Hi @lowell77, That's a great question and I think it really depends on the individual and what is considered acceptable pain/stiffness. You might want to check out another discussion here:
--- PMR Dosages and Managing Symptoms: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pmr-dosages/

I always kept a daily log with my level of pain when I woke up in the morning and my dosage scheduled for the day. If my pain was greater than a 2 on my 0 to 10 pain scale, I didn't taper to the next lower dose and if it was really bad I increase my dose by half of the previous taper down so I wouldn't be going back to the previous dose. I would stay at the dose for a week or so before trying to taper again.

Do you keep a daily log of symptoms and dose?