prednisone and antibiotic use for copd, how often

Is it really necessary for both? I hate prednisone and the dosage is for a long time. Does anyone just take the antibiotic only? Prednisone keeps me from sleeping for one thing. Also, do you start them both or alone at first sign of a cold or wait till you get phylum and coughing. Seems like move start with sinus and then eventually turn into phylum.