Struggling with Chronic Pain: Why Steroids Work Better Than Pain Meds?

Why does this little 4 mg methylprednisolone works so much better than 10 mg hydrocodone or even 20 mg hydrocodone? I feel like a new person every time I get a pack. but I'm not allowed to stay on it because of the side effects, the main thing the neurologist says is it softens and depletes your bones. but my argument is I'm already naturally doing that I have degenerative disc disease, several different kinds of stenosis, osteoarthritis all over and many more things going on back there. how come I can't have some lasting relief. I get one maybe two weeks in a 4-month period that I can actually function correctly. I'm just curious why the pain meds don't work and how come the steroid is so phenomenal. also what is the length of time in between steroid packs that your doctors allow? I am scared to come off the pain meds because I know they do help to an extent, I know if I get off them I'll be way worse, but 10 mg is not cutting it anymore and I am only 42 so I'm going to need something when I get older that will do something. I just started Duloxetine I've only been on it 2 months maybe three not sure if that's helping yet, I know the effexor did but I had to stop going to that doctor because they wouldn't get my appointments in meds to me on time and I would go days without it sick as a dog, it took a good two weeks to withdraw from it and I don't want to do that again! recap if you didn't read my bio I have been diagnosed with stenosis fibromyalgia and on my way to a rheumatologist again to be tested for EDS. I have major joint pain everywhere spurs in every joint that they have MRIed and swelling and feet and knees and random hives. I'm extremely flexible even with all of my pain issues. I would just really love to pick somebody's brain that has the same issues I do I am new to this journey only been trying for 3 years again, when I was younger they dismissed me every time saying I was too young. well now I am suffering for it even more because I wasn't diagnosed. there is no surgeries coming to fix it they say too many levels of issues in my back. how do I go about mentally doing this the rest of my life with no pain relief? how do you do it?