I agree. Demonizing prednisone is not helpful. Some of us have tried every option to get off and have not been successful so far. What amazes me about prednisone is that it continues to work over time. Methotrexate and Kevzara were helpful initially, then provided very little benefit. And their side effects were much worse than prednisone at a lower dose, which for me has no discernable side effects or lab abnormalities. Trying to tough out the pain on a very slow taper has not worked for me. Pain just ramps up and eventually my ESR goes up. I am in my 4th year of PMR, at 5.5 mg prednisone. I still plan to taper off eventually when pain allows. I keep at a normal weight, eat a healthy diet and exercise as tolerated.