Alternative to Meds Center

I wanted to write about my experience with Alternative to Meds Center. I came to ATMC for assistance in withdrawing from antidepressants. Before I came to the Center I was experiencing extreme adverse side effects from Prozac and was unable to work, socialize or even get out of bed. I had no idea what was going on and thought I was going crazy and would never be well again. When I went to my doctor for help, my doctor continued to increase my dose and then added benzos to help offset the side effects of the Prozac. My doctor had no answers for why I was feeling this way or experiencing any of these symptoms. I eventually came to realize on my own that it was the Prozac that was affecting me so badly. My doctor then told me to go ahead and go off cold turkey. I knew better and attempted to taper myself off the medications, way too quickly, which in turn created more symptoms and side effects. I was desperate and scared.

I called an addiction hot-line hoping they could point me in a direction that would help me withdrawal from this medication. The woman on the phone told me she knew of a great place and had someone call me back. I received a call back within two minutes. Diane called me and told me about the Alternative to Meds Center and she explained why I was having some of my symptoms. She put my mind at ease immediately. Finally, someone who could give me some answers and knew what I was talking about and going through.

I got on a plane two days later and arrived at ATMC. The house was beautiful and my driver was very reassuring. I was very scared to be so far away from home and felt desperate to return home. I quickly went to a staff member who shared with me that he knew how I felt and explained his story to me and how he was able to safely withdraw from his medications.  I felt very reassured. I continually went to different staff members who had no problem dropping what they were doing to explain what was happening and what to expect. This was a very important piece of my recovery.

I was taught how anti-depressants worked and the importance of nutrition, not only for recovery but for the rest of my life. I helped in the kitchen with a fantastic cook who taught me various ways of healthy cooking, not to mention his innate ability to cheer me up and pull me out of a pit. We had various speakers come in who only enhanced this program.

The entire staff at ATMC was incredible. I cannot express this enough. Each and every staff member had something helpful to offer me, even if it was to get me out in the community and talk about regular life and not to focus on withdrawing. I asked for regular counseling sessions and my counselor never hesitated to talk with me. He helped me find support groups for when I returned home and never judged me or my feelings. This meant a lot to me. The owner/founder was also very involved and encouraging. He knew what we were all going through and it made this program even more helpful. I am so grateful for the program he has started and continues to improve upon.

The doctor I worked with was incredibly helpful. He not only offered me information about my complications but he was compassionate and listened with interest in what I was saying. The blood tests and food allergy tests were also very extensive and informative and put some “science” into what I was experiencing.

I would recommend this center for anyone who is considering going off psychotropic medications of any kind. This is definitely a serious endeavor and should not be done on your own. The side effects and withdrawal symptoms I experienced at home were torturous and I wish I had not tried to taper off by myself. But I was glad I could go to ATMC to get help with this traumatic experience. They helped me in so many ways and I am forever grateful. Always remember to ask questions and seek help. It takes a lot of courage to ask for help.

I am someone with strong convictions and am not someone who would write a testimonial if I didn’t believe in what I was writing about. I feel it is important to say this and let folks out there know that they are NOT alone and there is help and hope. I searched endlessly trying to find someone who knew what was going on and how I felt and I found them.

Thanks to the entire staff at ATMC. I am so very grateful to ALL of you!!

Tracey

Denver, Colorado

When I came to Alternative To Meds center I was taking Lamictal, Geodon, Lorazepam, Ambien Cr, Levoxl, Estradiol, etc.

I was extremely depressed, suicidal, anxiety attacks and panic attacks to a point I couldn’t do my major job or function. During a fishing trip our boat capsized and I floated in diesel fuel until we were rescued. While at the center I was tested and found I had high levels of mercury. I’ve started the I.V. chelation therapy.

I’ve been here at the center for 2 weeks and I feel like I’m getting my life back, there is a sparkle in my eyes and a smile on my face most of the time. I have energy and feel some happiness again. My medications have been reduced at a comfortable rate so far. I couldn’t get myself off my meds but today I have hope. The food is very healthy to give me a whole body healing. And it tastes good too.

Tiki W.

Since becoming staff here at the Alternative to Meds Center I have seen huge accomplishments by our clients. Clients who used to stay in the house all the time are now coming out of the house and going to all kinds of sports events and outings and actually are having fun doing it. They no longer have that nervous look on their faces when they are out in public and seem to be at ease. It is really nice to see people come here and clear the fog from their heads and live a happy and healthy life without being on medication.

I am so happy to be a part of a team that is part of something even bigger.

Julie Rosenau
Supplement Specialist
Alternative to Meds Center

Alternative to Meds Center helped me to get off of my anti-anxiety medications. I have been taking prescription benzos for about eight years. I had, in the past, repeatedly tried to get off them with no success and as of recently, have been on very high dosages and I couldn’t function without them. ATMC gave me nutritional education, time, support, and a lot of patience that I needed to get off the drugs. And for that, I thank them.

- E.B.

I have been on and off psychiatric medications for fifteen years always coming off my medications cold turkey, because I was coming off them cold turkey I constantly suffered from withdraw symptoms: hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia.
Every time I took my medication it felt like I went through a death.

I finally couldn’t take this feeling anymore and called my sister who got on the phone and found the Alternative to Meds Center for me. She explained I would be entering a taper program and using a special diet and supplemental program. Using the taper program I have had no problems coming off my medication and everything has been smooth, no hallucination, delusions or paranoia.

The vitamins and minerals seem to be doing the job because I feel more energized and calm with a feeling of self-worth.

The diet I am on is controlling my hypoglycemia and because it is being controlled I don’t experience any of the ups and downs I used to have.

In general I feel much better and I am excited to live my life medication free.

I am Matt. I am 25 years old and I was diagnosed with Bi-Polar Disorder seven years ago, it was awful. Doctors started putting me psych medication to stabilize my ups and downs behavior but the side effects of the drugs [lithium, Cymbalta, Geodon] were life altering, I was always tired which caused me to get into two automobile accidents on my way to work because I was so drowsy from the medications. I had a hard time functioning at work and in life all together because of my constant lack of energy and never feeling good about myself.

My father found out about the Alternative to Meds Center on the internet (alternativetomedscenter.com), a place that would taper me off my psych meds so I could get back to a successful life. I was reluctant at first but then I decided to give it a try. I came to San Francisco about ten weeks ago from Michigan.

When I arrived here I saw Dr. Lesser, an Ortho-Molecular Doctor who did some tests on me and said that I was mis-diagnosed and I was actually Hypoglycemic. The doctor said that all of my problems stemmed from too much sugar, caffeine, and white flour.  He said that if I took all of those things out of my diet and started a vitamin regimen that I would see a dramatic change in my life.  I recently finished a taper off of my medication and had no problem tapering off my medicine with the help of the staff, a healthy diet and exercise. I am already noticing some fantastic changes; my energy level has probably tripled. I have started working out 3 to 4 times a week and I have started some classes that are really helping me. My family members have told me that I sound a lot better and much happier than the last time they have talked to me. The people that I live with say that I am a totally different person than I was when I first got here and can’t wait to see the end result when the program in completed.

I think its great and I am really excited about the rest of my life. I now for the first time feel like I can accomplish some great things. I can not believe how much the medication was affecting my life. I am so happy to be med free and feel like a completely different person.

I am so grateful to the Alternative to Meds Center and hope that other people take advantage of this program and what it has to offer. I urge anyone that reads this and wants the same help that I have received to call the center at anytime. The staff is always available to help. Their number is 800-359-9698 and are available 24/7. This program is the best thing that I could have ever done for my life.

Well, I can’t believe it. Nine days ago I took my last dose of psychiatric medication [Lamictal, Ativan, Buspar, Trazodone, Adderall] that I will ever take again! After thirteen years of a revolving cocktail of medications, I am finally free!! I have my good days and my challenging days but as of now, they are my days. Now I get to own and trust my own feelings and not attribute them to whatever chemical I painted my mood with at any given time. No more outsourcing my well-being. For the last six years I have been trying to go off my medication. Tapering off over 6-9 months and at the end always going back and never completely off.

E.M.

In the sauna, I learned more about my self and my goals in life. I learned from my changing views (through more clear open eyes) of other people’s actions and behaviors what kinds of behaviors I, myself, respect and will copy as well as behaviors that I don’t like and will work on everyday. It was a great experience and I feel more aware of my surroundings and more comfortable confronting people and situations and for that I am grateful.

- A.B