S.T.
sam-E has enabled me to go completely off medications for depression. I move the dose up or down (maximum 4 daily, 2 in the morning and 2 at night), depending on circumstances and how I feel. My sister, who has been hospitalized twice for clinical depression uses sam-e and has been stable now for several years. At one time I ordered a combo over the internet that combined vitamin B and sam-E and I really liked it, but I lost track of it, and just get plain sam-E now at Costco, and use the $7 coupons I get from Nature-Made to help save money. However, I do think the sam-E and vitamin B combo was a little better. I also take 3 capsules Omega 3 which is supposed to be great for mental health.
I have never had any side effects from the sam-E. You do have to be careful if you are bi-polar, since it can work so well you move into a "high." That happened to my brother-in-law, but they just started to monitor it more carefully.
Good luck. I strongly recommend sam-E!
I just read the other responses, and evidently those people do not understand that sam-E is NOT a medication, and is a natural substance that our bodies normally produce. The idea is that some people don't produce enough, or that they produce less with age. My depression began around your age. I always joked that I am bi-polar with just one mood swing! I was Ms Supermom-woman for 50 years (manic) and then am spending the last 50 years of my life in my depressive stage!