Thank you for your responses. I have been having the severe early morning pain for about 6 weeks now. It came on suddenly. The pain has always gotten more tolerable as the day goes on, from an 9 to a 3 or 4. I can function by about 1 or 2 pm, but the mornings are just impossible. I have read up on the GCA symptoms. So far, I have not experienced anything pointing to that, but I know it is something to be on the lookout for. Glad you are in remission from this wretched stuff, and thank you for the articles. I know diet has a huge impact on inflammation for me. I have been gluten free for about 22 years now. It really made a difference in my arthritis pain. I need to start weeding other things out now too I guess. I am hoping to retire in a little over a year and I really hope to be in the position to enjoy myself and be active. Hopefully I will get this under control by then!