New to forum, could use some help!

I don't know where to start because there is so much going on these days. I was diagnosed with FM about a year ago. Prior to that, 2 lumbar fusions for DDD. I feel like my life is a cruel joke and every day I wake up with something new wrong with me. I have additional collapsed discs and need more surgery on neck and back but am trying to put that off as long as possible. I quit smoking 11 weeks ago and feel like I have gone downhill rapidly since then. Food tastes awful, my teeth hurt to eat anything with any texture, dry mouth, my constipation has worsened by 100%, and the list goes on. Was SURE I have something autoimmune going on (Sjögren's or similar) but 19 panels of blood tests came back negative. My doc says the only thing to help the IBS is to stop/cut down on the narcotics, but how can I do that when I have collapsed/slipped discs in my back and neck and have fibro and still work full time and take care of 2 kids? I literally take the bare minimum just to be able to function, I still am in pain every minute of every day. Am taking Exalgo (extended release dilaudid at night and Norco 7.5mg 4-5 x per day for break through pain).

Not being able to eat or go to the bathroom, while gaining 1/2 - 1 pound a day lately is putting me over the edge. Is the teeth hurting normal and having most food taste horrible? I could almost handle it if I was losing weight but to go through this and continually gain weight is beyond frustrating and depressing!
And advice would be appreciated and thanks for listening!

One sign of iodine deficiency is gaining weight. Have your doctor check to see if you are iodine deficient.

http://www.iodine-resource.com/iodine-deficiency.html

Ljm2014- I've been developing more and more food aversions in the past year, but they really kicked in then I quit smoking. I would have thought after 3 months that would have settled down, but maybe not. The teeth hurting so much is a recent thing. Started with harder foods like crunchy breads, but now it pretty much anything. Also can't chew/swallow Apple skins, corn, peas....just weird.
Cimorene- I have tried a few different probiotics, the ones specifically for colon health, with no luck. Have also tried something called colon cleanse from a healthfood store (mostly Senna) with no luck. My pain mgmt dr recently told me to do miralax 2x/ day, amitizole (prescription) 2x per day plus 3 senokot 2x/day. Have been doing this for a week without good results.
You mentioned synthetic opiates vs NSAIDS...aren't those two different things? None of the NSAIDS I've tried do anything for me so I'm on "semi synthetic" opiates which is basically just generic.

Thank you Karen. I know that's the case with narcotics, and I have been on narcotics for awhile now to avoid having more surgery right now (last one was 2012). I'm at the point where I either take them to function (bare minimum, still plenty of pain) or proceed with 2 more surgeries to see if that helps alleviate some/most of the pain. The problem is that with the firbro, there are no guarantees that fixing the discs will make the pain go away and I'll have lost 12+ weeks of work and still hurting. I could deal with the pain if that's all it was but the IBS and the myriad or symptoms, aches and pains frustrate me to no end. The good news is that I am stubborn and haven't given up - I just keep trying to find ways to feel better without adding more prescriptions into the mix!
Thanks again Karen!

I use tramadol and even that can slow me down, so i try to get more fiber, which of course helps....

All we can do is one day at a time...so just ask questions and share your thoughts...there are lots of good people here to answer and try to help.

Saying a prayer for you as i write....

Congrats on stopping smoking, its a great step for you and your kids!

I cannot tolerate enough pain meds to get rid of it all, so things like heat, and stretching and topical pain relievers all help me be more comfortable and take less meds...

Your schedule sounds daunting with work and two kids, but if you can get time physical therapy might help. If not there are therapy exercises online , that you could use at home, even on the bed..to keep loosened up as much as possible....

Lj

I have never tried Tramadol. After both surgeries was on Morphine then stepped down to Hydrocodone after a few months. Got off of it for a year between the 1st and 2nd back surgery (2011-12) but haven't been off since 2012. I hate being on drugs and would throw them away tomorrow if I could manage without them, but I can't.

I have recently started walking several times a week with a friend. I can't say that it makes me feel better physically, but im sure it's good for me so I do it when I can. I know mentally it's very good for me to get out for a bit and chat/walk with a friend and get some fresh air!

Cimorene - what type of colon cleanser do you use and how often? I feel like if I could stop gaining weight and at least clean out every 3-4 days I can deal with it.

I agree with you on the depression; Drs ask me all the time if I'm depressed. I have 3 collapsed discs, fibromyalgia, raynauds, ulcers and IBS, among other things. Just because I "look fine" doesn't mean I am and no, I am not a hypochondriac seeking attention, I just want to feel better. So yes, I am depressed, but not the kind of depression a pill or therapy can help, I'm just sick and tired of being sick and tired!!

Thanks all for the input and thanks for listening!

I see a psychologist who teaches coping skills for chronic pain sufferers. Maybe if you can find one in your area they could help?

I had IBS long before my CRPS and Fibro. They started me on the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast) and had me try foods one at a time until I was sure there wouldn't be an issue. I cant have citrus, coffee, colas or anthing carbonated and ABSOLUTELY no artificial sweeteners. I can sneak anything but the sweeteners now and then after a meal. If I am stressed, I have to be strict as the stress does the work without the bad food and usually sets off a fibro flare to boot.

We eat a lot of the Fiber One cereals as my daughter and I both have it. I cant have strqight fiber, but having it in cereal seems to help.

I have been on Tramadol a few years now. I have to watch a couple of things with it. The atramadol reduces my sensation of needing to poop or pee. I have to cincentrate and force it myself as otherwise I may wait to long and will pay in pain later.

If I am having a good day, I only take it at night or at night and fitrst thing in the morning. It lets my body have time to react normally. My husband had the same issue whe he had his hip replaced.

Lastly, I also see a psychologist for coping with chronic pain. It is helping tremendously. If nothing else, it is nice to talk to someone who "gets it " and doesnt think you are faking.