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A dietary supplement called SAMe, also known as S-Adenosyl Methionine, may be helpful against resistant depression. SAMe is available without prescription and has long been used to relieve arthritis pain and ease depressive symptoms, but there has been little research. The most recent study recruited people with major depression who had not gotten better on standard antidepressant medications. They were randomly assigned to add either SAMe or placebo to their existing drug regimen. After six weeks, measures of depression showed that more of the subjects taking SAMe had improved. No serious side effects were detected. The researchers call for larger, longer studies to confirm their preliminary findings.
[American Journal of Psychiatry, published online July 1, 2010]
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I was diagnosed with Major Depression many years ago. I was on many different traditional antidepressants for years...all with negative side effects. At the same time, it called for continuous visits to a prescribing Psychiatrist...as well as a talking therapist. After the last zombie-like reaction to the latest attempt at a new anti-depressant, I finally decided to stop the anti-depressants and replace it with St. Johns Wart. That didn't work out because I developed a rash. I then tried SAM-e and have been depression-free ever since. No more psychiatrist..no more talking therapist. I take 1600 mgs each night with 1000 mcgs of subliminal Vit B-12. Be aware that SAM-e is quite expensive. It's been 5 years since I am on SAM-e and I am doing very well.
I have summer Seasonal Affective Disorder and nothing I've ever tried has helped. The prescription antidepressants actually made my symptoms worse. I tried SAMe this year for the first time, and it is the only thing that has given me any relief. Getting the dose right has been tricky, but I felt it was worthwhile to stick with it because I did get IMMEDIATE relief. So far, it seems like I need to gradually increase the dose (200 mg to 800 mg) then once I get to the point where I have trouble falling asleep then I decrease the dose and continue on with a maintenance dose( 200 mg). The only side effect that bothers me is the insomnia.
I am very interested in more information about SAMe and Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder.
I would like to try SAM-e, but still trying to get off of ativan. Is it safe to take both? And will SAM-e help my arm arthritis??? Cat scan showed nodule (1cm) in my lung? Would like input on that from Teresa... Thank you, ONW
I am waiting for my answer about ativan and sam-e..I want to quit the ativan..
Thank you for this info. I have suffered from depression for many years (40?) and have improved with SSRI medication but lately seem to be backtracking. I had been thinking of trying SAMe, and this report and the comments have helped me decide to go ahead. By the way, my 10-year-old dog had very high alkp readings (sometimes indicates liver problems) on her blood tests; as high as 1400, when the "normal" high is usually listed at about 210. When the reading decreased from 1400 to a little over 400 in about 2 months, the veterinarian thought it was probably because I'd been giving her SAMe.
I used SAM-E 400mg, and it started out amazing. As I continued to use it, I found myself easily irritated and getting snappy with my sweet husband. I discontinued and found myself more balanced at home. I do miss the assertiveness I had at work though. It works differently for everyone. I have anxiety and this really made it go away, but not worth how I annoyed I constantly felt.
Sorry you had that reaction. You are correct, it does affect people differently. For myself, It stops me from being depressed..and I am quite even tempered and more patient than I have been most of my life....but then I am 83 years old.