I improved on prednisone briefly. After two weeks my aldolase levels were back to normal but then after over a month they started to go back up. I am on what I consider to be a very low dose of 10 mg because my aldolase levels were not that high (11 was the highest recorded) but I suspect a higher level would have worked longer. I started methotrexate on Sunday. I have read that takes several weeks to work so I guess I will know maybe in a month. Since my rheum did not say anything about bloodwork to see if it is working, I will do what I did with my aldolase levels: ask my PCP to check them.

I am glad you finally have a diagnosis since I know how frustrating and scary it can be not to know what is wrong with you. Hope the prednisone works for you.

I started at 50mg prednisone and it didn't affect my weakness but it got rid of all the arthritic and ligament pains I had. I had not been able to play guitar for more than a year (wrist and thumb arthritic pain). It took about 3 months for the meds (pred, methotrexate & IVIG) to work. They are now gradually weaning me from prednisone (down to 9mg) and stoppped the IVIG, but some of the arthritic pains are also back, but I got my strength back (most of it).

Yup, I got better on prednisone. Congrats on your "official diagnosis". I have PM too (for like 25 years).
WHat you have to remember is that prednisone is decreasing the muscle/joint inflamation. It is preventing further inflammation/damage. It will NOT fix what is already damaged. You WILL be weak because your muscles are under assault. Some muscle fibers are dead now and they WILL NOT come back. BUT once your CK (don't go by aldolase levels, it's not specific enough to measure muscle damage..CK's are a way better measure) are normalized you can start building up the muscle fibers that are left. But it takes time. Sometimes a LONG time. Sometimes the prednisone does appear to stop working. It's just that your immune system is overwhelming it. That is usually when they add other meds (imuran, cyclophos, methotrexate, cellcept, etc) to help it fully supress your immune system.

Patience my friend. But yes, improvement does occur on prednione..and you generally have to take "enough"--which varies from person to person.

thank you for these informative replies - I feel a little better but my tongue is swollen and swalowing is difficult - I guess it is a symptom of prednisone

It is great to here that some people have improved some symptoms on Prednisone. i have had pain for a long time - 8 years. My CK has always been high over this time I guess this means some muscle fibres are dead. I don't really know what this means and am trying to learn by reading posts on this site. Thanks

Freelee--- a swollen tongue and difficult swallowing is NOT a side effect of prednisone. It is possible that you have an infection or something else wrong. Have you told you doctor? You should get that checked out.