About 6 years ago I was diagnosed with PMR and was put on steroids. It took a long time for me to feel any benefit from the steroids. Fast forward to about two years ago when I saw a rheumatologist about another matter. She was very knowledgeable and after a half hour examination and discussion she told me I had NEVER had PMR and she got me off the steroids as soon as she could.
She asked what other illnesses I had had around the time of the incorrect diagnosis and I told her I had had (can’t remember the name of it) but it caused sickness, diarrhoea and feeling very ill for about 2 weeks. She said any virus like that can cause similar symptoms to PMR.
So if you are put on steroids for PMR and it takes weeks to take effect, it’s possible you don’t have it. She explained that steroids are about 10 times the strength of normal painkillers and they can mask other illnesses.