@jfannarbor Thanks for the reply. So the next question would be - is the late afternoon cortisol, say 4pm, in range for time of day. If so, then you can reasonably assume that the taper should be successful if it is slow enough that your adrenal glands can adjust in time for the next reduction. With each taper the adrenal glands need to ramp up to "make up" for the steroid reduction. Patience is at play here.
I was able to taper off steroids but my inflammation would quickly return each time. After several years I finally went out-of-state to a leading teaching hospital for medical consulting. They routinely do 2nd opinion diagnostic work. They diagnosed asymptomatic GCA. I am being treated by my local Rheumy. We are now doing discovery to determine if I have aorta damage from the untreated GCA.
I wish you success on your journey. Please keep us updated.