Genetic Testing & Fetzima

I had the cheek swab done and it came back that I have a delayed reaction to antidepressants. I don't exactly know what that means. I see my PDoc on Tuesday for a more in-depth discussion.

I'm discouraged though. I didn't expect it to tell me the secrets of the universe, but the drugs that came back in my green category... all but one I've taken. The one I haven't is Fetzima. The others (Effexor, Wellbutrin, Vibryyd, Pristiq) either had no effect (Effexor) or had terrible side effects (Wellbutrin, Vibryyd, Pristiq).

I'm kinda bummed I don't know that I have much hope for the Fetzima either.

It looks like you react better with the SSNRI class of AD's as opposed to the SSRI's. I just had the test and waiting for my results. I'm figuring that SSNRI's will come up green for me as well, since those are the only class of drugs I have been able to tolerate. I have heard some very good feedback with Fetzima, my roomate is doing very well on the drug.

I think the test tells which ones you metabolize better and which ones will have less side effects. It only tests for genes that make liver enzymes so they can tell how it will be metabolized. Knowing you metabolize one better than another may not tell them much. Step in the right direction though.

Effexor pooped on me along time ago. Pristiq didn't help at all. But I am currently on Fetzima and it has worked far better than anything I have taken. I had some side effects but they went away. Much to my amazement no sexual side effects for me.

In my mind although Fetzima is an SSNRI it is much better than Effexor or Pristiq.

I wouldn't put too much faith into the genetic testing. For me it said Wellbutrin and Pristiq were my only greens (Fetzima was too new at the time and was not on the test) and Pristiq gave me horrible side effects. Wellbutrin was better but after three days I was itching and had a rash.

I did best on Celexa which was in my red category. Go figure.

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