Suggest Treatment For Numbness In The Back And Severe Heart Palpitations

Posted on Thu, 30 Jun 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 30 Jun 2016 Answered on

Fri, 22 Jul 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Can SAM-e cause sleep disturbances?

I started taking 200mg SAM-e this week and it had a fairly quick benefit regarding mood and anxiety. I am very sensitive and it was a little too activating at first.

I have been having sleep disturbances where I wake up feeling like I am leaving my body, and that my life is being snuffed out. My thoughts are nonsensical and I feel like I'm going crazy. I start to fall back asleep I get a feeling of numbness and I jump back awake.

LATELY these problems have been getting worse, and the "crazy" feeling and heart palpitations continues for hours. I have even been having these depersonalization feelings occasionally during the day. Since starting the XXXXXXX e the daytime disturbances stopped but the nighttime disturbance have been worse and EVERY NIGHT, whereas before it would happen once or twice a week.

Can this be from the SAMe? These symptoms also got worse in the past after a short trial of buspar. It also happened if I took ritalin for more than a couple of days.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer: XXXXXXX is unlikely cause

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks again for posting at Healthcaremagic.

I have read the above query with keen interest and understand your concerns.

From the available literature there is no evidence that XXXXXXX e is associated with worsening of depersonalization symptoms. I have used the same molecule in more than 50 individuals with depression and never encountered this particular side effects.

I feel the depersonalization was present before XXXXXXX was started and got unmasked with control of imminent anxiety. This is the most plausible explanation as same thing happened with use of Buspar. The prescription of ritalin and precipitation of depersonalization do not support my theory but one thing is clear that it was unmasked on multiple occasions with use of medications.

I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free XXXXXXX write back to me.
Thanks and regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (45 hours later)

I am taking prazosin at night to help with the nighttime attacks. Seems to be working.

I wanted to try wellbutrin (which I have taken in the past) in conjunction with the Sam-e...Would you expect any interactions? I know SAM-e has more of a serotonergic action but I don't want to risk it.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
There are no interactions with XXXXXXX e and Wellbutrin

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.

I understand that you are fearing risk of interaction but fortunately no such significant risk exists when somebody uses XXXXXXX E, Prazosin and wellbutrin together. Fortunately Prazosin is anti adrenergic drug which acts on nor epinephrine receptors while wellbutrin acts on dopamine receptors. This means they have different spectrum of action and do not interact with each other. The same is applicable for XXXXXXX e which is mostly utilized in liver without any interaction with two other molecules in question.

I hope this assists you further.
Thanks and regards.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar