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Any SAM-e users?


IfIOnly
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I used it for about six months several years ago. I believe it helped my mild depression, but the effect eventually went away. :(

Oh, I'm sorry. :( I've found things that have helped too but eventually can't continue (prescription and over the counter) because of some side effect, which is usually not sleeping or being too sleepy. Those windows of being depression free were so wonderful though. Sigh. I've read about some people having to up their dose of SAM-e overtime, and it looks like high doses are safe. I read something that it's the preferred prescribed antidepressant in some UK country along with common doseage there but haven't fact checked this. For fibro the minimum is 800 mg, and that is what I will try to work up to if I react positively.

Edited by ifIonlyhadabrain
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i had better luck with 5-htp. now, @ 200mg 2x per day.

Thank you! Just tried 5htp again, and it disrupted my sleep again. I was so tired all day long. I'm really bummed about that because I was smiling, laughing, humming, and happy again. :( I was only taking 100mg in the morning.

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I've taken SAM-e in the past, and it wasn't the right supplement for me. It made me angry and edgy and hyperfocused--almost like I'd had 4 cups of coffee all at once. I've taken Adderall in the past, and it affected me the same way. I even tried cutting the dosage back, and it didn't help. I've also had great luck with 5-htp, but everyone is different. The only thing you can do is try it and see how you do. 

 

Have you read The Mood Cure? She lists several options in addition to 5-HTP and SAM-e, so if the SAM-e doesn't help you, you might try something else in her recommendations, like tryptophan. You might also try lowering your dose of 5-HTP. I only needed 50 mg in the mornings. I also could NOT take the time-release version--for some reason it made me so snappish!

Edited by ILiveInFlipFlops
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I've taken SAM-e in the past, and it wasn't the right supplement for me. It made me angry and edgy and hyperfocused--almost like I'd had 4 cups of coffee all at once. I've taken Adderall in the past, and it affected me the same way. I even tried cutting the dosage back, and it didn't help. I've also had great luck with 5-htp, but everyone is different. The only thing you can do is try it and see how you do.

 

Have you read The Mood Cure? She lists several options in addition to 5-HTP and SAM-e, so if the SAM-e doesn't help you, you might try something else in her recommendations, like tryptophan. You might also try lowering your dose of 5-HTP. I only needed 50 mg in the mornings. I also could NOT take the time-release version--for some reason it made me so snappish!

Oh, I hadn't thought about taking less. Thank you! I'm heading to the library right now. Ha! I may have read it, but I don't recall. Edited by ifIonlyhadabrain
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Alright, library was closed, but I'm at B&N reading TMC. It does say to start HTP@50mg. Oops. I'm going to to ahead and try the sam-e though, which is also recommended in TMC. It also helps with fibro, joints, and other concerns of mine. Alzheimer's patient's tend to be low in SAM-e and have responded positively to supplements (sorry, no source, a study referenced online), and this is a huge concern of mine.

Edited by ifIonlyhadabrain
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Alright, library was closed, but I'm at B&N reading TMC. It does say to start HTP@50mg. Oops. I'm going to to ahead and try the sam-e though, which is also recommended in TMC. It also helps with fibro, joints, and other concerns of mine. Alzheimer's patient's tend to be low in SAM-e and have responded positively to supplements (sorry, no source, a study referenced online), and this is a huge concern of mine.

 

 

Yeah, there's really no telling what will work for you until you experiment a little. Based on recommendations for a couple of different things, I recently put myself, oldest DD, and youngest DD on 1000 mg of high quality fish oil. Youngest DD and I were at each others' throats all day. She finally thought to ask me what was in the new vitamins I'd given her that morning, and I realized the fish oil was the only thing that was new. I mentioned to oldest DD that she might feel angry or impatient until it wore off, and she said, "Actually, I feel great today!" So she stayed on 1000 mg and youngest DD and I stay far away from it :lol:

 

I hope you find something that helps you!

Edited by ILiveInFlipFlops
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I didn't realize fish oil had side effects?? Sheesh!

 

Thank you so much for the encouragement. It's so tough finding something that works and from what I've been reading only certain brands of the same ingredient work for others, crazy different doses such as a quarter or quarter pill to the crazy high amounts. I mean this of all over the counter antidepressants.

 

I took my first dose before breakfast like I was warned to do and had no stomach issues, thankfully. I need to take my multi now because I guess b12, b6, and folate are really important to take with both 5htp and SAM-e to work properly.

Edited by ifIonlyhadabrain
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Oh, I'm sorry. :( I've found things that have helped too but eventually can't continue (prescription and over the counter) because of some side effect, which is usually not sleeping or being too sleepy. Those windows of being depression free were so wonderful though. Sigh. 

 

Thank you, but over the years I've gotten a good handle on my depression and have learned to just go with the flow of my moods and take care of myself in general!  Namely, regular exercise and good SLEEP!  (The exercise helps with the sleep!)  I've been on an anti-depressant as well--long ago--when things were a bit more than just mild.  I just do what I gotta do!

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Thank you, but over the years I've gotten a good handle on my depression and have learned to just go with the flow of my moods and take care of myself in general! Namely, regular exercise and good SLEEP! (The exercise helps with the sleep!) I've been on an anti-depressant as well--long ago--when things were a bit more than just mild. I just do what I gotta do!

Yes! I've figured out how to manage things, take care if myself, set limits, etc. where I'm not a total mess, suicidal, and can fuction pretty well. Finally taking sleep meds after years of trying everything natural was so huge for helping me cope. Staying off my food allergies are huge too, along with taking highly bioavailable b vitamin. I do need to try exercise again!

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Feeling sleepy and lethargic but also calmer, less irritable (much more patient), and a bit zombie-ish since starting the SAM-e. Nothing too overwhelming though. I read that these symptoms are extremely common side effects at first for antidepressants, especially if not starting with a very low dose (I'm starting low but not extemely so) and taking them in the evening (I'm not doing this). These hopefully will subside in the next few weeks, and I'll hang in there until then to see.

Edited by ifIonlyhadabrain
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