I have been on so many antidepressants over the past 35 years

Hi @daisydextermom. Welcome to Connect! I'm so glad you are here and that you brought up this topic as it's something that is near and dear to me. My husband recently completed TMS treatments with amazing results. He's like a more jovial version of himself. It definitely worked more and more as he continued. It started off small, like things not getting to him. He said he started to notice smells more. But from beginning to end, I've noticed a HUGE difference and they say it continues to work even after treatments. The one thing we are dealing with now is that when he does have a depressed day, he starts to wonder if it's reversing. I remind him that even non-depressed people have bad days and you have to look at the whole mood not the parts, which helps him.

I hope it works just as well for you! Have you noticed any other changes? Have you asked your loved ones if they have? They said the loved ones are the first to notice.

I'm also tagging @katycoyote and @east1952 who posted about TMS awhile back in hopes they may jump back in to share their experience.

I too have racing thoughts. Finding the correct medication to help is sometimes painful.

Your doctor can do the cheek swab. My doc's P.A. actually did it and sent it in.

I will just add, as has already been suggested here, that, for me, Cognitive Based Therapy (CBT), Mindfullness activities, and meditation have all been helpful. This holds true especially when I experience negative or racing thoughts. With *practice* these methods, along with medication, have aided me in catching myself when my mind is taking me over.

I just read an article about DNA (cheek swab) testing to help determine the meds that should be tried first! Mayo Clinic was involved with this and it is often covered by insurance. I gave the article to my daughter so I don't have details but can get them if necessary. One of the labs is near Chicago.

PGx ( the cheek swab) focuses on medication and how you process them. There are four metabolic types associated with CYP450 gene variants:

Extensive Metabolizers (EM)
Poor Metabolizers (PM)
Intermediate Metabolizers (IM)
Ultra-rapid Metabolizers (UM)

Advanced pharmacogenomic testing technology analyzes structural changes in a gene’s DNA sequence to assess the influence of a drug in a particular patient allowing physicians to understand if a patient could have a toxic reaction to a drug despite a low dosage, or if they will have any response at all, even at a high dosage.

As long as you are on two or more medications treating one or more diagnosis then Medicare and private insurances and in Most states Medicaid, will covered

Have you researched any of the companies that make them? Are they reputable or foreign? Have you sought information on adverse affects, interactions with other medicines taken or conditions you may have and have you looked into the age group that this has been used mostly on or for? Those are things I would definitely look at before I sought to go any further.

irvkay312

@irvkay312 very good questions!! I am so happy you asked!!

I have research & weeded through 23 different laboratory companies that offer this testing. Some very new to the testing, alot of scams. Obviously Mayo Clinic is my first choice and who did my test. But for my company, it's not possible to use them. However the company we use, also uses Mayo clinic. No hidden fees and they accept assignment from insurance. This means no out of pocket from patients.

Alot of companies will say you do not need md order because their in house dr will order. That is a SCAM!! Or they will run a bigger test panel and will give you a few results and tell you you can get the rest of the result if you pay cash for them. Also a SCAM.

This is why a lot of doctors are hesitant to order the tests. I promise you it will become standard preventative care in the very very near future. Prior to any new medications. The reason everyone is talking about is because President Obama how much is 3 million dollars in genetic research in one year's time the tests have gone from approx $2,000 a test to approx $800. Reports went from 40-50 pages to now about 12 pages. You know longer have to be a scientists are biologists understand the results.

Can you tell I love this topic. I am very passionate about this because it has helped so many patients. Thanks for listening. Lol 🙂

Does Mayo farm out this particular testing method to other health professionals? How do I go about getting this testing without going to Mayo in Rochester? Thanks for your help! JaneL

Hi Jane,
You can read more about drug-gene testing at Mayo Clinic here http://mayoresearch.mayo.edu/center-for-individualized-medicine/drug-gene-testing.asp

The cost of pharmacogenomics testing varies depending on which test is ordered and your health insurance coverage. To help you determine test costs and coverage Mayo Clinic’s Patient Account Services may be able to provide an estimate by phone http://mayocl.in/2aqAgcZ