Everyone has a different experience with prednisone too. My experience with prednisone wasn't all bad but it definitely was NOT all good either. I don't know how my doctors put up with me sometimes. My rheumatologist "encouraged me" to taper off prednisone to the extent that was all we talked about during some visits instead of PMR. My rheumatologist also insisted that PMR was still active after 10 years but I still needed to taper off prednisone. I respected my rheumatologist and we never argued about the need for me to be off prednisone. We worked toward a common goal and we eventually got there together.

One time I "accused" my rheumatologist of only prescribing prednisone to me because she thought it was what I wanted. Then I told her it was true that I wanted prednisone but it was also true that I wanted off prednisone. I wasn't sure if that was logical or not. Then I wanted her to get me off prednisone because I didn't know how. That was when I realized how little I knew.

When Actemra was tried and it actually worked for me ... a person said my doctor was breaking the rules by treating me with Actemra while insisting that prednisone was the "best option." Later I found out the same person was trying Actemra too.