't pick up, so I'm in a real pickle. It can even hit me in the morning on waking with full body paralysis, so I take a Robaxin 750 mg 4X daily, and often one in the middle off the night if I'm having increased stiffness and muscle freezing. I can then wake up with less issues...

So, I am stopped at 14 mg Prednisone. Not ideal, but workable. I still experience increased pain all over, especially my shoulders, wrists and hands. I take Robaxin which I find is most helpful releasing muscles that increase joint pain. Xanax small dose daily for anxiety. It is helpful. Sleep with a Bi-pap and O2 every night, now use the Bi-pap most days as well. Helps keep O2 above 90... Feel much better with O2.

Also take a host of other meds for heart, gut, reflux, etc. I found taking Probulin Colon Support Probiotic daily is helping me in many ways, keeping my intestines working sort of like they should. It's a dream come true. I take extra capsules when on antibiotic, which is frequently with recurring severe UTI and lung infections, sepsis, etc. Probulin keeps away or helps control quite well diarrhea from antibiotics.

So, all to say, chat with your doc. If he has suspicions or rheumatoid arthritis, is suspect he is ordering a series of blood tests for autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid factor, etc. I'd get that done soon to get answers and begin treatment.

Hopefully, some of this info helps with your situation.Blessings on your health journey...Elizabeth