Cure for Depression in samE pill?

[princesa]

I've heard about this pill called samE that's supposedly a natural alternative to pharm prescriptions for depression. The first link is a NYTimes article stating it's benefits. The 2nd is the webmd site which has mostly positive reviews and the last link is from a blog that swears this pill is disastrous. I'm a bit leary at that last one. Anyone heard of experiences with this pill? Sounds too good to be true but I've heard you really can't ask MD's about it b/c they are not trained in these types of herbal meds .

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/0...se-depression/

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supple...dientName=SAMe

http://www.depressionblog.com/archives/000027.shtml

i want to try it, i would get the lowest mg and cut it to half of half b/c i really can't have any side effects that would interfere with work and being home with the children but just wanted to see if anyone has ever heard of it since i recall depression meds being mentioned in this thread section before.

[Chrs]

From the look of this one, particularly small but actually pretty solid study there is a small benefit of taking it. It's not really enough evidence to speak of the efficacy of a treatment but it's OK. Speaking to your Doctor is probably a better bet for treatment though. There are actually shown to work anti-depression meds which are almost certainly more likely to help you than this.

Also:

Anyone heard of experiences with this pill?

FIUW%"&%^R$$"&*%^$"$!&*^$%"!&%^R$ARRRRRRRRRRRGH. We don't look at anecdotes, remember? I swear you're just trolling me.

[princesa]

From the look of this one, particularly small but actually pretty solid study there is a small benefit of taking it. It's not really enough evidence to speak of the efficacy of a treatment but it's OK. Speaking to your Doctor is probably a better bet for treatment though. There are actually shown to work anti-depression meds which are almost certainly more likely to help you than this.

Also:

FIUW%"&%^R$$"&*%^$"$!&*^$%"!&%^R$ARRRRRRRRRRRGH. We don't look at anecdotes, remember? I swear you're just trolling me.

LOL at that last bit! and thank you. I am reading the link now. Appreciate it Chrs.

[Fleming]

Hi princesa,
Some effective tips to reduce depression.
Share your worries with your friends and family,
Yoga or light exercises,
Do take deep breath in fresh air,
Drink 2 glass of water,
Avoid caffeine, alcohol and other stimulants,
Eat balanced diet meals.

[RBerman]

Don't forget good sleep habits! If you don't get enough rest, nothing will seem right. Quitting smoking will help in the long term, though you'll be irritable in the short term due to withdrawal from your addiction.

As for SamE, it's a antidepressant drug that costs about $5 a day for the dose which was studied. Current research indicates that it's as effective as other antidepressant drugs with similar cost. But it's not covered by insurance, so it might be more expensive to you than prescription antidepressants, without being any more effective or safer. All antidepressants are more effective when combined with personalized counseling.

[Catholicity]

Actually, SamE is supposed to be very effective, and some psychiatrists do prescribe it. But, if you are taking other antidepressants DO NOT TAKE IT, for risk of Serotonin Syndorme.

Identically if you are diagnosed with any form of Bipolar disorder use only under close medical supervision as sometimes it can trigger "manic" or "hypomania"

Also do not take with 5-HTP or St John's Wort, unless a Dr Specifically is monitoring you and titrating the dose carefully. Watch as well with Evening Primrose Oil.

[princesa]

Actually, SamE is supposed to be very effective, and some psychiatrists do prescribe it. But, if you are taking other antidepressants DO NOT TAKE IT, for risk of Serotonin Syndorme.

Identically if you are diagnosed with any form of Bipolar disorder use only under close medical supervision as sometimes it can trigger "manic" or "hypomania"

Also do not take with 5-HTP or St John's Wort, unless a Dr Specifically is monitoring you and titrating the dose carefully. Watch as well with Evening Primrose Oil.

St. John's Wort shouldn't be taken at all or together with samE? I chickened out of getting samE today. I don't know, i just feel like i should wait since my mood has been better these past 2 days.

what does Evening Primrose oil do?

thanks for the info

[Chrs]

St. John's Wort shouldn't be taken at all or together with samE? I chickened out of getting samE today. I don't know, i just feel like i should wait since my mood has been better these past 2 days.

See a doctor. >.>

[princesa]

See a doctor. >.>

aaaack. i got busted!

[Catholicity]

He's right. If you take Sam E and St John's Wort together you run the risk of Serotegenic Shock, or triggering Mania (which can be a sign of serotonin syndrome) My thought is see a doctor. Self administration of Herbs and Supplements is simple, but you sometimes need a really good Naturopath (NO) Or Holistic Doctor (Either an MD or a DO) Who knows what they are doing. Some supplements do happen to have bad interactions, thats why its important to in most cases have medical supervision, and preferably by someone who knows what they are doing. Evening Primrose oil is like grapefruit and can cause a spike in Blood Pressure with Sam E and with St John's Wort it can cause a heart Arrythmia, similar to that of MAOi's and Tyramine

[princesa]

but you sometimes need a really good Naturopath (NO) Or Holistic Doctor (Either an MD or a DO) Who knows what they are doing.

THAT is the kind of doctor I'm looking for. Thanks for the useful info Cath :)

[RBerman]

He's right. If you take Sam E and St John's Wort together you run the risk of Serotegenic Shock, or triggering Mania (which can be a sign of serotonin syndrome) My thought is see a doctor. Self administration of Herbs and Supplements is simple, but you sometimes need a really good Naturopath (NO) Or Holistic Doctor (Either an MD or a DO) Who knows what they are doing. Some supplements do happen to have bad interactions, thats why its important to in most cases have medical supervision, and preferably by someone who knows what they are doing. Evening Primrose oil is like grapefruit and can cause a spike in Blood Pressure with Sam E and with St John's Wort it can cause a heart Arrythmia, similar to that of MAOi's and Tyramine

Self-administration of all drugs is simple. But it's always good to have expert counsel to know how much to take, how often, what side effects to look for as you mention. The chief thing is not to separate out "herbs and supplements" into a separate category. Everything we take into our body is either water, food, or drug. SamE is a drug-- an unregulated drug. That's why it has drug effects good and bad.