How do you know when you have achieved remission? How do you tell when you have had a relapse?

The usual answer is whether or not you need to take prednisone. I took prednisone for more than 12 years for "active" PMR. Sometimes my disease activity was more active than other times. When I tapered down to zero prednisone, I soon had to go back on prednisone within a few days.

I have now been off prednisone for nearly 3 years. I'm being treated with a biologic called Actemra for active PMR. However, I can't tell if PMR is active or not. Except for taking a medication to treat PMR --- how do you know if PMR is active or not.

I still have lots of aches and pains. I seem to have more arthritis than one would expect for normal "wear and tear" osteoarthritis.

I also have a low cortisol level. Adrenal insufficiency also can cause aches and pains.

It could also be some kind of myopathy because I have an elevated CK level. Maybe that is causing some pain.

My uric acid level is elevated too. My rheumatologist thinks I may have some gout but that hasn't been diagnosed.

Is there any sure way to know if PMR is the problem???

I'm just wondering what the criteria is.

It might be inflammatory arthritis too but my rheumatologist says PMR is my primary diagnosis and I just have a "history of" inflammatory arthritis.

I agree with you ...as long as my pain stays at this level, I don't want to go on prednisone again.