SAMe - S-adenosylmethionine

kaiser

Hi, I,ve recently been diagosed as having OA of the lower lumbar facet joints. I'm new to the forum, and would be interested to know if anyone has had any success taking SAMe. I'm seriously contemplating trying it, but would like to hear from anyone who has tried it, whether there were positive or negative results. :?:

eckstardeluxe

kaiser wrote:

Hi, I,ve recently been diagosed as having OA of the lower lumbar facet joints. I'm new to the forum, and would be interested to know if anyone has had any success taking SAMe. I'm seriously contemplating trying it, but would like to hear from anyone who has tried it, whether there were positive or negative results. :?:

Hi, I have end stage OA lumbar spine. I don't know what this is, have never heard of this. If it is injections or non oral I know I could not take this, can I ask if you can explain a little about it please? Obviously given my diagnosis, anything would be worth a try.


Oh and welcome to the Forum, you will find this site very informative and useful.


Eck

kaiser

Hi, hope this helps, it's a cut and paste from the ARC website. Quite lengthy but very informative.

Scientific name: S-adenosylmethionine.
Description of the compound: A chemical compound
derived from two acids: methionine, an amino acid also
found in protein-rich foods; and adenosine triphosphate
(ATP), a nucleic acid and the end-point of all energygaining
reactions in the human body. SAMe was
discovered in 1952 and was first studied as a possible
treatment for depression.
Mechanism of action: SAMe is found naturally in the
body. It contributes to several biochemical pathways and
in the synthesis of hormones and neurotransmitters.
Studies in the laboratory suggested that SAMe has
some analgesic activity and stimulates the synthesis of
collagen and proteoglycans, the major constituents of
joint cartilage. The mechanism of action of SAMe as a
potential anti-depressant is still unknown.
Safety and toxicity: Adverse effects, which are usually
mild and infrequent, include nausea, restlessness,
headache, dry mouth and stomach upset. Severe adverse
effects, in the form of anxiety and mania, have also been
reported in patients with depression.
Availability: This nutritional supplement is available
over-the-counter in some UK pharmacies in the form
of capsules.
Interactions: Theoretically, SAMe might increase the risk
of bleeding if taken with other medications which affect
blood clotting like aspirin, heparin and warfarin. For that
reason, patients on these medications are advised to take
SAMe under a doctor’s supervision. The drug can also
magnify the activity of anti-depressants.
Dosage: Optimal dose has not been well established. Most
previous studies have used doses of 400-1,600mg daily.
The role in treatment of arthritis and
musculoskeletal conditions: The potential beneficial
role of SAMe has been a subject of investigation in RCTs
on patients with OA and fibromyalgia. A review article,
published in 2002, analysed RCTs that investigated the
effectiveness of this medication in treating patients
with OA. Eleven RCTs were included; one trial compared
the effect of SAMe with that of a placebo; nine trials
compared SAMe with aspirin or an NSAID and one
compared SAMe with a placebo and an NSAID. The
number of patients included in these studies ranged
from 36 to 493 patients and duration of the trials ranged
from ten days to 84 days. The SAMe dosage used in these
trials was 1,200mg/day (six trials), 600mg/day (three
trials), 400mg/day (one trial), and in one study the dose
varied between patients. Data from all these trials were
combined and re-analysed. SAMe was significantly better
than placebo and had an effect similar to that of NSAIDs
in reducing functional limitations attributed to the
disease. In terms of pain reduction, SAMe had an effect
equivalent to that of NSAIDs. Two trials compared the
effect of SAMe versus that of a placebo in reducing pain
in patients with OA: both of them reported a significant
superiority in favour of SAMe. The combined re-analysis
of the ten trials which had NSAID comparative groups,
found that patients treated with SAMe were 58 per
cent less likely to experience adverse effects than those
treated with NSAIDs, regardless of the dose of SAMe and
the duration of treatment. A more recent RCT (published
in 2004) compared the effectiveness of SAMe to celecoxib
(an NSAID; COX-2 inhibitor) for pain control, functional
improvement and reported adverse effects in patients
with OA. The study found that SAMe had a slower onset
of action but was as effective as celecoxib in relieving
pain and improving the physical function after 16
weeks of treatment. With respect to its role in treating
patients with fibromyalgia, three out of four published
RCTs found that SAMe was effective, when compared to
placebo, in reducing the number of tender points and/or
the intensity of tenderness in these points. The three
studies also found that SAMe was effective, compared
to placebo, in reducing depressive symptoms in patients
with fibromyalgia. The fourth RCT found that SAMe was
not significantly better than placebo in reducing almost
all disease-related symptoms.
However, the number of patients who took part in these
four trials was small (17 to 44 patients) and duration of
the treatment was short (ten days to six weeks).
Conclusion: S-adenosylmethionine (or SAMe) is a
chemical compound found naturally in the body. In
addition to its potential anti-depressant properties,
studies in the laboratory suggest that SAMe has some
analgesic activities. It also stimulates the synthesis of
major constituents of joint cartilage. The chemical
compound can be purchased from pharmacies in the
form of capsules. Evidence from RCTs suggests that it
is effective in reducing functional limitations, and to a
lesser extent pain in patients with OA. Evidence for its
effectiveness in patients with fibromyalgia, from a
small number of trials only, suggests that SAMe might
be of benefit in reducing body tenderness and
depressive symptoms.
References:
• Najm WI, Reinsch S, Hoehler F, Tobis JS, Harvey PW. S-adenosyl
methionine (SAMe) versus celecoxib for the treatment of osteoarthritis
symptoms: a double-blind cross-over trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord
2004:26;5-6.
• Soeken KL, Lee WL, Bausell RB, Agelli M, Berman BM. Safety and
efficacy of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) for osteoarthritis. J Fam
Pract 2002;51(5):425-30.
• Sarac AJ, Gur AJ. Complementary and alternative medical therapies in
fibromyalgia. Curr Pharm Des 2006;12(1):47-57.

Thanks for the welcome

eckstardeluxe

Hi

Many thanks for that, very informative. Something worth looking into or asking my GP about next week when I see them. I shall keep you posted on what they say. I have to watch what I'm doing. I have renal problems so get scanned every couple of months to check the plethora I'm on isn't doing damage. I constantly worry myself that this amount of drugs I'm taking is going to hit me at some point in the future.

I'm willing to look into anything. Someone here suggested a drug called Pregabalin which is supposed to be especially good for nerve problems, I'm not sure if you are experiencing anything like this yet. This is something I'm keeping in mind should problems arise as I hear wonderful things about this drug.

Have they explained how far on you are or given you any idea of your prognosis yet?

kaiser

I have reduced disc height at L4/L5, which along with poor posture and heavy work has caused OA of the facet joints in that area. Suffer low back pain, along with nerve pain radiating into both outer thighs. I am about 18 months in to this problem, and have followed many avenues. Chiro/GP/Consultant/MRI/pain clinic/NSAID's/Pain killers/Pilates/Yoga etc etc Also awaiting an appointment for facet joint injections. In the meantime I'm currently trying a more holistic approach, by using acupuncture/Osteopath/along with a core strengthening & stretching programme. Medication is currently, Glucosamine/Chondrotin & Rosehip, Ginger . Like yourself I became concerned as to the amount of drugs I was taking, and so decided upon a different approach, and will give this approach a few months to see where it takes me. This is how I became interested in SAMe.

eckstardeluxe

Hi again, I really hope you find something which will benefit you.

I would say if anyone tells you OA is not that disabling and you should keep very active, from the experiences of someone who was very athletic until diagnosis, do try and pace your life. Try and keep a steady balance. Doing too much can aggrevate your condition and accelerate things. I know it's hard to stop and listen to your body but please take my advice about this. I am way, way past reduced disc height, I have nothing left in places but bone-bone contact.

I could be like this for a number of reasons but the most likely is because my Drs never checked when I was confronting them with symptoms the fact I had a rare illness and that it usually paralyses people when they have it to the severity I did. I kept on with my life doing stupid daft activities and then found out it was too late. I think knowing is key, you are doing so many good things here learning about your illness and seeing whatever you can try to help. Keeping a little active is good but just taking it easy. Please keep me updated of anything you find. I am very interested in what you are trying. As I say, I'm well gone but anything is worth a go!

elnafinn

Hi Kaiser

I have problems with L4&5 and have done since november 2008 - sciatica, affecting the whole of my left leg and butt. Also get low back ache. This is all intermittent, some days really bad. I do stretching exercises every day and have done for years and years. Probably kept me as mobile as I am today........ Have been down the physio route to no avail although she did mention traction but I did not follow her up on that as it was at a hospital I cannot really get to without someone taking me by car. Consultant is willing to do a small op but I am leaving that as a last resort so am back at the pain clinic this month. Perhaps some injections..... I have slight scoliosis in that area which has moved a little and also all the discs are thinner, hence I have lost 3.5 inches in height over the past few years. I did not notice but daughter and a good friend commented at times. Now I am very aware of it, so perhaps have shrunk further :roll:

I shall watch out for any news from you with interest. Welcome to the forum. I do hope you find it of some help to you and I wish you all the very best.

Luv
Elna x

kaiser

eckstardeluxe wrote:

I would say if anyone tells you OA is not that disabling and you should keep very active, from the experiences of someone who was very athletic until diagnosis, do try and pace your life. Try and keep a steady balance. Doing too much can aggrevate your condition and accelerate things. I know it's hard to stop and listen to your body but please take my advice about this.

Hi,
I couldn't agree more with the above. I have been a very active sport minded person who worked very hard at staying fit. Adjusting to this problem has been very difficult, as I wouldn't give in. And if I,m honest I didn't listen to me body. I,m much more careful now, and now take things much easier. Thanks again........

kaiser

Hmm, interesting It would appear no one has tried SAMe :? :?:

woodbon

Hi, It sounds interesting, my one reserve is that some of the listed side-effects might be difficult ie sickness and nausia, interaction with other drugs. For that reason, anyone thinking of taking it would be wise to visit their GP and discuss it first, keeping the GP informed of what you are taking in case of side-effects, and to check that the medication you'r taking at the moment will not interact and give you any problems.

I havn't heard of it before so have no direct experience to comment on the effectivness, but hopefully it will give you and those of us with OA something effective! Good luck and thak you for sharing this with us. Love Sue