Use Iron Flesh at 20% HP for true max. Try using Dung Pile to inflict yourself with toxic, then when at < 20% HP use Remedy or Blooming Purple Blossom. Alternativly, you can just use Power Within and try to matain it at 20% HP or lower with estus, or even fall damage. There are better set pieces for strike defence than the Giants set, so use them instead if you wan't the max strike defence. Refer to the Wiki for info on the best armour for strike defence, Wikidot is more accurate than Fextralife imo.
