Chapter Ten
Pre-Taper For
Antidepressants, Anti-Psychotics,
and ADHD Medication
(Abilify, Adderall, Anafranil, Adapin, Celexa, Concerta, Cymbalta, Effexor,
Elavil, Haldol, Lexapro, Luvox, Paxil, Prozac, Remeron,
Risperdal, Ritalin, Seroquel, Serzone, Strattera, Thorazine, Wellbutrin, Zoloft,
Zyprexa etc.)
“I am doing great on the Taper Program. I have successfully gotten off 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 my antidepressant 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!”
G.Q. Green Bay, WI.
If you have not read the entire chapter “General
Pre-Tapering and Tapering Instructions,” please do so before
continuing with this chapter. Reading and understanding the chapter “General
Pre-Tapering and Tapering Instructions” is vital before starting the
pre-taper.
Starting Your Pre-Taper
Note: This pre-taper addresses several types of medication as noted in the chapter title. Antidepressants, Antipsychotics, and ADHD Medication are completely different, but the pre-taper method is identical.
You may be on one or more of these drugs and experiencing problems or extensive side effects from anxiety and/or insomnia, fatigue, hearing voices, seeing things that are not really there or a host of side effects.
The pre-taper for these medications is divided into two separate pre-taper programs to accommodate the side effects you currently experience.
If you are suffering from anxiety and insomnia or are using an antipsychotic medication, use the Anxiety Insomnia Pre-taper.
If you do not have anxiety and insomnia, use the Fatigue Pre-taper.
The Probiotic Supreme
can be used for 60 days then discontinued if you wish. I have not included
the Probiotic Supreme in the steps below in an attempt to keep the daily
schedule easier to follow. You can take 2 capsules of the Probiotic Supreme
any time during the day with food. If you use birth control pills or have
taken an antibiotic in the past, you should use the Probiotic Supreme for
the 60 days. Clinical trials have shown at least 18% of all people that use
or have used an antidepressant will have Candida yeast overgrowth. With side
effects associated with Candida yeast overgrowth, you should use this
probiotic.
PRE-TAPER
PROGRAM
IF YOU HAVE DAYTIME ANXIETY,
AGITATION OR INSOMNIA OR ARE
TAKING AN ANTIPSYCHOTIC
As you are experiencing chronic anxiety during the day and insomnia at night as side effects of your medication, you will start your pre-taper with Body Calm, Body Calm Supreme, Beta 1, 3-D Glucan and Essential Protein Formula; products specifically formulated to help relieve these symptoms.
With either anxiety or insomnia present, there are sure to be other symptoms as well, most likely caused by your anxiety during the day and lack of sleep at night.
You will begin your pre-taper by taking Body Calm, Body Calm Supreme, Beta 1, 3-D Glucan and the Essential Protein Formula as directed in this chapter. These four supplements should take care of all or most of the daytime anxiety, panic attacks and sleep problems. If you or your patient is hearing voices, Step 1 of this pre-taper may very well eliminate those as well. Remember, as soon as you start the pre-taper, you will simultaneously start keeping track of your days in the Daily Journal.
Make sure to note when existing side effects stop or when there is a major improvement. This is very important.
You will then know which supplement turns off which side effect(s) or caused the major improvement. You will need to know this in order to complete both the pre-taper and the full taper successfully. The pre-taper is designed to address the normal cycle of anxiety/insomnia/anxiety that takes place because of medication usage.
Anxiety first thing in the morning and a return of the anxiety in the afternoon are both very common side effects.
On any given day when using these medications, by the time you are ready to go to sleep at night you are too stressed out and fatigued from dealing with the difficulties of the anxiety all day long. Sleep simply may not happen, and you could easily end up feeling depressed due to this continuing cycle of anxiety, no sleep, anxiety, no sleep, endlessly.
If you are also experiencing some degree of depression, do not be surprised if it goes away during the pre-taper, as your ability to sleep improves or the daytime anxiety abates. But, as you start to experience relief from your symptoms, do not change anything; just continue with the program. There are still many, many gains to be had as you move through to full completion of The Road Back Tapering Program.
If you are taking an antipsychotic medication, you are
strongly urged to get a blood test to measure substances called IL-2 and
IL-6. IL-2 is associated with anxiety and insomnia, and IL-6 is associated
with depression and stress.
Step 1
Goal:
·
Improved sleep.
·
A vast reduction or
elimination of anxiety.
·
A lessening or
elimination of other medication-induced side effects.
Supplements you will
take:
·
Essential Protein
Formula.
·
Body Calm.
·
Body Calm Supreme.
·
Beta 1, 3-D Glucan.
Day One:
Action:
· Rate your daytime
anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia and other side effects. Use the Daily
Journal and rate anxiety, sleep and any additional symptoms you may be
experiencing from 1 to 10. Rate with number 1 being the worst and number 10
being no side effect or symptom remaining.
Take:
Essential Protein Formula: 1 teaspoon mixed in a liquid of your choice.
Body Calm Supreme capsule: 1 capsule.
Time:
At bedtime.
Day Two, Three, Four:
Action:
· Rate your daytime
anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia and other side effects. Use the Daily
Journal and rate anxiety, sleep and any additional symptoms you may be
experiencing from 1 to 10. Rate with number 1 being the worst and number 10
being no side effect or symptom remaining.
· Rate the previous
night’s sleep first thing the next morning.
· Rate the daytime anxiety
just before bedtime of that day.
Take:
Essential Protein Formula: 1 teaspoon mixed in a liquid of your choice.
Body Calm Supreme capsule: 1 capsule.
Time:
First thing in the morning when you awaken.
Take: Beta 1, 3-D
Glucan. Take 1 capsule of 100 mg Beta 1, 3-D Glucan.
Time: Any time in the
morning. Make sure to only use as much liquid as needed to wash the capsule
down and drink no other liquid or food for half an hour after taking the
supplement. Ideally, you would not have food half an hour before taking the
Beta 1, 3-D Glucan.
The rest of the day and up until bedtime, you will be
alternating the Body Calm Supreme and the Body Calm every 4 hours.
Example:
You wake up at 7 am. You would start the day by taking 1 capsule of Body
Calm Supreme and 1 teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula.
At 11 am, you would take 1 Body Calm capsule and 1
teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula.
At 3 pm, you would take 1 Body Calm Supreme capsule and 1
teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula.
At 7 pm, you would take 1 Body Calm capsule and 1
teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula.
At bedtime, or 11 pm, you would take 1 Body Calm Supreme
capsule and 1 teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula.
Action:
· The morning of Day 5
– Rate your sleep from the night before and have a look
at your Daily Journal regarding daytime anxiety. If you now rate your
daytime anxiety at a 7 or higher and your sleep is at a 7 or higher, proceed
to Step 2.
If you do not rate yourself at a 7 or higher for daytime
anxiety follow the Anxiety Handling found on page 122. If you do not rate
yourself at a 7 or higher for sleep follow the Sleep Handling found on page
127. If you are rating below a 7 on both anxiety and sleep follow the
Anxiety/Sleep Handlings found on page 130.
Step 2
· Continue taking all
supplements as established during Step 1.
Goal:
· Improvement of mood.
· A lessening or
elimination of other medication induced side effects.
Supplement you will
introduce:
· Ultimate Omega 3.
Day One:
Action:
· Rate your mood and other
side effects. Use the Daily
Journal and rate your mood and any additional symptoms you may be
experiencing from 1 to 10. Rate with number 1 being the worst and number 10
being no side effect or symptoms remaining.
Take:
2 Ultimate Omega 3 softgels.
Time:
First thing in the morning
and around noon, but before 4 pm.
Day Two, Three, Four:
Action:
· Rate your mood and other
side effects. Use the Daily Journal and rate mood and any additional
symptoms you may be experiencing from 1 to 10. Rate with number 1 being the
worst and number 10 being no side effect or symptom remaining.
Take:
3 Ultimate Omega 3
softgels.
Time:
First thing in the morning when you awaken, and around noon, but before 4
pm.
After the rigors of Step 1, you will find Step 2 quick
and easy. You are finished and ready to move to Step 3.
You are finished increasing the Ultimate Omega 3. Move to
Step 3 even if there has not been a major positive change with the last
increase of Omega 3.
Step 3
· Continue taking all
supplements as established during Steps 1 and 2.
Goal:
· Overall brightness of
feelings and mood.
· Nice and smooth energy
level.
· A lessening or
elimination of other medication induced side effects.
Supplement you will
introduce:
· RenewPro.
Day One:
Action:
· Rate anxiety, sleep and
all side effects. Use the Daily Journal and rate your mood, anxiety, sleep
and any additional symptoms you may be experiencing from 1 to 10. Rate with
number 1 being the worst and number 10 being no side effect or symptom
remaining.
Take:
1/2 scoop of RenewPro.
Time:
First thing in the
morning.
Day Two, Three, Four:
Action:
· Rate anxiety, sleep and
all side effects. Use the Daily Journal and rate your mood, anxiety, sleep
and any additional symptoms you may be experiencing from 1 to 10. Rate with
number 1 being the worst and number 10 being no side effect or symptom
remaining.
Take:
1/2 scoop of RenewPro
Time:
First thing in the morning and around noon.
Step 4
Day 1:
Begin taking 400 i.u.
of vitamin E first thing in the morning. Take the vitamin E with the rest of
the morning supplements.
Begin taking 1
capsule of Nature’s Vitamin C any time around midday.
(If you are taking ADHD Medication do
not take any vitamin C and watch your fruit intake.)
If you have not introduced 2 daily capsules of
Probiotic Supreme start it now.
Keep taking all supplements exactly as you have
established during the pre-taper.
You are completely
finished with the pre-taper when:
· 22 days have passed
after you started Step 1
and
· You rate yourself at a 7
or higher for anxiety and sleep.
You do need to wait the 22 days from the date you
started Step 1, even if you are at a 7 rating or higher for anxiety and
insomnia.
Continue taking all of the supplements exactly as you are
now during the tapering portion of the medication.
If you have tried to quit these medications in the past,
you may be a little apprehensive about reducing the medication again. You
can remain at this stage of the process for as long as you like. You do not
have to rush.
When you are ready, follow the procedures detailed in the
chapter, How to Taper off
Antidepressants, Antipsychotics and
ADHD Medication (Slow and Gradual) or the next chapter How to Taper off
Antidepressants, Antipsychotics and
ADHD Medication (Fast and Gradual).
PRE-TAPER PROGRAM
IF YOU HAVE FATIGUE and DO NOT
HAVE ANXIETY OR INSOMNIA
Supplement you will
introduce:
· Power Barley Formula.
· Special Note: You
will be increasing the Power Barley Formula slowly over a number of days.
The word “Power” in the name is intentional. This barley formula is powerful
and unlike any other barley product.
At any time during the pre-taper, when you feel
increased energy, a new brightness about yourself, an overall good feeling,
DO NOT INCREASE THE POWER BARLEY FORMULA FURTHER.
The pre-taper schedule has you increasing the Power
Barley Formula over a number of days but
if taking the Power Barley Formula only once in the morning gives you
an increased energy, a new brightness about yourself, an overall good
feeling, do not increase it further.
If an amount of barley that is less than 1 tablespoon
brings on the positive change, keep taking that amount of barley for 7
consecutive days before moving on to Step 2.
Day One:
Action:
· Rate fatigue, anxiety,
sleep and all side effects. Use the Daily Journal and rate your fatigue,
mood, anxiety, sleep and other additional symptoms you may be experiencing
from 1 to 10. Rate with number 1 being the worst and number 10 being no side
effect or symptom remaining.
Take:
1/2 teaspoon of
Power Barley Formula.
Time:
First thing in the
morning.
Day Two, Three, Four:
Action:
· Rate fatigue, anxiety,
sleep and all side effects. Use the Daily Journal and rate your fatigue,
mood, anxiety, sleep and any additional symptoms you may be experiencing
from 1 to 10. Rate with number 1 being the worst and number 10 being no side
effect or symptom remaining.
Take:
1/2 teaspoon of Power Barley Formula.
Time:
First thing in the morning, around noon and once again
before 4 pm.
* Remember, this
barley formula is not like other barley products. When you feel the positive
change, remain where you are, do not increase further. If you went past the
positive point and you do not feel as well, return to the last amount of
barley you were taking.
Day Five, Six, Seven:
Action:
· Rate fatigue, anxiety,
sleep and all side effects. Use the Daily Journal and rate your fatigue,
mood, anxiety, sleep and any additional symptoms you may be experiencing
from 1 to 10. Rate with number 1 being the worst and number 10 being no side
effect or symptom remaining.
Take:
1 teaspoon of Power Barley Formula.
Time:
First thing in the morning, around noon and once again before
4 pm.
If no major positive
changes, continue with Day Eight, Nine and Ten. If the major positive
changes took place during this part, move to Step 2.
Day Eight, Nine, Ten:
Action:
· Rate fatigue, anxiety,
sleep and all side effects. Use the Daily Journal and rate your fatigue,
mood, anxiety, sleep and any additional symptoms you may be experiencing
from 1 to 10. Rate with number 1 being the worst and number 10 being no side
effect or symptom remaining.
Take:
2 teaspoons of Power Barley Formula.
Time:
First thing in the
morning, around noon and once again before
4 pm.
Day Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen:
Action:
· Rate fatigue, anxiety,
sleep and all side effects. Use the Daily Journal and rate your fatigue,
mood, anxiety, sleep and any additional symptoms you may be experiencing
from 1 to 10. Rate with number 1 being the worst and number 10 being no side
effect or symptom remaining.
Take:
1 tablespoon of Power Barley
Formula.
Time:
First thing in the morning, around noon and once again before
4 pm.
You are ready to move to
Step 2.
Step 2
· Continue taking all supplements as established during
Step 1.
Goal:
· Improvement of mood.
· A lessening or
elimination of other medication induced side effects.
Supplement you will
introduce:
· Ultimate Omega 3.
Day One:
Action:
· Rate your mood and other
side effects. Use the Daily
Journal and rate your mood and any additional symptoms you may be
experiencing from 1 to 10. Rate with number 1 being the worst and number 10
being no side effect or symptom remaining.
Take:
2 Ultimate Omega 3 softgels
Time:
First thing in the morning
and around noon but before 4 pm.
Day Two, Three, Four:
Action:
· Rate your mood and other
side effects. Use the Daily Journal and rate mood and any additional
symptoms you may be experiencing from 1 to 10. Rate with number 1 being the
worst and number 10 being no side effect or symptom remaining.
Take:
3 Ultimate Omega 3
softgels.
Time:
First thing in the morning when you awake and around noon but before 4 pm.
Day Five, Six, Seven:
Action:
· Rate your mood and other
side effects. Use the Daily Journal and rate mood and any additional
symptoms you may be experiencing from 1 to 10. Rate with number 1 being the
worst and number 10 being no side effect or symptom remaining.
Take:
4 Ultimate Omega 3
softgels.
Time:
First thing in the morning when you wake up, and around noon but before 4
pm.
After the rigors of
Step 1, you will find Step 2 quick and easy. You are finished and ready to
move to Step 3.
Step 3
· Continue taking all supplements as established during
Steps 1 and 2.
Goal:
· Improved sleep.
· A vast reduction or
elimination of anxiety.
· A lessening or
elimination of other medication-induced side effects.
Supplements you will
take:
· Essential Protein
Formula.
· Body Calm.
· Body Calm Supreme.
Day One:
Action:
· Rate your daytime mood,
anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, fatigue and other side effects. Use the
Daily Journal and rate anxiety, sleep and any additional symptoms you may be
experiencing from 1 to 10. Rate with number 1 being the worst and number 10
being no side effect or symptom remaining.
Take:
Essential Protein Formula: 1 teaspoon mixed in a liquid of your choice.
Body Calm Supreme capsule: 1 capsule.
Time:
At bedtime.
Note:
If you begin to feel tired during the daytime at any time during this Step,
go back to the amount of Essential Protein Formula, Body Calm and Body Calm
Supreme you were last taking before you felt tired. Remain at that level.
Day Two, Three, Four:
Action:
· Rate your daytime mood,
anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, fatigue and other side effects. Use the
Daily Journal and rate anxiety, sleep and any additional symptoms you may be
experiencing from 1 to 10. Rate with number 1 being the worst and number 10
being no side effect or symptom remaining.
· Rate the previous
night’s sleep first thing the next morning.
· Rate the daytime
anxiety just before bedtime of that day.
Take:
Essential Protein Formula: 1 teaspoon mixed in a liquid of your choice.
Body Calm Supreme capsule: 1 capsule
Time:
First thing in the morning when you awake.
The rest of the day and up until bedtime, you will be
alternating the Body Calm Supreme and the Body Calm every 4 hours.
Example:
You awaken at 7 am. Start the day by taking 1 capsule of Body Calm Supreme
and 1 teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula.
At 11 am, you would take 1 Body Calm capsule and 1
teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula.
At 3 pm, you would take 1 Body Calm Supreme capsule and 1
teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula.
At 7 pm, you would take 1 Body Calm capsule and 1
teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula.
At bedtime, or 11 pm, you would take
1 Body Calm Supreme capsule and 1 teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula.
Step 4
Day 1:
Begin taking 400 i.u.
of vitamin E first thing in the morning. Take the vitamin E with the rest of
the morning supplements.
Begin taking 1
capsule of Nature’s Vitamin C any time around midday. (Do not take vitamin C
if taking ADHD Medication.)
Begin 2 capsules of Probiotic Supreme anytime during
the day with food.
Other Options
If you are still
feeling any depression, you can take up to 3 softgels of CLA daily. Take 1
in the morning, 1 near noon and the third softgel before 4 pm. CLA has been
clinically proven to significantly stop the production of IL-6, a marker of
depression.
If you have not added
the Probiotic Supreme to your daily supplements, you might have Candida
yeast overgrowth. Adding the Probiotic Supreme for 60 days may be just the
assistance your body needs.
Your other option to
further lower the IL-6 levels is with RenewPro. You can add up to 2 full
scoops each day to your routine.
Keep taking all
supplements exactly as you have established during the pre-taper.
You are completely finished with the pre-taper when:
· 22 days have passed
after you started Step 1
and
· You rate yourself at a 7
or higher for anxiety and sleep.
You do need to wait the 22 days from the date you started Step 1 before you
begin the taper process.
Continue taking all
of supplements exactly as you are now during the tapering portion of the
program.
If you have tried to
quit these medications in the past, you may be a little apprehensive about
reducing the medication again. You can remain at this stage of the process
for as long as you like. You do not have to rush.
When you are ready, follow the procedures detailed in the chapter, How to Taper off Antidepressants, Antipsychotics and ADHD Medication (Slow and Gradual Taper) or How to Taper off Antidepressants, Antipsychotics and ADHD Medication (Fast and Gradual Taper).
Anxiety Handlings
In this stage, you will be adjusting the times you take
each supplement and/or the quantity of each supplement used during the day
or at bedtime.
If your sleep was below a rating of 7 and is now at 7 or
higher, you are responding very well to the Body Calm Supreme.
· Replace the Body Calm
during the daytime with the Body Calm Supreme. Take 1 capsule of Body Calm
Supreme every 4 hours during the daytime and continue taking the 1 teaspoon
of Essential Protein Formula at the same time as the Body Calm Supreme
during the day.
Rate your daytime anxiety at the end of every day before
bedtime and rate your sleep first thing in the morning and post in your
Daily Journal.
The goal is three consecutive days
with anxiety and sleep at a rating of 7 or higher.
If you improve to a 7 rating at any time DO NOT CHANGE
WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
Example:
You are on day number 2 of the above handling and you now rate yourself at a
7 with anxiety and sleep. Do not change anything you are doing but continue
for 2 additional days and see if this new trend holds. This would give you 3
consecutive days at a 7 rating or higher.
For the rest of the pre-taper and taper process ensure
you continue taking each supplement at the same time each day and night
established during this step.
If this new trend of a 7 or higher rating for daytime
anxiety holds for three consecutive days, proceed to Step 2.
If you are not at a 7 or higher
after the previous handling use the following sequence:
· Continue with the 1 Body
Calm Supreme every four hours, but increase the Essential Protein Formula to
4 teaspoons with each serving.
· Increase the Beta 1, 3-D
Glucan to 2 capsules in the morning, 2 additional capsules in the early
afternoon and 2 more capsules in the late afternoon. Make sure you do not
consume liquid or food for half an hour after taking the Beta 1, 3-D Glucan
and ideally no food half an hour before.
Rate yourself each night for the anxiety level of that
day. If you feel an improvement, but not to a rating of a 7, continue with
this step for 3 full days.
If no change or you are still not up to a 7 rating after
2 full days, do the following:
·
Keep taking the increased amount of Essential Protein
Formula.
·
Keep taking the Beta 1, 3-D Glucan three times each
day.
·
Increase the Body Calm Supreme to 1 capsule every 3
hours. (If a further improvement happens but you are still not at a 7 rating
for daytime anxiety, you can take the Body Calm Supreme every 2 hours during
the day.)
Continue this for 3 full days. Make sure to rate your
daytime anxiety each night before bedtime. If on day two or three of this
procedure, you now rate yourself at a 7 or higher, continue taking the
supplements exactly as you have been in this stage until you have 3
consecutive days of a rating of 7 or higher with daytime anxiety and then
move to Step 2.
If the daytime anxiety is still not rated at a 7 or
higher, do not get discouraged, there are still options for you.
The Anxiety Reduction Chart located in the chapter
“General Pre-Tapering and Tapering Instructions” shows how anxiety tends to
drop as time passes when using the correct supplement. Give yourself some
time.
Other Options
There are other options available with using the Body
Calm, Body Calm Liquid, Essential Protein Formula, Biotin and the Body Calm
Supreme. The next section provides further ways an individual may use,
change or alter these products for anxiety and/or insomnia relief.
Body Calm capsules
– You can add 1 Body Calm capsule with each Body Calm Supreme if needed. You
may take as many as 3 Body Calm capsules at bedtime for sleep. You may take
1 Body Calm Supreme, along with the Body Calm at bedtime if needed.
Body Calm liquid
– For some, but very few, the Body Calm liquid is the answer for daytime
anxiety and/or insomnia. Making the switch from capsule to liquid can be
magic.
Body Calm Supreme
– As described in the chapter “General
Pre-Tapering and Tapering Instructions,” reaching a “steady
state” can be different for each person. If you are feeling some relief from
anxiety, but only temporarily, you may need to change the frequency or
amount of Body Calm Supreme. You can take the Body Calm Supreme every 2
hours during the day to achieve this. This gives astounding results for some
people.
Biotin – If you have
not used the biotin yet, it is time to start. Begin with 5,000 mcg in the
morning for 3 days and if needed increase the biotin to as high as 10,000
mcg in the morning and an additional 10,000 mcg in the afternoon.
Benzodiazepines and anticonvulsants can cause depression and biotin
deficiency can be the reason for the depression. These medications do create
a biotin deficiency.
As mentioned earlier
in this chapter you can take the Nature’s Vitamin C and Probiotic Supreme.
If the adrenals need, help introduce the Nature’s Vitamin C. The adrenals
require ample supply of vitamin C to work properly.
Most medications
create a yeast overgrowth which the Probiotic Supreme handles quickly. Side
effects from yeast overgrowth can include anxiety, depression and insomnia.
Daytime anxiety
– Daytime anxiety may also be helped by including CLA daily. You would take
1 softgel in the morning, again at noon and once more before 4 pm. Make sure
to include 1 Ultimate Omega 3 in the morning and at noon along with one
vitamin E in the morning.
We have tried to
remove all trial and success out of this program but sometimes there are no
other options. The Nature’s Vitamin C, Probiotic Supreme and CLA are trial
and success. They may not make a change or they may be the exact fit for
your body. Use these at this stage to see if they are what your body needs
to get over this hump.
Suggestions:
If you have felt any improvement during these procedures, you have something
to work with. If the anxiety has at least moved from a rating of 3 to a 5,
and is holding at that level, using these supplements will be the answer to
your success. You will need to adjust them further, allow a little
additional time, or adjust the time of day you are taking them. Adjust
supplements one-by-one every third day. Keep good notes in your journal. The
answers vary between the quantity and how often a supplement is taken. The
answer can also be both quantity and frequency of taking the supplement.
Experiment with these variables as needed and keep your
Daily Journal. Allow some time for results. If you have had some
improvement, such as from a 3 to a 5 rating, and it is holding steady, but
will not move beyond a 5 rating, give this stage 30 days to fully work.
After 30 days, if still at a 5 rating, move on to Step 2
and keep rating the daytime anxiety each evening. It may very well improve
to a 7 rating later in the pre-taper.
A blood test can verify the level of a substance called
Interleukin-2 (IL-2). The reference range for IL-2 will be from 223 to 710
with most laboratories. If your test results come back with a level under
466, you need to increase the IL-2 further and you should increase the Beta
1, 3-D Glucan to a total of 9 capsules each day.
Increase the Beta 1, 3-D Glucan to 3 of the 100 mg
capsules 3 times a day. Give this increase 14 days to completely work. If
you have improved after 14 days but are not up to a 7 rating yet, you can
increase the Beta 1, 3-D Glucan to 2,500 mg each day if needed. Increase by
no more than 300 mg every 3 days.
Sleep Handlings
1. Keep doing exactly what
you have been doing during the daytime, during Step 1. Keep in mind as you
increase the supplements for sleep that changes made during the daytime for
the anxiety may very well help with sleep as well. If a person who
previously had daytime anxiety no longer has such, the chances are very high
that their ability to sleep will improve greatly.
2. Increase the Body Calm
Supreme to 2 capsules at bedtime and continue to take the 1 teaspoon of
Essential Protein Formula. Take 2 additional 100 mg capsules of Beta 1, 3-D
Glucan after 4 pm but before 8 pm.
Stay at this
level for 3 nights.
Make sure to
rate your night’s sleep each morning upon waking.
If you rate
yourself at a 7 or higher on any of these 3 nights, continue with exactly
what you are doing until you have 3 consecutive nights of sleep rated at 7
or higher. Then move to Step 2.
See if this
gives you the 3 consecutive nights of sleep at a 7 rating or higher and then
move to Step 2. If it does not, reduce the Essential Protein Formula back to
a 1 teaspoon serving.
3. If b. did not result in
the desired rating of a 7 or higher, include 1 Body Calm capsule at bedtime,
along with the 2 Body Calm Supreme capsules, and the 1 teaspoon of Essential
Protein Formula. Continue with the additional Beta 1, 3-D Glucan.
4. If there is no change in
3 nights, increase the Body Calm capsules to 2 at bedtime, along with the 2
Body Calm Supreme capsules and the 1 teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula.
Continue with the additional Beta 1, 3-D Glucan.
Again, wait
3 days and see if sleep improves to a 7 or higher. Then move to Step 2 after
3 consecutive days of this 7 or higher rating.
5. If you are having difficulty
going to sleep,
try taking all the supplements half an hour before bedtime for 3 nights. If
still no change, try taking the supplements 1 hour before bedtime for 3
nights. If you begin to feel tired before your normal bedtime, go to bed a
little earlier than usual. This may be your window of opportunity to fall
asleep with ease; you do not want to miss that chance.
6. If you are waking up in the
middle of the night
and are able to go back to sleep with little effort, that is normal. If you
have difficulty going back to sleep, take 1 Body Calm Supreme in the night
when you waken.
7. If at any time you begin to sleep
well with a 7 or higher rating, but you wake up tired,
reduce the last supplement that was increased slightly. You can open up any
of the capsules and remove half of the supplement powder.
Reaching
Stage 2 of deeper sleep requires IL-2. If IL-2 levels are too low you will
have difficulty going into deep restful sleep. You can increase the Beta 1,
3-D Glucan to 3 of the 100 mg capsules 3 times a day. Allow 14 days for this
increase to work. If you feel improvement after 14 days but are not yet up
to a 7 rating, you can increase the Beta 1, 3-D Glucan to 2,500 mg each day
if needed. Increase by no more than 300 mg every 3 days.
Remember,
have 3 consecutive nights at a 7 rating or higher for sleep and then move to
Step 2.
Experiment with this and keep your Daily Journal. Give
this some time to work. If you have had some improvement, such as from a 3
to a 5 rating, and it is holding steady, but will not move beyond a 5
rating, give this stage 30 days to fully work.
After 30 days, if still at a 5 rating, move on to Step 2
and keep rating your sleep each evening. It may very well improve to a 7
rating later in the pre-taper.
Special Note:
If you are taking calcium and still not at a 7 rating or higher, you need to
remove the calcium supplement or at least add Calsorption and see if the
additional calcium absorption helps. If
you are taking other supplements not part of The Road Back Program,
it is time for you to quit taking them.
If your healthcare provider suggested other supplements,
let the practitioner know what you want to do, and give the practitioner
this book. Once you are off all other supplements for 3 full days, you
should feel a remarkable difference.
Anxiety and Sleep Handling
Do all of the handlings for sleep and anxiety mentioned earlier and if you
are still not handled, add the supplements as outlined below:
Daytime Anxiety Below a
7 Rating and
Sleep Below a 7 Rating
1.
Increase Body Calm Supreme to 1 capsule every 2 hours during the day.
2. Take 1 teaspoon of Essential Protein Formula with every Body Calm Supreme.
3.
Take Probiotic Supreme as directed on the bottle each day.
4.
Take 3 capsules of Nature’s Vitamin C each day. Take 1 in the morning, one
at noon and one additional capsule before 4 pm.
5.
Take 1 softgel of CLA in the morning, 1 softgel at noon and 1 softgel at 4
pm.
6.
Take 1 softgel of Ultimate Omega 3 in the morning, 1 at noon and 1 more
softgel at 4 pm.
7.
Take 1 softgel of vitamin E in the morning.
Make sure to keep
your Daily Journal as well as your daily graphs for your 1-10 rating. Note
all changes made in supplements and when made. When a positive change
happens it is usually from some change that took place in the past 3 days.
If you do not rate
yourself at a 7 or higher after 7 full days using this approach move to Step
3. Step 3 may be the supplement that gets you over the top.
If you complete all
stages for anxiety and sleep and you still rate anxiety and sleep below a 7
on a 1-10 scale, one of these ten things are probably happening:
1.
You are one of the few
who need to continue taking the supplements for additional time before they
will work for you.
This happens rarely.
1.
You need to reevaluate how you are rating yourself. Are you being a little
too rough on how you are judging yourself?
Reread the section in the chapter, “General
Pre-Tapering and Tapering Instructions.”
Keep in mind, if you had anxiety throughout the day which was extreme, and
the anxiety now occurs only in the morning when you wake up then disappears
for the rest of the day, you have had a major positive change.
Review all the sleep scenarios in the chapter, “General
Pre-Tapering and Tapering Instructions.” Before starting Step 1 of
the Pre-Taper, if you previously woke up in the middle of the night and had
a difficult time going back to sleep, but now wake up in the middle of the
night and instantly go back to sleep, this is a major positive change.
2.
You are taking other supplements and the reason you are unresponsive to
Stage 1 is those supplements. This is where you need to reevaluate calcium
(if you are taking it), B vitamins and all other supplements. The other
supplements, herbs or concoctions may have been causing the increased
anxiety or insomnia for some time.
These other supplements might be excellent, but not when you are taking
these types of medications.
Meet with your doctor. Ask him or her if you can quit taking other
supplements that are not part of The Road Back Program. If OK with your
doctor, discontinue the other supplements. Continue taking the supplements
used during Step 1 of the Pre-Taper. Give yourself 3 days and see how you
are doing.
3.
You are changing something.
4.
You are not taking the supplements as outlined.
5.
Maybe you are changing the time of day when you take your medication.
6.
Look at the weekends. Are you sleeping in a few hours later and not taking
the morning medication at the same time? Are you staying up later in the
evening thus not taking the medication at the same time each day?
Have you changed anything in your daily routine?
7.
You started The Road Back Program after you had already made one or several
attempts to come off your medication and were having withdrawal side effects
before starting the program.
You should give Step 1 additional time. Many people respond quickly to this
step, even if they fit into this category, but some require from 14 to 30
days to fully complete Step 1 when they fit in this group.
Give it some time, at least the 30 days.
8. Send us an e-mail and allow us to assist. info@theroadback.org.
9.
The Road Back Program is not for you. I wish I could say this program works
for everyone, but it does not. From years of experience, I know the program
does not work for a very low percentage of people, but there is that
percentage nonetheless.