The prednisone is often used while someone adjusts to a new drug and then is tapered down. The goal is always get off off steroids altogether or if no other drug works, then to figure out what the lowest possible dose is as there are a multitude of side effects. I have been on 8 mg of Medrol for the last 6 years as I cycle through different biologics trying to find one that controls all my symptoms so I take Omeprazole to avoid ulcers and Boniva to prevent osteoporosis. Steroids cause cataracts as well - once my vision was 20-100 and I was no longer legal to drive, I had no choice but to have cataract surgery for both eyes last year at 55. Weight gain and fluid retention is common with long-term use which affects blood pressure, and it can increase blood sugar by making the liver resistant to insulin too. Short-term to get started on a new drug or to control a flare is common, but if you can find a good DMARD or biologic that controls your symptoms, that's a better choice than long-term steroid use. While I haven't found the right one yet, taking Methotrexate and Cosentyx by infusion has me in a much better place than I was 6 years ago when I couldn't get out of bed. My doctor in addition to the drugs recommended an anti-inflammatory diet and asked me to find a way to deal with stress (she recommended yoga and Tai Chi but neither was really a good fit for me, so I started swimming).

As far as lowered resistance - I'm finding that I'm actually a lot less sick than I used to be. I think in part that's because I was diagnosed right before the pandemic so from 2020 onwards, I'm much more aware of being in crowds during cold and flu season, but when I have gotten a cold, I seem to be over it much faster and it doesn't progress into bronchitis like it always did. My doctor says that's in part because the inflammation is better controlled now than before. Wishing you the very best of luck 🙂