[Maia]

The fact that prednisone helped reduce you aches and pains is a sign that your pain is due to inflammation. There are NSAIDs out there that can also help to reduce inflammation but you really don't want to take them either for a number of years either if you can avoid it! It is therefore pretty important to find a rheumy for diagnosis and treatment if at all possible. Even if you have to travel a ways to go to a good one.