New to Autoimmune Diseases, concerned blurry vision

After continuing to not feel well after being exposed to COVID from 2 close contacts (one was husband) and testing negative at home, I went to urgent care with symptoms including dizziness, blurry vision, headache, all over joint pain, extreme fatigue. I tested negative for COVID and flu there. They also tested blood sugar since dizzy, which was normal. They diagnosed me with a viral infection and suggested I see a rheumatologist about the joint pain/stiffness and an ophthalmologist about the vision issues.

Prior to this, have history of plantar fasciitis/heel spurs, both feet, very recently extremely painful, especially when get out of bed in morning. Had cortisone shot in right heel. Also, have arthritis in right knee, gets to point where it’s so painful to stand from sitting position, had 3 rounds of cortisone shots (about 6 months apart), next step was gel shots. I would run events at work and become so debilitated (feet pain, knee pain, extremely fatigued and run-down during them and need 1 plus days to recover. I would just think this was “normal” for me due to aging and needing to lose weight. I share this because now in hindsight I wonder whether or not it’s all related to what’s going on now.

Ophthalmologist visit, vision was good, they saw no problems. They suggested seeing a neurologist for continued blurry vision.

Rheumatologist visit, bloodwork showed high inflammation in body, based on that and symptoms he sent me to vascular surgeon for biopsy of temporal arteries for possible temporal arteritis/GCA. Started me on 60mg of prednisone.

Biopsy specimen did not show Temporal Arteritis/GCA, which I learned may not rule out having it. Rheumatologist also mentioned PMR. Also other autoimmune diseases related to plantar fasciitis.

Vascular neurologist visit: sending me for MRI (routine brain/brain stem and orbits, waiting on insurance approval to have it. He also scheduled me for vision test with them. He also mentioned that the negative biopsy of temporal artery may not rule it out.

Rheumatologist has had me wean down from 60mg prednisone to 40mg, currently down to 20mg.

“Positives” of prednisone: no joint pain/stiffness, no pain from plantar fasciitis, no knee pain. I feel like a new person! I point out to my family, “look at me standing up and sitting down with no pain or problem.” I know it’s temporary and that prednisone has other bad side effects, but I’m taking this as a little win because it’s wonderful being free of all that pain.

Some other side effects have popped up, initially heartburn when on the 60mg prednisone. Extreme sweating bouts, even on the 20mg. Some breakthrough headaches and bloodshot eyes, mostly in morning, mostly right eye. Left heel pain came and went quickly on the 40mg prednisone. Have history of high blood pressure, have been on medication for it, that has been fluctuating since on prednisone. Blurry vision continues.

Not sure if related to prednisone or not, but started with scratchy throat last week, turned into congestion and loose cough, now just dry cough continues.

Sorry so long, wanted to give some detail to see if anyone relates to any symptoms and side effects, and if so, what their diagnosis journey has been like.

Also, very interested in finding out if other people have had blurry vision or other vision issues and how that’s been for them and whether or not it effects driving and working (it has for me). The blurry vision has been a major concern for me. Thank you!