Posted by Ritch on March 14, 2002, at 22:33:23
In reply to Re: SAM-e May Increase Dopamine Production » Ritch, posted by Ron Hill on March 14, 2002, at 14:43:08
> Have you noticed any improvement in your attentional/focusing abilities? Improvement that you feel goes beyond just lifting depression? I have got ADHD problems really bad and wonder if that would be helpful for adults. I have read somewhere that a lot of parents give SAM-e to their ADHD kids who have problems with standard psychostimulants-such as tics and anxiety (with mixed results). Just wondering.
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> > Mitch
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> Mitch,
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> Yes, SAM-e somewhat improves my focus/attention and the improvement occurs immediately upon taking the dose. I (layman) think that the effect is attributable to an increase in dopamine but I'm not sure that my assessment of the mechanism is consistent with the rapid onset of the improved attention.
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> Mitch, I read your posts frequently so I know that your dx is bipolar II with co-morbid ADHD. As you know, I am bipolar II but initially I was misdiagnosed as ADHD and prescribed ritalin. (I am currently 49 and started taking meds for the first time six years ago). Within a couple of months, ritalin pushed me into a full blown mania but, initially, ritalin provided a wonderful focus/attention enhancement. I say this only to let you know that I know what you mean by your question. SAM-e, of course, does not dial-in my attention like ritalin once did but, instead, SAM-e provides a "softer" effect that may (unlike ritalin) prove sustainable over the long haul.
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> My (layman) hunch is that rarely would SAM-e be very useful as an ADHD mono-therapy. In my opinion, SAM-e is much more effective as a "mood brightener" than an ADHD medication. With all that being said, SAM-e may function well as an add-on to ADHD medication.
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> Just to reiterate what SAM-e does for me: SAM-e takes away the side effects (lack of motivation, blunted emotions, lack of energy, and etc) caused by SSRI's.
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> Mitch, if you decide to give SAM-e a try, remember those B's especially B-6, SUBLINGUAL B-12, and folate. Based on what I know about you via reading you posts, I suspect you already take your B's. Are you taking a bioactive SUBLINGUAL B-12 (methylcobalamin)? If not, why not?
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> -- Ron
Thanks Ron,Yes, I got some sublingual B-complex stuff about a month ago and take it every day with lunch. I am also taking approx. 1G of flax oil with that as well. I know I need to take a little extra Vitamin E with the flax (and I do that too). I am thinking about increasing the flax oil to 2G daily and trying to eliminate nearly all unwanted fat in my diet at the same time. Thanks for "reiterating" why you take the SAM-e (to counter sfx of SSRI). I get similar probs with the little bit of Celexa I take, but it is a can't live without it can't shoot it situation with low-dose SSRI. I will break out the cash and get some SAM-e.
Thanks Mitch
poster:Ritch
thread:97638
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020313/msgs/98061.html