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.
poster:colin wallace
thread:93196
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020131/msgs/93196.html