I hope you don't mind if I step in and list some of the dangers of taking prednisone. I've been taking it for the past 8 months to treat PMR and GCA. I have a few of these side effects. I'm just listing these off the top of my head. I'm sure there are lots more.

Prednisone can raise your blood sugar and can cause diabetes in some people
It can raise cholesterol
It can cause weight gain
It can cause the redistribution of fat with fat being deposited in the face (moon face), at the base of the neck, and in the belly
It can raise blood pressure
It can cause insomnia
It can cause mood changes, such as depression, anxiety, etc.
It can cause problems in your eyes, such as glaucoma and cataracts. It is important to monitor
the health of your eyes when you're taking prednisone.
It can cause hair loss
It causes your adrenal glands to stop producing cortisol, so when you stop taking prednisone, you have to do it gradually so that your adrenal glands can become active again.
It can cause problems with muscles and tendons and make them more prone to injury
It can cause lower bone density leading to osteoporosis and fractures

Most of these side effects can be counteracted with diet, exercise, and supplements. Also the side effects depend on your dose and how long you take prednisone.

G'day Jim,
I've been taking prednisolone for 21 months now, starting at 15mg in May 2023, and am now at 5.5mg. A flare last year at the 6.5mg/6mg reductions sent inflammation markers up and a return of PMR pain at 5-6/10 pain level. That required a rise in dose to control, and it set the tapering schedule back a bit. I believe the PMR was still active at that stage. Prednisone is not curative, it just holds the inflammation and pain at bay while the PMR runs its course, and that course is different for everyone.

The dangers of prednisone are different for each of us, and are best discussed with your new rheumatologist. I hope you get a good one who is experienced in PMR treatment. Ask questions and speak up for yourself. If a doctor didn't include me as a partner in treatment decisions and explain the risks and benefits of various treatment options, I'd run a mile. Good luck with the rheumatologist.

You may have read my post where I reported being in my fourth year of taking prednisone (3 1/2 years). Chances are very good that you will not be on it that long. I would advise you to stay in the present moment, not worry about the future, and deal with symptoms of the disease and prednisone side effects as they arise. I try to have a problem-solving attitude. I read all my lab reports which are available online. I have been on prednisone doses of 20 mg down to 4.5 mg. From 20 down to 7.5 I had these side effects: white blood cell numbers out of whack, heart arrhythmias, bruising and skin tears, weight gain, insomnia and a slight rise in cholesterol. My blood pressure was fine all along and my blood glucose actually went down 10 points which is good. Under 7.5 mg most of the negative side effects went away. At 5.5 mg I have lost 5 of the 12 pounds I gained but I was never overweight. I still have some insomnia but it is much improved. I feel all right and have a good life, though I have scaled back my activity level. This is a survivable disease. You may or may not have a lot of prednisone side effects but there are ways to deal with most of them.