About 2 years ago, when it was really popular, I had genetic testing done, free because my insurance covered it, to see which psych Meds would be best suited for me. I have suspicion though, that it's either not accurate, there's more to it than what they test for, or it doesn't work...I looked it up online and the articles, one by DocJohn on PsychCentral confirmed my feelings. I had a few med changes with this one psych nurse, the one who wanted me to get the testing done, and both Meds, viibryd, and Wellbutrin, which were supposed to be great for me according to the test, gave me more side effects and I wasn't able to sleep or tolerate them. Though I was on viibryd for 6 months about.

Has anyone else had experience with genetic testing for psych Meds? What did you think?

Now, I'm just on Abilify. I'm trying to decide if I want to go back on Prozac. It was a medication that kind of worked for me (even though gene sight said it was questionable). I think medication has helped me somewhat but not all the way. There's so much info out there saying: Meds are bad. Meds are good. Who do I believe? I'm researching this before I see my new psychiatrist. She does not push antidepressants on me. But I've been depressed, and am sometimes desperate for a cure or relief.

[Biteplate]

I did the genetic test and it worked for me. I am on meds that were all approved for me and I haven't had side effects.

[Lola5]

I spent over 9 years switching between different SSRIs at different doses. Got the genetic test and found that I can't tolerate them and they cause a worsening of symptoms. That explains why my anxiety had only been getting worse, never better, on them.

Since then, I have tried some medications that the test showed are okay for me, but none of those have worked. Still haven't tried others on the list of approved meds though so can't say if test is worth anything.

[TicTacGo]

I am greatly considering it, as I have been on a myriad of medications over a few years. I am very curious as to whether it works or not and do plan on researching it more in depth.

Originally Posted by Lola5

I spent over 9 years switching between different SSRIs at different doses. Got the genetic test and found that I can't tolerate them and they cause a worsening of symptoms. That explains why my anxiety had only been getting worse, never better, on them.

Since then, I have tried some medications that the test showed are okay for me, but none of those have worked. Still haven't tried others on the list of approved meds though so can't say if test is worth anything.

Wow!! Well there must be some validity to it. It just hasn't helped me yet.

[UglyDucky]

I had the testing done about eight months ago. We've tried almost all of the meds that are supposed to be compatible for me, but I've had too many side effects to continue with any of them. Now my depression is reaching a serious level and we're stumped. I'm currently on bupropion to get me up in the a.m., Remeron to help me gain weight (which isn't working), Lexapro 10mg (can't tell I'm taking it) and clonazepam 1mg for a very serious case of restless leg syndrome. I'm doubting the testing is all that it's cracked up to be. Trintellix was supposed to be a good match for me and within 3 days, I was on the doorstep of hospitalization.

[annielovesbacon]

My girlfriend has had genetic testing done and was able to get on a new antidepressant that tested well for her, and she says it has much improved her symptoms.
I'm wanting to get the test done as well, as I have been trying different meds for two years with no success... sadly the only pdoc in my area who does the testing does not accept insurance...

[Lola5]

Originally Posted by starrysky

Wow!! Well there must be some validity to it. It just hasn't helped me yet.

I realized I didn't make it completely clear. Over the course of 9 years, at different points I ended up taking SSRIs at different dose, but I also took non-SSRI meds at other times during those years. So my 9 years were a mix of trying SSRIs and non-SSRIs. Nothing helped and I attribute it to the time I spent on SSRIs. But it also might be that meds other than SSRIs were also making me worse.

I hope you're able to find what's right for you though!!!

[CaminoDeOro]

This is a pretty important topic.

I've had one of the tests done. I've read about what's available, but I've also read a lot of the research these tests are based on.

There is one test, which I've had, which reveals which genetic variants you have for liver enzymes which break down your meds. For example, I've had the test, and I'm a CYP2D6 poor metabolizer. About 10% of people of European descent have this variant. A LOT of psych meds are broken down by CYP2D6; as you might expect, I often end up on very low doses of psych meds, because my liver clears them slowly and they build up in my system.

The implications of liver function in prescribing are pretty obvious. Knowing the relative speed at which you will clear drugs will inform decisions on dosage, drug interactions, and so forth. So that particular test is very useful - IF your prescriber understands what is actually being tested (my pdoc doesn't like how the results are presented) and if they are fully capable of using that information.

There are other tests, for example, the 5-HTTLPR variant. The research these are based on is preliminary at best. Little if any is backed by solid purpose-built studies of real world outcomes for patients with the various genetic variants. It's mostly smaller and exploratory research at this point, in the form of "small study suggests that related meds A and B don't work very well if you have the variant." The research to replicate these results and explore them further hasn't been completed yet in many cases.

My pdoc, whom I respect a great deal, does not like how the tests are marketed and how the information is presented. She says essentially that the tests are framed as being far more definitive than they should be based on the quality of the research, and also that they're framing the results as recommending for or against various meds, when often the research is often much more nuanced.

This is the future of medicine, but it's not fully baked yet.

Originally Posted by CaminoDeOro

This is a pretty important topic.

I've had one of the tests done. I've read about what's available, but I've also read a lot of the research these tests are based on.

There is one test, which I've had, which reveals which genetic variants you have for liver enzymes which break down your meds. For example, I've had the test, and I'm a CYP2D6 poor metabolizer. About 10% of people of European descent have this variant. A LOT of psych meds are broken down by CYP2D6; as you might expect, I often end up on very low doses of psych meds, because my liver clears them slowly and they build up in my system.

The implications of liver function in prescribing are pretty obvious. Knowing the relative speed at which you will clear drugs will inform decisions on dosage, drug interactions, and so forth. So that particular test is very useful - IF your prescriber understands what is actually being tested (my pdoc doesn't like how the results are presented) and if they are fully capable of using that information.

There are other tests, for example, the 5-HTTLPR variant. The research these are based on is preliminary at best. Little if any is backed by solid purpose-built studies of real world outcomes for patients with the various genetic variants. It's mostly smaller and exploratory research at this point, in the form of "small study suggests that related meds A and B don't work very well if you have the variant." The research to replicate these results and explore them further hasn't been completed yet in many cases.

My pdoc, whom I respect a great deal, does not like how the tests are marketed and how the information is presented. She says essentially that the tests are framed as being far more definitive than they should be based on the quality of the research, and also that they're framing the results as recommending for or against various meds, when often the research is often much more nuanced.

This is the future of medicine, but it's not fully baked yet.

Talked to my psych today. She pretty much said the same thing.

[WildcatVet]

Hmmm...I thought about it and did some research and everything said maybe... could be... not there yet...more research...
My pdoc agreed so that idea fizzled out although if my insurance paid for it I would do it out of curiousity. To find out what meds I've been on that should have worked...

[with or without you]

I did a saliva test for free from the website Patients Like Me. They covered the cost of everything. The results were pretty inaccurate, IMO - for most of the meds that never worked for me or caused bad side effects, the lab said my markers were fine. That test also did not test for MAOI’s which I was currently on. The only thing it was right about was Abilify being problematic.

My new(ish) pdoc said he has used the Genesight quite a bit but he’s not as optimistic about it as he used to be and does not administer it all that often anymore. The test is just not good enough at predicting which treatment ends up working (or not working) for his patients. He thinks it’s useful only in order to detect if someone has a definite genetic marker for en enzyme problem or an inability to metabolize medication across the board - i.e. someone who is new to psych meds and has tried 3 or 4 and they completely don’t work. (FWIW, I have not taken the Genesight)