temp stories
The best way to learn how you or a loved one could benefit from Parallel Profile is by reading about the impact matching medications to specific genes has on an individual and his/her loved ones. Use the dropdown to select Stories by Category.
Worrying about mom
Terry “My mom only seemed to get worse instead of better, and I couldn’t help but wonder if her medications were even working. I ordered her a Parallel Profile to see if her medications put her at any risk and if there were safer alternatives for her to take instead. We found out in her Profile that two of her medications weren’t effective at all, and her doctors were able to change her medications to offer her almost immediate relief.”
I’m protecting my newborn
Molly “Sawyer is my first baby. His Parallel Profile™ gave me information that can guide future medical decisions as well as giving me peace of mind. It included the genetic variant MTHFR, which I have and now know that he does too, so I was able to know within the first couple weeks of his life how to proceed with his care, and it will keep me updated as there are new discoveries.”
Finding the right ADHD medication
Felita “It’s such a relief to understand why my son’s medication wasn’t working. He kept telling me it wasn’t helping, but I thought he was either not taking it or was wrong. To have the tension it was causing between us relieved is almost as wonderful as having him feel better! I even paid for it out of my HSA account. That was a nice surprise!”
Avoiding the nursing home
Jules “My best friend had a severe reaction to a medication that I was taking too. He survived, but he’s now living in a nursing home. For a while, I refused to take the medication for fear of the same result, but then my wife found out about pharmacogenomic testing. When my report came back and I discovered I wasn’t at a greater risk with the medication I’ve been taking, Wow was I relieved, and my wife and my physician are happy that now I’m taking them as directed.”
Heart problems and medication danger runs in the family
Keith “I didn’t think taking medications would be necessary if I quit drinking and smoking after I had a heart attack. I was especially nervous to take the medication my doctor prescribed, as my mom had a serious ADR last year from the same medication and she almost died. Just to be sure, I ordered tests for me and my 2 kids. I found out that I was at an increased risk and so is my daughter. My doctor used the information to customize my treatment plan and my daughter used it to improve her diet, to help avoid future problems.”
Reducing medication risk during pregnancies
Rea “Knowing my history of miscarriage, I became well educated in everything IVF, especially because I know I have MTHFR gene variants, putting my pregnancy at greater risk. I was recommended various expensive medications with cheaper generic medication options, but wasn’t sure if my baby would be as well protected with the generics. The Parallel Team™ showed me which medications I could take safely, and which I should avoid”
No more “Trial and Error.” This is a shortcut to finding what works
Al and Sue “Patrick’s psychiatrist tried him on two drugs, and then over three months’ increased his dosages. He didn’t improve and he became depressed. The doctor told us there were several more medications we could try until we find the one that works. That answer wasn’t good enough for us. We found out that a single test and analysis covers almost all the ADHD, depression and anxiety medications Patrick’s psychiatrist was going to try. So we decided to find out in two weeks what treatment will likely not work for him and which ones should perform normally, saving him months of struggle.”
Even the most popular medications are not right for every child
Ryan and Megan “We wanted to do absolutely everything for our little angel, including freezing the cord blood at birth, in to have in the event of childhood cancer. Then we heard about a test that would identify any genetic variants affecting how our baby would respond to common prescriptions for a fraction of what cord blood storage costs.”
Like mother like daughter
Karen “My mother had a horrible reaction to a blood thinner. She ended up in a coma and barely survived. When my doctor recommended it to me, I was too scared to take it. But after my test, a Parallel gave my doctor the information he needed to prescribe the right dose for me. Although it doesn’t guarantee my safety, it gave me the confidence and the information to take it more safely.”
1 bad reaction can lead to another
George “After a tense week in ICU, I decided I needed to know a lot more about my medications. The staff at Parallel helped me discover that there are 46 medications that I should avoid entirely or use only with extra monitoring and there are good alternatives available for almost all of them. I already switched three of the five medications I’m on and I am doing much better. I now have my list of what to avoid in the future.”
A nurse who’s protecting her family
Mindy “Being a nurse, I have seen some serious ADRs in my hospital. Knowing that many of these ADRs could have been avoided, i wanted a test and report for each of my three kids, my parents and myself. Now we’re prepared to answer the questions I ask my own patients: “do you have any problems with any medications?“
Side effects were limiting his quality of life
Dora “I was getting worried when I realized my husband began taking more frequent and longer naps, was walking at a much slower pace and his heart rate was significantly lower than normal. Parallel ™ helped us find the optimal medications for him based on his genetics. He is feeling better and safer, and I’m less worried.
Sulfites are in wine and medications
Judy “My husband is allergic to a common preservative, called ‘sulfites.’ I know that it is used in wines. What I didn’t know until Parallel is that it’s also in the medication that landed him in the ICU for a week. Now I have a list of medications with sulfites, as well as the 24 other drugs that are high risk for him based on his genetics.”
The challenge of managing my parents’ medications
Lauren “My parents are both over 80, taking a dozen medications each. I hated watching as they suffered from sleeplessness, dizziness, runny noses and itchy eyes, memory problems, acid reflux and more. When I asked my parents about their medications, they weren’t able to tell me what all of them were for. Through Parallel ™ I learned that they were taking as many medications to treat the side effects as they were to treat the conditions themselves. By bringing their test results to their doctors, they were able to switch a couple of their medications that were problems reducing their side effects.”
When one medication leads to another…and then another
Cathy “My mother was on 14 medications and seemed to be getting worse, not better. After Parallel, her doctors changed several of them and were able to eliminate five medications that she was taking to control the side effects of the others.”
Medical conditions can run in the family
Rick “I like not having to be on any medications. When my lab results showed I might need cholesterol medications and am close to having type 2 diabetes just like my father, I became very worried. My dad had an ADR and I didn’t want to have the same issue. Parallel showed me that I have a few genetic variants that make medications a risk for me, and several others that are ok.”
The more medications, the more risks
James “My wife has a number of health problems and now over a dozen medications to take. Every time Helen receives a new medication, it seems as though she has a new reaction and the doctors have to prescribe another medication to treat it. After Parallel Profile we saw which medications put her at risk of reactions and her doctors were able to switch her to alternatives that reduced her reactions and the medications needed.”
Our team is thankful for the wonderful stories submitted from individuals and their loved ones helped by ordering a Parallel Profile. We encourage you to share your story or experience.
