Sam-e (s-adenosylmethionine) supplement

[borninquisitive]

I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with this supplement and if so, what do use it for and at what dosage?
Side effects?
I understand that it is a prescription over in Europe, while we can acquire it without an rx.

My mother is beginning to take it for her joints(osteoarthritis)and I am looking into for myself for my joints, as well as for mild depression.

[Demiguise]

I think it was 10 yrs ago I tried it when everyone was starting
supplements for cartilage/joint aches. I was first using the
combo of glucosamine/chondroitin. I tried 3mo of Sam-E. It
was horribly expensive then, & has more studies on it now since
it was touted as a mood-inhancer for anxiety/depression like
rx's. It has a chemical that interferes w/ some of the many
anti-depressants in use & then has side effects. It can also
alter some blood tests depending on dose & labs don't have the
data from records. It happened to me w/ liver function being
off for no reason. When I stopped it, function was normal. The
French mainly use it for anxiety (don't know dose) & it was OTC
there. Anxiety releases a chemical that can cause inflammation,
so it was labeled for joints also. Did zip for me. I went back
to the gluco. w/ fair results for knee problem. D.O.'s like
gluco & labs are more aware of glucosamine use. Make sure she
has it in her Dr file for test reference. Never take in evening
or it can affect sleep. Best taken 2hrs before or 3 hrs after a
meal. Dosage is, take more if needed up to 8 a day. Was just
too much work. Starting dose is 1 a.m./1 afternoon separate
from food for 2 weeks then up dosage. The Gluco & a rx anti-inflammatory from Dr was cheaper & there's no need to titrate
rx. Just take per need. A friend loves it but takes 8 a day &
has an anxiety attack if he realizes he forgot his dose.
It's like any thing. Works for some I guess just like scripts.  

[borninquisitive]

>I tried 3mo of Sam-E. Itwas horribly expensive then, & has more studies on it now since it was touted as a mood-inhancer for anxiety/depression like rx's.<

It seems expensive to me, however...with the costs of many prescriptions-not bad. I purchased a count of 90 (30 x 3)from Puritan's Pride with their occasional buy 1 get 2 free deal.  

>It can also alter some blood tests depending on dose & labs don't have the data from records. It happened to me w/ liver function being off for no reason. When I stopped it, function was normal.<

This is very good to know, thank you! As for altering the liver function test, in thinking about it, doesn't suprise me as I have been reading that (here for example):  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2680435&dopt=Abstract

>Anxiety releases a chemical that can cause inflammation,
so it was labeled for joints also.<

Wow, I didn't know this. Maybe my nerves have been playing a larger role in the way I have been feeling these past 8 months.
I have heard the "depression hurts..." but it wasn't clear to me if it was on account of actual inflamation.

>Did zip for me. I went back to the gluco. w/ fair results for knee problem.<

I read and yes, only on *one* web page that Sam-e was best suited for osteoarthritas.  

>Dosage is, take more if needed up to 8 a day. Was just
too much work.<

That is too much to think about.
I am going to try 200mg (once daily) for about 6 weeks. If I don't note an improvement-will try twice daily. If that doesn't work-I'm going to nix it.

>A friend loves it but takes 8 a day & has an anxiety attack if he realizes he forgot his dose.<

Now that defeats the purpose. lol Tell him to purchase a watch with alarm.  

>Works for some I guess just like scripts.<

This is what I've read. Too, from what's been reported: fewer side affects. Worth a shot.

Thank you, Demi, for your informative post. I appreciate it and will pass it on to my mother as well.