# Getting things under control **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [November 17, 2011, 2:54pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/getting-things-under-control/183 "2011-11-17T14:54:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![natalieb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/natalieb/32/256_2.png) [@natalieb](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/natalieb)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2011, 2:54pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/getting-things-under-control/183/1 "2011-11-17T14:54:19Z")
So, I am set to take my first dose of MTX this weekend (yikes) and I was curious... for those of you who took it, how long did it take you to get the pain and inflammation under control? ---
**Author:** ![autumnmat](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/autumnmat/32/243_2.png) [@autumnmat](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/autumnmat)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2011, 3:37pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/getting-things-under-control/183/2 "2011-11-17T15:37:21Z")
I take my third dose this weekend and all I can say is it takes more than two weeks. I am hoping not much longer and it will be better ---
**Author:** ![natalieb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/natalieb/32/256_2.png) [@natalieb](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/natalieb)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2011, 4:31pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/getting-things-under-control/183/3 "2011-11-17T16:31:18Z")
10/week. ---
**Author:** ![natalieb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/natalieb/32/256_2.png) [@natalieb](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/natalieb)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2011, 4:42pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/getting-things-under-control/183/4 "2011-11-17T16:42:21Z")
yeah-- 4 pills. i didn't know you could divide them! i think i will try them at once the first time to see how it goes... if not too well, next time i will separate them. :) ---
**Author:** ![PsA999](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/psa999/32/244_2.png) [@PsA999](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/PsA999)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 5:56am UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/getting-things-under-control/183/5 "2011-11-18T05:56:03Z")
Hi Natalie - week 4 for me and no improvement yet. Side effects were a bit peculiar but manageable. Don’t worry yourself if you feel a bit odd at times, it has become easier each week. Am hoping for improvement of symptoms soon but may have 8 weeks more until improvement starts. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Andrea](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/andrea/32/170_2.png) [@Andrea](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Andrea)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 2:01pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/getting-things-under-control/183/6 "2011-11-18T14:01:14Z")
Hi Natalie, It took almost the full 3 months before I felt noticeable relief. It only took about 4 weeks to get over the side effects. I just recently was bumped up to 17.5 mg/week and that, combined with Enbrel, is helping. Hope you have good success with the MTX. You might want to start a log of how you feel each day and what your symptoms are. This will help both you and your doctor track how you are responding to your meds. Andrea ---
**Author:** ![natalieb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/natalieb/32/256_2.png) [@natalieb](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/natalieb)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 2:21pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/getting-things-under-control/183/7 "2011-11-18T14:21:53Z")
great idea andrea.. i know things start to run together with what I'm feeling. I hope that the dosage is enough for me. Dr said I need to get this under control before I can think about having kids. So I'm kind of in HURRY UP! mode. :-/ I don't want to play around for a year to figure out what works. I want it to just work. :) :) don't we all? ---
**Author:** ![Andrew](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/andrew/32/228_2.png) [@Andrew](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Andrew)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2011, 5:41pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/getting-things-under-control/183/8 "2011-11-18T17:41:13Z")
Natalie, The bioligics tend to work significantly faster and better. Your insurance company probably requries that you be on the MTX for a bit before they will pay for a biologic. My rheum's practice is to give MTX one month and then start a biologic. They've had good sucess obtaining approval that way. --Andrew ---
**Author:** ![Byrd\_Feeder](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/byrd_feeder/32/54_2.png) [@Byrd\_Feeder](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Byrd_Feeder)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2011, 4:06am UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/getting-things-under-control/183/9 "2011-11-23T04:06:42Z")
Hi Natalie, I've been on MTX (six tabs, 15 mgs) for about 4-1/2 months now. I saw my rheumy about two weeks ago, and she said I was at the point where I should know if the MTX is going to help. Apparently, three-four months should tell the story, according to her. I went into MTX kicking and screaming--was scared to death of it. But now that I'm on it, I'm glad I made the decision to try it. So far so good, a few side FX, but nothing horrible--some fatigue the day after I take it, and some GI issues. She says the GI problems can be addressed by changing to the injections. It does seem to be helping, although I can't say it's a miracle in my case. But the relief I am getting is enough to make me want to continue. Some folks get dramatic result with it. I hope it works great for you!