SAM-e (S-adenosyl-L-methionine)

[Altostrata]

What usually happens is that if a supplement or food helps, it helps for a while, but then either loses effect or causes an unpleasant reaction. Then you go on to the next supplement or food.

 

My experience has been that fish oil, magnesium, vitamin C, and melatonin have had good effects for years.

 

Be sure to try supplements very cautiously, and one at a time. If you are sensitive to foods, same thing.

 

Whatever you read on MIA has no basis in my experience.

[compsports]

Whatever you read on MIA has no basis in my experience.

Someone in a thread has been advising a person to take 5HTP to rebalance brain chemistry.   So this person starts with 200mg of the supplement and is doing horribly.   What a surprise.

 

The good news is that other posters are acknowledging I have a point about supplements aggrivating withdrawal symptoms.   But too many of them think that because they aren't drugs, they are harmless.   So frustrating.

[Burf]

I wanted to add my two cents to this topic.  For about 4 years I've been taking Sam-E thinking it's a safe, natural, over the counter supplement that helps with depression and joint health but this past week I got a really rude awakening.  At first I was taking 400mg for a while, then decided to drop to the 200mg pills to save on money.  Then about 3 months ago I decided I'd do an improvised taper to get off of Sam-E since I just figured it wasn't doing much for me anymore and I could save even more money.  I went from the 200mg pills to 100mg, then alternated taking it one day and not the next for about 2 or 3 weeks and stopped altogether.  I'd been getting symptoms but I'm also tapering off of Valium so I just figured they were part of that, but once I stopped the Sam-E I had HORRIBLE withdrawals about 4 days later.  Nausea, achy & restless legs, ringing in my ears, anxiety and depression that were crushing, and derealization with weird terrible thoughts.  I ended up reinstating on it and figured I'd just take the 100mg pills but it's been a game up of catch up and I've been feeling super crappy off and on each day.  The other delima with Sam-E is that it's pills are usually enteric coated so it's hard to cut them to lower doses in order to taper.  Not only that it has an extremely short half life which makes for rough withdrawals.  DO NOT take this stuff lightly.  I have been on it a long time but if I could go back in time I would have never touched the stuff in the first place.

[downtongirl]

I have read through this thread but have a question....I have a couple gene mutations that suggest I take l-methionine.  One of the mutations is the COMT mutation and the other is the Glutathione Conjugation which I am completely ABSENT in....meaning I don't even have any of this gene.  It was suggested to me that I take methionine to help break down the high levels of norepeinphrine in my body.  What is your thoughts on taking the supplement if you have these two gene mutations? 

[Burf]

It's been a while since I first posted about this so I just wanted to give a little update.  What happened with me is I kept taking Sam-E since I posted about it because I was tapering Valium and Suboxone at the same time.  Then a little over a month ago I decided to really try and get off of it so I started alternating days of taking it and not since you can't cut the pills because they're enteric coated.  I felt some withdrawal symptoms but they weren't too bad.  Then a couple weeks ago I made the leap and stopped taking it altogether.  Around day 3 I started to notice anxiety, nausea and a bloated stomach, achiness, sweating, and a constant horrible headache that would not go away.  Finally around day 6 I couldn't handle the symptoms so I took a 100mg Sam-E pill and the symptoms completely went away within 2 hours, but it also gave me super bad anxiety which is the main thing I hear from people when they first start taking it.  So I was kind of in a tough spot having withdrawals but no wanting to take Sam-E because it gave me bad anxiety.  Now I'm on day of no Sam-E except for that one pill, and I'm feeling better than I was a few days ago but still definitely struggling.  From what I've read the withdrawal is very similar to an SSRI one which makes sense because Sam-E is needed to synthesize serotonin in your body.  The withdrawal is also almost identical to benzo withdrawal, just more mild.  It sounds like the healing is going to take awhile, but it's encouraging that I already feel a little better. 

[freespirit123]

Ugh I just don’t know what to do! I was just going start on SamE but now after reading this thread, I shouldn’t take it?

 

i just feel lost bc we’re damned if we take meds and seem damned if we take natural.....I want to explode!

 

someone please for the love of God please give me advice on what to do! 

 

On Celexa for 2.5, stopped 4 months ago. Been taking Ativan 1-2 times a week for sleep. 

 

So im not in natural depression I’m assuming I’m on withdrawl depression. I am not bipolar. 

 

Help!!!! What natural should I take? 

 

Please see please don’t just move this post to somewhere else and tell me I’m posting wrong HELPME!

 

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[Ali75]

I was taking 400 mg of SAM-e/day for several months. When I tried stopping cold turkey, I had horrible withdrawal symptoms. Then I learned from Brassmonkey that SAM-e has to be tapered by 10% every four weeks, like SSRI’s. The only way to do that is by taking the SAM-e in liquid form because the enteric coated tablets can’t be cut without losing their effectiveness. This company makes a liquid SAM-e:

https://luminahealth.com/products/cellfood-sam-e-formula/

[WiggleIt]

Staying away from supplements has been the best choice for me.  I react badly even to mild supplements, like iron and iodine, so I never risked sam-E.

[TinyDancer]

Hi,

 

I was 'advised' to try SAM-e by an integrated medicine doctor who was uneducated about SSRI withdrawal syndrome. I was hoping it would take the place of Lexapro after I tapered off. I didn't know about post-acute withdrawal syndrome yet.

 

Long story short, when I tried to reduce my dose because of indigestion I had withdrawals just like SSRI withdrawals. Insomnia, anxiety, and agitation. I am stuck on 400mg a day until a doctor can guide me through tapering off of it.

 

Of course I want to beat myself up for introducing another drug that I have to taper off, but I need to move on from that negative thought. I didn't understand how hypersensitive my system was/is at the time, and I was trying my best to cope.

 

Anyways, I replied here to warn people about this and to let you know that I will post updates when I start tapering. I have an appointment with Paul Abramson* (San Francisco) coming up and I hope it will work out.

 

* for more info see: 

 

Edited November 29, 2021 by ChessieCat
added link

[Ventus]

I tried sam-e yesterday. Feeling pretty desperate at the moment.  It did well nothing at all but I only took it for one day. Given all the stuff you all are saying about it I should probably not take anymore.

[GGGG]

http://Gggg. I've been off my antidepressants  2 years and 7 months.  Has anyone else taken this during withdrawls? 

[Altostrata]

@GGGGplease read this topic from the beginning. Before starting a topic about a supplement, please use search in the Symptoms and Self-Care forum and add to existing topics.

[GGGG]

I was on antidepressants 20 years. I stopped them in5 day. I've been off them 2.7 years. I've been using sam e 100 mg morning and evening.   Has anyone else used this?

[GGGG]

I was on antidepressants 20 years. I stopped them in5 day. I've been off them 2.7 years. I've been using sam e 100 mg morning and evening.   Has anyone else used this?

[GGGG]

I've been taking this for 2.7 years.  After being on antidepressants 20 tears and cold turkeying off it.   I stopped them for 5 days and got very anxious and depressed. I have 2 days back on them. Would I have to wean off of them like ssris?

[Punarbhava]

http://mental-health.emedtv.com/sam-e/sam-e-side-effects.html


SAM-e Side Effects

Nausea, insomnia, and loss of appetite are some of the more common problems reported by people taking SAM-e. These problems are more likely to occur with a higher dosage of the supplement. Several less common -- but potentially serious -- side effects of SAM-e are also possible and require immediate medical attention, including restlessness, panic attacks, and suicidal thoughts or behavior.

Side Effects to Report

SAM-e Supplement Information

Does SAM-e Cause Side Effects?

As with any medication or supplement, side effects are possible with S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM-e). Many people assume that natural products, such as SAM-e, are always free of side effects. However, this is simply not the case. Any supplement that has medicinal properties may also have side effects.

(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects of SAM-e. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of SAM-e side effects with you.)

Common Side Effects of SAM-e
Some of the common SAM-e side effects include:

Gas
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea or constipation
Dry mouth
Headaches
Insomnia
Loss of appetite
Sweating
Dizziness
Nervousness
Fatigue.

As you might expect, side effects are more common with a higher SAM-e dosage.

Side Effects to Report
Some side effects of SAM-e, while occurring infrequently, are potentially serious and should be reported immediately to your healthcare provider.

These include but are not limited to:

Anxiety, agitation, or panic attacks
Hostility or aggressiveness
Engaging in unusual or dangerous activities
Restlessness or inability to sit still
Extreme elation or feeling of happiness that may switch back and forth with a depressed or sad mood
Other unusual changes in behavior
Suicidal thoughts or behavior
Parkinson's disease symptoms, such as a tremor (SAM-e could theoretically cause or worsen these symptoms)
Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:

Itching
Hives
Rash
Wheezing
Difficulty breathing
Swelling of the mouth or throat.

 

Edited February 15, 2023 by Altostrata
updated

[Altostrata]

Please read this topic from the beginning!!

[GGGG]

How would you wean off of sam e? I take 100mg in the morning and 100 in the evening

Edited February 15, 2023 by GGGG

[Altostrata]

Please read this topic from the beginning.

[Ali75]

15 hours ago, GGGG said:

How would you wean off of sam e? I take 100mg in the morning and 100 in the evening

You have to taper by about 10% each month. You can’t taper using the tablets because they’re enteric coated and become ineffective when they’re cut. There is one liquid SAM-e and it’s available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cellfood-Sam-Liquid-Formula-oz/dp/B009HWF6DI/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=SYECLC7KPJ93&keywords=cellfood+sam-e&qid=1676560282&sprefix=cellfood+sam%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-3

[GGGG]

21 minutes ago, Ali75 said:

You have to taper by about 10% each month. You can’t taper using the tablets because they’re enteric coated and become ineffective when they’re cut. There is one liquid SAM-e and it’s available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cellfood-Sam-Liquid-Formula-oz/dp/B009HWF6DI/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=SYECLC7KPJ93&keywords=cellfood+sam-e&qid=1676560282&sprefix=cellfood+sam%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-3

I've been cutting the 200 sam e tablets  mg enteric coated tablets for 2 years. 100 in the morning  and 100 in the evening.  Yesterday I took only the morning one and skipped the. Evening one . I took a vistaril to sleep. Did you ever take vistaril to sleep?

[Altostrata]

On 6/16/2011 at 3:16 PM, Altostrata said:

If you have been taking any of these related supplements daily, to go off, you may need to taper them by a quarter of your daily dose per week.

 

Updated to be absolutely clear.

[GGGG]

On 10/7/2013 at 3:46 PM, Zoe said:

I have been taking Sam-E for years. I was wondering if anyone thinks it may be making my w/d worse? If so do I taper it also? I am not trying to taper now- just trying to stabilize.  Thanks in advance for your help. Blessings to all!

 

Do you still take sam e?