7 replies to this topic

[luv2increase]

I'm going to start taking SAM-e at 400mg first thing in the morning. It says not to take with mao inhibitors. I know that L-deprenyl is an mao inhibitor, but will 1mg EOD with 400mg of SAM-e pose a threat? I can't see 1mg EOD inhibiting mao-b enough for there to be any problem.


Please someone let me know what you think. If it will pose a problem, I will definitely not get the deprenyl.

Also, anyone have good results with SAM-e? I've read good things about it. I'm getting it for joint health, liver support (go good with my milk thistle), and mood lift.


Thanks a lot!!!

[luv2increase]

I've read that some people may be able to tolerate this. It first depends on how one tolerates with SAM-e I assume since it has been known to cause mania, anxiety, and insomnia in some ppl. I will just have to wait and see if I am one of them ppl. I may have to lower my dose to 200mg. If all goes well from there, I will try the deprenyl at 1mg EOD. If that is too strong, I will go to 1mg twice a week. If that is too strong, I will ditch the deprenyl.

All in all, this combo won't kill me---> well, at least I hope!

[niner]

You might consider starting with the lower doses and working up, instead of going in the other direction.

[luv2increase]

You might consider starting with the lower doses and working up, instead of going in the other direction.

Good point niner! I've read that also. Sam-e is supposed to increase norepinephrine levels; therefore, I want to start higher. I feel my levels are low because I lack motivation and drive. I have autumn quarter of school starting up Wednesday, so I want to be motivated and ready to get back in the swing of things again! [lol]

I got the sam-e at trader joe's. It is a non blister foil pack one unfortunately. I also ordered some more from iherb 20 min ago, the good stuff. I order some TMG and some 'more' methyl B12. I figure 500mg of TMG, 1mg of methylb12, and 200mg of SAM-e with be adequate for my goals. I may just skip the deprenyl altogether and wait until I turn 30 (6 more years).

[whitenoise]

I'd be careful combining SAM-e with an MAOI. Speaking from personal experiance using SAM-e (1-2 caps) and St. John's Wort (~300 mg, I think) which is a weak MAOI, I found I had a slight euphoria (duration of about 2-3 hours) and a what I would describe as a weak manic episode (~4 hours, tops). I do not recall any tachycardia which is the first obvious sign of serotonin syndrome, so I was still within a safe range, however the euphoric feeling was fairly addictive. I felt almost unnaturally calm and I tended to drift off when I stopped paying attention. On the other hand, I attempted this once during my calculus course at the time and found I was able to focus intently when I wanted to.

Following these episodes (I tried a few combinations of dosages) there was not a crash per say, however I felt depleated with a more pronounced feeling of apathy. I have not bought any more SAM-e since my initial pack (which I didn't even use all the way) primarily because SAM-e is friggin' expensive and appeared to be somewhat habit-forming. Additionally, the peak feeling was too high and spacey than I wanted for day-to-day course work.

[luv2increase]

whitenoise, did you have depression or low mood before using sam-e? Did you use sam-e before st. john's wort, st. john's wort before sam-e, or start them both at the same time?

[whitenoise]

I have depressive episodes, where I'll feel bad or low for a week or two. During these times I tend to accomplish less, have trouble making it to class, etc. etc, which is why I started investigating these items in the first place. I started the SAM-e first, and then after researching, I wanted to see how St. John's Wort would potentiate the effect as it is a low-level SRI and MAOI. It did work, as I described above, but tended to have an acute effect. I've since combated the issue with 5-HTP and a stronger focus on general health (via diet and exercise).

Looking over your original post, I overlooked that L-deprenyl is MAO-b specific. I don't think an MAO-b inhibitor will matter if it's a low dose, as you stated.

[luv2increase]

Looking over your original post, I overlooked that L-deprenyl is MAO-b specific.  I don't think an MAO-b inhibitor will matter if it's a low dose, as you stated.

At high doses, which I will not be doing, it also inhibits mao-a also.