My primary care provider (she is an internist) said "that sounds like PMR", right off the bat. She drew labs then (all normal) and began 20 mg. of prednisone. I was pain free within 48 hours. She said this quick response to steroids was almost diagnostic for PMR. Then while working through a taper and symptoms would come and go she and I thought a referral to a rheumatologist would be helpful. He drew many more labs, reviewed PMR and other autoimmune dx's but seconded My PCP's dx and treatment. He even said "you are the poster child for PMR" ..acute onset of symptoms, 70 year old white female. This was very reassuring to me (?poster child) and lessened my concerns that "something else" was going on. I am down to 3.75 mg of pred after 10 months, but still I have aches and stiffness especially with exercise. The challenge now is trying to find that balance and take the least amount of meds. This group chatting has been helpful as it has showed me the broad experiences with PMR that folks have.