I'm getting really sick

So I have been weening off my pain meds and have been getting really sick. It is so uncomfortable and have no Idea what I can do to  reduce some of that discomfort. I am sad to say that I did start smoking again, I couldn't ween off both at the same time. I feel like I have the flu every day and I don't know how long this is saposed to take. I feel like crying because of this. I don't want to be reliant on pain meds and wish the Dr had never put me on them to begin with. If I had know this was going to happen I would of never taken them. It makes me mad because I took the pain meds as directed and I never felt high from them, but now I feel like a addict and that is a horrible feeling. I got my pain gel which has worked well for my back pain, but it wears off really fast and is quite expensive. So I feel lost as to what to do. I have put in a call to my Dr but haven't heard back yet. I just need some support!!!

I do have pain meds in the house and I am tapering down like the Dr suggested for me to. It just seems like my body isn't taking it well or I'm overly sensitive. I'm really not sure, I am cutting down on the smoking mainly because I have felt to sick to smoke that much. I will definately try the ginger tea that is something I have not tryed yet. Thank you!

Thanks for sharing more...I'm sure it's quite overwhelming trying to do everything at once...This is why my mom ended up using the patch to quit smoking as it slowly tapers you down so you don't feel any withdrawals in that aspect...

I'm not saying you should do this now...but an option when you get ready to quit after the pain meds are gone..

I forget what pain meds you are on? If any of them are Tramadol...this needs to be VERY slowly tapered to prevent issues.

Ginger tea and a bit of honey are very helpful to an upset tummy. The other thing is to make sure you are not drinking sodas or eating anything with a lot of sugar or high fat. This can make stomach issues worse...The key is to stay really hydrated with either tea or just water and lots of it! )Because keep in mind the cigarettes are extremely dehydrating as well)..

Just take things one step/day/minute at a time and realize it's not a race but everything you are doing...one after the other may cause a bit of discomfort now...but is going to help save your life and make that life even more enjoyable and healthy:)

We are all cheering you on!!

thank you very much. I just want to get to the point where I don't feel this bad, I know it will be well worth it when it's over, I just wish the over was over!!!!

The Dr did call back and all he had to say is that what I was going through was normal, and to make sure I stayed hydrated and ate soup so that my stomach wouldn't feel so woosy. Other than that they said to expect about 5 to 7 days before it's all over. They really didn't seem to think that this was a bad thing!

Thank you I apprichiate your compassion. I was taking 30 mg of morphine and hydrocodone for breakthrough pain. I am tapering but like I explained to the Dr I am still getting sick. I was to taper by taking a pill every other day for 3 days and then a pill every 2 days and so on. Part of the reason he wanted me off was because I was showing signs of MS and he thought there was a possibility that the meds were causing it so he wanted me off of them to see if the symptoms got better and if not than he could go from there and order the necessry tests. Since I have been sick I can't even tell if the symptoms are getting better!

I took 2 morphine tabs a day. And strangely the Dr did recommend for me to cut them in half, I argued with him explaining that they were time released and you couldn't cut them in half or crush them. He still insisted that it would be okay. I have gone to school for medical assisting and I know you run a huge risk to your health to do that. So regardless of what my Dr said I have refused to cut the tablets. I'm sure this is part of the reason as well for me being as sick as I have gotten. I have not been taking the morphine at all because of how he asked me to taper. I almost felt like he was trying to kill me. He insists on one thing and me the other so me argueing with him maybe made him feel less compssionate about the withdrawl that I am now going through, maybe he thinks I desearve it since I didn't listen to him about cutting the morphine. It's hard to tell. Before I was given the morphine I had been on hydro's for almost 2 years. So I am just trying to bear this with all my might!

He is our family physician and we have already decided to look for another Dr. I have a Rheumatologist but I don't see him for another 2 months. I was also very surprised that he requested for me to do that, it sent up a major red flad and I haven't been able to feel like I can trust him now. So as soon as I feel better I will be looking for someone else. It' just hard to find really good Dr's these days!

Lisa- I am thankful your hanging in there. I am like snowbunny I feel for you so much as you go through this. As I said, I have been down this road to many times. The reason I got off mine was they were causing me more pain and depresssion. After about a month I could tell a huge difference. It was all worth it!! Your DR's just let you go through withdrawls the old fashion way! I know snowbunny is like me there is really no reason to go through withdrawls this way anymore. I have done the old way and the new way. Believe me the new way is wonderful!

You should notice some difference around the 7th day. Now your body will still crave them for awhile. You wont go back to the big sickness, but sometimes your going to feel dragy. Finding something to keep your busy is going to be important. Too much time on your hands will cause some problmems.

I am not sure what your Dr. is thinking about future pain control. That is something your going to need to discuss. I actually went to classes to learn how to manage my pain by other methods. work really well. I hope you dont think your going to need to suffer with chronic pain all the time now. There are other things out there to hep control your pain.

Just rememeber to drink liquiods, even if you have to sip on them in small amounts. After you get through this do something special for yourself. Keep us updated on how your doing. I will keep you in my thughts and prayers.

Post Edited (ak angel) : 11/15/2012 1:37:10 PM (GMT-7)

For me...I think I've mentioned in other posts...but a good old muscle relaxer has done wonders for my Fibro pain to take as needed. I use Flexeril...but there are many others like Robaxin, Skelaxin, Baclofen or Zanaflex. My Dr. rotates through them every 2-3 years so I don't get tolerant and have to raise the dosages.

I also take Ambien to help me sleep as this was something that has made a tremendous difference in both my fatigue levels as well as pain levels. My Rheumatolgoist that diagnosed me back in '95 believes that many of us with Fibro never get to stage 4 sleep...That deep sleep to where our bodies "repair" themselves overnight.

I used to sleep for up to 12 hours but feel like I had barely slept at all. I got put on Ambien after my last cervical fusion surgery...all of a sudden within a week I felt like a new person! I need to take a nap maybe once every 6 months as I wake up and stay feeling refreshed most all days. I certainly have also done a lot of non medicinal things to help my Fibro as well. I go to sleep at the exact same time every night. TV off..computer off...lights off and drift off listening to a book on my phone. I wake up at the same time (5am) each day as well. Maintaining a sleep/wake schedule has made a really big difference.

I make sure the temp is 68 degrees as that promotes better sleep. I have all the appropriate pillows to keep my spine aligned during the night as well as 3 inch mattress tempurpedic like topper which REALLY helps with not having sore shoulders/hips/legs muscles.

I switched to eating all Organic a few years ago. I am not a vegan or vegetarian but only eat meat two times a week. Lots of fish. I noticed very quickly that my energy levels increased and had better memory and sharpness with getting out all the preservatives and additives. Digestion is much better as well.

I exercise 7 days a week. I walk 1.4 miles every day with my doggy. I also do daily yoga/stretching...This has also really helped keep pain levels low and energy levels up.

I also do memory puzzles and things each day to keep from having Fibro fog..The brain is a use it or lose it just like our bodies..

And then lastly, I drink one cup of coffee in the am...and then nothing but water the rest of the day/evening (12-14 cups). I will have a green tea once in awhile if it's a particularly busy day. Even a small amount of dehydration can cause fatigue and muscle pains..

Anyway...these are just some things that I have done to help keep my Fibro at what I would call pretty much in remission for these last years.

Post Edited (Snowbunny21) : 11/15/2012 2:29:04 PM (GMT-7)

You're quite welcome...

Baby steps..one thing at a time. We are all here rooting for you!