Chapter Fifteen
How to Taper Off Multiple Drugs
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I feel 100% better!!!! Oh My Gosh. I cannot believe how great I feel. I’m actually getting ME back. I can see my personality, my spunk, my spark increase gradually each and every day, more and more. I cannot thank you enough. This has changed my life dramatically!
Please let me know how I can help to talk with others, to educate them, encourage them on getting their lives back and not depending on these drugs.
I know I still have a long way before I am completely healed. I look at it like this, though. If I feel this great now and I’ve only been off these 2 drugs (Klonopin and Effexor) for about 2 1/2 weeks, I cannot wait to see how I'll be feeling a month from now. I thought I’d never get over that dizzy, lightheaded, floating feeling in my head, with the lack of concentration and the agonizing pain in my joints and muscles.
Each day has gotten easier and easier. I had some very hard ones in there, though, but I am so happy I have done this.
The other day, I was teaching a Boot camp class and I had a coat on that I hadn't worn since last fall, I put my hand in my pocket and there was a Klonopin in there. I looked at it and it really made me think. A month ago, if I was in that stressful class situation I would have taken a small bite out of that little pill...instead I threw it away!!!!
I really am serious about wanting to spread the word about these drugs. I think everything happens for a reason and there's a season for everything. This was the right time for me to stop taking them. I just want others that depend on these medications to be aware and know more of what the doctors are not telling us. Again thank you for helping me get my passion back”
“Today has been the 5th day on the supplements. 10 days with no Klonopin! 12 days with no Effexor! I am feeling a lot of relief from the dizziness/brain zaps and concentration or lack of. Thank God, because that is the worst withdrawal symptom!! I'm sleeping better, very deep and feel very rested. My appetite has decreased YEAH!!! Thank you!!!”
“I read through your site for about one month before trying the products myself. I must say, all of the ”Oh, God's” in your testimonials made me wonder if this could really be true. I was told not to really expect a change for 3 to 7 days. After day 1 I had to call TRB Health and tell them what they had here. The “Oh, God” statements I have read now make sense. I was taking an antidepressant and a benzodiazepine and reached the state of no energy, a grinding anxiety during the day, could not sleep at night and more. The Power Barley Formula and the cherry blew me away. You guys have a spokesperson when you want one. Thank you.”
What to Do If You Are Taking Multiple Drugs
If you are
taking a benzodiazepine, anti-anxiety or sleep medication along with an
antidepressant, anti-psychotic or ADHD medication, deciding which medication to
taper off first is important.
There will be times when a benzodiazepine or sleep
medication will have a drug/drug interaction with antidepressants,
anti-psychotics, and ADHD medications.
Most of the time, an antidepressant, anti-psychotic or ADHD medication will have a drug-drug interaction with other antidepressant, anti-psychotic or ADHD medication …but not always. The choice you make as to which drug to wean yourself from first will largely be responsible for your success or failure.
The
most common reason these medications have a drug/drug interaction will be their
sharing of the same metabolizing route. Two medications trying to go through the
same pathway will create an increase in the effect of the medications, a
“cumulative effect,” and usually one or both medications will take longer to
clear the body.
Imagine 4 linemen from your favorite football team trying to go through the
front door of your home, shoulder to shoulder. None of the linemen will back off
and let the other pass through first. This is an example of what is happening
inside the body.
Occasionally, one medication will greatly increase the effect of another medication.
Example: Zoloft and Ambien
Ambien is increased by 43% with concurrent Zoloft usage. You will need to taper off the Ambien first or you will go into withdrawal on the Ambien, even though it was not reduced!
First Step in Getting off Multiple Drugs:
You will need to read “The Science Behind The Road Back.” The chapter is technical, so take the material to your physician and or pharmacist.
Your success will depend on knowing about the drugs you are going to get off, and how (or if) they interact.
If you are taking a benzodiazepine, anti-anxiety or sleep medication WITH an anti-depressant, anti-psychotic or ADHD medication, we do need to address the pre-taper differently.
Use the Pre-Taper for antidepressants, anti-psychotics and ADHD Medication. Use the anxiety and insomnia pre-taper program if that applies.
To recap: If taking a benzodiazepine along with an antidepressant, anti-psychotic or ADHD medication, use the pre-taper outlined for Antidepressant, Anti-psychotic or ADHD medication if you have anxiety and insomnia.
If you are taking an antidepressant, anti-psychotic or ADHD medication in a combination, use the pre-taper outlined for Antidepressant, Anti-psychotic or ADHD medication and select the pre-taper that fits your individual case.
When reducing any of the medications, use the instructions found for that class of medication.
Wait
30 days before reducing the next medication.
Continue taking all supplements as established during the pre-taper.