Hi @bren2023 - So sorry you’re dealing with this and you’ve seen multiple doctors now who haven’t been supportive. Sadly, it happens too often, and we end up needing to be advocates for ourselves.

Just wanted to add along with the others who have said that it is possible to still have PMR without elevated inflammatory markers. It’s somewhat less common but definitely not unheard of. GCA, which occurs frequently with PMR often has “head” symptoms.

It’s great you’re feeling a better with the 15 mg prednisone, but it’s actually pretty common to start with a higher dose. I believe my dad started at 20 mg, and after an initial improvement his symptoms and inflammatory markers spiked and he was out on 30 mg. Higher doses are used for GCA or if it’s strongly suspected because it’s so much more dangerous (could lose your vision of higher risk of stroke).

Was one of your doctors a rheumatologist? If not, do you think you’d be able to consult with a rheumatologist? There are still dismissive and unsupportive rheumatologists out there but it may be less likely to find one, as they’re usually best positioned to diagnose PMR and/or fibromyalgia and/or lupus or distinguish it from other conditions that share similar symptoms.

I hope you feel better soon and find answers, despite all the challenges.