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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by beardedlady on April 2, 2002, at 6:03:37
Ron:
Dr. Kramer took my brand new $36 toy away. He said: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. He thinks I should just stay on the Serzone and not use SAM-e. Says it will make me zippy. But Zippy is a pinhead! My body's much smaller than that, and my head is a normal size.
Anyway, now I am a little confused about whether it will do harm (but even if it does, won't it be temporary?). But since I had that one bad problem with phentermine, which I think gave me a permanent problem, I don't know. I'm so confused.
So I have to tell you that I may not take it. I might give it to a friend. I just wanted you to know that the mug, the liquid soap dispenser, the sweatshirt, and the paperweight are staying right here. And I may still want to join the SAM-e Smilers softball team this summer, 'kay?
mucho beardy : )>>
P.S. WAY TO GO, TERPS!
Posted by Ron Hill on April 2, 2002, at 11:11:51
In reply to HELP ME RON (DUH)! HELP, HELP ME..., posted by beardedlady on April 2, 2002, at 6:03:37
> Dr. Kramer took my brand new $36 toy away. He said: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. He thinks I should just stay on the Serzone and not use SAM-e. Says it will make me zippy.
Beardy, I have been following the thread and I wanted to add my perspective last night, but I decided to wait until this morning. I plan to post a respectful reply to Dr. Kramer when I'm done here. I fully understand where Dr. Kramer is coming from. In fact, please recall that one of my initial responses to you regarding your taking SAM-e was almost identical to Dr. K's. For example, please consider the following post excerpt;
On March 22, 2002 I wrote to you, in part:
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>>SAM-e might help ease your insomnia, but it might not! SAM-e does a lot of cool stuff like improves mood, eases joint pain, and detoxifies the liver, to name a few. However, to my knowledge, SAM-e is not necessarily an excellent sleep aid. In fact, as I mentioned in an earlier post, if one takes it later than about 5 pm, not only is it not a sleep aid, it can CAUSE insomnia.>>What or who gave you the impression that SAM-e is an appropriate treatment for insomnia? What does your pdoc think of the SAM-e trial? I feel sure that SAM-e will not harm you in any way, however, using it specifically to treat insomnia is, as I understand it, untried.
-------------However, later that same day after receiving more information from you regarding you case history I wrote, in part:
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>>Thank you so much for taking the time to help me understand your case history. Having read your response, I have completely changed my mind. I think there is a very high probability that SAM-e will fix both your insomnia and your anxiety if you do the trial correctly.
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>>My recommendation: Don't worry too much about those "lawyer (shark) TV adds". JohnX2 takes Serzone, and he has posted that he is not concerned about it. John seems to think it's a lot to do over nothing. Personally, I have not taken the time to look into it since it does not affect me directly. However, I would be willing to bet dollars to donuts that John has looked into this Serzone issue VERY extensively because he takes the stuff (and because he is John!). John knows a lot about meds. I'd trust his judgment unless you have something that shows without a doubt that Serzone is dangerous.>>I'm like you, I'd rather be off all man made medications. But you write that the Serzone is working well. If it ain't broke don't fix it. If it were me, I'd keep the Serzone in place while ramping up the SAM-e. Do this for one week, and if all is well, begin to carefully wean yourself off Serzone.
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>>Serzone is working for you. Do not throw it away too soon. To reiterate; ramp up the SAM-e first, then slowly taper the Serzone, reversing course is it ends up that you can't sleep without it.
-------------------As I have also told you, based on your case history information and IMHO, I think your previous insomnia problems were due to low serotonin, and the symptom that you describe as "low-grade blahs all my life--happy things not making me happy but for a moment" is attributable to low dopamine.
The zippy aspect of SAM-e is IMHO due to improved dopamine transport. SAM-e does the zippy thing for me (thankfully) and yet, at the same time, greatly enhances my sleep (so long as I take it early in the day). IMHO the improved sleep is due to the enhanced serotonin production and the enhanced melatonin processing brought about by the methylating agent SAM-e. Therefore, the reason I think SAM-e would be worth a trial for you is that SAM-e increases both serotonin and dopamine in a very gentle natural way.
Further, if SAM-e works and, as a result, you are able to wean yourself off of Serzone without the return of insomnia, then IMHO you would be ahead in the long run. I say this for a number of reasons. Two reasons at the top of the list IMHO are possible (probable?) eventual AD poop-out, and long term possible unknown health risks associated with the AD. I am NOT saying that Serzone is unsafe. I'm saying there is a lot that nobody knows about the long-term health effects of these AD's.
> So I have to tell you that I may not take it. I might give it to a friend.
I sense that you are concerned that it might hurt my feelings if you do not try SAM-e. If so, rest assured, whatever you decide is fine with me. All I want is what is best for you!
-- Ron
P.S. I will be out of town for the next few days and, therefore, will not be able to post.
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Posted by IsoM on April 2, 2002, at 11:45:16
In reply to HELP ME RON (DUH)! HELP, HELP ME..., posted by beardedlady on April 2, 2002, at 6:03:37
You are so funny, Beire-dei!
Hmmm, I wonder if there's a conspiracy here? Ron's only mentioned that mug - how did you get the extra stuff? And is the fact that I'm klutzy, my coordination sucks, & I can't catch worth beans the reason he didn't say anything about a softball team?
Posted by beardedlady on April 2, 2002, at 14:06:14
In reply to Re: Promotional Products » beardedlady, posted by IsoM on April 2, 2002, at 11:45:16
I got the extras because I...uh...I'd rather not say. My reputation, you know. As for softball, well, I sorta know the team captain.
drinkabeerdy : )>
Posted by Zo on April 3, 2002, at 17:21:11
In reply to HELP ME RON (DUH)! HELP, HELP ME..., posted by beardedlady on April 2, 2002, at 6:03:37
This is the end of the thread.
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