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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by disney4 on January 21, 2003, at 15:53:53
I am very medication sensitive. I have recently tried out 3 of the newer AD'S and could not tolerate the SE's. I tried the Sam-e a while ago and the only SE I had was fatigue, but I wasn't sure if it helped my depression either. I want to try taking it again at night. I am scared off a bit because it has not been put through the rigorous testing that prescription medications have. Does anyone have any info on the long term effects it can have on someone, because I read about someone getting fatigue and joint aches after taking it for a while. I am thinking the joint aches could have been next for me. Do you think I should chance it or just try to stick out this low grade, low energy depression that just won't budge? I am also taking fish oil, and when I tried to up my dose of that it caused fatigue as well. Maybe I should try the extra fish oil at bedtime first. Any ideas????
Posted by JohnL on January 21, 2003, at 17:36:40
In reply to Sam-e, Sammy, Fish Oil HELP PLEASE!, posted by disney4 on January 21, 2003, at 15:53:53
Here's an idea. Do some research and then try the herb Rhodiola Rosea.
I've taken my meds--Prozac, Zyprexa, Adrafinil--for a long time. They do a real good job. But the Rhodiola Rosea added in really makes a big difference very quickly.
I've tried all the other stuff like SJW, SAMe, Gingko, Ginseng, etc. None of them did me any good, except SAMe a little bit. But Rhodiola Rosea blows them all in the weeds.
Rhodiola, for me, provides anti-anxiety pro-social behavior, good sleep, and a bright mood in the morning, as well as good energy, mood, and antianxiety throughout the day. It adds a real nice touch. If I wasn't already on meds (I don't want to go through withdrawals or a risky relapse) I would definitely want to try Rhodiola all by itself. Since I am on meds, I am taking two tabs a day instead of the normal six a day.
A good brand should have 4% Rosavin extract. Most don't. There is only one good one I know of, shipped from Europe in about a week for $17. Do a search on Rhodiola Rosea and keep your eyes open for 4% Rosavin. That's the one. :-)
John
Posted by Bill L on January 22, 2003, at 13:58:17
In reply to Sam-e, Sammy, Fish Oil HELP PLEASE!, posted by disney4 on January 21, 2003, at 15:53:53
I don't think that joint aches are a typical se with SAM-e. One usage of SAM-e is for joint health. It helps with osteoarthritis by promoting cartilage growth.
If I were you , I would consider trying prescription drugs a little longer. Did you try Lexapro? Lexapro tends to cause less side effects than others for a lot of people. It made me feel a bit jittery only for the first few weeks. I have no side effects from it now except for a small degree of sexual dysfunction. But the sexual dysfunction and jitteriness were bigger problems for me when I used to be on Prozac.
Posted by disney4 on January 22, 2003, at 15:16:53
In reply to Re: Sam-e, Sammy, Fish Oil HELP PLEASE!, posted by JohnL on January 21, 2003, at 17:36:40
I have tried Lexapro, and it gave me a horrendous headache that wouldn't die. The Rhodiola Rosea sounds very promising. I am going to look into it. I have doubled my fish oil intake, and will see if that helps. If not, I will either try the
Rhodiola Rosea or Sam-e. Thanks for responding, and if any one else has tried the Rhodiola Rosea, I would really like to know how you felt on it.
Posted by JohnL on January 23, 2003, at 6:22:13
In reply to Sam-e, Sammy, Fish Oil HELP PLEASE!, posted by disney4 on January 21, 2003, at 15:53:53
Other people here have tried Rhodiola with poor results. It is my guess that those poor results were primarily a result of two things:
1)Inferior brand
2)Too high of a dose too soon.The brand with 4% Rosavin (there is only one such brand) is really really good. I approach dosing with it the same way I would a regular med. That is, start low and slow.
JohnL
This is the end of the thread.
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