Shar
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                        
                        
                        Hi Ida,    It's great to hear from you!  I'm sorry you are having lung and kidney problems.  My goodness!  You have gone through a lot.  You certainly don't deserve it!      How do you feel when you taper the Prednisone?  Do you have increased joint pain and swelling?  That is what I have when I taper, and it doesn't seem to improve, so I end up having to return to my previous dose.  I am stuck at 10mg of Prednisone.    My rheumatologist retired, and his replacement delayed my July 10 appointment until July 24.  I haven't started Orencia, the new infusion drug yet, and I may not at all.  I have read that people on that drug have a relapse of symptoms before their next scheduled infusion, and that worries me.  As of now, I am on Enbrel, a shot I give myself at home, and it has given me no side effects at all.  Without it, I would probably have to be on 30mg of Prednisone daily.  It has helped me a lot.  Of course, I really would like to get off of Prednisone, but that may not be in the cards for me.  I just don't know.    Let me know how you are doing, Ida.  I look forward to your next post.    Be well.    Shar