Marcia
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                        
                        
                        Stay on the Prednisone!  Eventually, you will be on a low maintenance dose which has no long term effects and yes, definitely, if you come off the prednisone too soon (I did and was sorry!)the pain will return with a vengeance. And, there can be other effects that you do not want!