I agree with @seniormed that the prednisone side effects don't happen to everyone and are manageable. I have GCA and PMR, and I started on prednisone almost 8 months ago beginning at 60 mg a day. I stayed at that level for 6 weeks, and now I have tapered down to 8 mg. I've also been injecting Actemra weekly for 7 months. I've only gained 3 pounds in 8 months, and I've been able to continue exercising. I had some muscle problems as I tapered the prednisone, but those seemed to have resolved once I got down to 10 mg per day, I just had a bone scan, and my bone density is ok. I take calcium and vitamins D3 and K2 daily, I'm going to have to start taking a statin to control high cholesterol triggered by the pred and Actemra, so that is one side effect I have experienced.

The quality of my life is much much better now than it was before I started the prednisone and Actemra.