I first started with depression and ADHD symptoms around 16. I’ve been bouncing around on medications for these conditions for most of my life – my guess is that I’ve taken 25 to 30 different medications at some point or another in my life. I’ve seen many different doctors – primary care doctors to psychiatrists. I’ve gone through periods where I didn’t have insurance, so I didn’t take medications. There were periods where it didn’t matter what I was on – I felt like a zombie either way. When my depression was at its worst, I would feel nothing at all. I would lose interest in everything. My life was sad, monotonous, and hopeless.
There had to be a better way.
That’s why I was absolutely interested when my psychiatrist suggested I take the GeneSight test. After 18 years of trial and error, I thought I might as well jump on it. Especially if it helped my doctor understand what might work better for me.
I’ll be honest, when my psychiatrist first told me about the GeneSight test, I thought it was too good to be true. I mean, why wouldn’t they do this test in the beginning? Why would I need to suffer through nearly two decades of trial and error?
Super easy test
I took the GeneSight test six months ago at home. It was a super easy test. The GeneSight test came in the mail – and arrived earlier than expected. There were very simple instructions to follow – it spelled out the three steps of the process to the letter. I think the whole test took me 10 minutes to complete.
At the next meeting with my psychiatrist, she went over my results and gave me a copy. I knew the test was accurate because many of the medications that didn’t work for me were in the significant gene-drug interaction categories. She explained the details of the report’s clinical considerations and why I was having such a hard time with some of the medications I tried over the past 18 years.
Seeing an improvement
My doctor used my GeneSight results to make changes to the medications I was taking. She ended up prescribing a medication that I was not previously aware of. I could gradually see an improvement in how I was feeling and by a month later I felt 100% better. I’m just happy, hopeful, energetic. A completely different person than I’ve been in the past 18 years.
This story is one patient’s personal experience. Other patients may not have the same experience or outcome. Do not make any changes to your current medications or dosing without consulting your healthcare provider.
The GeneSight test must be ordered by and used only in consultation with a healthcare provider who can prescribe medications. As with all genetic tests, the GeneSight test results have limitations and do not constitute medical advice. The test results are designed to be just one part of a larger, complete patient assessment, which would include proper diagnosis and consideration of your medical history, other medications you may be taking, your family history, and other factors.
If you are a healthcare provider and interested in learning more about the GeneSight test, please contact us at 855.891.9415. If you are a patient, please talk with your doctor to see if the GeneSight test may be helpful.
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