Hello @kristen9999, I can't imagine how difficult it has been for you to have these painful symptoms appear all of a sudden one morning then to find some relief a week later. Then to have the pain and swelling in the hands and other symptoms come back as the prednisone dosage was reduced. @lel2022 mentioned having swelling in the hands and sometimes pain in another discussion (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-experience-swollen-and-sometimes-painful-hands-with-mds/) and may have some thoughts. Has your doctor mentioned a possible diagnosis?