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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 24 of 24. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Conundrum on November 10, 2010, at 16:34:47
I'm looking to see what experiences, if any people have had with this supplement. Specifically for depression. I know it can be bad with BP disorder.
Posted by Phillipa on November 10, 2010, at 17:41:08
In reply to SAM-E? Anyone tried it?, posted by Conundrum on November 10, 2010, at 16:34:47
Oh good as I also would love to know.
Posted by Tomatheus on November 10, 2010, at 17:45:23
In reply to SAM-E? Anyone tried it?, posted by Conundrum on November 10, 2010, at 16:34:47
Conundrum,
I first tried SAMe in combination with the version of tranylcypromine that Goldshield markets in the U.K. in late 2006. I've read that the two treatments are contraindicated with one another, but at the time my depression was really severe and wasn't responding consistently to any treatment, so I decided to try a low dose of SAMe with a low dose of the tranylcypromine. For some reason, it didn't cross my mind to try SAMe alone, which definitely would have made more sense than trying it with tranylcypromine, but I was looking to augment, and SAMe seemed like a promising option.
So, I had been on 20 mg of tranylcypromine for about a week and wasn't noticing any significant antidepressant effects (although I was in remission for my first three days on the medication and for my first three days after going from 10 to 20 mg) when I started the SAMe. I know that I was taking 400 mg of SAMe when I started the supplement and that I backed down to 200 mg at some point, but I can't remember when. What I do remember is noticing a robust antidepressant response -- particularly as far as energy, psychomotor retardation, and anhedonia were concerned -- for about three days (which seems to happen too often in the treatment of my depression) before the response weakened. I also experienced some insomnia initially, but after my antidepressant response weakened I noticed a lot of fatigue -- particularly in the early evening. It was the fatigue that prompted me to reduce my SAMe dose to 150 mg, and because I was experiencing partial-but-consistent antidepressant benefits from my combo, I stayed at 20 mg of tranylcypromine and 150 mg of SAMe for about three months.
I ultimately stopped taking my tranylcypromine-SAMe combo after I became psychotic and was hospitalized. I suspect that a medication called aminoguanidine, which I took when I was on tranylcypromine and SAMe, triggered my psychosis because the psychosis occurred a few days after I took the aminoguanidine and because the aminoguanidine profoundly affected my cognition from the moment I took it. Anyway, I did try SAMe again a few times after I developed psychotic symptoms. The first few times I took it, I noticed some of the same benefits that I noticed when I originally took it with tranylcypromine. However, I never stayed on it for long (following my descent into psychosis) because its benefits seemed to be short lived. For some reason that I can't explain, the last few times that I've tried SAMe I haven't been able to get any response out of it.
Well, that pretty much sums up my trials with SAMe. As you know, my experience isn't going to be representative of the experiences of everybody who has taken SAMe, but I hope that you find it to be at least somewhat helpful.
Tomatheus
Posted by Maxime on November 10, 2010, at 19:42:49
In reply to SAM-E? Anyone tried it?, posted by Conundrum on November 10, 2010, at 16:34:47
As with many alt meds, I would like to know which brands of SAM-E are the best. I think that can make all the difference when using an alt med.
Posted by Tomatheus on November 10, 2010, at 21:01:50
In reply to Re: SAM-E? Anyone tried it? » Conundrum, posted by Maxime on November 10, 2010, at 19:42:49
Maxime brought up a good point. So, to add to my post...
I took the GNC brand of SAMe when I took the supplement with tranylcypromine. When I took SAMe after developing my psychosis, I took both the GNC brand and the NOW Foods brand (not at the same time, though).
Tomatheus
Posted by Tomatheus on November 10, 2010, at 21:05:03
In reply to Re: SAM-E? Anyone tried it?, posted by Tomatheus on November 10, 2010, at 21:01:50
For me, the GNC and NOW Foods brands of SAMe seemed to be the same in terms of their effects.
Tomatheus
Posted by Conundrum on November 10, 2010, at 21:22:42
In reply to One more addition..., posted by Tomatheus on November 10, 2010, at 21:05:03
> For me, the GNC and NOW Foods brands of SAMe seemed to be the same in terms of their effects.
>
> TomatheusThanks for the info
http://www.mcmanweb.com/sam-e_wort.html
according to this link, there is a company in italy that makes the GNC brand along with some others. maybe they make the NOW brand as well? idk.
Posted by TenMan on November 11, 2010, at 18:57:44
In reply to Re: One more addition... » Tomatheus, posted by Conundrum on November 10, 2010, at 21:22:42
SAM-e is pretty good stuff. I take 400mgs. of the Doctor's Best brand twice a day. Main effects are: energizing, faster mental processing and a more stable mood. The only drawback is it seems to constipate me.
Posted by Phillipa on November 11, 2010, at 21:00:49
In reply to SAM-E question on alt forum, posted by Conundrum on November 10, 2010, at 16:35:52
I feel it should be on the med board. As it's for depression? See thread on admin about combining meds, health, alternative. Since many are on all three. I will check. Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on November 11, 2010, at 21:00:50
In reply to Re: SAM-E question on alt forum » Conundrum, posted by Phillipa on November 10, 2010, at 17:38:51
> I feel it should be on the med board. As it's for depression? See thread on admin about combining meds, health, alternative. Since many are on all three. I will check. Phillipa
Hi, no offence Phillipa, but there are lots of discussion on alt meds for depression on the alt board. They don't belong on the med board, because, well, they are alternative.
Posted by Phillipa on November 11, 2010, at 21:00:51
In reply to Re: SAM-E question on alt forum » Phillipa, posted by Maxime on November 10, 2010, at 19:26:46
In Europe It isn't considered alternative I don't believe but will check into it. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on November 11, 2010, at 21:00:52
In reply to Re: SAM-E question on alt forum » Maxime, posted by Phillipa on November 10, 2010, at 20:10:05
Posted by Maxime on November 11, 2010, at 21:00:53
In reply to Re: SAM-E question on alt forum » Maxime, posted by Phillipa on November 10, 2010, at 20:10:05
By alternative, I mean that it is not a prescription medication. It's an "alternative" to prescribed meds.
Posted by Phillipa on November 11, 2010, at 21:35:01
In reply to Re: SAM-E question on alt forum » Phillipa, posted by Maxime on November 11, 2010, at 21:00:50
It's not my dicision ultimately it's Dr Bob. Phillipa
Posted by Conundrum on November 11, 2010, at 21:58:41
In reply to SAM-e, posted by TenMan on November 11, 2010, at 18:57:44
> SAM-e is pretty good stuff. I take 400mgs. of the Doctor's Best brand twice a day. Main effects are: energizing, faster mental processing and a more stable mood. The only drawback is it seems to constipate me.
I could really use some faster mental processing. Sounds like it might be able to help with anhedonia hmm.
Posted by Phillipa on November 12, 2010, at 12:01:39
In reply to Re: SAM-e, posted by Conundrum on November 11, 2010, at 21:58:41
Think you will try it? Phillipa
Posted by Conundrum on November 12, 2010, at 13:31:42
In reply to Re: SAM-e » Conundrum, posted by Phillipa on November 12, 2010, at 12:01:39
> Think you will try it? Phillipa
Yeh, I got some this morning. Took it on an empty stomach. Got Nature Made's brand, apparently one of the only brands to pass independent lab tests 3 out of 3 times. 200 mg.
Don't notice any weird side effects, which is nice because I've heard of people getting cramps, headaches, and anxiety right off the bat.
I'm kind of shocked I never tried this before. Will keep updated.
Posted by Phillipa on November 12, 2010, at 21:28:49
In reply to Re: SAM-e » Phillipa, posted by Conundrum on November 12, 2010, at 13:31:42
Your profile mentions other ad's did you stop them or add on to them? Phillipa
Posted by Conundrum on November 13, 2010, at 10:50:17
In reply to Re: SAM-e » Conundrum, posted by Phillipa on November 12, 2010, at 21:28:49
> Your profile mentions other ad's did you stop them or add on to them? Phillipa
Nah, I'm taking everything in my signature.
Posted by Phillipa on November 13, 2010, at 19:54:30
In reply to Re: SAM-e, posted by Conundrum on November 13, 2010, at 10:50:17
Isn't that supposed to be dangerous? Phillipa
Posted by former poster on November 29, 2010, at 11:55:58
In reply to SAM-E? Anyone tried it?, posted by Conundrum on November 10, 2010, at 16:34:47
Told from a very good Dr. I had a decade ago Nature Made is the best. Looking at the Pharmacists shelves while waiting for a prescription I always see "Nature Made" brand up there next to the all the prescription meds. I've seen this in every pharmacy in US and even some in Asia. I have been on and off of Sam-e for about 12 years. Took it a combo with Nardil for a month or more. Amazingly I never had any interactions. My only bad experience with Sam-e was when discontinuing it. The effects are subtle for me. Almost seemed to make colors more vibrant. Maybe I was getting hypomanic. For me it had no sexual side effects. Maybe some positive effects on sexual function. Sam-e alone just doesn't seem to be enough as an anti-depressant, but much better than nothing. I wish this stuff was around when I was in my teens.
Posted by Conundrum on November 29, 2010, at 12:04:40
In reply to Re: SAM-E? Anyone tried it? » Conundrum, posted by former poster on November 29, 2010, at 11:55:58
Thank you former poster,
I am currently taking 800mgs/day as of Friday. For one I have noticed it seems to give me cramps and I have to go to the bathroom a lot. It also seems to kind of wake me up. I started on 200mg/day 3 fridays ago and have not noticed any benefit yet. I wonder if I should wait it out or talk to my pdoc about adding something to it. I want to be sure it is at least doing a little something on its own though, since it is expensive. The best deal on nature made I found was 25$ for 36 tablets, 400 mg each.> Told from a very good Dr. I had a decade ago Nature Made is the best. Looking at the Pharmacists shelves while waiting for a prescription I always see "Nature Made" brand up there next to the all the prescription meds. I've seen this in every pharmacy in US and even some in Asia. I have been on and off of Sam-e for about 12 years. Took it a combo with Nardil for a month or more. Amazingly I never had any interactions. My only bad experience with Sam-e was when discontinuing it. The effects are subtle for me. Almost seemed to make colors more vibrant. Maybe I was getting hypomanic. For me it had no sexual side effects. Maybe some positive effects on sexual function. Sam-e alone just doesn't seem to be enough as an anti-depressant, but much better than nothing. I wish this stuff was around when I was in my teens.
Posted by former poster on November 29, 2010, at 12:27:15
In reply to Re: SAM-E? Anyone tried it? » former poster, posted by Conundrum on November 29, 2010, at 12:04:40
Thanks for that price info. I have never tried 800mg a day. Maybe its time to give it a try? I'm taking 450mg of Bupropion (generic) a day. I go through the day with clenched teeth! Maybe I'll reduce the Bupropion to 300mg before upping the Sam-e dose? I worry about drug-drug drug-supplement interaction a lot.
Also have big insomnia prob most of my life. Hope Sam-e works out for you.
Posted by Conundrum on November 29, 2010, at 12:30:49
In reply to Re: SAM-E? Anyone tried it? » Conundrum, posted by former poster on November 29, 2010, at 12:27:15
I chose that dosage, since 800-1600 mg were the dosages most studies for the treatment of depression using SAM-e.
You can find that price if you look around on amazon.com
I'm off to the bathroom for the 4th time today :(
> Thanks for that price info. I have never tried 800mg a day. Maybe its time to give it a try? I'm taking 450mg of Bupropion (generic) a day. I go through the day with clenched teeth! Maybe I'll reduce the Bupropion to 300mg before upping the Sam-e dose? I worry about drug-drug drug-supplement interaction a lot.
> Also have big insomnia prob most of my life. Hope Sam-e works out for you.
This is the end of the thread.
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