Is Taking Steroids Safe While Suffering From UTI, Back And Neck Pain?

I filled a prescription today for a steroid pack. While the prescription was being filled I had a chance to discuss with nurse friends other possible causes of my severe knee pain. Its been keeping me from sleeping, but the doctor s x-rays didn t show anything physically wrong. Also, the doctor was baffled by the very minimal amount of swelling. He s quite sure there is no infection. Even though my knee hurts more than any other place, he suggested that we next look into my lower back pain as the originator of the leg pain. That seemed to be a better clue. I had been overlooking cloudy and bloody urine. Now it makes sense that I have had a UTI long enough to cause kidney trouble, which has caused lower back pain, and my knee that was injured a few months ago is not able to drain well. So, tonight I will go to another doctor and probably get antibiotics. My question is about whether or not to take the steroids. They have so many unpleasant side effects that I am concerned. On the other hand, I ve been in severe pain and unable to sleep for several days. I had a shot for the pain in the emergency room last night, but that did not seem to help one bit. I also was prescribed Tramadol and that is helping minimally. I want to get out of this pain quickly, if possible. What would you suggest about taking the first large dose of steroids? I am aware that it will probably keep me up tonight.