Psych Doctor swiped inside of cheeks to test enzymes in my liver

[Speed King]

my psychiatrist pulls out these cotton swabs and proceeded to take a swab and rotate 10 times inside my left cheek. She puts that swab away and pulls out a fresh cotton swab and proceeds to rotate it 10 times inside my right cheek. I am told that this is going to tell how , or at least give an idea how my enzymes (in my liver I assume)!are working. This is specifically regarding finding a benzodiazepine that is very efficient.
Does anyone understand this type of test?
Any information would be helpful.

 

[Speed King]

Mod's, I thought this was the correct place to post. If not, please place in correct forum. Thanks.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Sounds like a genetic test. I had one performed several years back using a cheek swab and they found I had a mutation in an enzyme that methylates B vitamins so they can be transported across the blood brain barrier. I take a methylated B-vitamin now just in case that's an issue. Anyways, that's just a guess. Hopefully someone will chime in with a better answer.

 

[PINKoPANaTHER]

That would be my bet, but technically they are required to inform you of the tests they are going to perform because people consider their genetics private information. They may find something they weren't looking for that could compromise your health insurance, job, and life in general, so I would sternly tell them this if they did take it for genetic testing without your knowledge. That being said, it can provide useful info. It isn't going to measure liver enzyme levels (which requires a blood test) but could potentially identify cytochrome P450 enzymes that are mutated or changed in some way that effects your bodies metabolism of benzodiazepines if that was the basis for doing the test like you said.

 

[Speed King]

First, thanks levelsBeyond for posting. The doctor said nothing about genetic testing ( which is cool that it can be done with a cheek swab)!i only heard cyp450 and benzodiazepines. I have to call her by Thursday. I didn't mention that I drink wgdj and take Tagamet on occasion. Those mess with liver enzymes. I wonder if that would alter test. That would suck if I had to take 100mg of Valium a day

 

[DixiChik]

I requested (begged for) a buccal swab for genetic testing when I finally enrolled in PM. I have absolutely NO HISTORY of recreational drug use, nor do I have the desire to create one.

My PM doctor said "no, it's a waste of money". I thought the opposite...It would not only save money wasted on Big Pharma, but save the wear and tear of trial and error on my body. There was (is) no question with catalogs (literally) of my medical/surgical history...He put me through Fentanyl, MS Contin and Oxycodone trials (all failed).

I went to my GP and insisted on genetic testing (swabs) to determine how my body processes pain meds. I took the results to my PM, yet he didn't even look at them. My GP chooses not to prescribe for pain, period. Neither she nor I can fathom WHY my PM "specialist" disregards this valuable information.

Yes, he's beyond legit, as he is administrator of the local hospital pain center. He doesn't want to spend the time on the hard cases like me. He knows I'm not looking to get HIGH, but to get UP out of the fucking bed every morning.

My tests were extremely expensive. I can't imagine a random buccal swab in today's healthcare environment. If you didn't request the test, they're LOOKING for something.

Believe me, SK...What truly sucks is having to truly suffer, with no hope in sight. The stress of trying to find a med to help (not hurt) caused acute SHINGLES to rage in my face and eye. That's the cherry on top of my shit sundae of a life.

My PM says..."SHINGLES of the eye/face are referred to as the suicide disease". Gee, thanks for listening asshole!

 

[Speed King]

my doctor called me. It's like a $300 test. According to the test I am most sessitive to Valium. The drugs that are bad for me are Wellbutrin, all the SSRI's .!im good in the amphetamine department, but no methylphenidate rubbish. I'll known more during visit. My goal is to get my drugs working correctly.