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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Susie on April 29, 2000, at 11:14:13
Hi all. I just want to share with you my experience with SAM-e. It's a "supplement" here in the states and a drug in Italy.
I've been taking it for about a month now and it's working for me. I've had 12 years of depression starting with the birth of my first son. I know this disorder way too well. I've taken Prozac, paxil, serzone, effexor, zoloft, trazadone, well, you get the picture. I've been on a mission for a few years to get some serious relief. I was on Wellbutrin just prior to starting with this. The Wellbutrin was great for about 8 months and then the depression was back and I started having severe memory problems. I just couldn't take it any more.
Within a week of the SAM-e I starting feeling a lot better. Ceaning my house was the first indicator that it was working. I went dancing!! It was so fun. I put makeup on. Sorry guys, I know you won't relate. Sex drive came back. Yippee!!
Anyhow, I'm sure this is not something that will work for everyone. I just needed to let others know that its working for me.
SAM-e is very expensive. Just about a dollar a tablet. I tried a cheaper brand (NaturesRX) that I see advertised all over the net and it made me feel horrible. Like it was loaded with caffiene. My heart rate went up and so did my blood pressure.
Now I'm just sticking with the NaturMade product which has been tested by GoodHousekeeping and found to be what its says it is. I'm taking 1600 mgs per day with a B100 tablet and something called TMG.
A good place for more information is www.lef.org. Thats the place where I first learned of this stuff 2 years ago. They have all the studys and protocols that an MD would appreciate too.
This disorder robs us of so much life. I cant even remember the first 5 years of my childrens' lives. It absolutely breaks my heart. So we have to find an answer. I hope that you're like me and you don't ever give up. God Bless.
Susie in Tucson AZ
Posted by jacquie on April 29, 2000, at 16:01:31
In reply to SAM-e is working, posted by Susie on April 29, 2000, at 11:14:13
Hi Susie- glad to hear that you've had great results with Same. I have heard the dose needs to be that high for some and perhaps this explains why 400mg didn't help me much. What is TMG??? Thanks for sharing. best, jacquie
> Hi all. I just want to share with you my experience with SAM-e. It's a "supplement" here in the states and a drug in Italy.
> I've been taking it for about a month now and it's working for me. I've had 12 years of depression starting with the birth of my first son. I know this disorder way too well. I've taken Prozac, paxil, serzone, effexor, zoloft, trazadone, well, you get the picture. I've been on a mission for a few years to get some serious relief. I was on Wellbutrin just prior to starting with this. The Wellbutrin was great for about 8 months and then the depression was back and I started having severe memory problems. I just couldn't take it any more.
> Within a week of the SAM-e I starting feeling a lot better. Ceaning my house was the first indicator that it was working. I went dancing!! It was so fun. I put makeup on. Sorry guys, I know you won't relate. Sex drive came back. Yippee!!
> Anyhow, I'm sure this is not something that will work for everyone. I just needed to let others know that its working for me.
> SAM-e is very expensive. Just about a dollar a tablet. I tried a cheaper brand (NaturesRX) that I see advertised all over the net and it made me feel horrible. Like it was loaded with caffiene. My heart rate went up and so did my blood pressure.
> Now I'm just sticking with the NaturMade product which has been tested by GoodHousekeeping and found to be what its says it is. I'm taking 1600 mgs per day with a B100 tablet and something called TMG.
> A good place for more information is www.lef.org. Thats the place where I first learned of this stuff 2 years ago. They have all the studys and protocols that an MD would appreciate too.
> This disorder robs us of so much life. I cant even remember the first 5 years of my childrens' lives. It absolutely breaks my heart. So we have to find an answer. I hope that you're like me and you don't ever give up. God Bless.
> Susie in Tucson AZ
Posted by Susie on April 29, 2000, at 16:46:02
In reply to Re: TMG??, posted by jacquie on April 29, 2000, at 16:01:31
Hi Jacquie,
I don't really understand all of the scientific language but in simple terms, I hope I have this right, every person has SAM-e in their bodies. As the SAM-e gets used up it produces a by product called homocysteine. Apparantly not good stuff to have a lot of. Contributes to heart disease and stroke and other things. TMG (Trimethylglycine) helps reduce the homosteine. Voila! hehe I don't understand it but Lef.org recommended it. I've been a member of that group for a few years and believe them to be on the cutting edge of life extension and improvement medicine. All I really know is that I feel so much better. btw, I'm taking 1600mgs and going broke quickly. At least I'll be happy and poor!!
All the best to you too.
Susie> Hi Susie- glad to hear that you've had great results with Same. I have heard the dose needs to be that high for some and perhaps this explains why 400mg didn't help me much. What is TMG??? Thanks for sharing. best, jacquie
>
> > Hi all. I just want to share with you my experience with SAM-e. It's a "supplement" here in the states and a drug in Italy.
> > I've been taking it for about a month now and it's working for me. I've had 12 years of depression starting with the birth of my first son. I know this disorder way too well. I've taken Prozac, paxil, serzone, effexor, zoloft, trazadone, well, you get the picture. I've been on a mission for a few years to get some serious relief. I was on Wellbutrin just prior to starting with this. The Wellbutrin was great for about 8 months and then the depression was back and I started having severe memory problems. I just couldn't take it any more.
> > Within a week of the SAM-e I starting feeling a lot better. Ceaning my house was the first indicator that it was working. I went dancing!! It was so fun. I put makeup on. Sorry guys, I know you won't relate. Sex drive came back. Yippee!!
> > Anyhow, I'm sure this is not something that will work for everyone. I just needed to let others know that its working for me.
> > SAM-e is very expensive. Just about a dollar a tablet. I tried a cheaper brand (NaturesRX) that I see advertised all over the net and it made me feel horrible. Like it was loaded with caffiene. My heart rate went up and so did my blood pressure.
> > Now I'm just sticking with the NaturMade product which has been tested by GoodHousekeeping and found to be what its says it is. I'm taking 1600 mgs per day with a B100 tablet and something called TMG.
> > A good place for more information is www.lef.org. Thats the place where I first learned of this stuff 2 years ago. They have all the studys and protocols that an MD would appreciate too.
> > This disorder robs us of so much life. I cant even remember the first 5 years of my childrens' lives. It absolutely breaks my heart. So we have to find an answer. I hope that you're like me and you don't ever give up. God Bless.
> > Susie in Tucson AZ
Posted by AndrewB on April 29, 2000, at 21:32:53
In reply to Re: TMG??, posted by Susie on April 29, 2000, at 16:46:02
I've been taking TMG for over a year. It is very inexpensive and I think it is money well spent for many depressives. Let me tell you why. Yes TMG detoxifies homocysteine, a leading cause of heart and artery disease. But it also converts into SAMe. Studies have demonstrated that TMG raises SAME levels significantly in the body. It is actually a low cost way of increasing the bodies amount of SAMe. Both SAMe and TMG are compounds naturally found in the body. There are no side effects with it except brief muscle tension headaches if large quantities are consumed without food.
Now if you want to take it, you should also be taking vitamin B6 and B12 supplements to assist in its conversion. A minimum effective dose of TMG for homocysteine reduction is 500 to 1000mg. per day. Optimal doses for SAMe elevation are about 3,000 mg/day. In some studies 6,000mgs were used. Once you start taking TMG for depression, it will probably take several weeks befroe you see results. I never saw any antidepressant effect at high doses so I now take it at just the dose for homcysteine reduction.
AndrewB
Posted by JohnL on April 30, 2000, at 3:39:49
In reply to SAM-e is working, posted by Susie on April 29, 2000, at 11:14:13
Very cool news Susie! I smiled when I read your post. Love it.
So SAMe is a drug in Italy, huh? That's interesting. I think Europe in general is way ahead of the USA in terms of unique drug innovation and herbal/supplement uses.
Anyway, nice to hear the good news. Too bad it's so pricey, huh? SAMe helped me at 800mg a day. And who knows, it could well have been a total cure at 1600mg. But geez, where do I find $16 a day!? Yikes. But I guess when it comes to mental health, whatever works is worth it.
JohnL
Posted by woodchuck on May 1, 2000, at 14:04:43
In reply to SAM-e is working, posted by Susie on April 29, 2000, at 11:14:13
1600 mg's of SAMe was very helpful for me, also, but I had to stop because of the cost.
Thanks for the info about the Nature's Rx brand. I was thinking of trying it, but I guess I'll steer clear of it.
By the way, in case anyone's interested, www.costco.com has the least expensive Nature Made SAMe that I've seen.
Posted by Susie on May 1, 2000, at 15:31:35
In reply to Re: SAM-e is working, posted by woodchuck on May 1, 2000, at 14:04:43
Hi,
I just want to say that just because the NaturesRX wasn't good for me doesn't mean that it might not work well for others. I also want to say that they were wonderful in refunding my money except for the one bottle I opened. I was bummed that it didn't work.
Anyhow, right now a website called healthquick.com is discounting 1/2 off for people ordering for the first time. I just ordered 6 bottles of the Naturemade from them. Such a deal!! Next order will come from Costco and from my understanding you don't even need to be a member to order.
Have a terrific day.
Susie in Arizona (melting already)
btw, have you ever noticed when birds fly in a V formation that one side is always longer than the other? Do you know why?
There's more birds on that side!!Just a grin for the day.
c-ya> 1600 mg's of SAMe was very helpful for me, also, but I had to stop because of the cost.
>
> Thanks for the info about the Nature's
> 1600 mg's of SAMe was very helpful for me, also, but I had to stop because of the cost.
>
> Thanks for the info about the Nature's Rx brand. I was thinking of trying it, but I guess I'll steer clear of it.
>
> By the way, in case anyone's interested, www.costco.com has the least expensive Nature Made SAMe that I've seen.
Posted by Tom on May 2, 2000, at 11:42:35
In reply to Re: TMG??, posted by Susie on April 29, 2000, at 16:46:02
>SAMe did work for me, but the expense was just too much to handle. I was up to 1200 mgs a day, and at a $1 a pill, I gave up because I know I needed more than 1200. I did add TMG , but that seemed to poop out quickly. I think in the future the manufacturers will change the way they dose this stuff and recommend a higher starting dosage than 400mgs a day. Perhaps that is when the price will go down. It really is a shame, because this stuff works, and I had absolutely no side effects.
I did try the NatureRX brand, which was very cheap, but it didn't work nearly as well. NatureMade is the brand I would recommend.
Posted by Leighwit on May 4, 2000, at 19:04:20
In reply to SAM-e is working, posted by Susie on April 29, 2000, at 11:14:13
Susie,
Good for you! That's fantastic.
I'm a believer in SAMe. I've taken every one of the SSRIs, plus Norpramin, Effexor, Serzone, Dexedrine & Ritalin as adjuncts, Wellbutrin, and Reboxetine. SAMe was better than any of them, IMO. (Although WB and Celexa with Aricept is working pretty well for me now.)
Unfortunately, SAMe also can (emphasis on "can") induce hypoglycemia. As a diabetic (Type I) who doesn't have much symptom warning for insulin shock any more, I can't take SAMe; it's just too risky (and I learned that the hard way.)
Perhaps, however, if more research is done and some product standardization happens, I'll be able to try it again.
I'm so happy for you!
Laurie (Leighwit)
> Hi all. I just want to share with you my experience with SAM-e. It's a "supplement" here in the states and a drug in Italy.
> I've been taking it for about a month now and it's working for me. I've had 12 years of depression starting with the birth of my first son. I know this disorder way too well. I've taken Prozac, paxil, serzone, effexor, zoloft, trazadone, well, you get the picture. I've been on a mission for a few years to get some serious relief. I was on Wellbutrin just prior to starting with this. The Wellbutrin was great for about 8 months and then the depression was back and I started having severe memory problems. I just couldn't take it any more.
> Within a week of the SAM-e I starting feeling a lot better. Ceaning my house was the first indicator that it was working. I went dancing!! It was so fun. I put makeup on. Sorry guys, I know you won't relate. Sex drive came back. Yippee!!
> Anyhow, I'm sure this is not something that will work for everyone. I just needed to let others know that its working for me.
> SAM-e is very expensive. Just about a dollar a tablet. I tried a cheaper brand (NaturesRX) that I see advertised all over the net and it made me feel horrible. Like it was loaded with caffiene. My heart rate went up and so did my blood pressure.
> Now I'm just sticking with the NaturMade product which has been tested by GoodHousekeeping and found to be what its says it is. I'm taking 1600 mgs per day with a B100 tablet and something called TMG.
> A good place for more information is www.lef.org. Thats the place where I first learned of this stuff 2 years ago. They have all the studys and protocols that an MD would appreciate too.
> This disorder robs us of so much life. I cant even remember the first 5 years of my childrens' lives. It absolutely breaks my heart. So we have to find an answer. I hope that you're like me and you don't ever give up. God Bless.
> Susie in Tucson AZ
Posted by Susie on May 4, 2000, at 19:16:22
In reply to SAM-e is working, posted by Susie on April 29, 2000, at 11:14:13
Hi again,
The SAMe is fantastic. I've been able to work for the first time in a long time. I'm actually enjoying some time spent alone. I'm sleeping well at night. Yeah!!
But I have to say that SAM-e is NOT without side effects.
Thanks Leighwit for posting about the hypogycemia. I haven't had that problem yet but I take 1000 mg of Chromium a day already to combat the low sugar.
The worst side effect of the SSRI's is the same with SAM-e too. Although not as bad. I still have a sex drive but the orgasms are delayed. I also am breaking out a bit on my face. Maybe thats just stress from working? Who knows.
But I sure do feel better.
This Joy stuff is going to take a little while to get used to again!
God Bless you all and please don't give up the search.
Susie
Tucson Arizona> Hi all. I just want to share with you my experience with SAM-e. It's a "supplement" here in the states and a drug in Italy.
> I've been taking it for about a month now and it's working for me. I've had 12 years of depression starting with the birth of my first son. I know this disorder way too well. I've taken Prozac, paxil, serzone, effexor, zoloft, trazadone, well, you get the picture. I've been on a mission for a few years to get some serious relief. I was on Wellbutrin just prior to starting with this. The Wellbutrin was great for about 8 months and then the depression was back and I started having severe memory problems. I just couldn't take it any more.
> Within a week of the SAM-e I starting feeling a lot better. Ceaning my house was the first indicator that it was working. I went dancing!! It was so fun. I put makeup on. Sorry guys, I know you won't relate. Sex drive came back. Yippee!!
> Anyhow, I'm sure this is not something that will work for everyone. I just needed to let others know that its working for me.
> SAM-e is very expensive. Just about a dollar a tablet. I tried a cheaper brand (NaturesRX) that I see advertised all over the net and it made me feel horrible. Like it was loaded with caffiene. My heart rate went up and so did my blood pressure.
> Now I'm just sticking with the NaturMade product which has been tested by GoodHousekeeping and found to be what its says it is. I'm taking 1600 mgs per day with a B100 tablet and something called TMG.
> A good place for more information is www.lef.org. Thats the place where I first learned of this stuff 2 years ago. They have all the studys and protocols that an MD would appreciate too.
> This disorder robs us of so much life. I cant even remember the first 5 years of my childrens' lives. It absolutely breaks my heart. So we have to find an answer. I hope that you're like me and you don't ever give up. God Bless.
> Susie in Tucson AZ
Posted by JohnB on May 4, 2000, at 23:10:28
In reply to Re: SAM-e is working, posted by Susie on May 4, 2000, at 19:16:22
>I take 1000 mg of Chromium a day already to combat the low sugar.
1000mg of Chromium is almost enough to rechrome the bumper of my 1951 Cadillac :o)
Posted by Susie on May 5, 2000, at 0:12:35
In reply to Re: SAM-e is working, posted by JohnB on May 4, 2000, at 23:10:28
> >I take 1000 mg of Chromium a day already to combat the low sugar.
>
> 1000mg of Chromium is almost enough to rechrome the bumper of my 1951 Cadillac :o)I have been told that I'm a shining example, that I'm able to mirror people...... hehehe
No, I'm under a pdoc's care and he monitors my blood. I guess I'm okay. Kind of have a glow...
Susie in AZ
Posted by JohnB on May 5, 2000, at 1:16:33
In reply to Re: SAM-e is working, posted by Susie on May 5, 2000, at 0:12:35
> > >I take 1000 mg of Chromium a day already to combat the low sugar.
> >
> > 1000mg of Chromium is almost enough to rechrome the bumper of my 1951 Cadillac :o)
>
> I have been told that I'm a shining example, that I'm able to mirror people...... hehehe
>
> No, I'm under a pdoc's care and he monitors my blood. I guess I'm okay. Kind of have a glow...
>
> Susie in AZYes, you would be a shining example if you took 1000mg . . . . . but seriously, you really meant to say 1000mcg . . . . ;^)
Posted by Susie on May 5, 2000, at 9:41:16
In reply to Re: SAM-e is working, posted by JohnB on May 5, 2000, at 1:16:33
> > > >I take 1000 mg of Chromium a day already to combat the low sugar.
> > >
> > > 1000mg of Chromium is almost enough to rechrome the bumper of my 1951 Cadillac :o)
> >
> > I have been told that I'm a shining example, that I'm able to mirror people...... hehehe
> >
> > No, I'm under a pdoc's care and he monitors my blood. I guess I'm okay. Kind of have a glow...
> >
> > Susie in AZ
>
> Yes, you would be a shining example if you took 1000mg . . . . . but seriously, you really meant to say 1000mcg . . . . ;^)
Oh. I got it. You're right. It is mcg.
Guess I'm not as shiny as I thought I was.
Posted by Abby on May 5, 2000, at 17:44:40
In reply to Re: TMG??, posted by AndrewB on April 29, 2000, at 21:32:53
> I've been taking TMG for over a year. It is very inexpensive and I think it is money well spent for many depressives. Let me tell you why. Yes TMG detoxifies homocysteine, a leading cause of heart and artery disease. But it also converts into SAMe. Studies have demonstrated that TMG raises SAME levels significantly in the body. It is actually a low cost way of increasing the bodies amount of SAMe. Both SAMe and TMG are compounds naturally found in the body. There are no side effects with it except brief muscle tension headaches if large quantities are consumed without food.
>
> Now if you want to take it, you should also be taking vitamin B6 and B12 supplements to assist in its conversion. A minimum effective dose of TMG for homocysteine reduction is 500 to 1000mg. per day. Optimal doses for SAMe elevation are about 3,000 mg/day. In some studies 6,000mgs were used. Once you start taking TMG for depression, it will probably take several weeks befroe you see results. I never saw any antidepressant effect at high doses so I now take it at just the dose for homcysteine reduction.
>
> AndrewBWould 500mg be anadequate dose for homocysteine reduction? When do you take your TMG dose---breakfast, lunch, dinner?
So you need to supplement with B6 and B12 specifically or would a good B-50 or B100 complex do?
Thanks,
Abby
Posted by AndrewB on May 5, 2000, at 23:24:17
In reply to AndrewB--TMG dosing question?, posted by Abby on May 5, 2000, at 17:44:40
Abbey,I take my TMG with breakfast. I can't tell you whether you can just take 500mg for homocysteine reduction.
A B50 or B100 tablet will do the trick. I've read that the best form for the B12 is sublingual methylcobalimin. Some people say they can feel the difference between it and normal B12
Posted by Russ on August 14, 2002, at 19:15:37
In reply to Re: AndrewB--TMG dosing question?, posted by AndrewB on May 5, 2000, at 23:24:17
Greetings all! I have CFS and with it, the depression that comes along. I hate anti-depressants, and although I have to take them from time to time, I am trying to find other alternatives. I have been reading about Sam-e, however the dosage that I need to take for serious depression would be 1600 -- in Canada this is about 340+ dollars a month, if I can even get it (it is technically not available in Canada)!!! However, TMG is easily available and inexpensive. I am trying to figure out how much TMG is required to approx 1600 mg of Sam-e. How much do other users take who had had benefits with TMG, from the Sam-e derived from it? I am trying 10 grams a day right now of TMG, since I know that CFS patients also have elevated levels of Homocysteine in their cerebrospinal fluid. I haven't read any bad effects from taking large doses of TMG and it seems to give me energy. However, I have no idea if I am taking enough for the Sam-e effect.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thank you
Russ
Posted by hawkeye on August 15, 2002, at 16:49:47
In reply to TMG, Sam-e and depression -- help! » AndrewB, posted by Russ on August 14, 2002, at 19:15:37
From what I have read, you are taking more than enough.
For example:
Posted by Jenbracha on May 11, 2005, at 19:58:22
In reply to SAM-e is working, posted by Susie on April 29, 2000, at 11:14:13
Hi there,
Are you still taking SAM-e? Can you share your experiences?Thanks so much,
Jen> Hi all. I just want to share with you my experience with SAM-e. It's a "supplement" here in the states and a drug in Italy.
> I've been taking it for about a month now and it's working for me. I've had 12 years of depression starting with the birth of my first son. I know this disorder way too well. I've taken Prozac, paxil, serzone, effexor, zoloft, trazadone, well, you get the picture. I've been on a mission for a few years to get some serious relief. I was on Wellbutrin just prior to starting with this. The Wellbutrin was great for about 8 months and then the depression was back and I started having severe memory problems. I just couldn't take it any more.
> Within a week of the SAM-e I starting feeling a lot better. Ceaning my house was the first indicator that it was working. I went dancing!! It was so fun. I put makeup on. Sorry guys, I know you won't relate. Sex drive came back. Yippee!!
> Anyhow, I'm sure this is not something that will work for everyone. I just needed to let others know that its working for me.
> SAM-e is very expensive. Just about a dollar a tablet. I tried a cheaper brand (NaturesRX) that I see advertised all over the net and it made me feel horrible. Like it was loaded with caffiene. My heart rate went up and so did my blood pressure.
> Now I'm just sticking with the NaturMade product which has been tested by GoodHousekeeping and found to be what its says it is. I'm taking 1600 mgs per day with a B100 tablet and something called TMG.
> A good place for more information is www.lef.org. Thats the place where I first learned of this stuff 2 years ago. They have all the studys and protocols that an MD would appreciate too.
> This disorder robs us of so much life. I cant even remember the first 5 years of my childrens' lives. It absolutely breaks my heart. So we have to find an answer. I hope that you're like me and you don't ever give up. God Bless.
> Susie in Tucson AZ
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 13, 2005, at 20:41:01
In reply to Re: SAM-e is working, posted by Jenbracha on May 11, 2005, at 19:58:22
> Are you still taking SAM-e? Can you share your experiences?
Sorry to interrupt, but I'd now like to redirect this thread to Psycho-Babble Alternative. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20050510/msgs/497513.html
Thanks,
Bob
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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