I resisted steroids until I had COVID and my inflammatory numbers were as high as many doctors had ever seen. One even said he had no clue they could be that high. I started at 5mg, then went up to 7.5 and up again to 10 - leveled out there for a few weeks then tapered down. There is not even a single protocol for treating people with PMR. I have seen that if you need over 20mg /day then it is worth considering it's not PMR or at least PMR + something else. My first rheumy wanted to start me at 40mg and when I said no-way she backed down to 20. I didn't even do that because she stepped back from practicing the same week - Covid had just hit and her husband is a hospitalist.

I eat organic and I would suggest that as a first step, that cuts out processed foods and non-gmo by definition. My understanding is the Whal Protocol is much like a Paleo diet - so you might start there. Paleo cuts out dairy, refined sugar, legumes and grains. My advise would be to go at a pace that works for you. If it is a lifetime change - there really isn't a big hurry.