Okay...this is probably not good for many to hear. I AM NOT encouraging alcohol, but...I am 14 months in. Down to 2mg. I never gave up white wine. I'm anxious, probably should be on an anti-depressant but instead I average a glass of white wine a day. It definitely calms me. Maybe I average a little under a glass, since I started prednisone. I track my activity, wine, diet, and pain. The wine has not affected my pain at all.
To be honest, neither has the diet. I have had a few days when I said the heck with everything and ate anything. It did nothing.
The only thing that has affected me is the lowering of prednisone. It caused a little extra pain that lesssened after a few weeks. I always have some pain but I run/walk/lift daily.
Now that I'm so low, I'm fighting dull but annoying headaches. Not GCA so far. Numbers still down.
Good luck.
I gave up much for PMR. But there is no deal on 3 things: a glass of white wine, coffee, and running. Period. I hope I don't have to eventually give up those.