As we all know, one person's experience is just that. So the following is just for me. But I am coming to believe that 10% to 20% of us have considerable PMR pain while simultaneously testing in-normal-range for Sed Rate and CRP. I suspect that someone has the data to verify or debunk this simple statement, and that the road-warrior rheumo-docs know it's true - but are frustrated because it does not always register clinically. They probably struggle with knowing that Prednisone (especially higher doses) is bad news in the long-term.

My history goes like this: Between 7/7/20 and 11/24/22, I had Sed Rate tests drawn frequently and the chronological readings were: 58, 24, 6, 14,9, 8, 2, 11, 5, 10, 9, 2, 10 (the range is 0-30)
Pain started in June/July 2020, was verified by high Sed Rate along with pain in hip and shoulder girdles. Began Prednisone taper in August, 2020 and felt better immediately (thus pretty much absolute PMR diagnosis). In July/Aug of 2022, hip and shoulder pain reemerged - and today I finished a 6 day Pred taper from 24mg to 4mg. We shall see what tomorrow brings.

During above two-year period, CRP's were around 10 at beginning, and never above 5 for the following months. I also had no headaches or scalp sensitivity.

Hope this is not too much information and, more importantly, that it is helpful. Jim