# And so it begins **URL:** \ **Category:** Blog\ **Created:** [January 26, 2014, 2:13am UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/and-so-it-begins/5465 "2014-01-26T02:13:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sunsetterdottie](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/sunsetterdottie/32/1611_2.png) [@Sunsetterdottie](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Sunsetterdottie)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2014, 2:13am UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/and-so-it-begins/5465/1 "2014-01-26T02:13:00Z")
I took my first dose of methotrexate today. I was hoping to delay the beginning of my treatment until mid-February because of a vacation we had previously planned, but I had my second Rheumy appointment yesterday and he was armed with new radiology reports and blood tests. He laid the message out loud and clear. The damage I already have is pretty severe so this is not the time to be postponing things. I need to get aggressive to stop the damage. And so it begins… ---
**Author:** ![lrcjvl](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/lrcjvl/32/82_2.png) [@lrcjvl](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/lrcjvl)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2014, 3:03am UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/and-so-it-begins/5465/2 "2014-01-26T03:03:46Z")
It took a while for the MTX to help me, but I wouldn’t like to be without it now. No side effects for me- I hope it goes well for you…Good Luck! ---
**Author:** ![michael\_in\_vermont](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/michael_in_vermont/32/640_2.png) [@michael\_in\_vermont](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/michael_in_vermont)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2014, 4:15am UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/and-so-it-begins/5465/3 "2014-01-26T04:15:19Z")
It took me a good 6 months to find the right dose and some relief. I do not have side effects to it at all. Now I am also on a biologic. My doctor started me on 500 mgs of Naproxen (Aleve) at the same time as the mtx and before the bio was started. It brought a lot of relief until the other medications kicked in and I am on it still. Good luck. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. A journey always begins with the first step. ---
**Author:** ![Sunsetterdottie](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/sunsetterdottie/32/1611_2.png) [@Sunsetterdottie](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Sunsetterdottie)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2014, 1:48pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/and-so-it-begins/5465/4 "2014-01-26T13:48:53Z")
Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![4real](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/4real/32/1708_2.png) [@4real](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/4real)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2014, 4:20am UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/and-so-it-begins/5465/5 "2014-01-27T04:20:43Z")
I've been on methotrexate tablets for about 10 years, working up to 15 mg week, which keeps fingers from cracking and bleeding. I also take 3 mg of folic acid (not every day) to keep mouth free from sores. I've added Humira and now Remicade. It's like WD-40 to me, and allows me more movement and less pain. If I need Celebrex I take it for flare-ups. These meds are not 100% effective but I've experienced little or no side effects. I take MTX with food and drink lots of water to get it into my system. I took me a couple of months or so to notice effects of MTX. I hope it goes well for you too. ---
**Author:** ![AuroraB](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/aurorab/32/1702_2.png) [@AuroraB](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/AuroraB)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2014, 6:26pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/and-so-it-begins/5465/6 "2014-01-29T18:26:24Z")
It took a while for MTX to work for me - and I was troubled by s number of side effects until my rheumatologist increased my folate to 5mg folate every day except MTX date - which made a big difference. I tend to take the MTX in the early evening so that I can sleep through most of the residual effects. I do hope that you get a good response and from what you say it sounds like you need to get the disease activity under control.