Took me a year working with an endocrinologist to get off methypred. We used hydrocortisone in lieu of until I could make the break. I miss the medrol every single day as I am not on anything but coated aspirin which doesn't touch the pain but I also have pain/fatigue from post polio syndrome. But I escaped diabetes but not osteoporosis from 12 years on pred/medrol but it did help the pain and ease of movement. Shame it is so destructive otherwise.

BTW, my dermatologist with R/A found articles about metformin being used for r/a and has gotten relief from that. I found the articles she mentioned which were mainly S. Korean doctors. I will ask my rheum. about this possiblity at next appt.