I hear you - I am an active 68 year old male - my PMR started this September in my hips and groin area then about a week later to my shoulders. I went to my doctor who prescribed Naproxen and Flexiril plus a blood test. My inflammation marker were up as expected but my hemoglobin was down ( we are still not sure why as a recent June blood test had it at excellent) well the naproxen and Flexiril helped - numbing the pain - sleep was almost impossible. I suffered through the term of that prescription and in my own research I went back to my Doctor to ask if it was PMR - he wasn’t convinced but put me on 10mg of Prednisone for 30 days - well 8 days in I called and told him it’s not working so he suggested I try 15 mg for a few days - there was a bit of improvement but still I could not put on a shirt or coat- I had to think about getting up from a sitting position. So he was without an answer - he ordered more blood tests - and put me at 50mg a day . Today is day one - I can finally put a coat on and raise my arms above my head. It took 4 hours to kick in. I read that every person reacts to prednisone differently- my dose is considered high - I don’t know if I will sleep tonight? But I hope so. Tomorrow will be another day - hopefully pain free for the first time since September.
But yes anyone reading this PMR effects people differently some more severe than others- my hope with my high dose that my bout with burn itself out within a year, though I know it can last six years. Cheer