@keetaboy I was pain free when I started at 15 mgs., but some people require 25 mgs. to start. It's your call really. If I'm reasonably comfortable I try to stick with the dose. However, if you're not getting enough prednisone, the inflammation accumulates and you'll have a flare. So, I was pain free at 15, tolerable at 12.5 and in three years haven't spent much time under 10 mgs. Got to 7.5 briefly, had a flare, followed flare protocol and added 5 mgs to 12.5 and am now at 12. In my experience you have to follow your body. We all want off prednisone but you can't force that. I'm one of about 20% of people whose blood tests normal so that doesn't help with tapering. Slow and easy. And I haven't read much that would lead me to hydroxychlorquine (at least for PMR).