Posted by Chris O on August 21, 2004, at 14:30:36
In reply to New to board, SAM-e thoughts???, posted by gqllc on August 21, 2004, at 8:45:35
> I have been on Dalmane (benzo)30 mg for sleep for over 25 years!! 8 months ago a Dr. tried to wean me off in 3 weeks, Total disaster with withdrawal, I am back on Dalmane 30 mg but would like to try SAM-e, B-complex, and Fish oils. I have mild depression after trying to withdraw. It took a toll on my moods! Any suggestions? I tried St Johns but it did not help. Thanks
Gqllc:
I've given SAM-e, fish oil, and St. John's all a good go. Here's my experience:
* SAM-e: I took it very consistently for almost a year. I varied the dose between 400mg to 1600mg per day. It had very mild anti-depressant and stimulating effects. Kind of Wellbutrin-like, but very very mild. The effects tended to wear off over a period of months and I would have to stop and start to notice any effect after a while. Conclusion: It worked, but not very powerfully, nothing compared to SSRIs.
* Fish oil: I took Dr. Stoll's (of The Omega-3 Connection/Harvard fame) fish oil product for 4 to 6 months. I took 2 to 4 grams per day. I didn't notice anything. I tried a really high dose for a month (like 7 grams per day) and also noticed nothing. Conclusion: Fish oil did nothing for my mood, but hopefully it had some health benefits!
* St. John's: Like you, the effects were mild. I do notice something, but...St. John's makes me fatigued and wears after a period of months too, like SAM-e.
* L-theanine, the amino acid made from green tea, did work for me. It helps me sleep, if I take enough of it (500mg-1 gram). It's widely available.
* Inositol: Tried this for a bit...think it has real anti-anxiety effects, but do not like taking the 12grams to 18 grams per day necessary to get effect. It just freaks me out taking that much of any supplement.
I'm on Lexapro now. It's like, eh, it works, but get the same old annoying side-effects as all the SSRIs (fatigue, weight gain, bad sleep, etc.). Anyway, I hope that helps.
Chris
poster:Chris O
thread:380316
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040815/msgs/380444.html