Hi Fam, I was recently diagnosed (May 2023) and am/was a very healthy 76 year old. I too was reluctant to take medication (prednisone) but the pain was so unbearable and limiting I had no choice. I started at 30 mg with a slow taper. Fast forward and now I am at 8 mg. I have experienced no pain or flares and can almost forget I have PMR…haha. I see my rheumatologist once every 6 weeks and get blood work done for that visit. Her goal is to reduce prednisone to 0 mg. I am tapering 1 mg per month. We shall see. Because of the possible side effects of prednisone I am taking calcium, vit D, vit K, pepcid and fozamax. So far I haven’t noticed side effects. Am also following a modified Mediterranean Diet with little or no salt or sugar. Good Luck and have patience. Liz Ward