Things have become interesting...

I had both therapy and my new psychiatrist today. Therapy went well. I told her about my issues with my meds and how apprehensive I was to bring it up to the new psychiatrist because I have tried so much and I don't want to start over. She encouraged me to be open with her. In the end, I choose if I take the medicine or not. My say does matter and she should be receptive to me.

The issue with my medicine is a bit more complex than I really realized it was, and it is causing a lot of anxiety. I offset how it makes me feel (which is horrible) by taking it at night and sleeping through the time where it usually affects me (3-4 hours after taking). The issue here is 3 fold, 1) It HAS to be taken with 350 calories, which means I have to eat with it. 2) It already gives me vivid dreams/nightmares and 3) I have acid reflux so I really have a timeframe where I have to take it and pray I fall asleep.. you get it right? It's a bit complex..

The psychiatrist wasn't scheduled right so we didn't get the full intake time, but her whole approach is gonna be really different than anything I've experienced before. First and foremost, she doesn't like my medicines (particularly the Latuda) but because I am insisting on not changing it unless dire, she is leaving it as is for now.

She is not as friendly as the last -- she's much more calm, but caring. She told me straight up -- Unless it's something serious with her kids or she is dead, she will not miss an appointment, and I will NEVER go without medicine (assuming it's viable for me to have it). That is a relief to me after all the hassle I had.

So, here is the weird game plan. She mainly just did a quick rundown of my chart and she said "Wow, you really are kinda a hot mess huh?" (She said it in a sincerely jocular manner as she saw all the meds I've tried. I was not offended in the slightest). She booked me an appointment in two weeks... but here's what we are doing in the meantime..

1) Genetic testing for sensitivity to psychiatric drugs. I didn't even know this existed. She flat out said "Have you ever had it done -- well you're insurance fully covers it. Why haven't you?" (The question wasn't really towards me obviously, but just it would make sense to do it). She ordered it and it will be delivered soon to my home. I just swab my cheek and send it off. She said it'll test for all psych drug types -- antidepressants, antipsychotics, stimulants, hypnotics, anxiolytics etc. and basically give a profile if I would be sensitive to the medicine or which I should probably avoid. She said it also looks for a mutation of a certain gene that has to do with processing of folic acid. She said its really an integral part of mental health and she gave some analogy of the folic acid processing as soil and brain chemistry the crops. Bad soil yields bad crops. The particular genetic testing is a company called "Genesight" I think. Looking at it, it seems pretty darn neat if it is accurate in its science. It looks at metabolic enzymes and everything in its determinations.

The test will give me a set of results to see (which come back quick) so I'll know my results before my meeting with her most likely on the 23rd.



Secondly, and more oddly... she randomly asked "Have you ever been screened for ADHD?" and told me I made a few statements and she is just curious, and told me to in the meantime take a ASRS v1.1. test and she'd really like to know what that test says.


So, I have to do that and I will have genetic testing done and we will proceed from there. For now, I just continue as I have been. I'm really kind not sure what to think or how to feel. Our next meeting will be a full hour to get a proper intake.


Anyone here been screened for adult ADHD or had genetic testing? Just curious...

I'm glad to read you had a good therapy session.

I've never been screened for ADHD. I would surely not qualify for the dx. My husband was quickly diagnosed with the "inattentive type" ADD. It fits him, perfectly. He was prescribed various stimulants over the years. Some were a bit helpful, but not perfectly so. He stopped taking them after he retired from his full-time job.

I've never had genetic testing done, for the purposes you state. I've read forum posts of people who had. A couple said it was useful, and another not as much. Why not give it a try, if you're interested and it's not too pricey for you?

After taking many different meds over the years, I realized connections between some (i.e. my vulnerability to certain shared side effects). It would have been nice to measure potential efficacy vs. tolerability. I'm not sure how helpful/reliable genetic testing is in certain respects, though.

I haven't been screened for adult ADHD. Thanks for sharing your experience, I'm glad you had a good therapy session.