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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 jessers11581 on June 30, 2005, at 10:02:11
Hello! I am beginning a SAM-e regimen in conjunction with my SNRI (Cymbalta) and am just wondering what I can expect from it. My therapist recommended it to me. First of all, are there any side effects (including irritability, anxiety, GI upset, etc.)? Is it best to take it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach? What dosage is best if one is already using an anti-depressant? Are there any interactions with other drugs/supplements (I take fish/flax oil, magnesium, GABA for sleep as needed, a multi-vitamin, L-theanine, and oral contraceptives). Okay...I think that about covers all the bases. Please write back with any information. And please share your experiences with this supplement! I'm very interested in its effectiveness. Thanks!
Posted by Declan on July 1, 2005, at 14:57:52
In reply to SAM-e questions, posted by jessers11581 on June 30, 2005, at 10:02:11
Not everyone likes it. Can make some people irritable, apparently can precipitate mania, can cause minor GI upset, and I wonder if it can make sleep worse.
Having said that, I like it. I take 400mg on awakening, which is when I take 10mg Parnate.
How much SAMe are you going to take?
Are you going to reduce the Cymbalta dose a bit?
I imagine it might increase the effect of the Cymbalta, it will be interesting to see.
Shouldn't be any problems with those other supplements ans SAMe, at least there weren't for me (except for contraceptives).
It's great for me like theanine is, but both are expensive.
Declan
Posted by jessers11581 on July 1, 2005, at 19:26:45
In reply to Re: SAM-e questions, posted by Declan on July 1, 2005, at 14:57:52
> Not everyone likes it. Can make some people irritable, apparently can precipitate mania, can cause minor GI upset, and I wonder if it can make sleep worse.
> Having said that, I like it. I take 400mg on awakening, which is when I take 10mg Parnate.
> How much SAMe are you going to take?
> Are you going to reduce the Cymbalta dose a bit?
> I imagine it might increase the effect of the Cymbalta, it will be interesting to see.
> Shouldn't be any problems with those other supplements ans SAMe, at least there weren't for me (except for contraceptives).
> It's great for me like theanine is, but both are expensive.
> DeclanHi, thanks for responding. I plan to use 30 mg. Cymbalta and 400-600 mg. of SAM-e (that's all I can afford at the moment). You mentioned that there were problems with contraceptives. I currently use Yasmin. Will the SAM-e make it less effective, or cause problems with breakthrough bleeding? That would DEFINITELY be bad since I am not prepared to have children. I spoke with my p-doc yesterday about SAM-e and she said that it generally only works at high doses (1600 mg.), which there is no way on earth that I can afford. However, it seems that people have had success on less of it, so may 400 to 600 mg. will suffice. What do you think?
Posted by Declan on July 2, 2005, at 0:15:50
In reply to Re: SAM-e questions, posted by jessers11581 on July 1, 2005, at 19:26:45
No, no, didn't mean that at all. What I meant was that as a bloke I've no personal experience with using SAMe and contraceptives.
As for the dose thing, I don't think you have to go so high. Anything above 400mg/d can be therapeutic, or at least noticeable. Especially, perhaps because you are combining it with Cymbalta. I'm combining 400mg/d with 10mg Parnate, and I think it might potentiate it, from what I hear about other people's reactions.
Declan
Posted by jessers11581 on July 2, 2005, at 14:29:25
In reply to Re: SAM-e questions, posted by Declan on July 2, 2005, at 0:15:50
> No, no, didn't mean that at all. What I meant was that as a bloke I've no personal experience with using SAMe and contraceptives.
Ha ha! No, I don't suppose you have! Thanks for your response. I'm going to give 600 mg. a shot and see how things go. Take care! :)
Posted by Declan on July 8, 2005, at 21:52:26
In reply to Re: SAM-e questions, posted by jessers11581 on July 2, 2005, at 14:29:25
I thought you might be interested in my experience with Parnate and SAMe. I've been on Parnate 10mg/d (1 tablet) and 400mg SAMe, both of which I took first thing am.
To begin with it was good, I had an immediate and strong response to the Parnate. (I've been on SAMe for ages.) After the second or third day though, I got feelings of agitation/irritation/anger. Today is the first day off the SAMe and I feel much better. I wondered if the combination was somehow stimulating one of those 5ht2 receptors that Linkadge has been on about. Cymbalta is probably quite different but you might keep an eye out for that sort of thing. To begin with I was reluctant to give up the SAMe (liver, arthritis) and was going to take only 1/2 a tablet of Parnate/d. However I managed to be flexible.
Declan
This is the end of the thread.
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