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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by colin wallace on February 7, 2002, at 13:30:06
Hi all,
Thought I'd pass on the encouraging results I've experienced with Sam-e supplementation for major depression, fibromyalgia (and in mitigating the 'unpleasantness' of effexor withdrawal.
Having spent two years hoverring somewhere between suicidal and severely depressed/anxious, and having unsuccessfully endured many different types of AD's for months on end (latterly effexor, which very nearly resulted in a gallows- type spectacle), I decided to give Sam-e a try.Weening myself off the mother of all SSRI'S (or snri's)and xanax was a gruelling , miserable experience (despite a respectful taper)which left me in an alternately volatile and stupefied state. With characteristic cynicism I began taking 400mg of Sam-e (any more produced some agitation and a 'thick' head)in the hope of counteracting the withdrawals, along with a small dose (5mg)of diazepam.The first three weeks were predictably awful, but then having hopped on a plane for a secluded island beach in the Andaman sea, I began to improve, slowly and shakily, but improvement nonetheless (I should note here that I'd previously been housebound through depression/anxiety for well overa year- also I have a severe flying phobia!!-so I flipped the odd xanax on the flight-who'd hold that against me??)
My improvements have been, in retrospect,fairly startling, although at the time they seemed subtle.I do not feel at all medicated, and am again able to function and interact socially-something I honestly thought would elude me forever.My fibromyalgia whole body ache has also improved (more dramatically than the depression I have to say).I have maintained the improvements thus far, and it has been around three months since I ditched effexor(and my ignorant doc.in favour of a prettier one).
I am not against standard antidepressants by any means, it just appears I may be one of those unfortunate non-responders.
However,I am being persuaded (willingly) to supplement my sam-e with an AD, as I am experiencing an unavoidably stressful life-
situation, and am starting to slip as a result.
I have heard that reboxetine is good for maintaining positive responses(although posts here make me wary...), and I am also considering desipramine (disliked and failed with amitriptyline- not much effect with lofepramine.)
Well, that's my input on Sam-e, which I am astonished to say does actually work for me.
Any thoughts/experiences on Rebox. or desip. much appreciated.Stay Well
Col.
Posted by cisco on February 9, 2002, at 14:22:06
In reply to Sam-e result, tricyclic question, posted by colin wallace on February 7, 2002, at 13:30:06
Hey Col:
How were the waves in the Andamans? Did you go there to surf? See any pirates? How would you rate the area for beauty and pristinity?
Cisco
Posted by colin wallace on February 10, 2002, at 12:56:04
In reply to Re: Sam-e result, tricyclic question, posted by cisco on February 9, 2002, at 14:22:06
Cisco,
Definitely recommend any of Southern Thailand/Andaman islands- still plenty of unspoilt, rugged, breathtaking places to see. Never surfed, but dived there before (great waves though,if you're into surfing).Managed to get laid a coupla times though....(me too..yup, first time in...ahem...way over a year!!!)
I'm even contemplating going through effexor withdrawal again, just for the sympathy??
Posted by pedr on February 11, 2002, at 9:04:11
In reply to Sam-e result, tricyclic question, posted by colin wallace on February 7, 2002, at 13:30:06
Watcha Col,
I've been on reboxetine for a good few months now. I started taking it whilst I was on 300mg Surmontil. It was a very, very disturbing experience - I couldn't stop thinking of suicide for about 2 weeks. These days I can't believe I put up with it. It was partly because my pdoc is of the attitude "A/Ds make you less depressed, not more depressed" - what a tw*t.
Anyway, I got through that and the suicidal thinking relented. I think it's helping me although I'm not sure - it's that classic case where you don't know what you'd be like on no meds. I don't get any notable side effects from it these days apart from pretty severe constipation - lovely. The first 2 weeks I got headaches, dry mouth and that sort of standard stuff.
Errr, hope this helps in some way, good luck,
pete.
Posted by colin wallace on February 11, 2002, at 11:34:17
In reply to Re: Sam-e result, tricyclic question, posted by pedr on February 11, 2002, at 9:04:11
Howdy,
Funnily enough I discussed REBOX. with my doc today, and voiced my concerns (ie. efficacy and tolerability possibly worse than similar acting tricyclic desipramine- her experience was that it(Rebox) just wasn't particularly effective).
I've been on bog-standard, trusty Amitriptyline a week or so now(with Sam-e) , and have less side effects than with all the 'newer' AD'S I'd tried.It may be an old, no frills , 'dirty' tricyclic but I reckon it still has it's place, even in the modern AD arsenal.
Incidentally, Sam-e causes the 'opposite' effect to constipation- some say it can boost the effectiveness of AD's, requiring you to take less of them. Wouldnt go tinkering without a doc's advice though- especially if youve been suicidal.In my long, bitter and twisted experience , if you feel like crap whilst taking your med., you'll most prob. feel even worse on nothing at all.
Still, you could try substituting all meals with seven or eight cans of Boddingtons Ale (UK) and a handful of onion bahjees - should alleviate the constipation.......?
Posted by pedr on February 12, 2002, at 11:50:52
In reply to Re: Sam-e result, tricyclic question pedr, posted by colin wallace on February 11, 2002, at 11:34:17
> Howdy,
>
> Funnily enough I discussed REBOX. with my doc today, and voiced my concerns (ie. efficacy and tolerability possibly worse than similar acting tricyclic desipramine- her experience was that it(Rebox) just wasn't particularly effective).
> I've been on bog-standard, trusty Amitriptyline a week or so now(with Sam-e) , and have less side effects than with all the 'newer' AD'S I'd tried.It may be an old, no frills , 'dirty' tricyclic but I reckon it still has it's place, even in the modern AD arsenal.
> Incidentally, Sam-e causes the 'opposite' effect to constipation- some say it can boost the effectiveness of AD's, requiring you to take less of them. Wouldnt go tinkering without a doc's advice though- especially if youve been suicidal.In my long, bitter and twisted experience , if you feel like crap whilst taking your med., you'll most prob. feel even worse on nothing at all.
> Still, you could try substituting all meals with seven or eight cans of Boddingtons Ale (UK) and a handful of onion bahjees - should alleviate the constipation.......?I agree about the tricyclics, I had a very severe response to SSRIs but tolerated tricyclics much better. I would also agree in that it's very likely I'd go right down the swanny without meds.
Strange you should mention the boddies and ruby - I've had a few nights like that [ok, just 4-5, not 7-8 cans] and the next day I have no urge to drop the kids off at the pool whatsoever. Nothing seems to work - even the movicol I've got [which is reasonably hardcore I'm lead to believe] doesn't work half the time. Maybe molten lead might do the trick.
pk
This is the end of the thread.
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