Why don’t anxiety meds work for me?

@dorothy1914, I added your question to the Depression & Anxiety support group too. You might consider getting tested to see which medications work with your genetic make-up.

Pharmacogenomics is the study of how your genes can affect your body's response to, and interaction with, some medications. Pharmacogenomics testing is a type of genetic test, and it's a tool your healthcare provider may use to identify the right medication for you. You can learn more about it from Mayo Clinic here:
https://www.mayo.edu/research/centers-programs/center-individualized-medicine/patient-care/pharmacogenomics/patients
There are also a few discussions where members talk about genetic testing for mental health medications:
- Why Genetic Testing for Mental Health Meds is Important https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/why-genetic-testing-for-mental-health-meds-is-important/
- Experience with genetic testing to find the best anti-depressant https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/experience-with-genetic-testing-to-find-the-best-anti-depressant/

Has anyone suggested genetic testing called pharmacogentics to you?

No one has suggested it. Is there any place in Scottsdale to get the tests performed? Would you need a referral from a PCP to get the tests done.

You can contact Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale for find out more: 480-301-8000

- Patient Information: Pharmacogenomics — Finding the Right Medication for You (PDF) https://mcforms.mayo.edu/mc1200-mc1299/mc1205-70.pdf

@dorothy1914
Have you seen a psychiatrist to help you find medication that would work for you and to help manage your medications? Primary doctors have limited experience managing mental health medications.

Have you tried Zoloft/sertraline, Prozac/fluoxetine, or Wellbutrin/bupropion?

I have tried most of them already but the side effects were too much to deal with.

My primary care doctor did a gene test for antidepressants for my anxiety several years ago. The name of the test is GeneSight. I believe they have a website where you can find out more. Also, my primary care doctor and I live in a smallish town in southwest Michigan so I believe it should be readily available all over the country.

I am not sure you will benefit from my experience but anti anxiety meds- aka benzos and buspirone only masked my root issues. I had and still do have to address root causes. I only take escitalopram 10mg daily lamotrigine 75mg daily for seizure prevention lisinopril for hypertension and levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. I like meditation just quiet time reading books.

Thank you so much for your response. I currently am not on any medication. My last provider said she would no longer treat me if what she prescribed (Zoloft and Gabapentin) did not work for me. Well, they didn’t. I had weird brain/head sensations from one of them. I was also prescribed Buspar from another provider but I was allergic to it. I just retried Effexor 37.5 xr, but it just increased my anxiety. It has been a repeat cycle of going on a drug and a few days later, coming off of it due to intolerable side effects. I feel pretty hopeless. I have been reluctant to take Ativan which has been prescribed by my PCP for my anxiety as I know I will wind up taking too many, so I am suffering with no relief in sight. I have a very stressful situation at home as my husband has Parkinson’s Disease and instead of me taking care of him, he has to take care of me.

The hardest thing for people suffering from anxiety and depression is to find the right drugs that work for you.
Try Zoloft along with Wellbutrin as they are very complementary drugs. The fact that a psychiatrist would tell you to find another doctor tells me you didn’t have the right doctor.
Many years ago psychiatrists used to really get to know their patients and that helped them find the right combination for each patient.
Today they just keep trying different antidepressants and really never take enough time in finding out what you are facing.
Hopefully you can find the right doctor. They are out there but not easy to find.
Good luck to you.

Thank you for your response. Unfortunately, I was already prescribed Zoloft along with Gabapentin and had poor results.