I was on Pred for two years, dosage up and down several times. I kept trying to lower it but pain was too severe. Last year I ended up in the E.R. with bowel problems. I came out of it with a colostomy followed by several unexpected complications which led to more gastric/bowel surgery. Long/Short I was in hospital for 5 Months. Wounds would not heal and in that 5 months I saw many, many doctors. The one thing they all agreed on was that I must get OFF the Pred. at once. It had suppressed my immune system to the point where the wounds couldn't heal and were the cause of several different infections. I am home now and take zero Pred. Yes, I have a lot of pain but from what I learned the damage that it does to us makes it dangerous for seniors (I am 85) re the COVID problem and any other medical problems that might occur. I hope this first hand account will be of some help to you.