Carole
I too have lost muscle tone and gained weight after 2 1/2 years on Prednisone. I am now down to 4 mg and on 10 mg of Methotrexate. I will lower the Prednisone 1 mg each month until off of it. Feeling pretty good but not totally pain free. The doctor said it will take about 4-6 weeks for the Methotrexate to work and will feel much better in 3 months. The doctor mentioned my muscles had turned to mush from the Prednisone and of course it causes bones to become soft too. He said it was time to get off the Prednisone. Trying hard to regain muscle tone. This year I tore the meniscus in both knees and went to rehab to strengthen the quads. It worked so am encouraged that I can continue to strengthen the rest of my body. (by the way, I am 66 years young) I understand the weight won't come off until I am entirely off the Prednisone. Did you find that to be true? I am not a candidate for Enbrel because that is reserved for patients with severe arthritis. It is terribly expensive - $12,000 per year.