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DiscussionDid medication help symptoms of Vascular Dementia?
Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: Sep 6 6:40pm | Replies (46)Comment receiving replies
@jimandkaren
Well I looked and looked. Anytime anyone asks for anything I've found that helps I try to respond. So I finally found the Genetic workup I had done on myself. It's great and gives drug interactions on drugs a person is currently taking. You send them the drugs you are taking and it gives a full work up of Expected response, or just informative about the drug or recommends actionable, different names the drug may be found under, Geno types, dreg side effects for the persons Genetic makeup, drugs that will work best, Clinical consequences, dosing for that persons Genetic makeup( it always seemed strange how the dose would be the same for everybody) And IT"S NOT! It tells how the drugs can actually have different interactions than the doctor or pharmacy may tell us because they don't have our Genetic makeup.
I did mine before ny wife's White Matter Disease appeared. So my daughter had one done on my wife that is more medically and genetically detailed. However, I have to search for the meanings of all the symbols and Gene numbers, names on mine and my daughter has to help me with my wife's. They are very technical, like "Will interact adversely with CYP1A2". I mean what the heck does that mean? Do I have CYP1A2? I have to go back and see if I have that gene. What gene is that? So I have to research all the clinical terms but it's worth it.
Mine is fine and very thorough. It's 22 small print pages long. It does give a one page gene reaction summary card you can cut otu and take with you and the doctors, sometimes, know what they mean and can adjust dosage or a different drug, etc. For example, my wife has Factor V blood disorder but needs Warafin. However, with her Genetic makeup she this report said she can have an "Intermediate Warafin Sensitivity". So instead of 20mg everyday that she was taking, it was adjusted to just 10mg on Tuesdays and Thursday. Did it make a difference? I don't know but we can't see what's happening in their body until the reaction manifests outside the body and then it may be too late!
We adjusted the Warafin like the doctor suggested after seeing the Genetic workup and haven't any problems. Beware! The doctors will be very intimidated by a patient who comes in with all the information that is way over their head most of the time and they will also start thinking MALPRACTICE if they do or don't consider what you show or tell them but you have the info at home and you will know what works and the warnings. I have never shown it to a doctor but just in general say, "We"( not I, there's safety in numbers) so "WE" had a genetic testing done on her and helped identify that tylenol works better than Ibuprophen so we want to see what the Genetics of this new drug/drug she's on say about her taking it. "We're not questioning you but the more information we can get the better her chances are this drug will help. We just want to cover every base" Or just get the script filled and check it when you get home against the Genetic Testing Report.
Now the real info you wanted : I got mine from highlineLABS (spelled just like that, upper and lowercase).5900 Northwoods Business Parkway, Suite K, Charlotte NC.,28269 http://highline1.com There is no phone number on the report but it lists the Lab Director as James Fuller, PHD, DABCC, QCA. It wasn't ordered by my PCP but a doctor he referred me to for possible medication interactions. I see on the back she gives reasons for test request. I don't know if that is required but I wouldn't think so. Mine cost $300.00 in 2018. My wife's was $500.00 in 2021 but was from a different Lab and much much more in detail. Mine does have recommendations but they are general kind of suggestions, like may want to consider or possible so in so. Over the years it has been well worth the money because your genes don't change, so the report is good for ever. (80% of it you will not use because it goes into every drug you can think of and how it would work with you even if you don't take it now. Let us know how it goes!
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Thank you so much for your very detailed response! This is very helpful and I will look into it.
Yes, I agree that doctors hate informed patients and caregivers. They just want to get the money for appointments/procedures, write scripts, and send you on your way. Those who used to say "your such a great advocate" are not as happy when I'm advocating for her and questioning them.
It took a lot of calls but I was able to get her an appointment with an electrophysiologist who seems to have good experience with her cardio issues. Sadly, the appointment is two months away. Hoping a waitlist opening becomes available. There are too few of these specialists and many are not taking new patients.