Welcome @debbieo123, Unfortunately PMR is not one of those 1 and done conditions. Once you start prednisone and the pain goes away quickly, that is pretty much how most doctors and rheumatologists know that you have PMR. Then your journey begins and you have to listen to your body while you are working on a plan or schedule to taper off of prednisone. If you taper too fast, the pain will come back. My first time with PMR took 3-1/2 years to taper off. The second time took 1-1/2 years to taper off. Here are a few references that explain the treatment.

--- Treat-to-target recommendations in giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica: https://ard.bmj.com/content/early/2023/02/23/ard-2022-223429

--- 2015 Recommendations for the management of polymyalgia rheumatica: a European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology collaborative initiative:
https://ard.bmj.com/content/74/10/1799

You might find the following discussions helpful also:
--- PMR Dosages and Managing Symptoms: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pmr-dosages/
--- Acupuncture and PMR: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/acupuncture-and-pmr/

Have you tried making any lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, etc.) to help with the PMR symptoms?

Welcome, and glad you found the group while you’re going through this. @johnbishop provided some great resources if you’re interested in learning more about treating PMR.

Unfortunately, PMR requires long-term use of prednisone until your pain and fatigue is completely or almost complete resolved, before you’ll need to start what’s likely to be a long and slow taper to get off the prednisone.

My father was diagnosed with PMR in May 2022. His highest prednisone dose was 30 mg, and he’s currently down to 6.25 mg.

Doctors will sometimes prescribe what sounds like a prednisone pack or low-moderate dose of prednisone to confirm a diagnosis of PMR—if you have immediate relief and meet the other criteria it’s very likely you have it. But the pain comes right back if you speed through the taper like that or stop the medication.

May I ask, did you see your PCP or other specialist? If you haven’t yet and if it’s an option, you may want to establish with a rheumatologist. They would have the most experience with this condition, but depending on your area, the wait times can be long, so some PCPs can and do help manage the condition.

What kind of instructions did your doctor give you after you completed the prednisone RX, and have you had a chance to talk with them yet?

Sorry this happened to you too, Debbie. I agree, it's frightening and depressing. I live alone, so have no one to help me, which makes it even more stressful. I'm glad the prednisone worked so quickly for you. It's not really working that well for me, even after three days. It's taken the edge off the pain, but that's about it -- my arms and legs still hurt, which means I have to take Tylenol too. But then I am only on 15 mg of prednisone -- I may need a higher dose. I'll be calling my doc next week to ask him about this if I don't see some marked improvement soon. I'm very disheartened right now, as I was really expecting to be feeling some significant relief by now.

I'm considering acupuncture, but haven't tried it yet. I'm also thinking about physical therapy. I'm worried that I'm going to start losing muscle mass because I'm only getting a fraction of the exercise I used to before this all started.

Unfortunately, PMR can last years and there's no cure. It may go into remission, but you can also get flareups. I'm trying hard to modify my lifestyle -- improve my diet, drink more water, deal more effectively with stress, practice deep breathing, meditation, etc., and making sure I get some exercise every day, even if it's just a few short walks. I'm also trying to achieve a positive attitude, but it's hard.