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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by uncouth on August 29, 2009, at 14:22:08
What is the consensus in people who have actually used SAM-e in the field so to speak? I am dealing with a return of suicidal thoughts two days after i went down on luvox from 200mg to 150mg to start the tapering off process. I had been taking 400mg of SAM-e daily but wondered if 1600mg would help me through this time. I have BP2 but a little hypomania would be well appreciated instead of suicidality.
Does SAM-e affect SE, NE, and DA equally? What else can I do in the short term?
Posted by SLS on August 29, 2009, at 15:29:43
In reply to Verdict on SAM-e?, posted by uncouth on August 29, 2009, at 14:22:08
I can't offer much feedback regarding SAMe, except to say that, overall, I am not very impressed with it to treat severe suicidal depressions. I bought some a long time ago to use as a bridge between one drug and another, but was scared to take it after feeling irritable on it. It wasn't a pleasant sensation.
I like to have Zyprexa available for emergencies, both for suicidal depression and mania.
You might want to go over to the Alternative board and ask questions there. Perhaps magnesium taurate or L-theanine would help.
- Scott
Posted by jms600 on August 29, 2009, at 16:43:06
In reply to Re: Verdict on SAM-e?, posted by SLS on August 29, 2009, at 15:29:43
I didn't find it that helpful to be honest. It (seemed) to make me grind my teeth while asleep (only found our because on several occasions I woke up on different mornings and caught myself doing it)!
As regards depression, didn't do a great deal.
Posted by Phillipa on August 29, 2009, at 17:17:52
In reply to Re: Verdict on SAM-e?, posted by jms600 on August 29, 2009, at 16:43:06
Uncouth if not suicidal on luvox raise your dose back to original can go as high as 250=300mg. Phillipa
Posted by TenMan on August 31, 2009, at 19:47:37
In reply to Re: Verdict on SAM-e?, posted by Phillipa on August 29, 2009, at 17:17:52
I get a rapid and substantial mood boost from SAM-e within 25-30 minutes after taking it. I enjoy it's effects quite a bit and think it is a very effective supplement. I take between 800 and 1600mgs. a day depending on how I am feeling.
Posted by bleauberry on August 31, 2009, at 21:05:22
In reply to Verdict on SAM-e?, posted by uncouth on August 29, 2009, at 14:22:08
SAMe has such a wide span of biological functions there is no way to pin down exactly what it does to serotonin, dopamine, or whatever. Without much doubt, some of its AD properties probably have nothing at all to do with neurotransmitters. I mean, we're talking sulfur, methylation, and about fifty other things.
In Boston a hospital added high dose SAMe to unresponsive SSRI users and there was respectable response in the group without serotonin syndrome.
Most of the AD studies of SAMe used injections, not oral. However, anecdotally, people have found SAMe a rather potent AD. The few times I've tried it, it worked pretty strong within 2 to 3 days. Dosing is very individualistic though, so it takes experimentation to find that dose. I think the only concerns I've seen are:
1. It can poop out just like ADs.
2. One can be pushed over the line into overstimulation if prone to that.
3. Not usually talked about much, but for someone with, or ever had, amalgam fillings, SAMe has a strong sulfur content that can stir up a lot of mercury. Not cool.For natural AD options, I prefer trying 3 to 5 different St Johns Wort brands, they are all quite different, or for something fast, the Mind Body Spirit brand of Rhodiola Rosea.
This is the end of the thread.
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