The problem with PMR is that, while it's generally very responsive to treatment, sometimes it's impossible to get the patient completely off prednisone -- even after prolonged therapy. Very low doses (e.g. 1-3 mg per day) may still be required to control symptoms. There's no harm, however, in trying to wean off the drug slowly, but the potential for relapse does exist. Alternatives for symptom control include nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) but, in the elderly, a low dose of prednisone is probably safer and usually more effective. LR