genetic testing..

Diagnosed bipolar 1 since age 13. Now 39..all meds I have tried have only side effects and don't seem to work. .so Dr ordered genetic testing..has anyone had good results from meds after having this done? And what are the meds supposed to help..I go thru deep depression..psychosis.. Then anger..then sadness..with occasional flip flops of extreme happiness and a feeling that I can do anything..only to crash back into deep depression..along with intrusive anxiety.. I really have a desire to see if there really is anyone out there who is going thru the same strong emotions and is disabled from this thing I was born with ..

Hi irritable4life

Thank you very much for sharing this with us.

This is a very interesting post.

I have not personally have my Dr screen me for genetic testing.

I would be very interested in the results for this one.

Best wishes moving forward.

I have "dysthymia". I think I might be Bi-polar and have BPD too. I rather be alone than around people.

Almost all meds I've taken I've had side effects. Old pdoc said she thought it was a metabolic thing but she didn't want to do testing.

I hope it's helpful for you!!

You might want to cross post this to the medication forum. I have seen numerous people post about having the testing done and how it effected there treatment.

Welcome to PC

Hi irritable4life

There is a general account of genetic testing in the context of mental illness here: NIMH · Looking at My Genes: What Can They Tell Me?

My understanding is that the only commercially-available genetic test for different forms (alleles) of a gene which is a risk factor for Bipolar I is that for alleles of a gene called GRK3.

This approach has been criticized by mental health professionals on the grounds that there is no evidence that differences in the GRK3 gene are predictive of which medications might help people with Bipolar I - see At-Home Bipolar Disorder Test: Accuracy, Diagnosis, and More for more on this.

Hi irritable4life
I had the genetic testing about 6 months ago due to none of the meds working on me. The test gave a list of what wouldn't work, what might work and what should work. If Im not mistake it has something with how your body/ liver absorbs the meds. I hope this helps.