mtx (methrotrexate) is the gold standard for inflammatory arthritis and is
probably the most studied and known about med we have in our arsenal.  It is
commonly combined with other meds such as sulfasalazine to provide the
needed oomph to make them work or to stop damage from the joints or to allow
the other meds to work without developing antibodies to them.  Most good
rheumatologists now start on the dmards of which mtx is the basic.  The old
way used to be to start people on the anti-inflammatories and not go into
the dmards until pain got bad.  By that time organ involvement and joint
damage had occured and it was too late to reverse.  Your doctor has
prescribed the prednisone as a stop gap just to help you over the hump until
the dmards have started working.  The mtx does defininitely work faster on
most people - plaquenil and sulfasalazine are usually milder meds.  You want
to get this before it gets uncomfortable - before you are feeling bad -
especially at 29 and especially due to the fact you have occasional
stiffness, uncomfortable etc.  Psoriatic arthritis in particular can be hard
to get control of.

It sounds like you have a good doctor - is he a rheumatologist - if not you
should have a rheumatologist taking care of helping your doctor and you (RD
in case you are wondering initials we describe here.

Any questions ask away.  We have a great supportive group and information to
help you through the many questions you probably have.  Welcome - although
we would rather you were not here with inflammatory arthritis.

Kelly