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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 Prefect on March 17, 2013, at 23:59:05
Hi,
Thinking about taking SAM-e for Ostheoarthritis. I understand it also acts on neurotransmitters and I take 100 mg Luvox/day for anxiety.
1.Anyone have experience combining SSRI with SAM-e and is it something I should avoid?
2.If you've used SAM-e, any brands preferable?
3.How does it jive with an alcoholic drink here and there (enjoy my whiskey nightcap or two)Thanks guys.
Posted by Tomatheus on March 18, 2013, at 0:50:40
In reply to SAM-e and SSRI together, posted by Prefect on March 17, 2013, at 23:59:05
Prefect,
I have not personally taken SAM-e with an SSRI, but I wanted to make you aware that a study was done that evaluated the effectiveness of SAM-e as an add-on treatment to serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The study's participants were described as SRI nonresponders who continued to take their SRI medications along with either 1,600 mg/day of SAM-e (800 mg twice a day) or placebo. The respective response rates of the groups treated with SAM-e and placebo were 36.1 percent and 17.6 percent. The respective remission rates of the SAM-e and placebo groups were 25.8 percent and 11.7 percent. Here is a link to the study:
http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleID=102383
And here's a link to a related editorial:
http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleid=102409
So, even though I've never taken SAM-e with an SSRI (I have taken the supplement with tranylcypromine, a combination that is not recommended, but that's another story), SAM-e augmentation of SRIs has been studied. The study, in addition to finding SAM-e augmentation of SRIs to be more effective than placebo augmentation of SRIs, found SAM-e to be both well tolerated and safe when combined with SRIs.
I've taken a few different brands of SAM-e in the past, probably having the best results with the GNC brand, although it's hard to make comparisons as far as effectiveness is concerned because I took the GNC brand before the onset of my psychotic symptoms and the other brands after the onset of my psychosis. I do wonder if taking SAM-e with tranylcypromine, which I found to be partially effective for my chronic fatigue or vegetative depression, might have played a role in triggering my psychosis. At the same time, I have yet to hear of SAM-e alone or in combination with an SSRI being something that can increase the risk of developing psychosis, so although I wouldn't recommend taking SAM-e with an MAOI for a few reasons, it would be my best guess based on looking over the study that I linked to above that taking SAM-e with most SRIs (although I'm not entirely sure about Luvox because I don't think any of the participants in the study were taking that medication) should most likely be safe.
Anyway, I know that my response probably wasn't exactly what you were looking for, but I figured that I'd make you aware of the study that I linked to above. I wish you luck with getting more responses from others who have tried SAM-e with an SSRI.
Tomatheus
Posted by Phillipa on March 18, 2013, at 9:52:20
In reply to SAM-e and SSRI together, posted by Prefect on March 17, 2013, at 23:59:05
Since I also have the same osteoarthritis problem. And more with back. I'd not heard of Sam-e as helpful for arthritis? Phillipa
Posted by Prefect on March 18, 2013, at 22:11:24
In reply to Re: SAM-e and SSRI together » Prefect, posted by Phillipa on March 18, 2013, at 9:52:20
Yes, it seems it was accidentally discovered in clinical trials it helps with ostheoarthritis.
Posted by Phillipa on March 19, 2013, at 19:59:26
In reply to Re: SAM-e and SSRI together » Phillipa, posted by Prefect on March 18, 2013, at 22:11:24
Got any links? Seriously would love to read them. Phillipa
Posted by Prefect on March 20, 2013, at 21:37:48
In reply to Re: SAM-e and SSRI together » Prefect, posted by Phillipa on March 19, 2013, at 19:59:26
Here's a link:
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/lifestyle-guide-11/supplement-guide-sam-e
This is based on clinical trials, not snakeoil salesmen anecdotes. But I'd be careful, because this supplement acts on seratonin, so it could interact with your Luvox, etc., which is what I'm trying to establish with this thread.
Posted by Phillipa on March 21, 2013, at 18:59:00
In reply to Re: SAM-e and SSRI together, posted by Prefect on March 20, 2013, at 21:37:48
Maybe without an SSRI. Old poster here used it and loved it. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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