MTHFR gene, depression, and fibromyalgia

I had an interesting visit with my neurologist last week, and thought I'd share with all of you. 

Last month, I went to my doctor concerned because lately I have been feeling hopelessly depressed. Suicidal, even. Everyday, I dread just getting out of bed. And when I go to work, I can't focus and often just stare off into space. So I asked him about trying a new antidepressant. It has been a couple years since I've been on one, but since 2004 I have tried Paxil, Prozac, Effexor, Cymbalta, amitryptaline, Remeron, and a few others. Bottom line is none of them did a thing- positive or negative.

So last week, after begging to try Wellbutrin, my doctor told me I had treatment-resistant depression and sent me off to a lab for a test. The test was for a genetic mutation of the MTHFR gene- the gene that is responsible for turning folic acid/folate into methylfolate, which your brain then uses to manufacture monoamines like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Obviously, these chemicals are vital to mood. energy, and well-being. (If there are any scientists reading, please feel free to correct anything.)

I just got the test results, and apparently I have a double mutation (homozygous A1298C) on this particular gene. According to my neurologist, this means that my body cannot process folic acid. Folic acid deficiencies can result in a myriad of problems, including depression, peripheral neuropathy, attention problems, dementia, etc - all of which I suffer from. 

Apparently, this mutation is not rare, and approximately 10% of people have it. Until recently, there hasn't been a treatment, but now you can take a prescription vitamin called Deplin that is the already converted form of folic acid (so it bypasses the faulty mutant gene). I've only been on it for a few days and don't feel anything yet, but the doctor said it could take 4-6 weeks. 

I'm trying not to get my hopes up, as they have been dashed many, many times before. But I'll take every bit of hope I can get. 

I wanted to share because I thought maybe some of you would want to look into this blood test, as it's covered by most insurance plans and is cutting edge science into treatment-resistant depression.