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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Glydin on November 13, 2004, at 7:28:36
How long before results are noticed?I'm trying to decide if it's really doing anything for what I can only term as my laziness. I've not had any untoward effects, I'm just unsure if I'm getting any good effects after about 3ish weeks of use. While I know my lack of motivation and drive is a symptom of depression, this feels like plain laziness without sadness or fear as the lack of the ability to want to do tasks required.
I wish I could use some stim type product, but this generally causes a upramping of anxiety and defeats the purpose. RX AD's aren't a good option for me either.
I would like to hear some good SJW reports.
Thanks
Posted by linkadge on November 13, 2004, at 9:25:33
In reply to SJW question, posted by Glydin on November 13, 2004, at 7:28:36
SJW helped my depression and anxiety, but did *not* help my motivation.
I would recomend "omega 3" (EPA/DHA) for motivation. THe fish oils can have a powerful
anti-anhedonia effect.
Linkadge
Posted by Glydin on November 13, 2004, at 11:43:31
In reply to Re: SJW question, posted by linkadge on November 13, 2004, at 9:25:33
Thanks Linkadge, I've been doing the Omega 3's and pretty high EPA for a while and I do find that good for mood. I'm gonna give the SJW a whirl for a bit longer and see how it goes. At least it doesn't have intolerable effects, which is great.
Posted by KaraS on November 13, 2004, at 16:22:45
In reply to SJW question, posted by Glydin on November 13, 2004, at 7:28:36
>
> How long before results are noticed?
>
> I'm trying to decide if it's really doing anything for what I can only term as my laziness. I've not had any untoward effects, I'm just unsure if I'm getting any good effects after about 3ish weeks of use. While I know my lack of motivation and drive is a symptom of depression, this feels like plain laziness without sadness or fear as the lack of the ability to want to do tasks required.
>
> I wish I could use some stim type product, but this generally causes a upramping of anxiety and defeats the purpose. RX AD's aren't a good option for me either.
>
> I would like to hear some good SJW reports.
> Thanks
Glydin,I think it could take as long as 8 weeks to see the effects from SJW. It's supposed to be a little slower than regular ADs although some people see results much sooner. Most forms of SJW are not good for motivation. The most dopaminergic form, which would be best for motivation, is Perika by Nature's Way. It's not their regular SJW. It's made in Germany and it's the best brand for anergic depressions. You might have a hard time getting it in local stores but you can order it from iHerb.com or other on-line vendors if you're interested.
Did you check out that site for SJW that was posted here recently? http://www.sjwinfo.org/
There's good info there and boards where people post about their experiences with SJW. You'll find some posts from people who have had really good results.I hope it works for you.
Kara
Posted by Glydin on November 13, 2004, at 16:26:38
In reply to Re: SJW question » Glydin, posted by KaraS on November 13, 2004, at 16:22:45
Posted by linkadge on November 14, 2004, at 14:37:02
In reply to Thanks muchly (nm) » KaraS, posted by Glydin on November 13, 2004, at 16:26:38
I tried many different brands of SJW, all of which seemed to help the sadness but, didn't do much for the anhedonia/motivation.
I found, that SAMe was a whole different ball game in this respect.
SAMe certainly felt much more natural, and did wonders for my motivation. On SJW, I always felt like I was on something, while SAMe was seemless, but powerful.
Linkadge
Posted by jujube on November 14, 2004, at 15:13:12
In reply to Re: Thanks muchly, posted by linkadge on November 14, 2004, at 14:37:02
If you don't mind, can I ask you why you stopped taking the Sam-e? I asked my pdoc a couple of times if I could augment with Sam-e and he was not in the least keen about it. Probably because he isn't familiar with it as a treatment for depression.
Thanks.
Tamara
> I tried many different brands of SJW, all of which seemed to help the sadness but, didn't do much for the anhedonia/motivation.
>
> I found, that SAMe was a whole different ball game in this respect.
>
> SAMe certainly felt much more natural, and did wonders for my motivation. On SJW, I always felt like I was on something, while SAMe was seemless, but powerful.
>
>
> Linkadge
>
>
Posted by Glydin on November 14, 2004, at 17:00:03
In reply to Re: Thanks muchly, posted by linkadge on November 14, 2004, at 14:37:02
I actually did try SAMe several years ago when it was hit the market. I tried it for about 2 months or so. For me, it caused a really nasty headache that didn't stay a start up thing, but continued, the headache didn't really worsen but became too impacting for me to continue.
I know for some, it's great without any unwanted effects. It would be nice, for those with success with SAMe, if it wasn't so pricey, too.
Thanks for the thought.
Posted by linkadge on November 15, 2004, at 10:49:01
In reply to SAMe » linkadge, posted by Glydin on November 14, 2004, at 17:00:03
SAMe can *seriously* interact with prescription AD's. Although the above mentions the practice for treatment resistant depression, I would combine the two for nothing less.
I had life threatening reaction called serotonin syndrome when combining celexa and SAMe.
SAMe powerfully affects the production of serotonin, and SSRI's can intensify this effect.
Know the symptoms of serotonin syndrome and be very cautious if combining SAMe with a prescription AD.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on November 17, 2004, at 11:45:12
In reply to Re: SAMe, posted by linkadge on November 15, 2004, at 10:49:01
I also stopped it because it was too expensive.
It is really pathetic that this product is not covered by insurance. I think a lot more people could affort to be well.
Linkadge
Posted by jrbecker on November 17, 2004, at 14:15:14
In reply to Re: SAMe, posted by linkadge on November 17, 2004, at 11:45:12
although there is always a risk, reports of serotonin syndrome manifested by the synergistic effects of combining most antidepressants with SAMe are very rare.
Posted by linkadge on November 17, 2004, at 19:02:45
In reply to Re: SAMe and serotonin syndrome » linkadge, posted by jrbecker on November 17, 2004, at 14:15:14
However,
The clinical combination of AD's and SAMe has not been done extensivtly enought to know just how safe it is.Testing these combinations in treatement resistant patients is kind of a separate thing
since most of these patients can tolerate other
combinations that would easily provoke serotonin
syndrome in regular patients.Ie. Some treatment resistant patients can tolerate MAOI and a SSRI.
I would just caution any patient to be aware of the symptoms of serotonin syndrome and to do any augmentation under the care of a physitian, due to the fact that serotonin syndrome is potentially lethal.
Linkadge
This is the end of the thread.
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