@marymckeith your adrenal glands should be working by now. I would have the testing done since your off prednisone. I would do that before I would just start up prednisone again. If your adrenals are working then why go back. Prednisone is a drug designed to treat inflammation. It can make many types of diseases feel better. But I would say the last drug you want to get stuck on. There are many drugs for pain or RA. Maybe a cortisone shot in the shoulder. My mother is 94. she just had a procedure for spinal stenosis. Crippling pain but she is back walking every day.