Why Genetic Testing for Mental Health Meds is Important

Posted by ainsleigh @ainsleigh, Feb 11, 2019

Recently we learned that my 19 year old Grandson (who has been diagnosed with depression, panic attacks and anxiety) has not been
on the right medication. In fact the one he has been on was in the red (wrong) zone as opposed to green or yellow. Needless-to-say he is tapering off it in preparation to be put on one in the green zone! We did learn this through the Genetic Testing. If you are able to access this testing I would really recommend it!
Best wishes
Ainsleigh

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mglayton72 | @mglayton72 | Aug 23 9:43pm

My GeneSight results are in, but I have to wait to find out and discuss the results with the Psych NP. My appt is the 28th. I feel so impatient right now.

cecilyl | @cecilyl | Aug 24 2:22pm

I took the GeneSight testing and it was pretty accurate! It basically confirmed my experiences with different medications.

shmbrd | @shmbrd | 6 days ago

I did the DNA testing. It wasn't actually so helpful for me.

cecilyl | @cecilyl | 5 days ago

In reply to @shmbrd "I did the DNA testing. It wasn't actually so helpful for me." + (show)

@shmbrd
That's too bad.
Did you consider taking it again?

It was good for me but just confirmed what I'd experienced with meds.
Nothing is a perfect science though.

Maybe something like 23 and Me would tell more?
Never did that myself but I think there's one that's geared to finding out medical things that might be in your family.

shmbrd | @shmbrd | 5 days ago

thanks for the suggestion. maybe I'll look into doing the test again--it was a few years ago. wishing you well.

mglayton72 | @mglayton72 | 3 days ago

Went over GeneSight test results today.

The good news is, there are very few meds in the red zone. Just a few, due to me being a smoker.

A Psych NP went over everything and answered all my questions. However, she is not my current prescriber.

I have an appointment in 3 days with my current Psych NP. Depending on his demeanor and possible push back regarding the test results, I may transfer care to the Psych NP I met with today.

I would like to add an antipsychotic as an adjunct to my Zoloft (sertraline). I was on Abilify previously, but I weaned off due to a lack of response.

There are many possibilities to choose from, so I have some hope.

depressedbutnotdead | @depressedbutnotdead | 2 days ago

I hadn’t known about this and thanks. Effexor took me for a wild and pretty scary ride. I had given thought to genetics but didn’t realize it could be tested for it with psych meds. I’m on Lamictal now and apart from a couple of short lived blips have been better than I’ve ever known in life for over 2&1/2 years, so I’m pretty confident about this one. But it would be interesting to know if I was predisposed towards going so wrong on Effexor. I need to give testing a try just out of curiosity. I appreciate you posting this.

mandrake70 | @mandrake70 | 19 hours ago

I did the Genesight test over a month ago and found out most of the meds I tried over the years were in the red. Only Prozac, which sorta worked, was in the yellow. I am now on Vyvanse and Cymbalta that are in the green and they are working really well. It may not be a perfect solution but it is well worth trying if it gives a direction for which medications might work better. After my results, I am a believer in Genesight.