Anyone have experience with SAMe?

Hi, Does anyone have any experience with the supplement SAMe?  I would like to know your what you think.

Thanks, KO

If one has methylation cycle variants, then SAMe may not be appropriate...

Dear Razzle,
Whaaaat?????

I'm in serious need of a translation of what you just said! Pretty please???

My Lyme doc told me to take SamE when I was having trouble with depression. He had me take a pretty high dose and it worked so well (up all night being terribly happy!) within 48 hours. I lowered the dose and it really helped to get me out of a bad place. Within months, I didn't need it anymore. It isn't for everyone, but it really helped me out of the hole until my new medication took effect.

Sorry, Bucci, don't remember, but it was more than what was on the box instructions.
Perhaps it is best done under advisement of a physician.

Grace. What do u mean u took SAMe and it helped you out and then u medication took effect.

What meds? Antidepressant ?

Bucci, I was unspeakably depressed (like impulses to drive off the road type of level). The doc told me to take the Sam E and changed up my antibiotics. Once the antibiotics started to work, I didn't need the SAMe anymore. If I start feeling bad I take them for a week or so but I've only had to do that a couple of times.

Have been taking the SAMe for 5 days now and I can't say whether its the SAMe or the abx really kicking in or what....but.....

I usually-- in the evening while I'm on the couch being a potatoe--- get a restless leg type thing in my whole body. Like my nerves are all lit up/active.....can't really describe it but it's not a good feeling.....

.....and I have to get up and walk around to shake it off.

But as of last night this feeling has calmed down considerably.  Actually feel kind of relaxed and normal.  

I know the feeling you are talking about, Cat - it's very unpleasant feeling. So glad to hear that youare gtting some relief!!!!

Oh, and I was diagnosed with a methylation deficiency (metametrix testing forcause of fibro/fatigue). I need to find that other thread Razzle.

Yes, I have experience with SAM-e. Also I share about Acetyl L-Carnitine...please notice the words I have changed to red.

I first began taking SAM-e and Acetyl L-Carnitine together when I relapsed, not this time, but the time before. The two have a synergistic reaction (basically means they act together to get better results).

After reading an article about athletes who use SAMe…as it decreases pain and inflammation in joints and muscles, as well as reading that it was helpful for brain fog and overall better mood (which sometimes I needed badly!) I started using it.

I guess that was about three years ago when I first used it…probably for a year. After I was better, I stopped.

I started again with this last relapse and am still on both supplements. I've been on both this time for almost a year. I am pleased with the results, plus I've experienced no side-effects. I notice I have no joint pain, also my mood improved (my husband would attest to that ) and the brain fog is gone. I notice when I've skipped them I've felt agitated. Yikes.

I use only Jarrow formula SAM-e (for me it seems to work best). As for the Acetyl L-Carnitine I've used whatever brand is available at the story. It is hard to find at the health food store sometimes.

Anyway, the Jarrow brand is natural SAM-e of pharmaceutical grade, stabilized SAM-e for supporting brain, joint and liver function. The box says for:

Longevity support
Support for Joint Strength
Support for Liver Detoxification
Support for Mood and Brain Function.

I also went to WebMD and checked out both supplements.

Below are excerpts that I've cut and pasted from the info I found…also I included the links to those web pages for those who want to check it out.

SAM-e

FROM WebMD - Website Page:

www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-786-SAM-e+SAMe.aspx?activeIngredientId=786&activeIngredientName=SAM-e+%28SAMe%29&source=2

SAMe is a chemical that is found naturally in the body. It can also be made in the laboratory.

SAMe has been available as a dietary supplement in the US since 1999, but it has been used as a prescription drug in Italy since 1979, in Spain since 1985, and in Germany since 1989.

Researchers discovered the potential usefulness of SAMe for treating osteoarthritis by accident. They were studying SAMe’s effect on depression when the patients they were following reported an unexpected improvement in their osteoarthritis symptoms.



SAMe is used for depression, anxiety, heart disease, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, chronic lower back pain, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, slowing the aging process, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), improving intellectual performance, liver disease, and Parkinson's disease.

It is also used for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, seizures, migraineheadache, and lead poisoning.

Some women use SAMe for premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and a more severe form of PMS called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

How does it work?

The body uses SAMe to make certain chemicals in the body that play a role in pain, depression, liver disease, and other conditions. People who don’t make enough SAMe naturally may be helped by taking SAMe as a supplement.


ACETYL L-CARNITINE

FROM WebMD - Website Page

www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-834-ACETYL-L-CARNITINE.aspx?activeIngredientId=834&activeIngredientName=ACETYL-L-CARNITINE

Acetyl-L-carnitine is an amino acid (a building block for proteins) that is naturally produced in the body. It helps the body produce energy.



Acetyl-L-carnitine is used for a variety of mental disorders including Alzheimer's disease, age-related memory loss, late-life depression, thinking problems related to alcoholism, and thinking problems related to Lyme disease.

It is also used for Down syndrome, poor circulation in the brain, cataracts, nerve pain due to diabetes, nerve pain due to drugs used in the treatment of AIDS, and facial paralysis.



How does it work?

Acetyl-L-carnitine helps the body produce energy. It is important for heart and brain function, muscle movement, and many other body processes.


PS: On the Jarrow box and website regarding SAM-e it reads:

Found in all living cells, SAM-e is also called activated methionine (an essential amino acid) since it is formed by the combining of ATP with methionine.

SAM-e has undergone dozens of trials involving thousands of patients and its benefits to the body may include:

Joint Strength: SAM-e supports the production of healthy connective tissue through transulfuration. In this process, critical components of connective tissue, including glucosamine and the chondroitin sulfates, are sulfated by SAM-e metabolites

Brain Metabolism: SAM-e methylation reactions are involved in supporting the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as L-dopa, dopamine and related hormones, epinephrine and phosphatidylcholine (a component of lecithin)

Longevity: Methylation of DNA appears to be important support in the suppression of errors in DNA replication.* Demethylation of DNA is considered a contributor to the aging process. Proper methylation through substances such as SAM-e may positively influence longevity

Liver: SAM-e metabolism supports the synthesis of glutathione (GSH) and glutathione-dependent enzymes (glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase), which are substances important for supporting liver function.

PSS: I read that SAM-e is not for people who are bipolar or who have other mental illnesses.

Hi Panda,

First of all, let me share what I found as recommended doses:

SAM-e: From 200-1600 mg daily, split in doses throughout the day.

Acetyl L-Carnitine: Generally 500-1000 daily. But can work up to 4000 per day. Again split in doses throughout the day.

Please do not follow what I am doing. You need to do your own research (there is lots online that you can Google) and also talk with your health care professional.

For me I have worked up to SAM-e 400 mg in AM and 400 mg in PM along with the Acetyl L-Carnitine 1000 mg in AM and 1000 AM in PM.

I am feeling really good...so, now, I'm considering lowering my doses.

FYI, For me, I do not like to take pills--whether it is vitamins, supplements, abx, you name it. At the same time, when I make a decision to take a "pill or liquid" I stick with it. I don't just try something for a day or two, or even a week. I am diligent in that way so I can see if it is helping or not. Also I have a system to make sure I remember to take everything when I'm supposed to. I find that has helped me on this journey.

Post Edited (daisyrlb) : 2/12/2011 9:49:14 PM (GMT-7)

Panda2011,

Here's the thread on methylation:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30&m=2004679