During my first bout with PMR, I did not see any doctors who knew how to treat PMR and only received prednisone on a sporadic basis; a pack of medrol now and then when I complained. When the symptoms returned, it took me several months to finally see a rheumatologist who prescribed 15 mgs. which relieved my symptoms almost instantly. I began to decrease in two weeks after starting the prednisone and was able to taper off in three months, as the doctor prescribed. Both bouts lasted about the same amount of time: eight or nine months total, less than a year. I'm hoping it won't come back. The rheumatologist advised against strenuous exercise, and especially stair climbing, to avoid another relapse.