Ida
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                        
                        
                        Hi Shar-  Hope you are feeling better.  I initally became ill two years ago with a pleural effusion- fluid in the lungs. With a possible diagnosis of Lupus my doctor started me on 40 mg of prednisone.  When it was reduced, I developed a sedrate of 100 and that was when PMR was diagnosed.  I am now on 7 mg. I had been reducing the dosage monthly, but at 6 mg my symptoms returned- fever, pain and a high sedrate.   In general I am better, but there are times when the disease flairs and I feel I am at square one again.  I take Vitamin D, Calcium and Actonel to help my bones. So far, so good.  I also think PMR lasts longer than 2 to 4 years.