You know what works for your body.
I want to acknowledge that the early stages of PMR really freaked me out, and it's hard to strategize for what we need when in pain. So if you can find a pushy friend to go with you to appointments, that would be a great idea.

1. If the doc isn't there, he doesn't know what you're taking when. I cut tabs in half, dosed when it made sense for my body.
That may feel a bit sneaky to some, but I framed it as honoring what I knew to be true about my body.
2. I found out my primary care had had PMR, too. If needed, she would have prescribed prednisone, too. More than one doc can help. Reach out to docs in your sphere.
3. Get what you need. I had a GREAT rheumatologist for the first year, then he left and now I have a jerk who tells me he's glad Kevzara is working, but he's not even sure it's PMR based on notes my original doc made (it's an ego thing, I had the "classic sx", he's just an ass.)
I asked him if the diagnosis mattered at this point. He said no not really.
I asked him if he would continue to prescribe my Kevzara (that does need to be a rheumatologist apparently). He said yes.
I said great, then we are done here.

It's your body, you're the one having the experience.
Please center yourself.
Use the system.
Use the system to get what you need.