Why steroids, if they have side effects?
Because they work: symptoms usually improve dramatically within a couple of weeks. The side effects are real, and doctors keep the dose as low as they can and check for them.
The full answer, with the sources, is in the guide.
Sources
- Arthritis UK (formerly Versus Arthritis): Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)
- NHS: Polymyalgia rheumatica, treatment
- NHS: Polymyalgia rheumatica, overview
Reviewed 2026-11-09 · next review 2027-11-09