Cyclops - you had PM'd me a while back about the testing for drugs/metabolism - and I printed it out and asked my doc about it... he refused to do the testing because he said it was obivious what I had reactions too (so far)... etc.... My question - those are great tests - how does one who cannot order their own tests (and sure cant afford to pay for them outside of insurance world) get them done? Being a guinie pig - as many of us know - is not pleasant and I would love to be able to show list to docs?????? Anyone with suggestions?

I would suspect any doctor who did not help with this, as being ignorant.

Here is another site with the ethnic breakdown of the various enzyme systems:
http://www.dnadirect.com/patients/te...metabolism.jsp

Don't think all doctors understand liver metabolism. I would venture to say,
Kmeb's does not. He won't entertain the thought because it would show his ignorance.

The new liver metabolism test is expensive, and I don't think it is covered by all insurances.

How to order a test:
http://www.dnadirect.com/patients/te...sponse/how.jsp
Done with a cheek/buccal swab.

Thanks for the links.... I can glance down and see drugs all in a clump that Ive had real bad reactions too - so will try again about the docs..

LA is a very strange city - the very good docs seem to be clumped at one or two hospitals - which are geographically far from me... and for ongoing care its critical i ifnd them close by.. a move coming up - something to consider....

Hate to say but we have many sub-par docs out here - checking their credentials many many went to Carribean med schools and have less then impressive residencies.... and also, we have two med schools - one very good (and far away right now) - but those docs tend to flee when they graduate - and another - which is NOT very good - they tend to stay..... every once in a while a caring - very good one will pop up - I actually had an urgent care doc say to me (I was not there for my stomach) but he knew I had neuropathy - just listening to it from across the room - diagnosis gastroparesis - he's a jewel - and I was hoping to become his patient - leaving the practice in two weeks and they wont fess up where hes going I'm going to make some calls and find out where if possible - young -eager- intelligent - and wants to learn....

Anyway, will look further into this testing - may save some trips to er in the future and a lot of misery!