Down to 1mg prednisone and then extreme fatigue sets in.

Sounds like a good plan. Best to move back to your last effective dose of 6mg (split dose) to hopefully avoid pain/inflammation settling in and inviting a flare which could require a bigger increase.

I know no one is excited to add more meds but I started Cymbalta and the difference is astounding. The fatigue is gone. I almost feel like my old self again. Any pain is very minimal. I just dropped from 2 mg Prednisone to 1 mg and I still feel good. I had an adjustment period with the Cymbalta but those side effects have resolved (sleepy, low blood pressure). Cymbalta is an anti-depressant but my primary care said it's been very successful with chronic pain. Works for me!

I also had pain in knees and thumbs and was told it wasn't the PMR causing it but it was bilateral (just like shoulders and hips) and went away when my PMR was treated with prednisone.

I am having almost the exact same reaction. A month ago, I had a physical with my PCP and I was in no pain. She said it was time to get off prednisone and I agreed. Discomfort started at 3mg but I kept tapering and took Tylenol which helped a lot. I have been prednisone free for 4 days and am very stiff in the backs of my knees and shoulders. I am very reluctant to start prednisone. I’m worried that trying to tough it out will harm my body in the long run.

I haven't read through all of the comments, so please forgive me if I'm repeating any questions or replies. I was diagnosed in the beginning of 2024 and started at 20mg. I also was unable to walk upright, and in extreme pain. The prednisone was an instant (temporary) cure. Since then I have tried a number of meds to try to get off of the prednisone. Methotrexate first. That was bad news for me. My platelets tanked and my white blood cells went up. I had three months of that and had to get off of it. I then went on leflunomide. That also was bad news. It made me lose control of my bowels. Then my Dr. prescribed Actemra Actpen. My employer provided insurance "Gold Plan" would not cover it.
I started LDN in the beginning of June. 1,5mg to start and titrated up to 4.5mg. I have no more Chondro Calcinosis, and my bloodwork no longer show PMR. I am beginning to taper from 2.5mg of prednisone to 2mg tomorrow. My only concern is that I need to watch my BP from going too low.

Im in the same boat. One week clear of prednisone and plenty of stiffness. I am dealing with it by stretching exercise and napping. Vitamin B12. Cheers.

These medication‘s for PMR are very very difficult to figure out what the best thing for you is as each of us reacts so differently to each medication. For me nothing worked for my PMR. When I was on prednisone and tapered to 2 mg it worked great for me but my rheumatologist said no no no no you have to go to one milligram. When I was on 1 mg I had a lot of aches and pains. With PMR there’s so many choices you have to make . for me it was not easy at all. At times I feel like hit or miss but it rheumatologist. It’s very difficult for the rheumatologist also each of us react so differently to each medication. My very best wishes to you going forward!!!

Can anyone suggest if taking magnesium supplements while taking prednisone is beneficial? If so, how many mg would you recommend for women?

Meg, you are a fount of wisdom. I like that split dose approach. I am going to try it.
(An aside: if you are a rose aficionado, what’s the name of the rose in your emblem? No answer needed if not known.)

I've been taking magnesium supplements for several years, including the past year when I have also been taking prednisone. I think magnesium has several beneficial effects, including improving sleep, reducing anxiety, and helping with regularity. I take 250 mg per day of magnesium citrate. Google says a man should get 400 to 420 mg per day, and a woman 310 to 320. I eat a pretty good diet, so I probably get the rest of what I need from food. I try to take the magnesium at a time when I'm not taking any other medications or supplements, at least any that would interfere with magnesium absorption, and vice versa. I take magnesium at dinner along with a small aspirin which the rheumatologist recommended for my GCA. I take a calcium/D3/K2 supplement at lunch, prednisone with breakfast, and thyroid meds 30 minutes before breakfast.