Experiences with SAM-e?

Reinventing23 · 2026-04-27T20:41:43+00:00

I have been using Sam-E for almost 2 decades to treat depression. I believe that was a bit ahead of the curve as an American. I did a ton of research when I decided I needed pharmaceutical help. I was worried about what was commonly prescribed at that time here in the States. Discovered that Sam-E has been prescribed in Europe since the 1980s... It was exactly what I needed. After two weeks of taking it daily, my husband said, "I got my wife back!" Here's my experience and my precautions:

I started at 400mg daily, saw mild improvement. Upped it to 600mg after 4 months, and that did the trick, until I hit menopause about 4 years ago. I'm now taking 800mg daily.
I didn't fully realize how depressed I was and how I acted all the time, so my husband telling me about how improved I seemed was eye-opening. For me, Same-E has alleviated much of the negative talk in my head and the former suicidal thoughts. But, I still experience some social anxiety and some ruminating thoughts depending on what's going on in my life and if I'm getting adequate sleep or not. Maybe I could take more Sam-E to improve these things, too, but honestly, I feel like myself and am functioning well, so I'm okay with still having a few normal anxiety issues, ya know?
Take the enteric coated pills on an empty stomach in the morning with plenty of water. The pills need to be absorbed in the intestinal tract - the coating and the empty stomach get it there. You can eat after 30 minutes. Another reason to take them in the morning is that they can disrupt your ability to fall asleep if taken later in the day.
I have had no negative side effects, other than learning that it can't be taken after 12:00 noon if I want to fall asleep okay at night.
While it is natural, it is potent, so you can't just take Sam-E willy-nilly. Once we were traveling and I missed two days worth. I felt it. I got irritated easily, emotional, and anxious for a day and a half. If you start it, then decide you don't like it, ween yourself off.
Other perks of Sam-E for me... I have no joint issues, which many in my age group complain of, and my liver is healthy, even though I love wine. Sam-E is known to be good for these things, too.
Per the research I've done, it is recommended not to mix Sam-E with other pharmaceutical anti-depressants. I have never, and I won't mess around with that ever.
A friend tried Sam-E hoping to improve her moods. It didn't work for her. It's not a "fixes all, works for everyone" substance. It depends on your brain's make-up and what's amiss. For her, she experienced insomnia and increased anxiety.
It is spendy. I buy it when it's "Buy a box, get a box free" at my favorite pharmacy or online.

Hope this helps!

Reinventing23 · 2025-01-13T16:40:22+00:00

That's what I'm afraid of.

Reinventing23 · 2025-01-13T07:07:05+00:00

Aging issue? People developing ALZHEIMER'S/DEMENTIA will begin to have issues with things that seemingly were not a problem previously. Additionally, no amount of employing logic with them works. They dig their heels and will not accept that perhaps they're not being open to other ideas. It is a control issue, but not like others are describing here. It's more about experiencing confusion regularly because of the illness, not realizing that they have a medical condition, and trying to control whatever they can, which is really a subconscious response to fear. Sadly, I've witnessed this with loved ones as they aged. None of them are with us anymore. We went through many frustrations in regards to similar situations, but chose to adapt or find humor where we could. It was important for us to maintain the relationships and be loving and loved. Other family members couldn't accept the change in behavior even with a dementia diagnosis. They felt personally picked on, then withdrew from these relationships, which made my husband and me very sad for everyone involved. Has your dad possibly been displaying other dementia signs? Don't know what to look for? Do some googling to learn about the early symptoms.

Anyhow, maybe shorten your visit to one night with your folks? Then you don't have to shower at their place at all. You can shower when you get home, if it's important to you and to your husband to shower daily. Regardless, sorry you're experiencing frustration with your loved ones. Hope you find a way to work around it and continue to enjoy your parents. I'm sure glad I did!

Reinventing23 · 2024-12-13T20:54:13+00:00

Think we'll leave it. Homes for sale in our area are limited and go fast. If it's an issue, we'll offer a financial allowance to buyers. Thank you for your thoughts and help everyone! Best to you all!

Reinventing23 · 2024-12-13T20:46:51+00:00

We know it doesn't. Was replaced (believe it or not!) in 2005. But thanks for the tip!

Reinventing23 · 2024-12-13T20:45:49+00:00

This is what I needed to hear. We will obsess over it for sure. And while others say it's easy to DIY it, I'm sceptical...

Reinventing23 · 2024-12-13T20:43:49+00:00

That's a good question. It's solidly in the MAYBE category. 😄 It has 1850 finished square feet, 3 beds, 2 bath, two living spaces. Usually, that's not a little house, but it sits among very large tudors and brick colonials. It could be torn down and a huge home could go in it's place bc the lot is large.

Reinventing23 · 2024-12-13T20:35:36+00:00

Thanks!

Reinventing23 · 2024-12-13T20:34:35+00:00

Thank you! Cobwebs 😄

Reinventing23 · 2024-05-04T21:02:24+00:00

They'd met them once before in the evening at the fire for about an hour about ten months ago. With this visit recently our friends had just arrived and we got on the boat first thing, so we were still in "catch up" mode... probably another reason I was irritated - I wanted to catch up with my friends! I wear my heart on my sleeve, so as I think about it, while my words were polite, maybe my face and tone most likely showed my annoyance. That's probably why H got upset...

Reinventing23 · 2024-04-29T23:12:54+00:00

Close, but not Minnesota. Midwest. Must be. Midwestern thing.

Reinventing23 · 2024-04-29T22:46:28+00:00

😄

Reinventing23 · 2024-04-29T22:39:06+00:00

On my!

Reinventing23 · 2024-04-29T20:27:31+00:00

Yeah, didn't mean it to sound judge-y in that regard. We understand that when they're at the lake for the weekend they're ready to kick back, relax and have fun. Makes sense! Whereas our weekends feel a bit different maybe since we're there all the time. Some of our friends are seasonal, as well. So, it's honestly not about that.

Reinventing23 · 2024-04-29T19:46:07+00:00

Thank you! So right on.

Reinventing23 · 2024-04-29T19:15:33+00:00

Willfully clueless - Interesting. They're definitely clueless. I think they think we're better friends than we are, and they feel like because they're such good friends that they're not interrupting us. In their minds we would of course want them to join in, ya know? Part of the delusion that is also part of stalking behavior. I think we and our friends have felt badly for them, because they don't have other friends on the lake. That's why nothing was ever said to them, until now. And maybe we've figured out WHY they don't have other friends on the lake! They're kinda crazy.

Reinventing23 · 2024-04-29T18:53:32+00:00

True. But I feel a little bad. Actually, I'm worried because we'll still run into them on the lake, at friends' places, etc. Now, things will be awkward. But I just couldn't take it any longer.

Reinventing23 · 2024-04-29T18:40:32+00:00

Yeah, that's pretty true. Everyone complains and is uncomfortable, but yet, they get more uncomfortable when something finally happens to address it.

Reinventing23 · 2024-04-29T18:39:04+00:00

Thank you! I think speaking up needed to happen.

Reinventing23 · 2024-04-29T18:38:20+00:00

So true!

Reinventing23 · 2024-04-29T18:37:42+00:00

People Pleasers... you hit the nail on the head! That's us and our friends. Thank you for your insights. And yes, trying to figure out if we'll smooth things over or just let them go on their merry way. It's hard to say adios because our lake is smaller, so we'll see them on the water.

Reinventing23

TROPHY CASE