SAM-e for 3 seasons now what?

[bzollinger]

Hello all,

I'm new here and wanted to give you a quick overview of my battle with SAD. I live in AK and have suffered from SAD since I started my career working 8-5pm 4 years ago.

I'm extremely sensitive to SSRIs (Effexor is bad stuff) so I can't take them, light therapy didn't seem to help nor was it convenient.

SAM-e (400mg/day NSI blister packs) seemed to help the first season, 3 years ago with no side affects.

Last year SAM-e w/ SJW seemed to work pretty well, though I stopped SJW in April and seemed to relapse into irritability and depression.

This year SAM-e didn't seem to do much, after feeling rather down for weeks I sought a different RX, and I was given Zoloft. After two days of having nearly every side affect in the book I stopped taking them and threw them out.

So I went back to SAM-e and SJW but have found info that indicates that using SAM-e and SJW together reduces the clinical effectiveness of clonazapam (taken for RBD) and prilosec (for occasional GERD), so I stopped taking the SJW.

Now I'm taking two "NSI Mega EFA Omega-3 EPA & DHA" at night with a clonazapam, one SAM-e 400mg & one 5-htp 100mg in the morning on an empty stomach.

The 5-htp seems to make me foggy, and give me small quick headaches and I'm not sure if it's helping.

I've found a Negative Ion Therapy device that I want to try but it's $180 shipped.http://www.cet.org/index.htm?Navigation=navigation.htm#

I'm getting really overwhelmed by conflicting info. And I feel that I might be trying too hard to help myself. My bride to be doesn't seem to understand my situation. She thinks exercise is the only answer.

Does anyone have any suggestions?:wobblyeyes:

I've also considered "Simulated Sunrise Lights", CBT, and Hypnosis.

Thanks for any input, feedback, and most importantly warnings!
BZ

[JustAguy]

With respect I venture that you may be better served by sticking with one regiment for longer than a short term and document your results. It seems to me you are all over the place and will change your medication schedule too readily.

Hello all,

I'm new here and wanted to give you a quick overview of my battle with SAD. I live in AK and have suffered from SAD since I started my career working 8-5pm 4 years ago.

I'm extremely sensitive to SSRIs (Effexor is bad stuff) so I can't take them, light therapy didn't seem to help nor was it convenient.

SAM-e (400mg/day NSI blister packs) seemed to help the first season, 3 years ago with no side affects.

Last year SAM-e w/ SJW seemed to work pretty well, though I stopped SJW in April and seemed to relapse into irritability and depression.

This year SAM-e didn't seem to do much, after feeling rather down for weeks I sought a different RX, and I was given Zoloft. After two days of having nearly every side affect in the book I stopped taking them and threw them out.

So I went back to SAM-e and SJW but have found info that indicates that using SAM-e and SJW together reduces the clinical effectiveness of clonazapam (taken for RBD) and prilosec (for occasional GERD), so I stopped taking the SJW.

Now I'm taking two "NSI Mega EFA Omega-3 EPA & DHA" at night with a clonazapam, one SAM-e 400mg & one 5-htp 100mg in the morning on an empty stomach.

The 5-htp seems to make me foggy, and give me small quick headaches and I'm not sure if it's helping.

I've found a Negative Ion Therapy device that I want to try but it's $180 shipped.http://www.cet.org/index.htm?Navigation=navigation.htm#

I'm getting really overwhelmed by conflicting info. And I feel that I might be trying too hard to help myself. My bride to be doesn't seem to understand my situation. She thinks exercise is the only answer.

Does anyone have any suggestions?:wobblyeyes:

I've also considered "Simulated Sunrise Lights", CBT, and Hypnosis.

Thanks for any input, feedback, and most importantly warnings!
BZ

[bzollinger]

I agree that changing things around too much isn't helpful. I know that 400mg of SAM-e a day isn't cutting it. That's why I'm searching for something that will complement it. :read:

SJW is out, and some people say the 5-htp might counter the affects too.

Should I up the dose of SAM-e to 800mg a day?:confused:

Should I stick with the SAM-e/5-htp plan?:confused:

Thanks for the very reasonable suggestion.:)

[roy100]

Sam-e builds up in the system, some people find it to give anxiety and insomnia. By using it some people have to cut to 200 mg, or 100 mg, ( or use it every other day ) or stop it at all.

Any change should be done after 2 to 3 weeks of use, ( cut it faster if it causes anxiety).

I would advice caution, and go very slow, if you need to add something , go ahead with fish oil ( Omega 3 ). ( I doubt you would need it )

Your are just been not patient enough.
Good Luck.
roy100