Mental health meds for someone with heart problems

Hi @imperfectchild96, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am glad you found us and decided to join in conversation. I can understand your recent concerns with your medication and the warning labels that come with any and all medications. Our members are here to lend support and share their own experiences, but not to offer medical advise or a diagnosis.

I can tell you from personal experience with similar medication, that unless you have underlying heart issues or defects, severe heart problems and sudden death are rare in healthy young individuals. That being said, if you are feeling physically "off" lately, you should at least make a call to your general physician to schedule a check up and make sure everything is OK. If you suspect an elevated heart rate, drug stores often have the "do it yourself" blood pressure cuff by the pharmacy. It might be helpful to take your own blood pressure to let the physician know when you call.

I also added your discussion to the Mental Health Group and the Heart Rhythm Group to see if anyone has a similar story related to this medication.

Can you share with me what has got you feeling off physically? What symptoms are you currently experiencing?

@imperfectchild96... While we can't give you medical advice here, may I suggest you keep a simple log of times when you feel "physically off". Always call your doctor and discuss how medications affect you. Maybe you can have a different medication. Take care, call your doctor, or if your doctor has a patient portal, email him. It's important to let him know.

I’m sweating Profusely and just recently feel pressure and numbness in my hands and it hurt to open my jaw to yawn and my chest hurts off and on

@imperfectchild96.. Please call your doctor and tell him what you are feeling. He's the best person to give you advice on what to do. Do you live alone? Can anyone take you to the doctor if he wants to see you?

@imperfectchild96 I would definitely contact your doctor. You can't be sure that the symptoms you are experiencing are caused from the medication but, Focalin does release dopamine and increases your serotonin levels. They may need to adjust (taper) the amount you are taking if it is having an adverse effect on you now.

Do you have a primary physician that is following you and monitoring your medication? Have you recently started taking any other medications or changed a daily regiment?

I agree. Please seek medical advice now.

I live with my family but I don’t want to worry them

@imperfectchild96 Believe me your family would want you to seek medical help. so take our advice and see your Dr!

I agree with others to seek medical advice/attention by calling your doctor now. I was on a medication that worked for short period of time but then built up in my body which caused adverse side effects and needed to be tapered off. You know your body and heed your warning signs. Please take great care.

Family is there to be of help and they would want to know.