Sorry your going through this. MTX can take up to 12wks or longer to start working . I guess you can attest to that. You have more will power than I did. It took me about 8 wks to diagnose PMR . I thought life was over. Then wait another 12wks for MTX to kick in. The other problem is left untreated many can have symptoms of GCA. I agree though if you can handle it without steroids its probably better. I think for insurance purposes the Dr has to start with MTX. Then you can move to one of the biologics like Kevzara or Actemra that for some work better. But those can be expensive.