I have been taking prednisone for a little more than 14 months fo...

I have been taking prednisone for a little more than 14 months for neurosarcoidosis: first round - 60mg for two weeks, 40mg for two weeks, 20mg for two weeks. Then I experienced a severe relapse. my doctor increase the dosage back to 60mg for about 2 months, then to 40mg for 2 months, then to 20mg for about 3 months, then reduced by 1mg a week to 10mg, then maintianed for three months. I am now taking 30mg every other day. I have experienced the following side effects: weight gain (30 pounds in 3 months, a size 6 to a size 14), abdomen swelling, right much hair loss, ugly mood swings, mild depression, increase urgency and frequency of urination, headaches, back pain in kidney area, sleep loss (at beginning and now at last dosage change), night sweats (at beginning), severe moon face, slight hearing loss, fatigue, and easy brusing. The weight gain slowed down once I reach the 20mg mark. I have reduced the abdomen swelling and reduced some of the weight. I still have a slight moon face. I believe out of all the side effects, the most hard to deal with has been the hair loss and the weight gain. These two areas are pretty important to a woman. Eventhough, this medication has subsided the symptoms from the illness, they have also caused some harsh responses. My family (husband and 8 yr old son) have also had to deal with the side effects. I wondered there got to be a better drug, with less side effects. And as of right now, we don't know the long term effects on other organs of the body, what other illnesses this drug could lead to. Please email back any responses.