As you say, we’re all unique in the ways PMR afflicts us. I have been off Prednisolone now for a month - after a 16 month taper from 15mg daily. But my case is unusual. Estimating degrees of pain is a matter of subjective impression and subject to the vagaries of memory but in my experience Pred has had little or no effect in moderating pain levels. The only apparent effect of cessation is elimination of symptoms induced by the drug. No signs of RA. Pain levels (which are manageable with exercise and occasional analgesics) are much the same as they were at the beginning. (Bearable - not agonising) But I am better now at managing them. As I’ve remarked elsewhere, you start to wonder if it’s PMR you’ve got, if Pred doesn’t help - though all the other symptoms match.