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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Caleb462 on April 15, 2003, at 22:02:22
Anyone want to share?
Dosages, how long have you been taking or did you take, positive/negative effects, etc.?
Posted by Questionmark on April 16, 2003, at 0:36:48
In reply to SAM-e experiences?, posted by Caleb462 on April 15, 2003, at 22:02:22
i've been doing 400mg a day on and off for the past month or so-- i think the longest consequetive (how the hEll do you spell that?) span in there was about 2 weeks. i didn't really notice any benefit at all. Maybe a bit more irritable, maybe a bit more anxious, maybe a bit more energy; i'm not sure; but did not help my depression or anxiety one iota. Sorry to bear bad news. (Or is it bare? DAmmmit!)
Posted by lawrence S. on April 16, 2003, at 2:35:56
In reply to Re: SAM-e experiences?, posted by Questionmark on April 16, 2003, at 0:36:48
Sam-e really helped a lot with my anhedonia. I felt more ambitious. I played my guitar and piano more. I felt a little more pleasure in day to day living. You have to give it time just like all the other AD's. You won't notice a thing until you take it every day for at least 3 weeks. The most I took was 800mg a day. I noticed a difference at 400mg a day. Here is some tips: Buy NatureMade (Walmart). Take on totally empty stomach and don't eat for 1-2hrs after taking. This will give maximum absorbtion. The recomended dose is 1600 mg. a day and up. I could never afford to take that much. This is good medicine. Good luck
Posted by leeran on April 16, 2003, at 10:56:40
In reply to Re: SAM-e experiences?, posted by lawrence S. on April 16, 2003, at 2:35:56
Lawrence -
Do you still take SAM-E?
Thank you for giving me my "word of the day." I had never heard of anhedonia. Sounds like the first cousin to ennui!
Do you live near a Costco? They sell SAM-E for a fairly good price. I've tried it before and I'm thinking of trying it again since anhedonia describes exactly what I've been feeling since going off of Wellbutrin and trying Lexapro. I'm also on Adderall, which I thought HELPED my anhedonia (can you tell I love this word?) when in fact it may have been a combo of the Wellbutrin AND Adderall that helped.
For some reason, Lexapro left me feeling a bit catatonic.
Have you tried SAM-E coupled with 5-HTP?
Thanks! Lee
Posted by irishcatholic on April 16, 2003, at 12:04:44
In reply to SAM-e experiences?, posted by Caleb462 on April 15, 2003, at 22:02:22
It's great for joint pain, which probably isn't your reason for taking it. Helped my back pain a bunch and seemed to be a permanent vs. temporary fix. Didn't do much for psyche though.
Posted by lawrence S. on April 16, 2003, at 23:00:25
In reply to Re: SAM-e experiences? » lawrence S., posted by leeran on April 16, 2003, at 10:56:40
Glad to be of service. I haven't tried Sam-e with 5htp. I would like to try Sam-e with Nardil. I'm on Nardil and have stopped the Sam-e for fear of drug interaction. As soon as I find enough evidence that it is safe to combine I will try the mix. We don't have Costco around here. I was told by my Pdoc that the quality of Sam-e varies greatly and that it is very hard to find a reliable source. He said that they did tests on different brands and Nature Made came up as the best.
Posted by action_jackson on April 16, 2003, at 23:24:25
In reply to Re: SAM-e experiences?, posted by lawrence S. on April 16, 2003, at 2:35:56
I have found that Sam-E is pretty energizing. I don't use it too often but have had good luck when I have...
Jack
> Sam-e really helped a lot with my anhedonia. I felt more ambitious. I played my guitar and piano more. I felt a little more pleasure in day to day living. You have to give it time just like all the other AD's. You won't notice a thing until you take it every day for at least 3 weeks. The most I took was 800mg a day. I noticed a difference at 400mg a day. Here is some tips: Buy NatureMade (Walmart). Take on totally empty stomach and don't eat for 1-2hrs after taking. This will give maximum absorbtion. The recomended dose is 1600 mg. a day and up. I could never afford to take that much. This is good medicine. Good luck
Posted by JLx on April 17, 2003, at 6:58:57
In reply to SAM-e experiences?, posted by Caleb462 on April 15, 2003, at 22:02:22
> Dosages, how long have you been taking or did you take, positive/negative effects, etc.?
I've tried SAM-e several times and thought it was working somewhat each time until I would crash again. Then I would try another brand or a higher dose. The last time I became suicidal after taking the most I could afford diligently and for weeks. I think it was 800 mg per day. I gave up on it and found my cure elsewhere. (See my other posts.)
One source for the type of SAM-e that's been used in Europe (or so they say) is International Anti-aging Systems. You can even get it in ampoule form there, but their tabs aren't too expensive right now either. If you're in the U.S. here is their price list: https://secure.wsa.u-net.com/www.antiaging-systems.com/acatalog/Online_Store_United_States___Buy_Here_1.html
I'm amazed at the stuff you can find online without a scrip if you know where to look.
Posted by Bill L on April 17, 2003, at 10:21:55
In reply to Re: SAM-e experiences?, posted by Questionmark on April 16, 2003, at 0:36:48
SAM-e can sometimes be effective at 400 mg when augmenting a prescription AD, but usually not by itself. By itself, most people need around 1200 mg per day. The maximum recommended dose is 1600 mg per day. It's very expensive and not covered by prescription drug plans.
Posted by lawrence S. on April 18, 2003, at 21:26:58
In reply to Re: SAM-e experiences?, posted by Bill L on April 17, 2003, at 10:21:55
Day 1. So far so good. No B.P. problems. I'll keep everyone updated how it works.
Posted by ST on April 19, 2003, at 15:25:09
In reply to Re: SAM-e experiences?, posted by irishcatholic on April 16, 2003, at 12:04:44
SAM-e has helped me greatly.I have been taking it for about 6 months now and it seems to add that "edge" needed to finally function.
It absolutely HAS to be in a foil pack or else the compound is not stable and will have almost no effect on you, so don't buy those loose tablets! Research (I have a friend in research who spent three years researching SAM-e's effectiveness and the different brands) has shown that Naturmade brand is the most stable -therefore, strongest - on the market. However, I also use Jarrow brand, which is foil packed and seems to work just as well. I'm also on Serzone, Wellbutrin and Depakote. The problem about SAM-e is that each time I up to a higher dose I feel better for about 6 weeks, but then it eventually "poops out". Then I need to go to a higher dose. I went 200mg to 400mg and now 600mg. If I keep upping the dose, I'll go broke! Do all medications (natural or otherwise)simply "poop out" after awhile? I know a lot of them have reputations for doing that....Has anyone who has had success with SAM-e noticed it "poops out"?
Thanks,
ST
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