Hello Karen - I didn't get bad thoughts, however I always seemed down in the dumps (depressed somewhat) on it.  Am now not on it now as I had very serious side effect.

If you ever get a cough while on it make sure you get an xray of lungs.  It can cause infections of respiritory tract and lungs.  Aspergillus fungus got into my lungs while on it, forming round eaten out holes.  Several cases of this in Australia.  

Methotrexate is a immuno supressant drug so I am not surprised you get bad thoughts and others 'the blues'.  The supressing action of my immune system gave me the 'blues'.  Do not have the 'blues' now am off it.

Someone said it is not a good thing for drugs to supress an immune system we need our immune systems to be working.  Although Metho does work well for many, just be wary of it (and any other meds for Rheumatoid) they all have side effects for some.  Arava is same sort of drug.

Unfortunately methotrexate has been known to indirectly cause bad thoughts.  This is a tricky medication.  I often talk about the side effects of this drug and it's vicious cycle.  Here's what happens; methotrexate can cause severe fatigue, severe fatigue can cause depression.  What I would suggest you do is to talk honestly with your rheumatologist and tell him that you are having bad thoughts.  He may want to decrease your dosage, take you off of it, or even put you on an antidepressant to counteract the fatigue and the bad thoughts.  You are not alone in this!  I too still experience this and I have taken methotrexate once a week for over three years ago.  Please talk to your doctor about this as soon as you can, or even just give his office a call.  Bad thoughts and fatigue are not a good combination and can take your mind to some very low places.  Good luck, and best wishes!

Hi Karen,

You can also find a page all about methotrexate and its side effects by clicking this blue link.

Holly is right, one possible side effect of methotrexate is changes in mood or mind. It may be due to fatigue or some other factor. As the others have mentioned, your best bet is to tell your doctor about how you're feeling and about your concerns. Work with your doctor to find the best treatment for your body and peace of mind!