I have asthma, bronchiectasis and arthritis, as well as a history of mycobacteria lung infection, so I am in the same quandary with steroids. I discussed it at length with my primary, my pulmonologist and my eye doc's very knowledgeable tech.
Here is where I am at (subject to change, of course.) I use a low-dose steroid inhaler twice a day because being able to breathe trumps all other considerations. I use a steroid neb during asthma exacerbations for the same reason. I use a 2-week non-tapering course of prednisone for inflammatory flares if I am not able to control the pain with NSAIDS within 7 days. So far, this has worked for me, with less risk of reinfection of my lungs or to my vision.

My husband has neuropathy in his feet, but cannot take steroids because he is diabetic. His doc has his pain pretty well-controlled with gabapentin - have you tried it?
Sue