Posted by Ron Hill on March 13, 2002, at 9:37:09
In reply to Re: Sam-e in conjunction with AD » Ron Hill, posted by lizzyg on March 13, 2002, at 7:04:31
Lizzy,
>My anxiety symptoms are physical agitation, lightheadedness, racing thoughts and a sense of impending doom; no rage or irritability.
The "racing thoughts" makes your symptoms sound to me (a total layman) a little bit like a dysphoric hypomania, but you've never posted a dx of bipolar.
> As cost isn't really an issue, do you think the 5-HTP might help both with the depression and anxiety - I seem to remember reading that it had sedative/anxiolytic properties?
Lizzy, I know virtually zero about 5-HTP. Others on this board can better help you with 5-HTP questions. All I know is what you already know, which is that 5-HTP is a precussor to serotonin. As such, it would seem unlikely to me (a layman) that it would have substantial anxiolytic properties. I (a layman) typically associate anxiolytic effects with meds, herbs, or supplements that influence the neurotransmitter GABA.
Yesterday Misty posted an interesting link to a site with good information on St. John's Wort. According to the documentation on the site, St. John's Wort is a reuptake inhibitor of GABA (as well as serotonin, norepinphrine, and dopamine) and, therefore, has anxiolytic properties. Here is a link to Misty's post:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/97197.html>I assume there wouldn't be any bad reaction from the combination of SAM-e and 5-HTP?
The only thing that comes to my mind is Serotonin Syndrome since both SAM-e and 5-HTP can increase serotonin in the brain. I doubt this is very likely since it appears safe to combine SAM-e with an SSRI. I've never read of any adverse reaction, so I'm just guessing. As I read your past posts I gather that you are not currently taking any prescription medication but, instead, just SAM-e. Is this correct?
-- Ron
PS You have two screen names, huh? Lizzy G and lizzyg.
-------------------------------------------Lizzy,
> > > So far the SAM-e seems to be working pretty well, but this depressive episode is different from my history.
> >
> > I'm glad to hear that you are finding some benefit from SAM-e. Please continue to post periodically regarding the effectiveness/ineffectiveness of the SAM-e.
> >
> > > However, this time, the depression has been triggered by an external event (bereavement) and is not as severe as previously.
> >
> > I am very sorry for your loss. Do you think it might help if you met with a counselor (psychologist)?
> >
> > > Do you have any experience/views about augmenting the SAM-e with 5-HTP?
> >
> > No, I've never tried 5-HTP nor have I read anything regarding this combination. I might try it when I wean myself off of my small Zoloft dose (my daily meds; 600 mg Lithobid, 12.5 mg Zoloft, 200 mg SAM-e). One thing that SAM-e and 5-HTP have in common is that they are both expensive supplements!
> >
> > >Also, have you ever tried an alternative remedy for anxiety, such as kava kava?
> >
> > I have very little experience with kava kava. I used it a couple of times as a sleep-aid and I felt a slight "hangover" the next day. However, your mileage may vary. What are your anxiety symptoms? Is it an irritable rage thing or a fear and hiding thing?
> >
> > >I have a supply of Oxazepam in my armoury, but haven't taken any since being on the SAM-e, and wondered if you could recommend anything other than the benzos.
> >
> > For quite sometime I have been considering adding a small amount of gabapentin (Neurontin) to my Lithobid. As you know, Neurontin is an anti-epileptic drug (AED) used also as a mood stabilizer. It has some anti-anxiety features. Does the addictive potential of the benzos concern you?
> >
> > -- Ron
poster:Ron Hill
thread:95968
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020313/msgs/97772.html