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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by McPac on July 14, 2003, at 13:43:36
Was wondering if it is ok to take SAM-e along with Lexapro, low-dose lithium and low-dose Remeron?
Any reason not to try it?
Also, is it ok to take everyday, indefinitely (if it were to help)?
Thanks!
Posted by Bill L on July 14, 2003, at 15:21:14
In reply to SAM-e supplementationLarry/Anyone?, posted by McPac on July 14, 2003, at 13:43:36
I personally would not. If you are not getting enough relief from your current meds, you may need a dose increase. Although I have read a lot about SAM-e, I personally have not read many sucess stories with it either by itself, or augmenting other antidepressents. It may be better suited for mild depression.
> Was wondering if it is ok to take SAM-e along with Lexapro, low-dose lithium and low-dose Remeron?
> Any reason not to try it?
> Also, is it ok to take everyday, indefinitely (if it were to help)?
> Thanks!
Posted by McPac on July 14, 2003, at 18:36:56
In reply to Re: SAM-e supplementationLarry/Anyone?, posted by Bill L on July 14, 2003, at 15:21:14
Hi Bill,
Thanks for responding and giving that info....much appreciated!....but I'm wondering if it is ok to try it while being on other meds......a nurse actually told me to try it, though when I looked up SAM-e in a nutritional healing-type book it cautioned not to take it with anti-dep. meds....so I'm wondering why this nurse told me to take it (she works at the nutritional facility treating me!)....is it just a cautionary note or is it a definite rule not to take it w/ other meds, i.e. anti-dep's????? I'll give it a try if I can.
Posted by McPac on July 14, 2003, at 19:07:36
In reply to Re: SAM-e supplementationLarry/Anyone?, posted by McPac on July 14, 2003, at 18:36:56
Lar, as per Pfeiffer I am not supposed to be taking any folic acid supp's.....I've read the following on many internet sites re: Sam-e, "Anyone taking SAMe should also be taking pyridoxal-5-phosphate, Folic acid, & Vitamin B12 or a good multi vitamin/mineral."
So can I still take Sam-e WITHOUT supplementing folic acid? (I DO take pyridoxal-5-phosphate, B-6, B-12 (among other supps). THANKS!!!!!!!!
Posted by Bill L on July 16, 2003, at 13:14:29
In reply to Lar, Re: SAM-e supplementationLarry/Anyone?, posted by McPac on July 14, 2003, at 19:07:36
It sounds like you have certain circumstances about folate. I can't address your situation since I don't know enough. But I can say that SAM-e is given by some docs along with prescription AD's with the exception of MAOI's.
For example, SAM-e is sometimes given with Effexor or SSRI's.
SAM-e should generally be taken on an empty stomach and should be supplemented with folate and B12 in order to prevent a build up of homocysteine.
Posted by McPac on July 16, 2003, at 20:48:01
In reply to Re: Lar, Re: SAM-e supplementationLarry/Anyone?, posted by Bill L on July 16, 2003, at 13:14:29
"SAM-e should generally be taken on an empty stomach and should be supplemented with folate and B12 in order to prevent a build up of homocysteine".
>>>>>>>>>Bill, thanks again for your response!
Empty stomach....thanks! I should be getting some tomorrow; I'll give it a try....not really expecting much with it so what the heck....take care!
Posted by rod on July 17, 2003, at 5:41:32
In reply to Re: SAM-e supplementationLarry/Anyone?, posted by McPac on July 14, 2003, at 18:36:56
> Hi Bill,
> Thanks for responding and giving that info....much appreciated!....but I'm wondering if it is ok to try it while being on other meds......a nurse actually told me to try it, though when I looked up SAM-e in a nutritional healing-type book it cautioned not to take it with anti-dep. meds....so I'm wondering why this nurse told me to take it (she works at the nutritional facility treating me!)....is it just a cautionary note or is it a definite rule not to take it w/ other meds, i.e. anti-dep's????? I'll give it a try if I can.
Hi all,well, according to M.D. Richard Browns book "Stop Depression Now: Sam-E", it is perfectly safe to combine it with other ADs. Even the TCAs and MAOIs. The prescription information of SAMYR (italian product, pharmaceutical SAMe, sold as an prescription AD there) states: "..compatible con qualunque altro farmaco antidepressivo, in particulare triciclici ed inhibitori delle monaminoxidasi" I think its not hard to understand this. It is safe.
But I personally think, like Bill L, you might do better with increasing your current meds. I find SAMe much too expensive.You migth want to check:
"Folate and folic acid"
http://www.micronutrient.org/idpas/pdf/846.04-CHAPTER04.pdfon page 3, there is a detailed description on how the methylation cycle and all the supplements around SAMe work.
I am no doctor and by no means a insight scientist of human biochemistry, but I think just B6 should be enough to remove homocysteine without folic acid supplementation and without speeding the DNA cycle ("folic acids"). But on the other hand, you could recycle a lot of SAMe with all the supplements including folic acid...take care
Roland
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