|
Copyright Notice
Forward
A Note
From James Harper, Founder, The Road Back
Table of
Contents
Part One
Chapter
1.
The Road
Back Basics
2.
The Four Simple Steps
3.
Suggested Nutritionals for The Road Back Program
4.
Things
You Need to Know
5.
Things to Be Aware Of
6.
General Pre-Tapering and
Tapering Instructions
7.
Daily Journal
8.
Graph Your Success
9.
Pre-Taper For: Benzodiazepines, Anti-Convulsants, Anti-Anxiety & Sleep
Medication
10.
Pre-Taper For Antidepressants,
Antipsychotics, and ADHD Medication
11.
How to
Taper Off Benzodiazepines, Anti-Convulsants, Anti-Anxiety and Sleep Medication
12.
How to
Taper Off Antidepressants, Anti-Psychotics and ADHD Medication
13.
Once
Off All Medication
14.
What to Do If You Have Already
Started to Taper Off Your Medication
or Quit Cold Turkey
15.
How to
Taper Off Multiple Drugs
16.
What You
Can Do If You Have Never Taken Psychiatric Drugs
17.
Science
Behind The Road Back Program
18.
Additional Taper Reduction
Schedules
References
Additional Testimonials

| |
Testimonials
-
I feel calmer,
and life is more like reality the way it should be. While on the
medication I felt like a zombie, and actually felt more emotional
about everything. While going off of Paxil @ 10mg and before the
supplements I did not feel good. I had nausea, brain zaps,
headaches, anxiety and etc. Once I read The Road Back I was able to
put things into perspective and deal with what my mind and body was
and is going through right now. I'm taking the supplements
religiously and doing much better with the withdrawals. I went from
20mg to 10mg March 22nd and on April
4th I went down to 5mg. Once this withdrawal calms down in a week or
two I will stop all together with Paxil but not the supplements. I
am anxious to feel normal again and to lose the 40 pounds I gained
while on it. I started taking Lexapro and later switched to Paxil
12/2004. I thought it would help me deal with a dying relative that
I was executor
for - and it did help. But, its time to join the real world now.
Thank you so much for your informative research and supplements. I
plan on passing this information onto my doctor so that she can
share this with her other patients. I have also passed this
information onto my friends and family who are or have dealt with
the same medications. Thank you, Ann
-
I read through
this 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 am 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.
-
When I first
called you I was in tears. I did not know what I was going to do. I
had quit Effexor too fast but was not going back on it again. The
head feeling I had were extreme, I could not sleep and the entire
list of withdrawal side effects I think I had. At the end of week
one using your supplements I felt there was hope but I still could
barely function. By the end of week 2 I knew there was hope. I had
improved immensely. You let me call whenever I wanted and you walked
me through it. When to increase each supplement and how much to
increase. 3 weeks later I feel normal again. I know this would never
had happened to me if I had not found your site and had your
guidance. If you only knew of the lives you must be saving. God
Bless You.
-
When I first
found your site I could hardly read the print. I had tried to come
off Effexor before with out success. Every time I got down to the 37
mg dosage the side effects were to severe to continue so I had to go
back up again to 75. This time I made it. Whew. I am sleeping again
at night, anxiety is gone, that gnawing agitation feeling left and
I am back. My children have a mother again and my husband has
a wife that can once again show affection.
I went a little faster than your book says to go but you worked with
me in such a way that allowed me to get off fast. Thank you James.
-
I am now
Klonopin free!!!!! I got down to .5 over the past months but could
never make it off. Using the program it was like taking a stroll in
the park. Unbelievable. Thank you. I never thought I would ever see
this day.
-
I am like many
others. I decided to come off Prozac by myself in one week. Long
story short, you saved my life. Deepest gratitude.
-
I made the
mistake and quit Paxil cold turkey. The side effects were nausea,
constant headache, anxiety, no sleep, that brain zap and a whirling
in my head. James, your assistance and guiding me through the first
days has made all the difference. Nausea is gone, headache is gone,
brain zaps quit within one hour like you said, and the remaining
side effects are so small I can deal with them. I do not know how I
can ever repay you for saving my life. Unless someone has been
through this they may not know what I am talking about.
-
I read through
your testimonials with a curious eye. Doubting they could be real. I
decided to try your method any way. The people that started their
sentence with "My God" I now understand. I am on Xanax and had been
trying to get off it for 8 months and suffering along the way. One
night, one night is all it took to finally have a restful sleep and
the next day my normal anxiety was gone. I see a light at the end of
the tunnel. Thank you.
-
I am now
more than half way off Paxil using the program. I was able to reduce
a little bit of the medication with my naturopath but we reach a
standstill after the second reduction. The side effects started and
we could not get rid of them. The omega 3 got rid of the brain zaps
within a few hours and they never came back. The cherry has been
amazing at helping me stay calm during the day and with my sleep.
And that barley did just what you said it would do for my energy and
complete feelings. I can't thank you enough. K.W.
-
When I
first read your web site I thought no way. This is too simple.
Barley? Give me a break. I figured I really didn't have anything to
lose, I felt like crap warmed over anyway. 2 weeks latter, I mean 2
weeks later, I am a new man! The fog has cleared, the depression is
gone, my wife has a husband again. Barley, who would have thought.
Needless to say I was not surprised when the Omega 3 and vital sleep
did exactly what you said they would. Thank you from the bottom of
my big Texas heart.
However, I just found out you are from the LA area. Texas is going
to kick XXXXX over USC!!!
-
My God!
I took the Power Barley and Omega 3 this morning and it is if
thousands of pounds of weight were just lifted from my body. I feel
bright, energetic but not hyper, this is truly amazing. I read the
testimonials on your site and thought, maybe for other people this
works but I have tried supplements before. Your wording of
well-being now makes sense. I can say for the first time ever I know
what it feels like to have the feeling of well-being.
It is Christmas morning where I am and I can't think you enough for
the unexpected present.
-
"I did not know where I
would be the next week, in an institution or dead. I had been on 4
meds for too many years and they had quit working a long time ago.
The side effects were to gruesome to even write here. It took me 3
weeks following the program in the Road Back book and I began to
feel a change. At the end of week 4 I was not only out of the house
but driving again for the first time in months. I have now reduced
my first med by 50% without withdrawal side effects. I do not even
know how many times I tried to reduce a med in the past and had to
stop due to the withdrawal."
-
"I cannot even begin to tell you what
a burden you have lifted right now." "thank you so much for your
time and unconditional help and support. This goes so far beyond
service or healthcare - you are truly saving lives - thank you."
-
"I
was on Lexapro for 4 years. I'm an aerobics instructor and previous
to taking Lexapro I was very skinny. I had a metabolism of a horse.
Over the years I gained 40 lbs. That is a lot for a 100 lb women. I
tried every diet, nothing worked. After years of frustration and
reading the website, I got off Lexapro. Within the first month, I
lost 10 lbs without doing anything different. Since then, I have
lost an additional 20 lbs."
-
I suffer from
mixed-mania, rapid cycling bi-polar, but because of your wonderful
products, it didn’t take anywhere as long this time (about a half
hour) before the episode stopped, and I took all of your products
religiously, and by evening, I was O.K.
This morning, I made absolutely sure that I was
taking everything on time, and I’m feeling much better now. So—I’m
truly grateful that your products helped me so much that I was able
to get my bipolar disorder under control! You have no idea how
grateful I am that I found your website, you’ll never know!
I can honestly say this without hesitation that I was
so bad that if I didn’t have your products I might have ended up in
a psychiatric ward. It’s going on 17 years since my last
hospitalization, and I’m determined that I’m not going to break that
record! Tillie
P
Back to top of
page
-
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.
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 Id 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,
In Health, Patti S
Back to top of
page
- 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 was on Prozac for 10 years and
just could never withdraw. Every time I tried, the pain was too much
and I'd always start the drug again. Your program was so easy and
worked just like you said it would! Your personal support has been
unbelievable! Thank you!
Now I have to face all the emotions I blocked for the last decade
and I have to tell you, it feels very strange. But it is wonderful
to finally feel again.
Thank you for making this available to the world. You guys are the
best! I'll be forever grateful. Lisa M.
-
I started your
program two weeks ago and what a difference! I didn't think you
were telling the truth about the products, but I feel like a new
woman. Can I stay on the products for life after the taper is
over?? Thank you for your efforts. You
all are a godsend. Love, Lauren L
-
6 days Paxil free !!!!!!! Feeling
good. I really have feelings now. Not missing a dose of the
supplements. If I'm not on time with them the electric shocks and
brain zaps remind me to take them. But they are less as the days
pass. Thank you so much. Yvette
-
I am doing great on the Taper
Program. I have successfully gotten off of Elavil. I had been on
it for about 10 years. I have tried in the past to go off cold turkey
and I got so sick each time that I had to go back to it. I finally realized it wasn't the new medications
making me sick, it was withdrawal from Elavil. (No dr. recognized
my symptoms as withdrawal and I went to 3 different ones trying to
get off of it and onto something with fewer side effects.) I have
followed the program as indicated and have had no withdrawal
effects. I am amazed. I have been completely off for 10 days now.
Thank you for making this solution known to the general public.
V. Mitchem
-
I used the program to successfully taper off
Klonopin very successfully with minimal problems. Am sleeping
wonderfully without it. My brother is also using your program to
titrate off methadone very slowly. I've alerted him to contact you. Thanks, Donna.
-
The program was extremely successful
for me. I have completely tapered off Zoloft after being on it
for 3 years. The omega 3 and vitamin E are part of my daily
routine. Thanks. Kelly
- Thank you
for all your help! I’ll continue taking your products because
they are fabulous. The Cherry Juice also is helping with
inflammation from two bursas, in both my right and left hip.
The Omega-3 fatty acid is helping smooth out my bipolar moods. Millie
- Thank you for inquiring. I can't believe how
much better I feel. I have only taken the barley juice for a
couple days now and I feel so much better. I still don't feel
great but at least I can function. I am slowly getting off the
Wellbutrin and very grateful.
Cathy
-
I have been tapering off Paxil for
several weeks now. I had been taking 20 mg a day for years. It has
been going extremely well for me. I have followed the program
diligently. I am now down to about 3 mg. a day & I am so excited
that I am about off of it completely. I tried in years past to get
off on my own without success. I am taking the Cherry Extract at
night for sleep & it works great. I did not have to add additional
Omega 3 capsules. I have been able to stay with just taking 2 in the
morning along with one Vitamin E capsule. You folks are fantastic to
have come up with this program. I'll let you know when I am off the
Paxil entirely but I'm almost there.....YEAH....sincerely, Judy M
Back to top of
page
-
I have now been off of Effexor for 2 months.
I would not have been able to do it without this program.
It has also stabilized my depression which is now controlled
thru the "Amino Acid" combo. Thank you so much. I called
a couple of times and the women on the other end were so
compassionate and caring.
The barley gives me the energy I need to feel
"normal."
Michele S
-
6-29-05 started the program. Went
from 20mg Paxil now down to 5mg.
The program is wonderful I feel better than I have in years.
-
I'm doing very good on the program and sleeping
well. I'm OFF Haldol after years of trying. Thank you!! Before,
every time I tried to taper I heard many voices, now the only
voice I hear is mine. Thank you - forever, thank you!
- I thank God for you guys
everyday! I've tapered off Paxil using your program and feel
better than I have in years. Your support is terrific and just
knowing another person knows what I'm talking about is
heartwarming. Thank you for your efforts!
Lisa B.
-
I am taking Klonopin. After one week
on your program I do not even feel like I am taking a benzo. I am
sleeping better than I ever have in my life. Vivid dreams have
vanished and if I wake up in the middle of the night I can go right
back to sleep.
I will be starting the taper next week and I am very nervous. Every
time I have tried to quit in the past the withdrawal was too much.
Everything you have in your book has been true so far so I probably
should not be nervous. I do feel wonderful. J.F.
-
This taper is going better than I dreamed possible. I tried many times to come off the Remeron unsuccessfully.
I was on Sinequan from 1991 to 2003 and the neurologist switched it to Remeron in 2003. I was initially placed
on Sinequan because I was sick for several yrs. with Epstein-Barr virus. They thought I had everything from MS to
brain tumors to begin with. After the infections subsided, I was left with lots of pain and the worst case of
insomnia in history. So, after years of anti-depressants for the insomnia, I begged for help to get off
the drugs and found none. When I said I could not quit, that I was addicted, I was told that they were not
addicting and that I could quit cold turkey. When I told them of the devastating effects I was told, “that just
proved how much my body needed them.” He then wanted me on several other drugs, Topamax and Neurontin,
plus Lipitor for the tremendous increase in cholesterol and triglycerides. I refused.
Oh I was constantly going to the eye Dr. for eye infections. I lived on antibiotics. What a nightmare! My mom
had a "pill" book and I found out how all these symptoms could be attributed to the anti-depressant I had taken
for so long. I also found out that my neuropathy could have been caused by the yrs. of Sinequan. I had to get
off these drugs, but had no hope that I ever could. Then a dear friend sent me your website. When I first started
the taper, electrical pain and the pins and needles of the neuropathy became much worse. I feared I would
go to all the trouble of coming off my drug, only to find the neuropathy would be unlivable.
But the increase of pain is now gone. I feel I am doing well. In fact, my mom is now on your products just
for a healthy supplement. I am one month into the taper. I am so grateful for your help and all the effort you
have put into your web pages - and the kind and quick manner in which you responded to my emails. I will
write if I run into a snag. If not, I will write a success story. My medical problems have been very complicated
so I fear my condensed version doesn't make much sense. Just know you have offered more help than many,
many Drs. over the years. God bless you, Linda
Back to top of page
-
I have been on your program for 31
days now. I am taking all of your natural remedies. I have gone
from 4mg
of Risperdal to 2mg now. And I have had very little problem. I am
doing super. This stuff must
really work. I haven't been able to lower the dosage this much in a
few years. I thank God for you. I do not have my psychiatrists
participation due to political matters with the VA. I want to keep
my disability benefits. Once I get off Risperdal I will begin to
taper off Celexa if everything is going well. Those are the only
two psych meds that I'm on
thank God. I have schizo-affective disorder. But I am hoping I
have recovered from the worst of this illness which happened 10
years ago. I am hoping I will be able to manage my illness with
natural methods in the future. Can I keep you posted on my progress
from time to time? Thanks again. Suzanne B
-
July
15, 2005 - New Life Center of San
Francisco has implemented the taper program of The Road Back - How
to Get Off Drugs Safely.
The New Life Center is an 80
bed inpatient facility treating drug addiction as well as
psychotropic medication withdrawal.
-
July 15, 2005
With the aid of an excellent psychiatrist who is very anti drug and the use of your book along with supplements I was
able to successfully taper off Zoloft after being on it for 3 years. I thank you and would like to offer my time if you need it.
Kelly H.
-
July 15, 2005
This program and these products are
awesome. I am so awesomely please and only wish I would have
started this program much, much sooner. I feel 100% better
already and have passed this program on to others. Thank you
all for your dedication, care and sincerity. Sincerely, J. Smith
-
I have been on a
benzo for 5 years. One week into the pre-taper, I now feel as though
I have never even suffered from a benzo side effect! Before starting
the program, I could not sleep or could not sleep throughout the
night and had vivid dreams as well.
My sleep is better than it has ever been
in my life. This is only 5 days into the program. This is only 5
days into the program.
My sleep is better than it has ever been in my life. J.S.
-
Hello Everyone, My patient is doing
very well with very little side effects and I'm very glad it's
working. Thank you for your efforts worldwide.
Dr. Govers, Belgium
-
It is such an easy program to
implement. In the past, vitamin supplements were complicated and
difficult to administer and they didn’t help. This plan is so
simple to follow and we have seen amazing results in such a
short period of time. In my son’s case, a mere nine weeks from
now he will be drug-free. That is miraculous! After he
was labeled schizophrenic and prescribed anti-psychotics, he was
sick every day and experiencing auditory hallucinations. I
wondered if we would ever have him back. It is incredible to
have traits of his old personality, including his fiery spirit
back! Thank you! Please give us a plan for life!
Joe W.
from his son -
My mind is calm - thank you.
Jeremy W.
Back to top
of page
-
This is day 8 tapering off Haldol
and I feel better! I have my movement back in my body and I am
not stiff anymore. I can see better and my ears feel normal. My
mind is so much calmer. My family even sees the improvement! I
can't thank you enough - I'm getting my life back.
Sonya R.
-
I am on Day 4 of the taper and I'm
doing Great! I'm not Depressed at All! I was so afraid to go
off the drugs. This is the first time in 3 years and I am not
depressed! I have tons of energy. In the past I've made 3
attempts and couldn't get past day 3. I'm totally amazed. I
never thought it would be so easy!
Michelle S.
-
- "I took Prozac for 10 years
because I couldn't get off of it. I would have severe rebound
depression & anxiety. The funny thing is in when my MD put me on
it 10 years ago it was for insomnia & stress. Imagine that!!!!!
Then the last 2 years I'd tried at little bit of everything but
nothing ever worked as well as the Prozac & the side effects
were excruciating. Couldn't take Wellbutrin or Serzone due to
migraines, couldn't take Zoloft do to agitation, couldn't take
Paxil because it made me want to kill myself. Took Lexapro for 4
months & gained 60lbs on it & ached like I had the flu. At the
end, while when I was tapering off I took Effexor and it gave me
excruciating migraines. It's been a freaking nightmare. Right
now I'm completely off my antidepressant & feeling good. Now the
only thing I'm taking is my Xanax & I'm in the process of
weaning myself off that.
I have to tell you, your program & Alesandra being with me
every step of the way is what saved my life. Can't wait to get
off this other stuff. (The Xanax)
I just want to say thanks & I've lost 12 lbs too YEAH!!!!!! I
tell everyone I know that takes these types of medications about
your site. Thanks for everything!!!! You're program has
saved my life!!!"
-
I've been on The Road Back
program for a couple of weeks. I'm down 1/4 on my Xanax and
off Excedrin PM completely! I'm doing great! It is
working!
Pam H.
-
I Feel Great! In the past every
time I tried to quit Paxil my world got dark. On your
program I feel terrific every step of the way! You guys are
Gold!
Maria D.
- "I had no
constipation, my neck pain went away and it helped me with shortness
of breath, I still watch what I do, I still have no caffeine of
course I never drink or smoke, and still take no meds prescription,
or over the counter. It has been about 9 months since I have been
off meds, I just started a little more strenuous exercise
(treadmill) 2 days ago and still a little afraid cause the last
time it made my withdrawal worse! But I now know what it is and if
exercise does not make me feel better (like it should) I will quit.
I think from stopping and then restarting I noticed more, I do think
it increased my energy level somewhat. Just wish I could have tried
it during the worst of it and maybe I would have known more on what
it does with the other withdrawal symptoms?! So there you are I said
I would let you know!!"
"HA!
HA! I am trying to work 30 minutes in on the treadmill; I am not
having problems there! School is out and both my children are here
plus I have 3 extras. One is a baby; my nieces and neighbor had no
sitter so guess who is doing it me!! It is a change. I am used to
having one home and now I have 5 and on some days 6 here, trying to
keep them entertained. So if I adjust to this I may find more time
for myself. Today was exhausting for me I have took 2 naps. Going to
take a bike ride with kids when my son wakes up."
- Started Paxil in
1996 - switched to Prozac 1998. Off Prozac now for 4 months, was
using Pamelor with Prozac. Put on Trazodone, off now for 2 months
and currently taking Xanax and Neurontin.
Mentally depressed, feels stressed, severe headache daily, arthritis
in the hip, neck, lower back and pelvis, muscle aches, feeling as
though getting worse not better, no feelings at times, feel like
does not care, hate going anywhere, hardly stand to have family
around, has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, MS, FMS, seizures with
convulsions, memory loss, 90% deaf, trembling, tremors, shaking so
bad can hardly move legs, 2 EEG's came out negative, can't take
bright lights or sunshine,
Using
pre-taper method 5 days before full
taper began. “I do feel as if I have a bit more energy. My
outlook is better.
I am not sure what
to look for in terms of improvement. I do know my headaches have
ceased. I
have not had any negative symptoms while taking this such as
allergic reactions and such."
"Today I feel really good. I actually feel happy and I almost cried
this morning, which I know sounds silly.
I was thinking of
my sister who passed on last Christmas and I actually had tears in
my eyes. I have not cried for quite a while which I contribute to
the meds I have been on. My emotions were/are like stone and I am
now starting to feel like a person again. I ache today, but it is
chilly here and our furnace went kaput and we have to buy a new one
that did not help. All in all, I feel lighthearted today and have
even called people I have not talked to in a while. Will, keep you
posted."
-
"When you said
"maybe by Wednesday you'll be feeling better. . .
well let's just say
that I do not believe in miracles (I'm a proud atheist and I
believe in Science for one thing). Yet having started the
supplement on Saturday, I woke up Monday feeling very different.
That is to say "not bad" and in fact I felt good!
That was perhaps
the best day of the week probably because it cracked the shell and I
accomplished a dozen or more things that I had put off for weeks and
in some cases months due to the increasing Paxil dysfunction that
increasingly included agoraphobia, although I've never had the
problem before. So in one day I got a haircut, carwash, went to the
pharmacy, shopping, took my aunt out to lunch, all boring to read
I'm sure, but boy did it feel terrific! Furthermore today was the
fourth "not bad" day and I'm planning to begin my taper on Saturday
as planned.
The bottom line is that I already feel like I owe you
enormous thanks even though I acknowledge that the hard part is in
front of me.
I had severe withdrawal side effects with 30mg., and now that this
quack has me up to 60mg. it's gonna be a rough ride, but I'm pretty
confident that the further education is going to give me the best
shot to overcome this drug addiction. And overcome I will."
"I'm sorry I
haven't been in touch with you, and I'm sorry about all these damned
exclamation points, but I feel GREAT! Not just good but terrific, and I
really feel I owe it all to you. In fact if I had any children I'd
re-name them all James Harper ........ immediately.
Really it's been an amazing process and the reason I
haven't been in touch is because I knew it might be obsessively
long, because I'm all of a sudden busy again doing all the things I
haven't done in months,
and because I'm sort of learning to communicate properly once more.
The main point is that I've been taking the supplement daily,
sometimes in two batches as you recommended and sometimes all in one
big batch, and I wanted to ask if the reason you suggested the two
is for better absorption or some other reason, or whether it's OK to
take it all at once.
But now let me
tell you the
taper specifically is going great.
I have 40's and 20's to take my daily 60 and I was able to cut the
20 in half but the first night was too lazy and/or unprepared to
figure how to cut it into quarters, so three nights ago I began
taking 50mg. The first night I had the usual nightmares and was a
little dizzy in the morning though I took the supplement and it
helped right away. The second and third night I also took the 50mg.
and so far I
feel great with no side effects, unlike all the other times.
I had intended to
cut down just 5mg. since that was closer to the 10% recommended, but
ten worked like a charm and I'm gonna stay on it at least a week or
week and a half before lobbing off another ten and going to 40mg. I
know you stressed it's important to feel good and not just for a day
or two before moving forward. But I'm not only
feeling great but specifically in ways that mean more to me than you
can't imagine.
I've had wasting
disease and have had little appetite that was getting worse and
worse. In fact the few months before finding you I was down to
eating barely enough to survive which is one reason I knew I had to
find a solution or waste away. Well my appetite is
not only back but with a vengeance, and for somebody with an eating
problem which I was beginning to think was a disorder like anorexia,
this was the very best of all gifts you could have given me
(after all I'm Italian and I'm not supposed to be skin and bones -
no amount of "mangia, mangia" makes you eat if you have no
appetite). Now I'm hungry all the time and I feel as if I haven't
eaten in a year, and in a way that's true.
Also my energy, both mental and physical have been
great.
My parents are old and not overly well and I'd been faced with doing
more around here and knew I had to fix myself up if that was gonna
happen. Yesterday I got the entire lawn done which usually takes me
two or three daze, and much more besides. I also managed to get my
E-bay business (records and comix) up and running again so that will
give me a much-needed income once more, disability not quite
covering much.
James, I could go on and on but you truly are my hero
right now and maybe forever. I feel like you've given me a chance
at a fresh start and one I was beginning to think I wasn't going to
get again.
I figured 17 years of HIV was a good run and it was time to pack it
in, but now I think that I'm only 44 and I'm feeling better than I
have in a long time, and most of all I have hope again not only that
I won't die (which was the easy part) but that I can have a great
life once more as I used to and fulfill more of the dreams I thought
would remain unfulfilled such as doing more travel and going back to
Europe.
Well I am a little hyper but in a wonderful way, and if I feel
"speedy" it's probably because the supplement
is repairing things chemically
and that mega-dose of Paxil is acting like the large dose it is.
When I re-order I'm most likely going to order your vitamins as
well, and I have a friend who I'm hoping will visit your site and
place an order. He's a healthy guy but has been increasingly angry
and snapping (he's a postal worker!), so his psychiatrist took him
off Paxil cold turkey and puts him on something else. Last night he
told me he was having bad withdrawals from the Paxil but was told
the new stuff would kick in about three weeks from now. Yikes!"
Back to top of
page
- "I am officially
off of all SSRIs. I have been "drug free" since Saturday and so far
I feel great. This is the longest I have gone without taking either
Paxil or Celexa in about four years and I have no regrets!
I have had some
trouble sleeping but I am guessing that will eventually pass. I
haven't taken the supplement since I stopped tapering but I am going
to begin again today and see if that helps with the sleeplessness.
I am pleasantly
surprised that it is the only side effect I am dealing with. The
supplement really was the key to my success as I had tried to taper
off many times before and never was able to do so. Let me know if
you need a spokesperson!!! :-)
I'll let you
know what happens with the lack of sleep...thanks
for listening and all of your advice!"
-
"I had tried to
taper off Paxil 4 times in the past. None successful. I've been
using 20 mg of Paxil for 2 years and had been able to cut down to 15
mg a day but no further. The side effects were severe.
I needed to
function while I tapered and thought I would try the supplement.
Are you ready?
I AM NOW
PAXIL FREE FOR 1 MONTH!!!!!!
There were a few
mild side effects during the taper but none that interfered with my
daily life. I had a few headaches but when I took the supplement and in a
day the side effects went away in a matter of hours!"
THANK YOU. I HAVE A LIFE AGAIN!"
-
" Went to my
doctor this am because of chest tightness and back tightness and
discomfort. I had an irregular EKG and they took blood for heart
tests etc. They are scheduling a stress test for next week and the
doctor told me I should go back to 20 mg. of Paxil. I am down to 10
mg presently and taking my supplement you sent me once a day 2 hours
before or after I take the 10 mg. I am totally confused as to if
this is heart problem or Paxil withdrawal."
(Taper book
recommended for this person to go back to 20 MG of Paxil to get
stable before tapering)
" Tonight
(Sunday) I have taken my 7th dose of supplement I am now back to 20
mg. of Paxil and feeling better except for the tightness in my chest
& back and a lot of indigestion. Should I continue the supplement
now that I am back to 20 mg. or do I taper off for now or until I
decided to decrease my dosage of Paxil? Thank you for your help in
advance.
I am ready to
taper from 20 to 15, how do I split 20's as I have no 10's? 20 has
made me feel so tired all the time and I am still being tested for
tightness in the chest had EKG and Cardiolite test this past week.
Have to go back Tuesday for more testing.
I just got blood
work tests back from my doctors office and I am wondering if Paxil
is responsible for increasing your cholesterol & Tri-Glycerides. My
cholesterol is 292 and my Tri-Glycerides are 381...I have never had
that high of tests in my life. They are usually within normal
range.
Back to top of
page
-
"Today marks the
beginning of my supplement. Mine should be an interesting test of
the efficacy of supplement since I have been on Paxil for so long,
and now I am on Celexa so as you mentioned, I could be experiencing
two types of side effects. I am very optimistic though!
I am maintaining
my sanity with all this garbage going on in my life. Hee Hee... I
have been to the cardiologists office twice this week for testing.
I will see my doctor tomorrow and ask her for 10 mg. of Paxil
because I want to get off this drug. I will go to 15 until stable
like you suggested but 20mg is too much for me. I still have bad
dreams and I tire with little activity. I have increased my
supplement and feel that is helping. Thanks for caring."
I have managed
without any problem to get down to 15 mg. and I am feeling well.
Just a little tiredness, other than that feeling good.
None of the other side effects thanks to supplement.
"I am down to
15mg. of Paxil and taking my supplement
nightly.
Thanks to you I
am feeling great."
Today is the
fourth day in my initial taper from Celexa. I am presently taking
7.5 mg. and supplement
daily. I am really pleased with the results so far. In the past I
have not been able to make it through the third day of tapering
without becoming extremely ill and eventually taking more of the
Celexa to make me feel better. This is the first time I have
genuinely tapered and not skipped days as instructed by my
physicians but I still feel that the supplement is really helping.
I certainly
have more energy and virtually no side effects.
Today I noticed my heart seemed to pound occasionally which
I experienced when I first started taking the Celexa but it's not
constant and it's not really that bothersome. I figure once I get
used to the lower dosage it will go away."
I am down to the
final stretch in my tapering! I am taking 2.5 mg and it seems to be
working fine. This is my second day and I haven't really felt any
different yet. I am sure that I have so much residual medication in
me that it could be a while before I'm back to my old self. Mostly
I am excited because I know that I am going to be rid of this
medication shortly.
As far as side
effects, while I was at the 5 mg. level I got a little queasy and
began taking an extra supplement which I found to be really
helpful. I also told myself that this was it and I was not going to
give in to anymore pills and I found the positive self talk made me
feel stronger. I have noticed that I am a bit more irritable but
nothing that I can't cope with. And if irritability is the only
side effect I will have to face, then I consider myself lucky.
I can't believe
how successful I have been with the supplement.
The last time I tried to taper before the using the supplement I
ended up at the doctor's office twice and they put me on antibiotics
and some anti-nausea medication since they thought I had a virus.
It took about a month before they concluded that it was the Paxil,
and the solution they came up with was to try me on Celexa....!"
Back to top of
page
-
"I met with my
doctor to discuss tapering off Celexa. While she felt I should stay
on it awhile longer, she agreed that there is a possibility that a
lot of my current problems/symptoms are related to the Celexa. I
have been taking 20 mg. of Celexa since Nov. 2001, but before that
was on Effexor, Zoloft (very briefly), and Paxil. Finally hit on
Celexa working the best for me, but during the time (about a year),
I've been on antidepressants have gained 20 lbs., am still
(slightly) depressed (mostly because of the weight gain!), have no
energy at all, very lethargic, kind of living in a fog, and just
felt that all of the side effects were far worse than the original
reason I started taking an antidepressant (depression & stress).
Anyhow, I am already feeling so much better. As others have
mentioned taking supplement, my energy level is coming back, I feel
more optimistic and aware, I even feel a difference in my confidence
level. I feel more in control; able to make decisions, am calmer
and more patient. I had forgotten what it felt like to feel normal.
I haven't started tapering yet; want to stay on the supplement for
two weeks first. My doctor recommended I immediately cut down from
20 mg. to 10 mg. for 1 week, then to 5 for 1 week, and then stop.
When I stopped cold turkey last year from the Effexor, I thought I
was going to die. The electric zaps were horrible, I was dizzy,
disoriented, couldn't function - had to immediately get back on the
Effexor. My doctor had never told me to taper off. Now I want to
be real careful, never want to go thru those symptoms again, plan on
doing it right this time! I WILL stay in touch with you throughout
this process because I think that what you are doing is very
commendable, people need to know. As far as I am concerned, I think
doctors are way too quick to prescribe antidepressants these days -
3/4 of my friends are on them! Only they fail to mention the
consequences. Any drug that messes you up this bad can't be good,
but I guess there are definitely people that benefit from them and
need them. I just don't think most people do."
I am doing very well. The symptoms I experienced with the Celexa
withdrawal are finally gone. It took a very long six weeks."
-
"I've been taking
supplement for about 4 days w/ 10mg. of Prozac and I feel like a
million bucks! Never better.
I was literally dancing to the meringue in the outlet mall with my
friend. This is from someone who a week ago was in bed for 2 days.
I don't know what it is, but I'm a believer! I was thinking of
going down to 5 mgs. on Sunday. I've been on antidepressants since
I was 16--that's 13 years--and this is the closest I've ever come to
getting off!"
It has been great.
I am completely off all meds now! My husband is so proud of me.
He's like, "Have you had your supplement tonight?" I have sent the
info to my mom and friends also. I
honestly never thought I'd be able to get off these drugs. It is
really a miracle.
I was actually going to write you though with a question. I still
get the hot flashes and headaches--(I always had migraines, but the
hot flashes came with the Effexor) --do you think they will go away
with time--also I feel light headed and a little dizzy sometimes.
(I am now drug free after nine years!!!!)"
Back to top of
page
-
"I don't want to
get cocky, but it’s been 22 days today without Prozac and I feel
really good. I feel I'm over the hump, the last 7 days or so have
been pretty good. Put it this way, I know I won't go back on it,
I've made too much progress. I'm working well, feeling good and best
of all NOT DEPRESSED except for a few minor mood swings."
-
"The first thing
I noticed was an increase in energy. After a while, I started having
pretty severe symptoms as the Zoloft was being cleansed from my
system. The book advised me to split the supplement
dose up, and take half in the morning and half in the afternoon,
which
eased the symptoms quite a bit. It helps to follow instructions.
:-)
I've now been completely off Zoloft for a month. I probably should
have tapered a bit more slowly toward the end but I was impatient.
I paid for
it though, and would never recommend to anyone that they try to
hurry the process.
The
supplement really worked for me. While it helped to rid my body of
Zoloft, it also gave me the energy boost I needed to keep up the
fight."
-
"Everything seems
to be okay. The most noticeable improvement I have experienced so
far is the cessation of the endless involved dreams I have been
having. I have been sleeping much better since taking the
supplement.
I have completed
10 days so far using the supplement and still taking my Zoloft. I am
very pleased with the results so far. Unfortunately my doctor is on
vacation, and therefore I haven't started tapering off the Zoloft as
yet. I want to consult with her first, and will see her on the 12th
of March.
I sleep so much
better, and I dare say at this point in time that my irregular heart
rhythms seem to have abated as well. I was hesitant at first to
acknowledge even to myself that perhaps the horror that I have lived
with where my heart beats were concerned, had actually slowed and
diminished almost completely, but enough time has passed for me to
feel comfortable enough to admit it.
Losing the 30
pounds I have gained since being on the Zoloft is my next goal, and
because nothing I did seemed to work since I have been taking this
medication, I will have to wait until I am tapering off to begin
again in that direction.
I've had a strange
day. I haven't taken Zoloft since the night before last. I was
really dizzy earlier but since I had dinner, I feel a lot better.
I'm trying to eat less. I put on a few pounds over the last several
years and I want to get back to where I was. I'm thinking that
maybe the dizziness, although definitely related to Zoloft
withdrawal, may have been worsened by not eating much today.
I also wanted to tell you that my house is clean and
I enjoyed getting it that way. I looked in the mirror today and I
was happy with the face that was looking back at me.
And I'm feeling optimistic and excited about the
future. How's that for an update?
I feel like I
might cry again!!!
One more thing to
be optimistic about. For me, this is like living a dream or winning
the lottery.
I'll make sure I
eat enough and won't worry about my weight for the next month. I'll
keep up my walking every night, though. It's been great!
Today is the best
day I've had in a week. I'm still dizzy and I have a headache, but
the bizarre stuff I was feeling isn't bothering me. I don't know if
I can explain this so it makes sense, but... no matter how bad it
got, there's an underlying strength and passion and energy that's
been helping me get through it. I honestly believe the energy is
coming from the supplement and the rest is surfacing as the Zoloft
cloud slowly goes away.
What an experience
this is! I'm going to put it to use eventually. I'd really like to
help this cause somehow in the future. I've never felt this
strongly about anything. One step at a time, though.
I had a really
nice day today. I spent a lot of time in my garden and took my
daughter shopping. I'm still a bit dizzy, but it's very minor.
Mostly when I turn my head. I have no pain, no tingling. I've been
getting up early like I used to years ago and enjoying the morning.
I go for a walk after dinner, get some work done on the computer,
read a little and I'm ready for bed by 10:00 . I love my new
schedule!
Here's another
change ... I go to the door when the doorbell rings. I'm feeling
good about seeing people. Oh, and I got a new hairstyle."
- " The big
picture is a good one. Last night I had a crying spell which I
can't explain, but today's been fine.
I think the biggest difference I've noticed in the last couple of
weeks is that I FEEL things again. I didn't realize how numb I was
until I wasn't.
P.S. I'm taking less than half a pill now .
I had been trying to
taper off Remeron for the past few months and was having the same
old zaps, fatigue, crying, anxiety. This time with supplement, none
of the side effects. Not one of them. I feel like I owe you my life.
Thank you."
- "My son's
headaches have quit totally. He had lived with a headache everyday
for 6 months and could hardly function because of them.
Right at one month to the date my son's rash is gone. COMPLETELY. My
wife and I have just realized he has not had a fever in about two
weeks. I have to admit, at first when we purchased the supplement I
did not believe it would help, I am a believer now.
My entire family now uses supplement daily for preventive measures.
Thank you."
Back to top of
page
|