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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 2 of 2. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Christ_empowered on February 7, 2015, at 13:36:52
Does this stuff help? I recently started Wellbutrin SR. Its the 2x daily wellbutrin. I'm only on 200mgs. Its public health (read: you don't get much shrink time), so this will be my dosage for the next 3 months.
I'm feeling better already, or stimulated, at least, which is what I needed. I'd like to get the most out of my AD, so...
...SAMe? I'm not familiar w/ this one. Has it helped any of y'all?>
Posted by Tomatheus on February 8, 2015, at 17:34:59
In reply to SAMe, anyone?, posted by Christ_empowered on February 7, 2015, at 13:36:52
Christ_empowered,
I personally tend to see SAM-e as being riskier than most mood-boosting supplements, although I will qualify this statement by saying that it's to a large extent based on my experiences with the supplement. I liked SAM-e at first. The supplement really seemed to alleviate the problems that I was having with low energy, slow thinking, and excessive sleep (all of which were quite severe at the time I added SAM-e to my regimen at the time) for about three days. And when I took SAM-e with tranylcypromine (which I don't in retrospect recommend that anyone do because SAM-e is officially contraindicated with tranylcypromine), I continued to notice what I'd describe as a partial response, even after the stronger three-day response faded. Unfortunately, it was after about three months on my SAM-e/tranylcypromine combo (which again, I wouldn't recommend anyone trying for the reason that I just stated above) that my psychotic symptoms emerged. I think it's possible that another substance that I had taken about a month before my psychotic symptoms emerged (that substance being aminoguanidine) might have done something along with the SAM-e and my medication to bring out my psychotic symptoms, but I don't know if that's the case for sure. But anyway, what's probably most important for you is that I was taking SAM-e when my psychotic symptoms emerged, even though I don't know to what extent the SAM-e might have had anything to do with bringing out the psychosis.
So, if my experience is anything to judge from, SAM-e might not necessarily be the best supplement for someone who already has psychotic symptoms, and SAM-e is also recommended to be avoided by individuals with bipolar disorder (which I know you've said you have) because it can apparently at least worsen manic symptoms. Another reason why I think that SAM-e is risky is because it may not mix well with other supplements and medications, at least (again) judging from my experiences. It would be difficult for me to describe exactly what happened when I tried taking SAM-e sublingually along with Korean ginseng and the Abilify that I currently take, but I think that it would be safe to say that my reaction was adverse. So, given the fact that you're taking a lot of medications and supplements, along with the fact that you have bipolar disorder, I can't say that I would take SAM-e if I were in your position. Maybe others here might have more encouraging things to tell you about SAM-e, but my opinion is that the supplement would probably best be avoided.
Tomatheus
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