• So far the possible benefits and long-term risks remain unclear. • Though its marketers boldly claim that SAM-e has no side effects, people taking high doses have reported headache, stomach upset, insomnia, and dizziness. • If you are suffering from depression, you should seek medical advice before you dose yourself with anything. Depression is treatable but requires professional care. • People with bipolar disorder should avoid SAM-e because it may bring on manic episodes. It’s not a good idea to use SAM-e to treat any form of severe depression. It can interact with anti-depressants. • SAM-e will not repair liver damage brought on by heavy drinking—contrary to claims. • People with Parkinson’s disease should avoid SAM-e. • If you have joint pain, you might decide that SAM-e is worth a try, but don’t give up conventional treatments, and be sure your doctor knows you are using this supplement. • The most important problem: SAM-e is converted into homocysteine in the body. High homocysteine levels appear to raise the risk of heart disease. • SAM-e may claim to be better than conventional drugs, but it is certainly not less expensive. Dosages of anywhere from 200 on up to 1,000 milligrams daily are recommended by manufacturers. This can cost from $2 to $18 daily, and you have to take it over the long term. This is great for those selling SAM-e, but it may not be so good for you. • Because there is no regulation of supplements in this country, you don’t know what you’re getting. A recent test by ConsumerLab.com, for instance, found that one expensive brand contained only 30% of the claimed amount.

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ORIGINAL: michaelGA2

the problem with "professionals" is that, in my experience, they really don't give a damn. they are paid to "act" like they care, but it's all smoke and mirrors.

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ORIGINAL: SweetDommes

For the record, my not wanting to go on medication isn't about any stigma I feel it will attach to me ... I just honestly feel like I don't always need it, and knowing that medications like anti-depressants require long term use to be affective just bothers me when I think about using them for my transient episodes.  I'd have to be on them all the time, even though I don't feel like I need them all the time - and that's $$ that we just don't have right now. 
That's why I tried SAM-e first ... that has multiple benefits besides just the mood leveling, so I don't feel so bad about taking it every day - it also doesn't have side effects (as long as I remember to take my b-complex supplement). 

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ORIGINAL: SweetDommes

quote:

>find an experienced and understanding dom and submit to regular floggings

Randomly, why would you suggest this to a Domme?  It just seems kind of odd to me.

Sassy - I am trying herbals/naturals ... I hadn't thought about using Valerian root for that, although I know it's supposed to help with sleep (they suggested that Holly use that when she had stopped sleeping, told her to try that before the melatonin).  I suppose I should dig out some of my old reference books and look through them again (I know I have one somewhere that has a lot of  "nature's pharmacy" type things in it ... but can't find the blasted thing).