Topic Title: My experience with SAM-E (along with SJW)
| |  "My experience with SAM-E (along with SJW)"
, Fri 7 Feb 16:23
I just have to share this with all of you. I've been taking 3,, sometimes 4 SJW a day, with B-Complex, for four months, and felt it gave me good relief from dysthymia (moderate depression), but there were still some bad days, which is natural. I then became interested in and read books about SAM-E, and also researched it on the Internet, avoiding places that were trying to sell the stuff. GNC Stores had a 20% off sale and I was able to was able to get a packet of thirty 400 mg. tablets of SAM-E for $32.00. The literature on it claims it's fact acting and often kicks in within 7 days, and that it can safely be taken along with SJW (just as 5-HTP is taken). I took my 1st tablet of SAM-E Tues. morning, Feb. 4th, along with just two SJW and within a couple of hours I felt an extreme anti-depressant effect with relief from anxiety. (I'm a nervous person and sometime need Ativan) Well I've been taking a tablet of SAM-E each morning, including today (day 4) and it's unmistakable! THE STUFF IS FANTASTIC. My dilemma is this: I'm afraid to stop taking SJW completely, though I cut back to two a day, because SJW gave partial relief, and yet, since SAM-E has such a wonderful effect, which I never knew I could feel so rapidly, perhaps SAM-E by itself, without SJW, would be effective? SJW is like a security blanket to me and it kicked in on the 7th day I took it, 4 months ago, but now this SAM-E...WOW!! Has anyone out there had a similar experience? I read that people take between 400 mg. and 1200 mg. of SAM-E daily, but one 400 mg. tablet is enough for me. In case anyone has been wondering about SAM-E, you might want to try a small dose along with SJW as I did. IT'S FANTASTIC!!]
Jeanette
Posts: 81 | | Registered: Wed 25 Sep 2002 5:50 |
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| | "Re(1):My experience with SAM-E (along with SJ" , Tue 11 Feb 10:18
Hi,
I just wanted to share my story on SAM-e, to maybe help you out on your decision if you want to stop taking SJW. Well, its been a little over 3 weeks now for me on the SAM-e. I started taking 1200 mg three weeks ago about the same time I slowly stopped taking Wellbutrin.
Now, I know that without anything in my system, I spiral into a horrible depression fast. I will tell you that SAM-e DEFINITELY does something, it does work. However, it doesn't do what Paxil did for me. I'm not discouraging it at all. I think its good. However, its only helped me probably 70-80%. I still have a low grade depression.
I'm curious why you instantly want to come down off the SJW?? What is wrong with taking both?? I think there is a common fallacy in many of our minds that we only should have to take 1 pill for this depression. Its like we just want this ONE magic bullet that will do everything for us. Depression is a multi-headed-complex beast. Especially when it comes to herbals, we probably are better off taking multiple supplements to try to target all the different areas of the beast.
You said that you are taking SAM-e and you are feeling so good. PERFECT! YOU HAVE FOUND WHAT YOU NEED! Why would you want to try to change anything now? Why risk going back into a depression!! Please, for the sake of everyone here, and for yourself, don't do it. I guess I'm kinda frustrated because I find myself doing the same sort of thing. I think deep down we don't believe that this depression is physically-based. I think that is one way depression gets a hold of us. We want to feel normal so badly, that the second we feel good, we think we don't need any more drugs. So, the less "stuff" we are taking the better we feel, because then we can play it off like we are normal and don't have problems. "Oh, I only take a little bit of SJW, but I mean I'm not DEPRESSED!". I think we need to face our problems, and take what we need to get rid of it.
Depression is most likely a complex system of genes and chemicals. If the SAM-e and the SJW is working for you, please don't stop taking anything. For once, enjoy this feeling of well-being.
Sorry if I came across harsh.
-Soar2thaclouds
Posts: 0 | | Registered: Tue 11 Feb 2003 10:6 |
| | "Re(1):My experience with SAM-E (along with SJ" , Sat 8 Feb 00:12
Hi Jeanette
Well, I have been toying with the idea of SAM-e for months and I'm so excited to read your post!
I will definitely purchase some now. One question: please describe the actual effect, I mean, is it the same feeling as on SJW but stronger (like a calming feeling, as if you've just done yoga or meditated) or is it something different????
Suling
Posts: 40 | | Registered: Sat 28 Sep 2002 23:37 |
| | | "The effects of SAM-E" , Sat 8 Feb 06:25
Hi Suling: A couple of hours after I took my first 400 mg. Sam-E pill, I realized that I felt a lot calmer (though not sedated at all)...As the day progressed I realized that I had NO negative thoughts which usually plague me (all sorts of anxieties, some very real, like our pending war with Iraq - other fears neurotic...feeling sorry for myself, feeling very lonely, and obsessing about not being in a relationship, fear of gaining weight - you get the picture....These thoughts were just gone and I felt (and still feel today - Day 5) very serene and philosophical about everything...It's hard to explain, but it's NOT a jittery, stimulant sensation like Dexedrine or Ritalin, which I took yrs. ago when it was easy to get an Rx. I just feel VERY different in a good way than before I took my first SAM-E pill and I feel no need to increase it to more than 400 mg. a day. I still wonder if it would feel this good if I stopped tking SJW...Today I took just one SJW with it and so far I feel fine...All that I've read about SAM-E indicates that it is very fast acting, but this fast? And, I'm NOT imagining it either. I read that some people take as little as 200 mg. a day with good results, while others need a higher dosage. Good luck. BUT DO TRY IT...IT'S FANTASTIC and well worth the price.
Jeanette
Posts: 82 | | Registered: Wed 25 Sep 2002 5:50 |
| | | "Re(2): Effects of SJW and SamE" , Tue 8 Feb 12:33
quote:
Hi Suling: A couple of hours after I took my first 400 mg. Sam-E pill, I realized that I felt a lot calmer (though not sedated at all)...As the day progressed I realized that I had NO negative though
...
New psoter here.
Wondering if you continued havingpositive effects with the SJW and SamE combination? What specific brands did you use? Initial doses? Maintenance doses?
I suffer from a combination of anxiety and also depression, both of which seem to have to do with high cortisol levels. I am currently on Xanax XR for anxiety and nothing really for the depression. Would like to possibly add in SamE for depression and wean off of the Xanax and replace in with SJW (tried SJW perviously but I think it was an inferior brand and that it did little for me... or my anxiety was so high at that time that a pharmaceutical was needed over an herbal preparation?).
Any input would be appreciated.
Leroy
Posts: 2 | | Registered: Tue 8 Feb 2005 11:35 |
| | | "Re(1):The effects of SAM-E" , Sat 8 Feb 18:22
Jeanette. I started taking SJW about a week ago. I take 900mg at night and have ben sleeping very well. My problem is my anixety. You see, my husband was in the Navy Reserves and got recalled by the Navy. He left last Monday for San Diego for processing and he left there today for the Persian Gulf. I have been crying all week and I can't stop crying. I have 2 little girls and I need to be strong for them (if I can ever stop crying) I don't want to go on Zoloft again. (I stoppped 1-1/2 yr. ago.) It made my kidneys hurt plus a lot of other bad side effects.). My husband is (was) a pilot for United before being recalled so we have had our share of stress the last few months. On top of that I went to Real Estate school and took the Exam in Nov. and have now embarked on a new career in Real Estate which has all been very stressful. I feel I am sinking deeper into depression with my husband gone and I don't know what to do about it. I think I will try the Sam E. I guess I am feeling sorry for myself but we spent 16 years in the Navy moving all over the world and I thought that was all behind us. Now this.. What should I do?? I can't stop crying.
Posts: 1 | | Registered: Mon 3 Feb 2003 11:50 |
| | | "Re(2):The effects of SAM-E" , Sun 6 Apr 09:38
I read your message and am in the same boat..been depressed always, and starting real estate pushed me into extreme depression..this is the most debilitating career ever! started sjw, and have had bad stomach problems..have you tried anything else....how are you doing......
Posts: 3 | | Registered: Sat 5 Apr 2003 22:12 |
| | | "First give the SJW a chance to kick in" , Sun 9 Feb 06:21
Dear Rolex:
It sounds like you have a reactive depression, which is very natural, with your husband being send to the Persian Gulf. It would be unusual if you DID NOT feel depressed at this time, since many of us feel terrible about the impending war with Iraq, even without a husband, brother or son being sent there. I strongly urge you to keep taking St. John's Wort along with Vitamin B-Complex (and other vitamins) and give it a chance to kick in. I felt the good effects of it on day 7, but many people need to take SJW 4 to 6 weeks before they feel it. If you start to take SAM-E right now, you may be confusing the issue and not know if SJW or SAM-E is what's taking effect, and SAM-E is a lot more expensive than SJW, in case that's a factor. You say you used to take Zoloft, which had bad side effects, so you're probably prone to being depressed. What's happening NOW is known as "double depression" because you're coping with a very stressful situation (your husband's departure and fears for him)whwhich is rough on you because of your pre-existing depression. Again, I urge you to keep taking SJW for a couple of weeks before adding SAM-E...It may very well kick in for you in the next few days and believe me you will FEEL the difference one morning very soon. You can always add SAM-E then, or you may decide to take SAM-E by itself, without SJW. Meanwhile, read up on SAM-E...There's lots of information on the Internet about it. I wish you the very best of luck. But remember, you are in a situation that would depress anyone, and it's no weakness on your part that you've been crying a lot. My heart goes out to you. Please let us all know how you're doing.
Jeanette
Posts: 83 | | Registered: Wed 25 Sep 2002 5:50 |
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