Has anyone had success with SAMe?

[Melanie R]

Hi there,
I was told that the supplement SAMe works much like MSM and glucosamine by rebuilding the GAG layer of the bladder. I am allergic to glucosamine and have trouble breathing when I take it. I was hoping to hear of someone that has possibly had success with this. Any comments would be greatly appreciated!! :hi: :toilet: :angel:

[Wolfe]

Melanie, I'm going to do a search on this, because I'd like to know more about this possibility too. I know SAMe has antidepressant properties too, so if we could take this successfully, it could be an answer to two problems at once. I'll let you know what I find.

[Emma's Mommy]

what is SAMe???

[Wolfe]

SAMe is an over-the-counter supplement that, as far as I knew, was for depression, like St. John's Wort. I stopped at Nature's Outlet today to ask about it. The only one they had in stock had some kind of "acid" in it, and soy. So I asked them to see if they could find one with fewer additives.

It was pretty expensive ($40 for 20 capsules!), but I'm going to ask my doc about it because I can't take antidepressants. Too bad insurance won't cover it.

[Melanie R]

I am allergic to glucosamine and was told that SAMe has the same rebuilding of tissue properties as glucosamine. Of course that is in addition to it's anti-depressant properties. I take the anti-depressant Zoloft already which does help a lot with the pain. I don't know if SAMe would mess with that or not. I would have to ask a doctor. It would be awesome though if I could take that instead of the glucosamine because that makes my lungs swell up! ewww.... I am just trying to see what the best options are.:confused: :help:

[Wolfe]

Melanie, can you take MSM? I think that is supposed to help rebuild the lining too. You can buy it either with glucosimine or without.

In the research I did, I found that you can take SAM-e with antidepressants, and researchers find that the SAM-e actually boosts antidepressants and helps them work better. Of course, check with your doctor first.

And here's another reason why: One site warned: "Interestingly, SAM-e breaks down into the potentially harmful homocysteine, which has recently made press as a substance strongly correlated with heart disease if it is left to build up within your cells. The good news is that SAM-e, which is so good for you does NOT have to turn into a toxic build-up of homocysteine. With the proper complement of B-complex vitamins (especially B-6, B-12 and folic acid, which are all methyl-donors), homocysteine is re-methylated into good old methionine (used to produce S-Adenosyl Methionine) or convert to the antioxidant glutathione (also good)."

I know that most of us can't take B12 or folic acid. I certainly can't. So now I'm wondering whether it's worth the risk. All things to talk with my doctor about!