# Mtx a bust - what's the next step (your experience)

**URL:** <https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/mtx-a-bust-whats-the-next-step-your-experience/327>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [February 22, 2012, 2:48pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/mtx-a-bust-whats-the-next-step-your-experience/327 "2012-02-22T14:48:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Northernelf](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/northernelf/32/6152_2.png) [@Northernelf](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/Northernelf)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 2:48pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/mtx-a-bust-whats-the-next-step-your-experience/327/1 "2012-02-22T14:48:30Z")

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I have been on Mtx for 6 1/2 weeks and if anything I am worse. So I'm thinking it's not working. I am going back to my doc (GP) after the next two doses. Seriously, I live in northern BC and that's the best I can do right now. We are short of docs & even my GP is hard to get in to, in fact I will be seeing a locum.   
  
It's another month until my rheumy appointment at least (still waiting). I am directing my GP as best I can, researching myself and looking for that next step.   
Yeah, this sucks. I am trying to get through my days of work, fit in the rest I need, deal with the pain I am having, and all the while I am waiting to see a rheumy who can help - so yeah, I am directing my GP.   
  
So if MTX didn't work for you, what did you try next ? I realize one size does not fit all and what someone else does may not work for me, but I am looking for options. Thanks.   
  
FWIW, I am taking a low Mtx dose - 10 mg a week.

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**Author:** ![amueller](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/amueller/32/260_2.png) [@amueller](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/amueller)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 4:37pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/mtx-a-bust-whats-the-next-step-your-experience/327/2 "2012-02-22T16:37:27Z")

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well they say that it takes at least 3 months to see benefits from mtx....I was started at 15mg a week and then after 3 weeks I was bumped up to the max of 20mg a week and during the three months I was in severe pain and also felt like I was getting worse not better but after 3 months of the mtx my rhuemy started me on Humira injections and he gave me a cortisone shot that day and ever since getting the cortisone shot and starting the humira I have been feeling so much better....I hope you start feeling better soon and I hope that your doctors can find a medication that works for you very soon!

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**Author:** ![alaska\_miner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/51bf81/32.png) [@alaska\_miner](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/u/alaska_miner)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2012, 5:50pm UTC](https://discussion.livingwithpsoriaticarthritis.org/t/mtx-a-bust-whats-the-next-step-your-experience/327/3 "2012-02-22T17:50:41Z")

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Give it a little more time. It took 10 to 12 weeks for the MTX to start working for me, and early on, it also felt as if I was getting worse. I was taking 15mg. per week. Although MTX gave me some relief from the pain and stiffness, I decided to quit taking it as I did not like the side effects. My pain has returned, but I haven't decided on the next course of treatment.