I get on and off flares of Arthritis/Fib, knees, hands, back ( fusion), ulnar nerve). I know older people who were given low dose prednisone for years. Like another poster in this thread, doctors use to give older people about 5mg once a day for years ( 20) . If its low dose it does not do the same damage. There are some studies that it may help muscle waisting. I imagine if you are diabetic or have other problems it may be contraindicated. When it happens to me I cycle on and off low dose and taper down after a few weeks and it keeps the flares manageable. I can't take Codeines and wouldn't want to long term anyway. I use Kefir to reinforce my gut and that has helped as well. And a good quality Curcumin with pepper. And of course try to walk as much as you can even if its not a lot and stretches.