Why Genetic Testing for Mental Health Meds is Important

Have you had gene profiling done?

@wandasohia I'm on Lexapro and it really keeps me stable. I'm also on Lamictal 200 MG, which is used for seizures, but is also a mood elevator. I still cry over some things, but feel stable. Hope it works as Well for you and you may want to add Lamictal.

Thank you for the MTHFR link as I will definitely go to there. Thanks also for asking about if I've reached my doctor.

I FINALLY, reached my doctor yesterday. She put my side effects from the Lexapro down to my other meds. Actually spent more time addressing my MTHFR and what I need to be taking (more than any other doc has) than my actual request to change my meds. Then concluded that if I really wanted to changed my meds to let her know. The eye side effects (Glaucoma) are pretty serious: curving lines, eye pressure especially when laying down, and a lot of facial twitching. I was cleared by eye doc of any signs of Glaucoma within 6 months before starting Lexapro.
There's several other different side effects. I can definitely pin these side effects to when I started Lexapro. I've been self-weaning off Lexapro and am now down to 5 mg./day. I have never contacted her before about meds and Lexapro manufacturer states that if Glaucoma side effects become present to immediately contact your prescribing physician, which I now have. Nothing's changing yet. I'd rather be on no anxiety/depression meds than to continue with these side effects that can become permanent.

Thank you all for lending your ear/eyes/empathy/knowledge. Have a blessed day. Susan

Stephen, I had genetic testing done 5 years ago by a cardiologist for something else so it wasn't a full gene testing. That's how we found the MTHFR genetic mutation. He didn't even mention it to me. I always request a copy of my lab reports and go over them. That's how I found out and took it in took my PCP and discussed it with her. She explained it a little bit was clueless as what to do. A mixing pharmacologist that I just happened to strike up a conversation with has it, so he explained more and that I needed to take supplements. I started researching then.

@gldnrtrvrlvr Did you start supplements, what kind, did you notice any improvements?

What is green \ zone meds?
Why genetic testing?

@tens4u5125 I think the green zone refers to feeling well or no symptoms zone. Here's some more information which may explain it better.

Zone Tools for Patients: https://www.hsag.com/zone-tools/
What are the benefits of genetic testing?: https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/testing/benefits

Genetic testing like Genesight Testing,(Brand Name, the original. Uses a cheek swab to map parts of your genetic code. This information will tell which drugs you can metabolize well and which you can't. It covers Mood drugs, Psychotropic drugs and analgesic,or pain drugs. Apparently a lot of the hit or miss nature of drugs for depression and other similar concerns is related to the bodies ability to digest them and how fast this happens. If yo can't metabolize it, it can't help you. If you metabolize to quickly you may need doses more often. Metabolize too slowly and you may overdose as one dose piles up on the last dose.

The link is for Genesight for patients. It will tell you everything you need to know. You need a doctor who is registered with them. The Doc can register for free in a short phone call. Many Docs don't want to. Got that god complex working or they are just to busy. No problem. Put in your zip code and they give you list of registered Docs close by. They do the swab, they meet with you afterwards and explain your results. You eave with a thick report full of info to share with your doctor. It will tell you if your getting the right drugs or what might be better. No Guarantee the new drugs will work but at least they will be drugs your body can process and if you can't digest the drugs, they cannot work. Have that report made part of your median record but keep a copy for yourself. If my Doctor wouldn't look at it or act upon it I'd have gotten a new Doctor. Some Docs don't want a test telling them what to do. Some think they have solved the very difficult problem of predicting what will work for whom and they find this to be a threat. It's not, it's just a tool. Who doesn't know someone who bounced from drug to drug getting no help or worse, having bad side effects. e.g. Cymbalta made me suicidal and was never that way. If I had this test first I would never have taken Cymbalta. Not that it predicted that side effect from that drug but it did tell me that my body wouldn't metabolize it in a way that would have helped. The test confirmed I was taking the right drug for pain and steered me to the right drug for depression. I'd never had one that worked. It was so easy. No I don't work for these folks but I believe that what they have to offer is great and anyone taking any kind of psychotropic drug should have this teat.

MA pays for it. I believe Medicare does to. My insurance did. If I'd had to pay 3 times the price out of pocket, I'd still considerate a great buy.

I cannot stress this piece bit strongly enough. Based on some of the answers I've gotten from people who have used it you would do well to ave the test done by someone other than your doctor. Someone who will not be prescribing your meds for you. Someone with no skin in the game, no ego to worry about and no ax to grind. Some Doctors don't like having a patient know that the Doc was wrong which is nuts because the Docs have no way to predict what is going to work or not work for you. They made no error. Make sure your doctor knows that is how you see it. Again, if my Doc hadn't been accepting of the info, I'd have moved on.

BTW Mayo clinic has also developed a test like this. Remember, any doc or nurse practioner can administer the test and shoe you the results. This is a godsend for people like us.

love and blessings

Hello Everybody - this is a very interesting topic as I'm thinking about getting tested using the Apeiron Genetic Array with coaching by an Epigenetic coach. Is this similar to the genetic testing discussed here? Thanks. Karen

Hello….it sounds like this has been very beneficial for your grandson which makes things sound hopeful for some of the rest of us.

There’s 2 major genetic testing companies in the US …do you know and can you share who was chosen to do the testing? Also, did the testing company provide raw data and/or a detailed report?

I am currently researching what the Mayo Clinic does or does not do for mental health patients.

Thank you very much