Psychiatric Meds, Medical Conditions, and Your DNA

[Dev]

Hola!

 

My mind was thoroughly blown today.  This is something that could have implications for many of our members, so I wanted to ramble a bit about it.  I'm sure all of us with psychiatric issues have had experience with a doctor prescribing something that either doesn't work or actually makes things worse.  One of the old adages I've spouted countless times in my ~20 years of suicide prevention work is that everyone reacts differently to each psychiatric medication.  What works for one person won't necessarily help another.  I've always called it more of an art than a science.

 

Recently, science has taken a huge step toward controlling this kind of thing.  Geneticists have been studying the MTHFR gene and have found that the meds most likely to help someone can be found by analyzing that person's DNA structure.  This particular gene can, in one way or another, tell doctors if you should take a certain medication as it's usually prescribed, if it will have reduced or no effect, or if it will hit you like a Mack truck doing 80 on the expressway.  A few months ago I gave a sample (it's done by cheek swab) to my psychiatrist, and today I sat down with him to discuss the results.

 

This test is scary, it's so accurate.  It called out every medication I tried that didn't work as being genetically incompatible with me.  It identified the drugs I've tried that sent me into overdrive because I am genetically predisposed to being really, really sensitive to them.  Aside from the psychiatric medications available, it also pointed out that when I was given a benzodiazepine or any opioid painkiller in the past, I had to be given enough to knock out an elephant because I'm genetically resistant to their effects.  (Opioids also give me a nasty hangover, and whenever I'm offered one in the ER the doctors are genuinely confused when I decline.)

 

However, this test was also able to show that my body doesn't process synthetic folic acids well, if it does at all.  My psychiatrist said that could well have a negative impact on both my diabetes and my migraines, and suggested that I get a full medical DNA report to discuss with my primary doctor to see if there are other ways my genes are getting in my way.

 

I'm posting this specifically for the psychiatric benefits involved, but those of us with medical concerns might want to consider it as well.  In the US, the test is called the GeneSight MTHFR analysis, run by Assurex Health.  If it's available in your area, your psychiatrist will know how to get it done for you.

[VickySGV]

Hmmm-- I have two family members ( a mother and adult daughter) with psychiatric problems and  a history of medication roulette with twice the numbers on a standard wheel.  I will relay this to them for consideration by there Psych staffs.   Thank you.

[Kirsten]

That’s amazing! Thank you so much for this information. I’m not sure that it’s available here but maybe. My son has adhd and ptsd and maybe even a touch of ODD as well and we struggle with his meds and have for years. This could really help him so much. Thank you again. 

 

[Dev]

@VickySGV

This test covers every currently prescribed psychiatric medication on the market, so hopefully it will be helpful.  There are three mood stabilizers that don't currently appear to interact with genetics at all - gabapentin, Topamax, and lithium.  I've taken gabapentin and Topamax as they're also used off-label for migraine prophylaxis.  The gabapentin was a disaster with mood interactions for me and the Topamax just didn't do diddly.  As with everything else, YMMV.

 

@Kirsten

Stimulants typically prescribed for ADHD are also covered in this report.  Eight different meds are listed and it looks like they're all classified a bit differently, so gene interactions will vary.  If benzodiazepines are indicated for PTSD, you'll find those in the results for this test, too.

[Michelle F]

1 hour ago, Dev said:

@VickySGV

This test covers every currently prescribed psychiatric medication on the market, so hopefully it will be helpful.  There are three mood stabilizers that don't currently appear to interact with genetics at all - gabapentin, Topamax, and lithium.  I've taken gabapentin and Topamax as they're also used off-label for migraine prophylaxis.  The gabapentin was a disaster with mood interactions for me and the Topamax just didn't do diddly.  As with everything else, YMMV.

 

@Kirsten

Stimulants typically prescribed for ADHD are also covered in this report.  Eight different meds are listed and it looks like they're all classified a bit differently, so gene interactions will vary.  If benzodiazepines are indicated for PTSD, you'll find those in the results for this test, too.

Wow...! Gabapentin is like a sledgehammer with terrible mood swings and benzodiazepines hit me like pure methamphetamines. I have PTSD and I'm intersex. 

 

Back in the early 90s a court ordered paternal DNA test was taken. I was proved not to be the Father. But; what was discovered is I'm XX/XY. I have all of the human genetic markers. This is why my Docs all say I am responding so rapidly ito my HRT protocols. I've only been doing HRT now for just under 7 months. 

 

I am seeing my shrink this week. I'm going to mention this test to him and see if it's available here!

 

Thanks for this Dev!

 

[BrownMason]

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Edited November 6, 2018 by MaryEllen
Link removed per rule #9 of the site community rules