Medications Genetic Testing

[tbackpain]

I though I would pass this information along.

When I started treating with my psychiatrist for mental health issues, one of the things that we did when starting medication (after much consulting between psychiatrist and PM&R b/c of my narcotic contract) was to do genetic testing to eliminate the "let's try this med and see how it goes" and some of the absolutely G.D. Awful side effects that can come with opioid analgesic meds and psychotropic meds together.

I had a buccal swab (Cheek) and they sent it out to Genesight for testing. The report came back 36 hrs. later with a clear list of medications that were "green light", use with caution, and "red light" meds that would be avoided based on my genetic makeup. I would post my reports here but I really don't want all of that PHI out on the web. The report helped Immensely in getting me on a medication treatment plan with only ONE change in the past year If only this had been around when I was first diagnosed with my back issues in 2001...

Anyway, check out their website if you're interested. My PM&R doc started using this tool in his practice after he got all the info from my psychiatrist. I hope that more PM docs out there become aware of the benefits of pharmacogenomics in formulating treatment plans; we as patients would avoid the medication merry-go-round.

website: GeneSight - Genetic Testing for Personalized Medicine Treatment