Dear Pred Club Zero (PCZ)
First, thank you for accepting my rather hasty application for Temporary / Probationary Membership of PCZ. Well, to be more accurate, thank you for allowing me to barge-in recklessly, having not satisfied any of the usual application criteria: i.e. to take several months or years to make a graceful exit from my membership of your sister organisation The Pred Club (TPC) and ensure a seamless transition from one to the other via the often tortuous process of reducing the Preds by miniscule amounts. Before you say it - yes, I am often like the proverbial bull in a china shop, but I do have previous form for these types of things. ;-)
That said, HERE I AM! - for better or worse. From my side, my 7-day PCZ Trial Membership has gone well, so far. Zero Preds, and zero increase in PMR symptoms - or at least no worse than at my previous 4 mgpd whilst a member of the esteemed TPC. Yes, low-level PMR symptoms prevail (a little morning pain and stiffness), but at a tolerable level for me at least. And.. all of this despite having had a relatively busy and active week doing typical MB ‘Action Man’ things like cleaning the Limo, doing DIY projects, wrestling with alligators, picking fights with Teddy and his mates, and tearing 50 metre-high oak trees out of the ground with my bare hands (Warning, do NOT try this if you have PMR and / or GCA - or even if not. It's not sensible or clever).
But I digress. My main reason for writing to you is to confirm my intention to become a Permanent Member of PCZ if all goes well. However, I would like to make a Special Request around this, as follows:
To be honest, although a reluctant member of The Pred Club from the start, I actually became quite fond of the other unfortunate but hardy and spirited PMR and GCA afflicted souls whose company I have enjoyed for 3 long years. They are generally a Nice, Kind and Thoughtful Lot and helped me immensely on my often unpredictable PMR / Pred Journey with their knowledge, wisdom and good humour. They even laughed at my silly ramblings (a sure sign of Bonkers-ness), and more besides.
So, this is my Special Request: I wish to retain my membership of The Pred Club at the same time as (hopefully) establishing myself as a permanent member of Pred Club Zero. I know you will consider this to be unusual, and possibly representing a Conflict of Interests on all sides. But, as you might appreciate, we must get to know each other slowly and surely if our new relationship is to stand the Test of Time.
Also, I want to be careful NOT to be seen to 'walk away into the Zero Pred Sunset' by my trusty (if sometimes Bonkers) ‘old’ Pals in The Pred Club who have warned me in no uncertain terms (q): ‘Ha, MB, you might be back!’. I am not a person who reneges or turns their back on past relationships of Goodwill and Trust. More important, perhaps, That Pred Club Lot are very likely to tease me unmercifully if I do - and subsequently return with my tail between my legs and asking for Forgiveness.
Further to the above, The PMRGCA Aunties, especially, are known for their razor-sharp wit and a ‘We told You So’ response to those of Us Pred Lot who think we know better - and subsequently are proved not to. Such humiliation would be a step too far for my delicate and sensitive psyche to bear. Teddy will be smirking too, since he will have all the more reason to profiteer from my ignominious return to a 'vulnerable' state. Teddy is smart and knows how to exploit an Opportunity - I blame his obscure and murky origins, about which I know little. All I will say is, I know his real name is 'Tedski'.... his strange accent and those piercing ice-blue eyes say it all...
So, in conclusion: I do not want to be perceived as being either ‘One of Them’ or ‘One of Us’ by either The Pred Club (TPC) or Pred Club Zero (PCZ). I am not ‘One of Them’ (no smutty innuendos please), I reserve the right to Swing Both Ways (careful now, I know how some of your mischievous Minds work), and I intend to keep a Foot in both Camps (stop it…!) until or unless I am confident about my ultimate place in these things.
Finally, all I would ask is: how would you advise me in terms of how to get used to the idea that I can function as closely to what I vaguely remember as 'Normal' (whatever that means) in the sudden absence of my 3-year-long daily ritual of taking, and also walking the physiological and psychological tightrope of Pred tapering? This is one of the most confusing (if enjoyable) aspects of joining Pred Club Zero, and I would appreciate your advice accordingly.
In the meantime, and in whichever category I (or any of Us Lot on either side) fall, try to keep smiling on the Journey - it can only help 
Yours in appreciation
'Uncle' MB 
Double Agent for TPC and PCZ - but don't tell anyone or I will be (q.) 'Toast' according to Teddy 
