Hello @englerbarb, Welcome to Connect, an online community where patients and caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others. I believe it's possible to be diagnosed with PMR and have normal inflammatory markers. I had high inflammatory markers both times when my PMR was active. Fortunately it's in remission now. Here's an article you may find helpful – "Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory condition that causes a particular pattern of joint pain and stiffness, most commonly in older people. It is a rheumatic disorder closely associated, and often co-existing, with giant cell arteritis. Diagnosis is based on the patient’s clinical features, supported by laboratory investigations." — Polymyalgia rheumatica: Look before you leap: https://bpac.org.nz/BPJ/2013/June/polymyalgia-rheumatica.aspx

I think you are asking a really good question but it should be directed to your doctor or care team. I can tell you that I could barely walk when I was first diagnosed with PMR and it was with a lot of pain. After meeting with the rheumatologist in the morning and then picking up the prescription of prednisone and taking the 20 mg tablet prior to noon, I was walking fairly normal and without much pain by 2 pm when I had a follow-up appointment with the rheumatologist that same afternoon.

You mentioned you have an appointment in another week or so. You might want to plan your conversation with the doctor so that you can address your questions and concerns which are good ones. Here's a site with some tools to help you plan your conversation - https://patientrevolution.org/visit-tools

Do you mind letting us know how your appointment goes and if you are able to get all of your questions answered?