I agree with John that pred is the only way to start to recover. The anti-inflamatories (MSM and Tumeric) are good but I think you need the pred to "turn off" your cytokine produsction. The pred is cheap but I know the rheumies are not. I would ask him or her for a Low Dose Naltrexone script while you are at it. While you are choosing who to see, ask if they have much experience with PMR and also LDN. amazingly, some don't. You might want to read up on LDN first yourself. There is lots on it on the LDN Research Trust website and lots of other places. It is great for normalizing the immune system, and therefor, pain. Best wishes.