It doesn't sound like you're prepared to live with the pain and I don't suggest it. You don't mention hip girdle pain, only shoulders. You can get by with PMR and no Rx meds like my sister did, but she suffered in pain for well over a year and took massive amounts of ibuprofen, which was probably worse for her than the prednisone she tried to avoid. My pain started out manageable last October and only in my shoulders, but got progressively worse while I went from doctor to doctor looking for the cause, especially when the hip girdle pain started. I was diagnosed with PMR in March and didn't hesitate to start prednisone. I would have taken anything to relieve the pain. I had to taper down my prednisone, not by choice, but because of a subsequent SMM diagnosis. I'm now at 3mg prednisone and 3mg LDN, and I just took my third shot of kevzara last week. My pain is moderate, but kevzara can take up to 3 months for full effect so I'm being patient. Everything comes with potential for side effects, including kevzara, but you're too young to be living in pain. Not everyone feels the side effects though. Prednisone will provide nearly instant relief while you go through the options.