Hi. I am new to this group (and Mayo Connect). My question is when tapering and have a flare up, what is a reasonable dose and schedule to go up to to remove the pain. Some background. I was diagnosed with PMR 4 years ago. Tapered very quickly, and was off within 18 months. Symptoms started to creep back slowly and got worse over the next 24 months. During this time the treatment was concentrated on muscle issues- and physio. ESR never got up really high, just slightly higher over normal range so Dr didn't think it was a PMR relapse. Pain got so unbearable, Dr put me back on Prednisone (20 mg) and symptoms were totally alleviated within 2 days. so back to a PMR diagnosis (relapse). This last year (since Oct 2021) I have been on Prednisone, and had tapered to 7.5mg/day. In Aug I got COVID, then had a few insect bites - which did not heal quickly - they all got quite inflamed and lasted a very long time (4 weeks with blistering of skin etc). During this time, PMR symptoms got worse, such that 10 days ago, symptoms were so painful I felt it was a relapse. Dr recommended to go up to 10mg, but this has not reduced the pain levels. My question - Not sure why the relapse, but should I grin and bear it at 10 and hope the symptoms calm down, or should I inquire about going up to 20mg and start over. Any experience on how to deal with a flare up would be appreciated.