The thrills of craigslist > discussion forums > psychology

[sageb1]

Followup:

I added SAM-e to my mix of herbal meds and think I have discovered the secret to happiness.

SAM-e, otherwise known as S-adenosyl-methionine, supports healthy joints and emotional well-being.

At first, I was getting hypomanic on this stuff, so I cut out caffeine, which bums me out cos my main source of caffeine is green tea.

Usually, I take SAM-e at 200 mg/tablet once in the morning and about 30 minutes before bed.

And within an hour I fall asleep and...

Boom! Dreams I can remember! Not nightmares, but dreams that actually mean something e.g. I dreamed once about flopping some lady's breast and asking if she was fine with that and she replied that not only was it fine, but asked me to do it some more! Then she walked out of the kitchen with a friend of hers.

These dreams actually lead me to want to sleep in, just in case I might miss a really great one.

In fact, since I've been gettin quality sleep, my depression has lifted, which leads me to suspect that I hadn't been getting good sleep after all.

This leads me to conclude that mild depression results from insomnia and that sleep with dreaming can relieve it, especially with SAM-e and limiting intake of caffeine.

If one is taking anti-depressants and/or has bipolar disorder, then I cannot endorse the use of SAM-e with the anti-depressants and/or the bipolar disorder.

Any hypomania arising from SAM-e should be stabilized by consulting with their doctor. Usually a mild sedative (Gravol or Benadryl) is advised. YMMV.

For the record, I've stabilized my mood with flaxseed and salmon oil (2-4 grams / day).

[eos]

i'm trying to get off my meds. but i don't think my doctor will let me. i tried withdrawing on my own and that was the WORST idea that i've ever had. *shivers*

[Tao]

sam-e is known to have the same effects as anti depressants, meaning that if you have bi polar disorder it'll cause uncontrolled mania. meaning you should be more careful about self prescribing.

[sageb1]

akane21: awww... did u stop cold turkey? you basically have to shave milligrams off each pill and let it take two weeks for each lowered dose.

3 months is a goal for going on the lowest dose possible (1/2 of a 1mg pill; 1/4 of a 10-100 mg pill). You'd also need a mild sedative and a strong social network.

Tao: I don't have that kind of bipolar disorder. I would rate my "normal" base state as mild hypomania in front of close friends and the usual Japanese repression of emotions in public.

With respect to SAM-e, I would never take more than what it says on the label (1-2 tablets a day). And I know the main culprit of my insomnia is caffeine.

Thanks for the support though.

[eos]

are your hands cold and clammy? cuz mine are. like right now. it's really embarrassing. i think that's why my bf doesn't hold my hands anymore.

i did stop cold turkey. i was SOOOOO paranoid and my vision was incredibly weird. things kept jumping around and all i wanted to do was cry.

[lethal]

meds = good

why stop?

[sageb1]

Akane21: no, either my hands are warm, my body is intensely warm, or my palms sweat. When did you go for a full thyroid test including the antibody test?

[eos]

i ran out of meds and i didn't want to go back to my old doctor. i really didn't think it would be that bad.

anyway, i'm actually due for my thyriod checkup. i have hypothyroidism. yes, i am a very sickly girl. =(

[sageb1]

Originally Posted by lethal

meds = good

why stop?

actually hemp is the only good meds; everything else is just marijuana substitute.

though in the few people who get anxious on it, they really should take two deep puffs on the roach and STOP.

well it worked for me; YMMV

i haven't done my two puffs since about February 2005.

I also ate up all my SlimStyles Crave-Relax L-Theanine pills in 2 days. No side-effects; nothing!