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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 john berk on April 21, 2006, at 15:42:07
Hi, I recently began taking 400 mgs. of sam-e in the morning, along with my low dose of prozac, [10 mgs.] and felt energetic and really well after 3 days, but was angry way more than usual, [of course, especially while in traffic]
and found myself overly talkative, and aggressive. i started to worry a bit about the agression, and didn't take a dose today, and now feel rather low, is there a withdrawal from sam-e that anyone has expeirenced?
should i start back at 200 mgs. in the morning? thanks in advance for any advice...john
Posted by blueberry on April 23, 2006, at 17:49:54
In reply to SAM-e and anger, posted by john berk on April 21, 2006, at 15:42:07
I'm not sure, but even though SAMe increases all neuro levels, I think it increases dopamine the most. That would explain the anger and aggression from too much dopamine, and also the slumping of mood when stopping it. But, those patterns could also be serotonin or norepinephrine related. It's just that serotonin usually doesn't have that rapid of a response. Dopamine and norepinephrine do.
In any case, yeah, maybe drop the dose down to 200mg and see how that goes. I have read in a few places that with SAMe it is important once you have a decent response to start reducing the dose to a lower maintenance dose, because it has an accumulating effect that can build up to too much overload if you keep taking the same dose every day. Get a response, drop the dose, and find what the lowest dose is to keep the response. Easier said than done. The people that write this stuff, I would like to see them try it.
Some manufacturers claim you can actually cut the pills into quarters or halves and that they will not be destroyed in the stomach. You supposedly wrap the unused portions in plastic wrap tightly to preserve them. I tried that once, and sure enough, I could feel it. Even though the pill was cut in half exposing the insides from the protection of the enteric coating, I felt it bigtime.
Posted by john berk on April 25, 2006, at 17:43:44
In reply to Re: SAM-e and anger, posted by blueberry on April 23, 2006, at 17:49:54
Thank you so much Blueberry, the dopamine theory makes great sense, i couldn't beleive the energy boost i got from sam-e, i am now doing as you suggested, i dropped to 200 mgs, and i do have a pill-splitter, so that is an option too!!Sorry it took so long to reply, i was off-line the last 3 days, your friend....john
Posted by Taylorcat on May 4, 2006, at 11:22:22
In reply to Re: SAM-e and anger » blueberry, posted by john berk on April 25, 2006, at 17:43:44
Hello John and Blueberry...
I don't have the anger, but still, this sounds familiar -- I have high high anxiety -- like some other posters on the internet, feelings of doom and tightness in the chest, and restlessness, insomnia, heart racing, -- all this STARTING on the 5th day of 200 mg of Jarrow SAM-e in the morning. I only took it for 5 or 7 days. I'm a female in my late 20s and have a slim build.
John, I could be experiencing a form of withdrawal... not sure, because now that it's been 7 or 8 days since I STOPPED taking it, I am still back and forth on the anxiety/heart racing. My mood is definitely depressed/low/fearful - have been honing in on one issue (romantic relationship) and being very catastrophic and paranoid about it. Now my appetite has decreased. Hard to concentrate. The fact I had no workout regimen previous to this month is coming back to bite me in the *ss. My nervous system is in a sympathetic state (or parasympathetic, whichever term that is). Like on the verge of a panic attack. Has my body assumed the fear will continue? Even after a week, has it "gotten used to" the racing anxiety? Is it mimicking, fearfully, what happened a week ago?
<<I have read in a few places that with SAMe it is important once you have a decent response to start reducing the dose to a lower maintenance dose, because it has an accumulating effect that can build up to too much overload if you keep taking the same dose every day.>>
Blueberry, or Dr. Bob, have you heard anything about what can be done to counteract the effects of a SAMe build-up? ...Maybe I should have known better... I am extremely sensitive to STIMULANTS, medication and things that go in my body,... and while I was not fully depressed or anxious before, I feel I am now! ...Talking with people helps... I feel like I need to go to the doctor/holistic health person! Please send any prayers/good thoughts my way that you can.
And best wishes/blessings to you.
Posted by john berk on May 4, 2006, at 15:54:18
In reply to Re: SAM-e and anger, posted by Taylorcat on May 4, 2006, at 11:22:22
Hi TaylorCat,
i hope you are beginning to feel a little better. i actually had to stop my Sam-e regimen also, i was high strung and very anxiuos in the afternoon, [even from my morning dose] and the insomnia became too much!!
funny though, i loved the stimulant effect for my morning workout, but i just couldn't relax in the afternoon, and if i took my klonopin to mellow out, i was no good for my part-time evening job!!
do you take any kind of anti-anxiety med? maybe some l-theanine, an amino acid could relax you, i sometimes take that in the evening and have good results.i totally agree, i think the Sam-e builds up in your system, i should have started low, and went slow, i'm just too impatient sometimes.
i will say a prayer and send good vibes your way, i hope you begin to relax soon, if you can get out and power-walk, i'm sure some of the anxiety will subside. wishing you well....john
Posted by Taylorcat on May 5, 2006, at 19:49:21
In reply to Re: SAM-e and anger » Taylorcat, posted by john berk on May 4, 2006, at 15:54:18
John, thank you so much! I'm giving it up to God now, and letting myself be. I am learning to "leave myself alone" (i.e. be kind to myself)
Am not on any other med. Am keeping the option open to go visit a doctor if I feel like it. I like natural things. :-)
And yes, thank you -- I've been walking and Yoga-ing, etc. lately and really enjoy it.
This beautiful California weather helps, for sure. Am so grateful for it.
I'm also grateful that I've been reminded of the core mind-body connection through all this drama/excitement.
Day by day, moment to moment... we are perfect creatures, I want to remind myself of that every day.
Hope you feel good at this moment! :-)
Enjoy yourself John, thank you again!
This is the end of the thread.
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