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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Profile picture for mandrake70 @mandrake70

@wynnaa One of the mental health professionals I talk with mentioned that the conference they went to had the psychiatrists pretty much split 50-50 on whether Genesight was a good thing or not. This was the split a few years ago on IV ketamine too so I feel there are always going to be doctors that don't want to recommend something new until it is proven to work. In this case, it's a swab and $300 so definitely worth a shot in my mind considering we seem to just be rolling the dice with what meds will work. I hope you get some good results from the recommendations from Genesight and your new doctor!

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@mandrake70 I agree with you on that! I gave blood for the Genesight test done for me. I was expecting something different 🥴

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@wynnaa Gave blood? Huh, I just had a oral swab for mine. Wonder why the difference?

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Profile picture for mandrake70 @mandrake70

@wynnaa Gave blood? Huh, I just had a oral swab for mine. Wonder why the difference?

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@mandrake70 I wondered that same thing?

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Profile picture for mandrake70 @mandrake70

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.

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@mandrake70 I also found Genesight to be helpful. It basically confirmed my experiences to be honest.
I tried a lot of SSRI's and it showed I'm not a candidate for these.
Cymbalta didn't do much for me (it was prescribed for pain as well as mood)
I recently started Vyvance XR and it's way better for mood and my ADD.

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@cecilyl Glad to hear that it at least confirmed results. Honestly, to me that shows it does work for at least pointing the doctors in the right direction. Very glad to hear you are doing better!

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