Hi Brett,
Looking at the totality of the case, this appears to be what the Chinese described as Wei Syndrome. The character for that is a picture of corn stalks wilting in the field. The image suggests a lack of moisture due to unrelenting Heat, causing atrophy and weakness. The prescription in those days was Si Miao San
SMS certainly fits the history of heat intolerance, ravenous appetite, rapid toneless pulses, and the purple red tongue (since Damp Heat is actually a form of Stasis Heat). SMS will also help mitigate any adverse effects of the pred that is in use.
Eventually, you may need to introduce a Yin tonic like Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan to rehydrate the Yin once the Heat has been cleared. I'd try SMS by itself first, thought, since the gulping suggests a Dampness or Phlegm accumulation in the Stomach itself that may need to be drained and dried first. Otherwise, a Yin/Blood tonic could aggravate it. A decent Yin tonic to try might be Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan, once you see a drop in the gulping.
If the gulping does not stop even as the rest of the case improves, I'd wonder about Stomach Yin deficiency and dryness. I'd look at Yi Guan Jian in that csae, since it hydrates Stomach Yin.
Hope this helps you out. If not, there are many other ideas: Wu Mei Wan, Xiao Chai Hu Tang, etc., so let us know how it goes.
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Good luck!
Steve