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Veteran Member
Member Since Mar 2014
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#1
I posted in another thread about this but I think the topic can be greatly expanded on and should have it's own thread.
I had genetic testing done by AssureX recently to see which AD would be best suited for me. I feel a bit less anxious about this new medicine I'm taking because of this genetic testing but I wonder if the testing is really helpful or not. Has anybody else had testing done and tried the newly suggested medicine? What was your response to the medicine? My genetic testing suggested Pristiq as the best option for me. I am now on my third day of Pristiq, too early to tell if it will be the drug for me but I am optimistic. I see the psychiatrist today to get a copy of the genetic testing and give her an update on how I feel. I'll keep updating my progress here. __________________ Dx: MDD, GAD, Panic Disorder Rx: None, too many side effects. |
Elder
Member Since Feb 2014
Location: Michigan
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#2
You are the only person I know who has ever had this test. I am very interested to hear how you do on Pristiq. It acts on norepinephrine seratonin, and dopamine to some extent.
Why you did good on Celexa an SSRI and why the test points to Pristiq an SSNRI is a good question. Maybe you will do better on Pristiq then Celexa. I do not agree with Michanne that just because the test will only tell you how your liver will metabolize a certain drug does not mean it is not useful in telling you it effectiveness. How you metabolize a drug may very well have a lot to do with its effectiveness. __________________ The "paradox" is only a conflict between reality and your feeling of what reality "ought to be." -- Richard Feynman Major Depressive Disorder Anxiety Disorder with some paranoid delusions thrown in for fun. Recovering Alcoholic and Addict Possibly on low end of bi polar spectrum...trying to decide. Male, 50 Fetzima 80mg Lamictal 100mg Remeron 30mg for sleep Klonopin .5mg twice a day, cutting this back |
Grand Magnate
Member Since Aug 2013
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#3
Well, I know that for me, I respond much better on SSNRI medications than on SSRI medications because norepinephrine and serotonin both play a factor in my depression. So maybe it will play out better for you.
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Grand Poohbah
Member Since Jan 2013
Location: USA
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#4
Quote:
How did you find about about this test? |
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Grand Poohbah
Member Since Jan 2011
Location: Warren, Pennsylvania
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#5
I have a friend who did this, and it did not help whatsoever. Matter of fact if made him think that those meds that would "work with him" were the only ones. He also is a hypochondriac and that didn't help things. But every med he tried he had some off the wall, never seen or reported, or life threatening side effect. I don't know, but I honestly think that test is worthless.
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Elder
Member Since Feb 2014
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,481
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#6
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__________________ The "paradox" is only a conflict between reality and your feeling of what reality "ought to be." -- Richard Feynman Major Depressive Disorder Anxiety Disorder with some paranoid delusions thrown in for fun. Recovering Alcoholic and Addict Possibly on low end of bi polar spectrum...trying to decide. Male, 50 Fetzima 80mg Lamictal 100mg Remeron 30mg for sleep Klonopin .5mg twice a day, cutting this back |
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#7
Brilliant, more of this should be done that a shot in the dark.
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Grand Poohbah
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#8
I don't think genetics plays any roll in what psych meds work, and what doesnt. There is too much trial and error. I would like to see factual statistics on this testing & psych meds. Just what I think about it. Not trying to start an argument or debate.
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Elder
Member Since Feb 2014
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,481
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#9
Yeah it is hard to say. It basically just tells them how you will metabolize a drug based on what liver enzymes your genes produce. There is a wide variety in enzymes in people and how the liver processes things. If you don't produce the intended active metabolites then maybe it won't work at all or you will have bad side effects.
I can see how it would be useful. __________________ The "paradox" is only a conflict between reality and your feeling of what reality "ought to be." -- Richard Feynman Major Depressive Disorder Anxiety Disorder with some paranoid delusions thrown in for fun. Recovering Alcoholic and Addict Possibly on low end of bi polar spectrum...trying to decide. Male, 50 Fetzima 80mg Lamictal 100mg Remeron 30mg for sleep Klonopin .5mg twice a day, cutting this back |
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#10
You have to look at them carefully. There are some you can mail in that claim all sorts of things. Then there is a category called "personalized medicine" which is what changing did. You have to use a professional for this and I only know of two companies so far. Pharmacogenetics has been used longer for determining pain meds. This may be the metabolic test you did. The other company also test for Neuro transmitters. The difference is the metabolic test only tells you if you are likely to tolerate which meds. The other test tells you which classes might be more suitable. The key word is "might". They don't diagnose so they aren't really telling you which drug you "need". They second one come closer but I'm not sure.
http://www.genomind.com/. <-- Neuro transmitter and metabolic http://assurexhealth.com/products/. <-- metabolic Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk |
Veteran Member
Member Since Mar 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 715
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#11
__________________ Dx: MDD, GAD, Panic Disorder Rx: None, too many side effects. |
Grand Magnate
Member Since Aug 2013
Location: Wichita, Ks
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#12
GATTACA!!!!
Okay, I'm done. I'll crawl back under my rock now. __________________ Helping to create a kinder, gentler world by flinging poo. |
Focus62, justbeingme80, Nammu, SillyKitty
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Veteran Member
Member Since Mar 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 715
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#13
So, I wanted to be sure to post an update. I got my test from the doc but I do not have it with me. I will post more on that later today when I get home. I will say that the two ADs it suggests I would do well on are: Wellbutrin and Pristiq, that's it!
So, I am still on Pristiq. (For those of you who followed the other thread) I know I feel the effects of medicine quite quickly although I don't believe I am able to determine if an AD is good for me or not within one day or even a week so I decided to stick it out. Today is day 4 and I can still say that my depression and anxiety are GONE. Non existent at this point, which is amazing! Lexapro had nowhere near this affect on me (FYI Lexapro is in the "bad" list on the test). I have noticed a few things: 1) my heart rate is a bit higher (although I think Lexapro and Celexa dropped it down originally since I was on the really low side 48-60 resting, now I'm at around 72 resting). 2) I am very alert and have increased energy (celexa made me tired). 3) I have less of an appetite 4) My mind is more clear at work (I felt like I was losing my intelligence on Lexapro). 5) Very mild GI issues, slight stomach pain a few times in the first few days and diarrhea for a very short time one day. 6) I feel happy, laughing a lot, very talkative (like I used to be pre-Lexapro). 7) My muscles in my shoulder and neck feel a bit tense (I think that is from the energy), Pristiq is quite activating for me, it's like taking 40mg of Ritalin almost but without the peaks and valleys. That's all I have right now. Like I said I will follow up with some information about the test later and keep posting on my progress with Pristiq. __________________ Dx: MDD, GAD, Panic Disorder Rx: None, too many side effects. |
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#14
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There is criticism (as there should be for checks and balances ). http://1boringoldman.com/index.php/2011/10/06/warned/ What I don't like is I can totally see these tests coming across to patients as more than they are. There are drs that try to increase "patient compliance" by using tests that really don't have any evidence they work. Basically they are using placebo psychology to get patients to take their meds. Brain scans is an example. It strikes me as condescending and dangerous if the patient has been mis diagnosed. Happens all the time. I didn't completely understand the tests until I got a chance to to see the result example and read more. How many patients are going to leap to the conclusion that the tells you what you "should be taking" as opposed to what your body can tolerate. They don't. I bet even some professionals are going to leap to that conclusion. And I can also see people thinking the tests where you send in a swab yourself is the same. It isn't. I don't see how that it is clear. Just saying I hope it doesn't get unwarranted hype to the detriment of patient health. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk |
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Elder
Member Since Feb 2014
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,481
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#15
Quote:
__________________ The "paradox" is only a conflict between reality and your feeling of what reality "ought to be." -- Richard Feynman Major Depressive Disorder Anxiety Disorder with some paranoid delusions thrown in for fun. Recovering Alcoholic and Addict Possibly on low end of bi polar spectrum...trying to decide. Male, 50 Fetzima 80mg Lamictal 100mg Remeron 30mg for sleep Klonopin .5mg twice a day, cutting this back |
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Elder
Member Since Feb 2014
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,481
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#16
Quote:
I do agree that pdocs use the placebo effect to their advantage as much as they can. I do not know if that is unethical though since it can be so powerful for some people. 1 in 3 I have read. __________________ The "paradox" is only a conflict between reality and your feeling of what reality "ought to be." -- Richard Feynman Major Depressive Disorder Anxiety Disorder with some paranoid delusions thrown in for fun. Recovering Alcoholic and Addict Possibly on low end of bi polar spectrum...trying to decide. Male, 50 Fetzima 80mg Lamictal 100mg Remeron 30mg for sleep Klonopin .5mg twice a day, cutting this back |
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Elder
Member Since Feb 2014
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,481
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#17
Testing for genes that produce liver enzymes is not saying that the depression is caused by genetics. Although is my case I think it is.
So there is the complex and multiple causes of depression that make the whole issue of genetic testing very difficult. Then there is the fact that the drugs in the arsenal are not that effective for many people. There are some studies that say no more effective than placebo. But the clinical data seems to dispute that and says they are effective in 50% of the people. I tend to go with clinical data rather then a couple of clinical trials. __________________ The "paradox" is only a conflict between reality and your feeling of what reality "ought to be." -- Richard Feynman Major Depressive Disorder Anxiety Disorder with some paranoid delusions thrown in for fun. Recovering Alcoholic and Addict Possibly on low end of bi polar spectrum...trying to decide. Male, 50 Fetzima 80mg Lamictal 100mg Remeron 30mg for sleep Klonopin .5mg twice a day, cutting this back |
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#18
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It isn't the effectiveness of the test that concerns me. I think it can be helpful. It's how it is spun, intentional or not, that concerns me. I am a big supporter of transparency in your medical treatment. I think it is highly unethical to mislead people. In the long run it is another valid reason why there is so much distrust of the industry. People do figure it out. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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Veteran Member
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#19
Another update. Sorry I didn't post the genetic testing yesterday. I took some time to just relax and needed it! I will post it tonight.
I am still feeling great on Pristiq! Slight anxiety but no panic, no depression. The high feeling is starting to wear off. I have been feeling a bit nervous, like my body is vibrating from the inside but it comes and goes. It happened last night but today I haven't had it. I am still energetic but it's also wearing off. No stomach pain or nausea, no other stomach issues. All GI issues from Lexapro are gone! I do have some dry mouth. Brain shivers (but that has been happening since Lexapro). Slight upper back pain, I think it's from me being tense from the added energy. Overall feeling pretty good. Pdoc wants me to increase to 100mg after 1 week but I don't know if I want to... 50mg is working out so far. I will have to talk to her about it when I check in on Friday. __________________ Dx: MDD, GAD, Panic Disorder Rx: None, too many side effects. |
Elder
Member Since Feb 2014
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,481
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#20
Great news.
I also and doing much much better since switching from Effexor to Fetzima. __________________ The "paradox" is only a conflict between reality and your feeling of what reality "ought to be." -- Richard Feynman Major Depressive Disorder Anxiety Disorder with some paranoid delusions thrown in for fun. Recovering Alcoholic and Addict Possibly on low end of bi polar spectrum...trying to decide. Male, 50 Fetzima 80mg Lamictal 100mg Remeron 30mg for sleep Klonopin .5mg twice a day, cutting this back |
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