How to Get Off Antidepressants

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Getting off antidepressants does not have to be difficult. Use a proven program and you can make it.

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Chapter Seven PRE-TAPER ANTI-PSYCHOTICS, ANTIDEPRESSANTS AND ADHD MEDICATIONS: (Abilify, Adderall, Anafranil, Adapin, Celexa, Concerta, Cymbalta, Effexor, Elavil, Haldol, Lexapro, Luvox, Paxil, Prozac, Remeron, Risperdal, Ritalin, Serzone, Strattera, Thorazine, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Zyprexa etc) "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 doctor 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." "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 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 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!" Words in this chapter, defined Anti-Psychotic A drug designed supposedly to stabilize a person's "psychotic" or "irrational" behavior. These terms, "psychotic" and "irrational", are largely redefined by every practitioner who uses them, and so, have no real "standard" applied to them. AntidepressantA drug designed supposedly to mitigate (lessen) a person's "state of depression". ADHD"Attention Deficit Disorder", a "disease" recently sort-of defined/discovered, having to do with one's seeming inability to focus, study, or complete something once begun.

Many professionals Metabolizing Route A pathway into the enzymes (proteins produced

do not believe there is any such disease. body used by many drugs, through the liver, where various by the body) combine with the drugs to give them a "stable" and

effective condition within the body. Once again, we want to remind you that The Road Back is a taper program. We provide reduction schedules for various drugs. Each schedule recommends slow, gradual reduction of the drug you've been taking. A rapid slowing or a full stop can result in various catastrophes. Take your time! The results will be well worth it, and you will improve and feel better as you go! If you are taking these medications, the back of the book provides a reduction schedule for several drugs: Adderall XR 5mg; Effexor; Paxil; Risperdal 2mg B.I.D.; Seroquel 25mg B.I.D.; Strattera 40mg 25mg 18mg; Trazadone 50mg 100mg; Wellbutrin XL 150mg; Zoloft 50mg or 25mg. Pharmaca Integrative pharmacy, www.pharmaca.com, with locations in CA, NM, CO, WA, and OR can now compound medications that are not available in favorable reduction dosages. When the drug you are taking only comes with large drops in dosages, compounding is highly recommended. PRE-TAPER PROGRAM FOR ANTI-PSYCHOTICS, ANTIDEPRESSANTS AND ADHD MEDICATIONS IF YOU DO NOT HAVE DAYTIME ANXIETY AND INSOMNIA If you are suffering from anxiety and insomnia click here to move down this page for different Pre-Taper instructions. You will be starting with the Power Barley Formula. More is not better with most supplements and the Power Barley Formula is the same. Increase it only to the point of feeling a positive change and then remain at that level. You will be looking for increased energy, mental clarity, the brain fog to leave, or an overall feeling of well-being with the Power Barley Formula. Once you feel those changes, do not increase the Power Barley Formula any further. Note: The measuring spoon supplied inside the Power Barley Formula is 1 tablespoon. You should use a kitchen teaspoon to measure the Power Barley Formula. Use a level teaspoon amount. VERY IMPORTANT As you do the Pre-Taper, make special note in your journal of when existing Withdrawal Side Effects stop. This will tell you WHICH NUTRITIONAL TURNS OFF WHAT SIDE EFFECTS! You'll need to know this for the Pre-Taper, and full Taper. The Pre-Taper for antidepressants, anti-psychotics and ADHD medication is tailored to fit the most common side effects that a high percentage of people suffer from these medications. If you have daytime anxiety and insomnia, follow the Pre-Taper for anxiety and insomnia. Here is the Pre-taper program for ANTI-PSYCHOTICS, ANTIDEPRESSANTS AND ADHD MEDICATIONS IF YOU DO NOT HAVE DAYTIME ANXIETY AND INSOMNIA: STEP ONE: PRE-TAPER PROGRAM FOR

ANTI-PSYCHOTICS, ANTIDEPRESSANTS AND ADHD MEDICATIONS Day 1 TAKE: one teaspoon of Power Barley Formula WHEN: in the morning. Day 2 TAKE: one teaspoon of Power Barley Formula WHEN: in the morning TAKE: one teaspoon of Power Barley Formula WHEN: around 3 PM. Day 3 TAKE: one teaspoon of Power Barley Formula WHEN: in the morning TAKE: one teaspoon of Power Barley Formula WHEN: Noon TAKE: one teaspoon of Power Barley Formula WHEN: around 3 PM. Day 4 TAKE: two teaspoons of Power Barley Formula WHEN: in the morning, TAKE: two teaspoons of Power Barley Formula WHEN: Noon TAKE: two teaspoons of Power Barley Formula WHEN: around 3 PM. Day 5 TAKE: two teaspoons of Power Barley Formula WHEN: in the morning, TAKE: two teaspoons of Power Barley Formula WHEN: Noon TAKE: two teaspoons of Power Barley Formula WHEN: around 3 PM. Day 6 TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula WHEN: in the morning TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula WHEN: Noon TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula WHEN: around 3 PM. Day 7 TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula WHEN: in the morning TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula WHEN: Noon TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula WHEN: around 3 PM. There is no need to use more than the three teaspoons, three times each day, of the Power Barley Formula. If you have not reached the goal at this stage, you probably will once the other supplements are added. STEP TWO: PRE-TAPER PROGRAM FOR ANTI-PSYCHOTICS, ANTIDEPRESSANTS AND ADHD MEDICATIONS Next Begin taking the Ultimate Omega 3 in softgel or liquid form. These daily dosages are cumulative. You continue the Power Barley Formula, at the last level. Day 8 TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula

and two softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or 1 teaspoon of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid WHEN: in the morning, TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula and two softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 3 liquid WHEN: Noon TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula WHEN: around 3 PM. Day 9 TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula and two softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 3 liquid WHEN: in the morning, TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula and two softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 3 liquid WHEN: Noon TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula WHEN: around 3 PM. Day 10 TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula and three softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega Omega 3 liquid

or one teaspoon of Ultimate Omega

or one teaspoon of Ultimate Omega

or one teaspoon of Ultimate Omega

3 or two teaspoons of Ultimate

WHEN: in the morning. TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula and three softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid WHEN: Noon TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula WHEN: around 3 PM. Day 11 TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula and four softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two and one half teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid WHEN: in the morning, TAKE: four teaspoons of Power Barley Formula and four softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two and one half teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid WHEN: Noon TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula WHEN: around 3 PM. Remain at this level of Ultimate Omega 3. Add vitamin E. Day 12 TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula and four softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two and one half teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid and one softgel capsule of 200 i.u. Vitamin E

WHEN: in the morning, TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula and four softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two and one half teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid WHEN: Noon TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula WHEN: around 3 PM. Next Begin taking the Body Calm and Essential Protein Formula. These two nutritionals are being used to get relief from and to prevent anxiety and help with sleep. If you also have daytime anxiety, take an additional Body Calm and Essential serving, as outlined below, around thirty-sixty minutes before anxiety tends to start during the daytime. Day 13 TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula and four softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two and one half teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid and one softgel capsule of 200 i.u. Vitamin E and one Body Calm capsule or 1 teaspoon of the Body Calm liquid and one teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula (Option: Mix with the Power Barley Formula) WHEN: in the morning, TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula and four softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two and one half teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid WHEN: Noon TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula WHEN: around 3 PM. TAKE: one Body Calm capsule or one teaspoon of Body Calm liquid and one teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula WHEN: At bedtime Day 14 TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula and four softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two and one half teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid and one softgel capsule of 200 i.u. Vitamin E and one Body Calm capsule or one teaspoon of Body Calm liquid and one teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula (Option: Mix with the Power Barley Formula) WHEN: in the morning TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula and four softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two and one half teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid WHEN: Noon TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula WHEN: around 3 PM. TAKE: one Body Calm capsule or one teaspoon of Body Calm liquid and one teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula WHEN: At bedtime Remain at these levels for 2 full days then you are ready to taper the medication. Make sure you keep all your journals from your pre-taper. You will need them for

the taper. You should be at a point now of little to no anxiety, your sleep should be vastly improved, no fatigue and little to no existing side effects. If you have experienced this improvement, you are now ready to proceed to the tapering of the medication. The next section of this book covers how to completely taper off these drugs PRE-TAPER PROGRAM FOR ANTI-PSYCHOTICS, ANTIDEPRESSANTS AND ADHD MEDICATIONS IF YOU HAVE DAYTIME ANXIETY AND INSOMNIA You will be starting with the Body Calm and Essential Protein Formula to address the daytime anxiety and insomnia first. Once the anxiety and/or insomnia are eliminated, many existing side effects will vanish. The other side effects are probably only present due to constant anxiety and insomnia. An example of this can be depression. Who would not begin to feel depressed if they have experienced continual anxiety throughout the day for months on end, and has not had more than a few hours of sleep every night? Once the anxiety and insomnia is eliminated, if the anxiety and insomnia are causing the depression, you will experience major relief. When starting the Power Barley Formula, remember that more is not better with most supplements and the Power Barley Formula is the same. Increase it only to the point of feeling a positive change and then remain at that level. With the Power Barley Formula you will be looking for increased energy, mental clarity, the brain fog to leave or an overall feeling of well-being with the Power Barley Formula. Once you feel those changes, do not increase the Power Barley Formula any further. Note: The measuring spoon supplied inside the Power Barley Formula is 1 tablespoon. You should use a kitchen teaspoon to measure the Power Barley Formula. Use a level teaspoon amount. VERY IMPORTANT As you do the Pre-Taper and taper off the medication, make special note in your journal of when Side Effects stop. This will tell you WHICH NUTRITIONAL TURNS OFF WHAT SIDE EFFECT! You'll need to know this for the Pre-Taper, and full Taper. Here is the pre-taper program for ANTI-PSYCHOTICS, ANTIDEPRESSANTS AND ADHD MEDICATIONS IF YOU HAVE DAYTIME ANXIETY AND INSOMNIA: STEP ONE: PRE-TAPER PROGRAM FOR ANTI-PSYCHOTICS, ANTIDEPRESSANTS AND ADHD MEDICATIONS Nutritionals Used Body Calm and Essential Protein Formula Day 1 of Step 1 TAKE: 1 teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or 1 Body Calm capsule and 1 teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula. WHEN: at bedtime. Days 2, 3 and 4 of Step 1 TAKE: 1 teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or 1 Body Calm capsule and 1 teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula WHEN: first thing in the morning.

TAKE: WHEN: TAKE: WHEN: TAKE: WHEN: TAKE: and 1 WHEN: ?

1 teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or 1 Body Calm capsule Every four hours, for the rest of the day. 1 teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula At noon. 1 teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula At around 3 P.M. 1 teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or 1 Body Calm capsule teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula At bedtime. If anxiety and or sleep improve greatly, move on to Step #2 the next day.

? If you do not experience a major improvement, continue taking the Body Calm and Essential Protein Formula exactly as described above for days 5,6 and 7. ? If three additional days of Body Calm and Essential Protein Formula do not help, you have two ways to proceed. 1) You can increase the Essential Protein Formula by 1 teaspoon every time you take it, or 2) move ahead to Step #2. (We recommend you try increasing the Essential Protein Formula.) If you do not feel any change with anxiety or insomnia after increasing the Essential Protein Formula to 2 teaspoons for three entire days, move on to Step #2. Reduce the Essential Protein Formula back to the 1-teaspoon serving. ? You can adjust the time of day you take the Body Calm and Essential Protein Formula. If anxiety tends to return at noon each day, try taking the Body Calm and Essential Protein at 11 AM or 11:30 AM. ? Continue taking the Body Calm and Essential Protein Formula throughout the rest of the pre-taper and taper at the amount established during this step. STEP 2 OF THE PRE-TAPER PROGRAM FOR ANTI-PSYCHOTICS, ANTIDEPRESSANTS AND ADHD MEDICATIONS Added Nutritional Ultimate Omega 3 NOTE- Ultimate Omega 3 should be taken at least 30 minutes apart from eating, and preferably on an empty stomach. Day 5 TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule and 1 teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula and two softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or one teaspoon of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid WHEN: in the morning, TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule WHEN: Every four hours, for the rest of the day. TAKE: One teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula and two softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or one teaspoon of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid WHEN: Noon TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule and one teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula WHEN: At bedtime Day 6 TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule and 1 teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula and two softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or one teaspoon of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid

WHEN: in the morning, TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule WHEN: Every four hours, for the rest of the day. TAKE: One teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula and two softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or one teaspoon of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid WHEN: Noon TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule and one teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula WHEN: At bedtime Day 7 TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule and 1 teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula and three softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid WHEN: in the morning, TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule WHEN: Every four hours, for the rest of the day. TAKE: One teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula and three softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid WHEN: Noon TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule and one teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula WHEN: At bedtime Day 8 TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule and 1 teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula and three softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid WHEN: in the morning, TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule WHEN: Every four hours, for the rest of the day. TAKE: One teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula and three softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid WHEN: Noon TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule and one teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula WHEN: At bedtime Day 9 TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule and 1 teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula and four softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two and one half teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid WHEN: in the morning, TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule WHEN: Every four hours, for the rest of the day. TAKE: One teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula and four softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two and one half teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid

WHEN: Noon TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule and one teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula WHEN: At bedtime Day 10 TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule and 1 teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula and four softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two and one half teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid WHEN: in the morning, TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule WHEN: Every four hours, for the rest of the day. TAKE: One teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula and four softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two and one half teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid WHEN: Noon TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule and one teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula WHEN: At bedtime Added Nutritional Power Barley Formula Make sure you continue taking the Body Calm, Essential Protein Formula and Ultimate Omega 3 as you have been. Day 11 TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule and 1 teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula and four softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two and one half teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid and one teaspoon of Power Barley Formula (Mix the Power Barley Formula in with the Essential Protein Formula) WHEN: in the morning, TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule WHEN: Every four hours, for the rest of the day. TAKE: One teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula and four softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two and one half teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid WHEN: Noon TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule and one teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula WHEN: At bedtime Day 12 TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule and 1 teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula and four softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two and one half teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid and one teaspoon of Power Barley Formula (Mix the Power Barley Formula in with the Essential Protein Formula) WHEN: in the morning, TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule WHEN: Every four hours, for the rest of the day. TAKE: One teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula

and four softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two and one half teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid and one teaspoon of Power Barley Formula (Mix the Power Barley Formula in with the Essential Protein Formula) WHEN: Noon TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule and one teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula WHEN: At bedtime Day 13 TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule and 1 teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula and four softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two and one half teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid and one teaspoon of Power Barley Formula (Mix the Power Barley Formula in with the Essential Protein Formula) WHEN: in the morning, TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule WHEN: Every four hours, for the rest of the day. TAKE: One teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula and four softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two and one half teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid and one teaspoon of Power Barley Formula (Mix the Power Barley Formula in with the Essential Protein Formula) WHEN: Noon TAKE: one teaspoon of Power Barley Formula WHEN: around 3 PM. TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule and one teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula WHEN: At bedtime Watch for changes in your sleep at this point. If you do not sleep as well after you started taking the Power Barley Formula at 3 PM, follow the rest of the schedule that follows but do not take the Power Barley Formula at 3 PM. Day 14 TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule and 1 teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula and four softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two and one half teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid and two teaspoons of Power Barley Formula (Mix the Power Barley Formula in with the Essential Protein Formula) WHEN: in the morning, TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule WHEN: Every four hours, for the rest of the day. TAKE: One teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula and four softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two and one half teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid and two teaspoon of Power Barley Formula (Mix the Power Barley Formula in with the

Essential Protein Formula) WHEN: Noon TAKE: two teaspoon of Power Barley Formula WHEN: around 3 PM. TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule and one teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula WHEN: At bedtime Day 15 TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule and 1 teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula and four softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two and one half teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid and three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula (Mix the Power Barley Formula in with the Essential Protein Formula) WHEN: in the morning, TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule WHEN: Every four hours, for the rest of the day. TAKE: One teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula and four softgel capsules of the Ultimate Omega 3 or two and one half teaspoons of Ultimate Omega 3 liquid and three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula (Mix the Power Barley Formula in with the Essential Protein Formula) WHEN: Noon TAKE: three teaspoons of Power Barley Formula WHEN: around 3 PM. TAKE: One teaspoon of Body Calm liquid or Body Calm capsule and one teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula WHEN: At bedtime Add 200 i.u of vitamin E with your morning nutritionals throughout the rest of the program. Remain at these levels for 2 full days then you are ready to taper the medication. Make sure you keep all your journals from your pre-taper. You will need them for the taper. You should be at a point now of little to no anxiety and your sleep should be vastly improved. If you have experienced this improvement, you are now ready to proceed to the tapering of the medication. You do continue to take all of the nutritionals throughout the taper portion of this program. The next section of this book covers how to completely taper off these drugs. Chapter Eight TAPERING OFF ANTI-PSYCHOTICS, ANTIDEPRESSANTS AND ADHD MEDICATIONS "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." It is recommended you remain on the final phase of the pre-taper for 2 full weeks to rebuild your body before reducing the medication, unless your physician recommends you begin tapering this type of drug immediately.

This next statement will probably seem hard to believe for anyone that has tried to quit taking any medication in this class before; reducing these medications is actually the easy part of The Road Back Program. With a full pre-taper complete you have eliminated your side effects already. The only thing left is to very gradually reduce the medication. How to Reduce the Medication The ideal sequence: 1. Have your physician write a prescription to accommodate a 10% reduction. You will need to use a compounding pharmacy to fill this prescription. 2. 3. 4. Only reduce the medication by 10% every 14 days. Never skip days. Always take the medication at the same time each day.

5. If you take your medication more than one time each day, make sure the total reduction of the medication is no more than 10% of the daily total taken. You continue to take the nutritionals at the same amount that you established during the pre-taper while reducing the medication. You continue to take the nutritionals for 45 days after you took the last dosage of your medication. The above is the ideal taper. It can happen and does happen continually for people using The Road Back Program. What to Do if Side Effects Begin During the Taper Do the following in sequence: 1. Review your Daily Journal. The odds are extremely high you changed something between the day you began to feel poorly and 3 days earlier. Look for any changes. Did you change the time of the day you took your medication, nutritionals, begin exercising, go on a diet etc. With you already responding well to the nutritionals in the pre-taper, the odds are extremely high it will be from some change you made just before you felt the negative change. Once you locate the change, return to exactly what you were doing and give it 3 days to return back to normal again.

If you do not locate any changes to your daily routine, move on to # 2 below. 2. With these medications it will probably be a change in anxiety level, sleep, fatigue or a term called "brain Zaps." Brain zaps are an electrical jolt that usually runs from the base of the neck up to the base of the skull. Sometimes a dizzy feeling will also occur. Increasing the Essential Protein Formula by 1 teaspoon until the anxiety and sleep improve or adjusting the time you take the Essential Protein Formula to 1/2 hour to 1 hour before the anxiety begin should help. For fatigue or a general body ache; the Power Barley Formula being increased by 1/2 teaspoon with each serving should help quickly. For the "brain zaps" and all head symptoms; increase the Omega 3 by 1 softgel in the morning and noon or the Ultimate Omega 3 liquid by 1 teaspoon in the morning and at noon. If you begin to feel nausea; 2 cups of ginger tea a day should handle it. Sweeten with honey for taste if needed. This should handle the problem. 3. If # 2 did not resolve the problem and what you are feeling is too much to even stand, get with your physician and discuss going back to the last dosage of the medication you were at and remain at that old dosage until the side effects stop once again. This step is rarely ever needed. 4. If you needed to use # 3 above, the next time you reduce the medication stay at that new dosage amount for 4 weeks instead of 2 weeks. If you were reducing the medication by more than 10% each week and you have tried #'s 1-3 above and did not get relief, get with your physician and discuss reducing the medication by 5% from here on out. You should stop reducing the medication further until you have eliminated the withdrawal side effects. Do not begin to reduce the medication again until you are feeling very stable. -Don't change anything so long as you're feeling better and experiencing progress! Keep one additional thing in mind while tapering off the medication: Sometimes all of us may have anxiety during the day and a rough nights sleep. If you have a rough day it may not be the medication is the cause. If a negative feeling last more than 3 days it is probably something that has changed and is related to the taper unless it is a life related event. A few don'ts: Don't change your diet! Don't add exercise to your regimen! Don't double or triple or change any amount of Nutritional you're taking! Don't change your

sleep or rest schedule! Don't change physicians! Don't try another program! Don't add another program to this one! Don't take out parts of this program! CHANGE NOTHING (except your clothes, of course). The rule here is if it works, don't fix it. Continue your reduction schedule. Take your Nutritionals. -Continue to maintain the levels of Nutritionals you were at, when you reached the end of the pre-taper: DO WHAT'S WORKING. This is the simplicity of the Road Back. If you do not use a compounding pharmacy to reduce your medication The other options of reducing the medication are: 1. Use the reduction schedule located in this book. 2. If we did not include a reduction schedule for the exact medication you are taking or the current dosage you are taking, print out a copy of any reduction schedule for the type of medication you are taking and show it to your physician and pharmacist. They can use this as a guideline or an example to structure a reduction schedule for your particular medication or dosage. 3. The other option you have is to shave a little off the medication each day. This is not a recommended choice of The Road Back Program. ONCE YOU ARE OFF THE MEDICATION Stay at the level of nutritionals you are at for the next 45 days. It is important you now rebuild your body. After the 45 days, you can decide what you want to do with the Nutritionals. We all need Omega 3 in our body. It needs to come from a food source or from supplemental Omega 3 oil. Usually one or two of the Ultimate Omega 3's each day is plenty for a maintenance amount. If you enjoy the Power Barley Formula and other Nutritionals, it is very fine to keep taking them for a prolonged period. They are great for general health. Once you know your sleep is handled, you might try taking the Body Calm and Essential Protein Formula on a need to basis. If you have been off the medication for months and you begin to feel tired again, try taking a little of the Power Barley Formula once again. All of us get fatigue from time to time when we are living life at a rapid pace. This fatigue does not mean it is a side effect from when you took the medication. Complete information can be read for free at www.theroadback.org