My Dad had PMR, and 3 of his Siblings have it now, and are dealing with it.
My age has been a definite factor in my diagnosis. First Rheumatologist diagnosed me with PMR reluctantly. Second Rheumatologist diagnosed me with RA, Degenerative Disc Disease, and Osteoarthritis. Third Rheumatologist diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia.
Neither of them can agree. And, they all want me off Prednisone, which I understand, as I want to get off of it to. But, it is the only thing that gives me some relief.
Thank goodness for my PCP who has been a great help along this process. She listens to me, and helps me with my dosing. She is the one who referred me to Duke, to hopefully get some help.
It’s been a long, exhausting journey, with a lot of downs. I try to stay hopeful, but I miss my old self that could do anything.
And, there have been many frustrating days. And, you are right. People don’t understand, and Doctors don’t have much help to give.

Just to offer a somewhat positive spin on the age aspect of the disease, I am a 7 month now sufferer at 72 but my father also had PMR. He had it in his late 60's, recovered and in his late 70's/early 80's developed GCA. He was on prednisone for quite awhile but got off. He was very active, rode his bike outdoors 8-10 miles several days a week up to his early 90's. At 93 he and his much younger wife took a trip to Mexico to see the monarch butterflies and he rode a horse up to 10.000 feet elevation. He drove until age 100, passed a driver's test and only gave it up when he opened his insurance bill at 100! He died at home at 103 after a short illness. I have a good example to follow and hope I can do as well.