methotrexate how long for effect?

[Guest guest]

Hi I am 39, dx with RA 5 years ago. I did ok with nsaids and plaquenil

for a while but had a very bad flare up this past december. My rheumy

put me on oral methotrexate (now 15 mg) folic acid, prednisone and

continued the plaquenil. I also continued relefan as needed, which is

almost all the time. Initially I felt better after a few weeks but now

my hands and knees are as bad as ever. I started to wean the prednisone

last month.(now on 5 mg) I guess it was just the steroid that made me

feel better. I have no side effects with the methotrexate but I don't

think it is working and I want to get off the prednisone. I see my

rhuemy thursday. Any advise or questions I should ask. Is it worth

increasing mtx dose or should I ask about a different drug?

Thanks