RightMed Stories

Rosalind’s RightMed Story

The RightMed test helped inform treatment and improve confidence.

“Those of us over 60, when everything starts to squeak, this test should be required to not only optimize our medications, but to also save money on medications that we know will work. I still have my good days and bad, but now I have more good days than bad because I’m on things that are really helping me.”

Rosalind, Michigan

Rosalind’s Story

  • Rosalind was struggling with multiple medical conditions and pain from fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and tendonitis, among other things. She was offered the Right Med test through the Blue Cross Personalized Medicine pilot and decided, “why not?”
  • “I took the test and brought in the report. Based on my results, my doctor reviewed all of my medications with me and switched me to a number of more effective medications. He recommended them to better help with my symptoms and also referred me to a specialist better equipped to manage my care.”
  • “Everything I’m taking now, according to my DNA, should be the best medication for me – and I’ve noticed the positive change. Doctors can only go by symptoms, but with these results, there’s evidence showing the medications are compatible with my DNA and more likely to work.”

Carly’s Story

A parent helps advocate for her child through the RightMed test.*

“We struggled to control Carly’s anxiety and depression for over 10 years,” Carly’s mother, Sandy Klein-Mirviss, says. “It had a hugely negative impact on her quality of life.”

Sandy Klein-Mirviss

Carly’s RightMed Story

Carly’s pediatrician tried several medications and dosages over the years, once leading to severe stomach issues that took her out of school

  • “It was terrible. As a parent, it was absolutely devastating to see her suffer and be unable to help her. On top of it all, we have a family history of major depression, so the urgency to find a drug that helps was heightened all the more,” Sandy explained.
  • Carly’s senior year, Sandy and Carly’s pediatrician decided to try the RightMed®Test from OneOme.
  • Carly’s pediatrician reviewed the RightMed Test results with Sandy and Carly. He prescribed a new medication at an adjusted dose.
  • “Getting the results was just phenomenal. Carly is doing great now. Senior year can be difficult, and she is applying for college, so I would have expected her anxiety to be ramped up right now, but she is doing so much better than she has done in years,” Sandy shared.
  • “Having this information and experiencing such an improvement in her condition has greatly eased Carly’s mind, and we are both so relieved,” Sandy says. “The results are now in her Electronic Medical Record, so it will be an essential resource for years to come.”
  • 2023 Update: Carly has graduated college and is on to graduate school!

Rachael’s Story

After a startling cancer diagnosis and problems with medications, a world champion hockey player discovers the RightMed test.*

“It’s a relief to be able to point to my RightMed results and say, ‘before you prescribe a new medication, please take a look at this.’”
Rachael Drazan-Malmberg

Rachael’s RightMed Story

  • In March 2016, Rachael noticed pain in her back rib area. When the pain didn’t go away, she went to the doctor and received a startling diagnosis: stage 4 lung cancer that had spread to her brain and lymph nodes in her chest. 
  • “I felt healthy, had no risk factors for lung cancer, and suddenly I was in the fight for my life,” said Rachael. 
  • Rachael was prescribed a medication designed to target her specific cancer type. As a result of the medication, Rachael developed severe rashes and blistering, and experienced hair changes and bloating. 
  • Even though doctors said the medication was working well to treat the cancer, the side effects were making it impossible for Rachael to maintain a good quality of life. Worried that lowering her dose would reduce the effectiveness of her treatment, doctors instead prescribed even more medications to treat the side effects.
  • Soon after beginning treatment, Rachael learned that she qualified for lung surgery to remove cancerous lobes and lymph nodes. Rachael, who was already frustrated by the side effects she was experiencing and the mounting number of medications she was taking, knew that having surgery meant she would need to be prescribed even more medications — this time for pain. 
  • “I was nervous because pain medications haven’t worked for me in the past. I was worried about how I would recover from the surgery.” 
  • The surgery was a success.  But by day two in the hospital, Rachael was still in pain.
  • “I was in severe pain. I couldn’t relax or sleep, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. After two days of struggling through this pain, doctors changed my medication from oxycodone to hydrocodone. By the next day, my pain was so much better that I was able to go home.” 
  • Rachael, who was perplexed by her response (or, in this case, lack of response) to certain medications, remembered that she had recently heard about the OneOme RightMed® test.
  • Rachael wondered if the test could provide clues about why she was struggling so much with medications and if it could be a resource for her doctors who may need to prescribe more medications for her in the future. Rachael asked her doctor about the RightMed test, and he ordered it for her.
  • When I got my RightMed results, it showed that oxycodone, the medication I had been prescribed that didn’t work, was predicted to have little effect for me at a normal dose. After my test results validated this for me, I became serious about sharing them with my other doctors. I’m relieved that I finally have a resource to show doctors whenever I need new medications.”

Travis’ Story

A busy dad finds answers to medication optimization.*

“There were still times though when I wondered if my medication was working, but I felt better than before, so I stuck with it for a couple years.” 

Travis T.

Travis’ RightMed Story

  • Travis suffered from anxiety off and on for years before finally talking to his provider and getting diagnosed.  
  • He began taking an SSRI as prescribed, waited weeks for it to take effect, but it never did. 
  • He went back in and his provider moved him to escitalopram, which seemed to work after a few weeks. 
  • “I felt better on the escitalopram. I noticed some positive changes in my work and my ability to ‘roll with it’ when my two young boys were challenging at home.” 
  • “There were still times though when I wondered if my medication was working, but I felt better than before, so I stuck with it for a couple years.” 
  • When Travis took the RightMed test, his results showed that his body processed SSRIs like escitalopram faster than average. This meant it would leave his body sooner than intended. 
  • His provider spoke with him about lingering symptoms and recommended an increased dosage of his current medication. 
  • “I noticed a clear difference with the higher dose and am so glad we made the change. What’s better, I feel confident now knowing it’s working like it’s supposed to, so I can move on and concentrate on other things.” 

*Travis T. is an employee of OneOme

By prescription only. Patient results may vary. Talk to your doctor about whether RightMed may be beneficial for you.

IMPORTANT: Do not make any changes to your current medications or dosing without consulting with your doctor.

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