I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis about 6 months ago. I was started on Plaquenil and had to be on it a full 6 months to assess if it worked or not. Unfortunately it did nothing for me. So back to the rheumatologist I went and he prescribed methotrexate, 17.5 mg once a week. I am on my 6th week of taking it and have started to notice that not every joint aches like it used to when I wake up or am laying down. I do still have pain in my feet and hands, and my spine. The back issues I am not sure if they are related to the PSA, since I have an old injury there too. Anyway, I am really happy that it seems to be working. I was so scared to go on this drug and really had to talk about it a lot with my wife and primary care doc to decide to go ahead with it.
I am also taking naproxen twice a day and prevacid. I also have to take a pain medication, currently Avinza. I am hoping I will be able to lessen my need for pain meds now that the mtx seems to be working.

Is it normal to still have pain in some joints even with the mtx? Thanks for your advice

Hi,

I have had psoriatic arthritis for nearly 5 years, and was put on mtx when first diagnosed, yes you will still have pains in your joints as it is not a pain killer, it is to stop the disease getting worse. I have been on all the dmards over the years and now on steroids daily. My joints hurt all the time in one place or another. My feet and ankles and knees are the worst, elbows swollen and wrists and fingers quite bad. The dmards are to try to stop the disease getting worse, you will still need some painkillers of some kind.

If you want to know anything more about psoriatic arthritis and how I have been please ask.

Ronnie ;)

Hello. I too am on Mtx. I have something like Rhum. authritis. Mtx started working for me in about three weeks. I also take ibprofin everyday for the aches and pains. I guess that is common. I am also on prednisone 15 mgs a day. I was told that eventually i will only need the mtx. Its been four months now and i still need all the other meds too ????