This is my second taper after 3 years. I’m feeling good now on 2 mg but we shall see. I go to Rheumatologist in 2 weeks again and hope I can go to 1 1/2. The taper has to be very slow. The dose I totally may have not been high enough for you to be pain free. Yes there are many side effects from the prednisone but the rush of not treating the PMR are worse. This condition is somewhat a mystery to doctors. My husband is an Ophthalmologist and has many patients he treats with the condition. The Prednisone does work if taken right and if tapering doesn’t work than there is Methotrexate to try. Good luck to you and maybe a third opinion.