User Reviews for same

Was able to switch from Prozac to SAMe for depression and OCD. Equally effective but SAMe aids concentration, memory, etc whereas Prozac weakens it.

I was originally diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and was supposed to start Cymbalta which costs way too much money for me to take it. So, I started to take SAMe. I was taking fluoxetine for depression also. I have been taking the SAMe for 16 days and am off of the fluoxetine completely. The difference in the arthritis pain level is night and day. I am not nearly as stiff as I used to be and I'm no longer in pain each day. My feet have lost that swollen look and I can wear shoes I haven't been able to wear in a couple of years. It takes care of the depression and I am feeling great. I take 400 mg daily. It costs about 6 times less than prescription drugs and it is rebuilding at a cellular level which prescriptions drugs do not do. Read More Read Less

I tried SAM-e years before I discovered I had bipolar-II and I can confirm that it does indeed cause manic switches in high amounts. That said, in VERY LOW doses(200-400mg) for only a few days during a particularly deep depression, it has helped to alleviate the more severe symptoms without triggering mania, so long as one is responsible enough to stop the treatment after the depression has loosened and not continue to use it until they actually do go into mania. In fact, for bipolar patients I would advise against this course unless your doctor approves. Even then, do not take it within 2-4 hours of any other psychoactive substance. I myself have had acute serotonemia and it was the single most terrifying, not to mention life-threatening experience of my life. My biggest complaint is the price. The least expensive product I have found was $15 at Walmart, but that only includes 36 200mg tablets. The effective dose range for depression can go as high as 1200-1600mg, so you can see that this is obviously not cost effective. However, if many other methods have not worked, or if you are only mildly depressed, this treatment might work well for you. Read More Read Less

I am an ex drug addict and missing dopamine, the V.A. has had me on anti-psychotics as well as mood elevators for years. I was suicidal that whole time. My wife read about SAM-E and I have been on it for 6 months. I am currently of all meds , even my athritis medicine. I killed two birds with one stone, I have had no stomach pain or discomfort. I had recently ran out and did not take it for 3 weeks and I was getting very suicidal and nervous, I have started it again and feeling much better. This medication is worth a shot for anyone if it keeps people off the drugs from the big drug companies. You can get your Dr. to write a script for you and take the cost of the SAM-E and have your insurance pick up the tab.Read More Read Less

gas

I have had lower back pain for 30 plus years now and may back was especially stiff after getting out of bed in the morning. I take between around 400 mg per day and I have immediate relief.

I have an overall improved sense of well being and calm with SAMe. Started taking this in 2001 and find that I don't feel as well without it. My concentration is better and I am able to focus on tasks. I have read multiple comments about upset stomach. I started at 200mg per day and now only take 400mg but have no side effects. My daughter takes this when her mood is low from PMS and she also finds it helpful.

I have taken Sam-E for multiple conditions. It started with depression. It has been effective for me. I understand that Sam-E is produced naturally by your body. If you get an effect from Sam-E, it is because your body does not produce enough of it, so the supplement helps the deficit. If you take too much, then the side effects kick in. Over time I have reduced my Sam-E dosage to 200 per day. This seems to work for me. I also have knee joint problems. I have had less pain pain since taking it.Read More Read Less

Both my wife and daughter tried SAMe starting at 400 mg bid for depression. My wife developed boring, epigastric pain immediately, stopped for a week, restarted and the pain recurred. She stopped taking it before any mood effects could be seen. Her daughter (concurrently taking Wellbutrin)took the same dose out of the same package for 5 days, with worsening epigastric pain each day. On the 5th day she was taken to the ER via ambulance, unable to stand, with severe epigastric pain. Ultrasound and bloodwork were normal. She was discharged with a prescription for a proton pump inhibitor, diagnosis: presumed gastritis. I can't rule out a genetic component here, but also can't rule out a problem with this particular brand/lot. There may also have been an interaction with Wellbutrin. Bottom line: I suspect GI side effects with SAMe can be more severe, and more common than the marketing materials would suggest!Read More Read Less

SAM-e worked great for my mood. I had a general sense well being all the time. I was able to cut back to half dose of my effexor. The new combination made me feel better than the full dose. HOWEVER, I experience some mild constipation along with rectal inflammation. Also, I was unable to taste anything while I was on it. Each time I stopped, the inflammation resolved as well as the taste issue and would resume whenever I restarted the sam-e. I regret not being able to continue it.

I have PMDD and was perscribed Prozac, but it makes my hair fall out like crazy. I turned to alternative methods of dealing w/depression. St.Johns Wort numbed me out to the point that I didnt care about anything. 5-HTP made me sleep really good, but not sure it helped w/the depression...Same-e, 400, has made all the difference in the world. I might combo Sam -e w/the 5-HTP during the periods of bad depression, but for now, daily Sam-e is a God send. :-) No more prozac for me.

Started taking SAM-E for osteoarthritis and discovered that it greatly improved my mood. Went off for a while and my mood went down and my joints started to hurt. I only take 200 mg and am thinking of cutting the pills in half to take 100mg per day. Not everyone needs the dosage recommended. Don't ever start at 400mg! Start slowly and work up to more if and only if you need it. Might be fewer side effects that way.

Check the box on the type of SamE you buy. Many brands contain mannitol which causes gas and digestive problems for many, many people. Some brands without mannitol: Vitamin Shoppe, GNC.

I started taking SAMe little less than a month ago due to the fact that I can't take NSaids. My neck pain, backaches, and shoulder joint pain has subsided for the most part. However I did not contribute the constant stomach upset and feeling of heartburn that I have had recently to this supplement until reading these reviews. I have very mild gastritis and thought it was to blame, although I never suffered any symptoms previously. Now I know it is from the SAMe. I will now try taking with morning meal instead of on an empty stomach and if pain doesn't subside will discontinue although it is working for what I had intended.Read More Read Less

I started Sam-e 200 mgs for one month and decided to go up to 400 mgs since I wasn't noticing a difference. I've been at 400 mgs for a month now and all I'm experiencing is anxiety and suffering from high blood pressure. I'm 5 '1, 102 lbs, eat a healthy diet and exercise daily, but my resting heart rate is now 88! I've decided to slowly stop taking Sam-e. (I take Jarrow Formulas)

I began to take it a few yrs. ago w/ hopes of it improving my mood swings & energy after not having sucess w/ several different prescription meds for depression, chronic pain & fatigue. I began at 200mg, gradually upping the dose by +/-200mg a day, every few wks. I went up to 1600mg, but found 1400mg to be the most benefical for me. Like any med, it is not a magical cure all, but I was amazed at how much it helped me to balance my mood after only a few days. Yrs. ago I began having chronic pain, after I broke my mid spine, I had irritability & angry out bursts of rage, these have decreased from up to a few x daily down to only approx. 1-2x per 1-2 months taking SAMe. It has cont. to help me daily, but it seems to maybe be slightly less effective over time. SAMe has probably saved my marriage & life. I noticed no major side effects, but I take quite a few other meds & supplements that I already had many of the typical side effects from, but they didn't seem to increase. It can be costly vs. my prescription co-pay for other meds. I try to save $ by buying it at Walgreens frequent BOGO sales. I hope it willl be as valuable help for others as it's been for me & my family who have put up w/ me & my many struggles to manage my many moods thru the yrs. Read More Read Less

I started SAMe because I wanted to stop taking Naproxen which had begun to effect my digestion. My joints are doing well and I feel better overall. I did experience some gastrointestinal distress during the first week.

I reacted to 200mg daily in two days, profuse sweating, stomach cramps, gas. I assumed since it was natural occuring I would not have the problems encountered ...

i did like it until it caused me to have sky high blood pressure. went off of it immediately and back to the known drugs. generics can alter how much of what they put in and fillers as they are not fds regulated. so will not be taking any more of that.did 400 twice a day.