some sort of inflammatory process going on in my body. It can strike in any and all joints (knees and hands most commonly and usually the most severe, but I've had flares in my spine and my toes and everywhere in between), results in swelling and pain
The problem is that yes, it sounds exactly like Sarcoid to me, but it also sounds like arthritis.

I presented with erythema nodosum (red infalmed nodules under the skin) on my shins and cronic pain in the joints (shins) initially, and my GP was, very luckily, very on the ball, and picked it as a trait of sarcoid, and so it was diagnosed quickly. But with out the lesions, it is a lot tricker.

The testing that I subsequently had (via a thoratic specialist) was extensive (my sarcoid was severe & dibilitating). This was back in '98, so things may have developed since then, but the intital tests were, from memory, blood tests (to check for elevated ACE) calcium levels, liver function and for immune antibodies.

I also undertook a 24 urine test to check for excess vitamin D. I can't remember the reasoning behind this, but often excessive vit D in the blood is a common sarcoid symptom.

I also had to undertake a whole range of breathing tests/lung function tests.

I FELT like I had joint degeneration, but I had none at all. Bizarre, to be in so much pain (internally & externally, around my shins, my colar bone and under my breast bone), to not be able to walk for days on end, but for the bones themselves to be totally healthy!?

You are right about the jury being out on prednisone/fertility. Its frustrating.

One thing to bear in mind is that if your issue is connected with an auto immune problem, pregnancy often "cures" the problem.

(When I eventually got pg with Olivia, I felt better than I had done in years. I recently had a scaroid specialist check up (with the whole rigmarole of testing) and my physician says it is totally abated (dormant) with a miniscule chance of return.............)