Hi,

I have read that the supplement SAMe is a prescription drug in Europe for 25 years or so and for the use of depression, liver disoderers, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia.

It is sold in the USA as a supplement for use in treating osteoarthritis -- OTC by many companies and no one mentions the side-effects.

Has anyone used SAMe with any success? And, did you have any side-effects?

Thanks---Harry

Hi Harry,

I used Sam-E quite successfully & without side-effects, along w/fish oil, for about 5 yrs., for my knee OA. We're talking knees that were rec. for surgical replacement 11 yrs. ago at age 42. This was before I had fibro, so I can't really comment much on it's effectiveness for me there. The dose I used was one 200 mg. tablet per day, Nature's Balance brand I think -- got it at dept. stores & Costco.

Unfortunately in recent yrs. I've become quite sensitive to Sam-E. I find that even 100 mg. per day tends to have a sedating effect, which increases to the point that after taking it for 3 consecutive days, I just want to sleep all day. I have read a lot of research on Sam-E & talked to many folks who have taken it, & haven't ever heard of another living soul having a sedation reaction to Sam-E. I guess if I ever need a sleeping pill, I know what to take. :yawn: I do have some other known metabolic/processing genetic glitches that tend to cause me adverse drug reactions when I take Rx meds, so I'm guessing what's happening w/Sam-E for me is somehow related. But a pity!

Many people take up to 800 mg. of Sam-E per day without negative side effects. About the only really serious side effect you hear of in connection w/Sam-E is that it tends to promote mania or hypomania in those predisposed to bipolar disorder. I guess I'm not one of those :rolleyes:

One of the things I liked about Sam-E as an OTC remedy is that I always found it to be gentle on my gut, which can be a very tender, crabby gut. Some studies I've read have pointed out that Sam-E is also manufactured to some extent by the body, and is an important helper to liver function. Most everything I've read about Sam-E suggests it's got "good side-effects" for the brain & body,rather than bad ones.

HTH. Best wishes.

I too have used SAMe for several years with no significant side effects. Whether it is effective?????? I dunno. I have a shoulder that gives me trouble but nothing else.
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But with that logic we might also conclude that SAMe keeps elephants out of my basement here in Kansas since they have never congregated there in all the time I've been taking SAMe.
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Don't forget the vitamin B to go with it, though. Otherwise you will develop overlapping vantals and your ears will drop off..... or something.
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I also take the full alphabet of vitamins along with fish oil and a little bitty aspirin. My regular doc says I produce very expensive urine.

;)