Dr. Eichman DDS used Dextromethorphan (DM) in his dental practice in Juneau, Alaska for 8 years to reduce swollen and inflamed nerves in teeth.  After he retired he got word that his 87 year old frail 110-pound mother had a major stroke.  The right arm and leg were limp and she could not feel a pin prick on the right side of her body.  Dr. Eichman got to her 10 hours later and gave her one “Hold” throat lozenge with 5 mg of DM.  He gave her one Hold throat lozenge per day for the next two days for a total of 15 mg of DM.  In 2 weeks she walked out of the hospital.  She lost the feeling on the tips of her fingers and toes.   That was the only damage from the stroke.  The doctors called her their miracle patient.  We have been using the stroke protocol for over twenty years and it has always worked if started within 48 hours of the first symptoms.  The treatment works for head injuries and concussions but time is important because of the initial damage.

  We recommend 5 to 15 mg of Dextromethorphan (DM) for 3 to 5 days. The treatment must be started within 48 hours of the first symptoms.  No more than 65 mg of DM total should be used.  Researchers assumed that the dosage for a stroke was the same as for a cold and that was not the case.  They used 60 to 300 mg of DM for up to 2 weeks.  Neurons use calcium to communicate with other neurons so they need calcium.  Unfortunately too much calcium and they self-destruct.  So it is a delicate balancing act.  Around 48 hours the neurotransmitter glutamate floods the neurons with calcium and the neurons react to the toxic amount of calcium by bringing in fluid to dilute the calcium and they rupture the outer cell membrane and are destroyed.

Dextromethorphan is one of the safest drugs and is in most cold medicines.  We used “Hold” throat lozenges for many years until they went out of business.   They only used DM as the only active ingredient.  DM is approved by the FDA and the AMA for long term use for up to 120 mg per day.  DM is approved for colds and flu and sore throats. Dayquil has 10 mg of DM per tablespoon so all you need is one tablespoon per day for 4 days.  The best source for DM is probably the 15 mg time release capsules made by Robitussin.  DM is the only active ingredient.  Use one capsule per day for 4 days.  We have never had any side effects or interference with other treatments. Because there is no downside it is important that if the person has any symptoms of a stroke like balance problems that the treatment be used. The treatment has always worked if started within 48 hours of the initial stroke symptoms.

  There are a number of uses we have found that require further research.  Please keep us informed and we will answer questions and work with you.  We can cut disability from strokes by at least 90% and at least half of stroke patients will have no noticeable disability.

  Best wishes,