garyatgoal
Send Message
Block
Add Friend

March 25, 2009

Mar 26, 2009

Well...it's been a long time since I updated my profile.  Between August 4, 2006 and November 22, 2006 I had 3 more complications that involved surgery each time and I spent a total of 49 days in the hospital between June 26, 2006 and November 23, 2006.  During that time I had a total of 7 abdominal surgeries.  On my last hospital stay just prior to Thanksgiving a nurse came into my hospital room and told me that the doctor had prescribed a pain patch.  A pain patch is a narcotic and is highly addictive so within three days I was addicted to narcotics.  That started a roller coaster ride down a path that collected more new drugs than I even want to discuss.  Most of the new drugs were prescribed to counter the negative effects of the pain patch.  I struggled with pain every time I ate and at first the patch seemed to help, but then they had to bump the level of medication up again and again to produce the same level of pain relief.  As of October 2008 I was on a 75 mg patch and taking a handful of drugs in the morning and then at night again.  During the winter of 2007 I lost all of my energy and was so cold that I would raise the heat in the house to 80 degrees and pile on the blankets while I slept in the recliner.  This brought on three new drugs that were helpful in countering the side effects from the other drugs.  All the while the doctor continued to prescribe the pain patch leaving me addicted to narcotics.  I lived in a fog barely doing what I had to do to get by.  Things got so bad that I was finally referred to the Cleveland Clinic in May of 2008.  The doctors there were very professional and there bed side manor was great, but after four visits (2 to 3 night stays) they came up with no resolution to my problems.  To say that I was discouraged was an understatement.  In the summer of 2008 my wife Sandy had taken a bad fall injuring her back and after being out of work and becoming seriously addicted to narcotics herself, Sandy was referred to Mary Free Bed's pain clinic.  This is an 8 week program that includes Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and weekly consultations with their psychologist and doctor.  This program was a tremendous success for Sandy and she encouraged me to check it out.  In November 2008 I met with Dr. Hudson and the team at the pain clinic.  I confess that at first it was very scary to me.  Dr. Hudson's approach is to get you off all narcotics and any other related drugs.  I thought that if I went off the patch that my pain would increase and as it was I had a very difficult time eating.  After giving it some prayer and with some prompting from Sandy I started the program in the middle of November 2008.  Dr. Hudson started working on getting me off the narcotics right away and with the help of two other drugs it took five weeks for me to be completely free of the narcotic patch.  Through out the program I developed cardio and strength training exercises that I continue to work on each day.  In fact I have gone up in weight three times and increased the reps two times since completing the program in January 2009.  I have noticed a tremendous difference in every area and I continue to get stronger.  I used to take a handful of pills twice a day and now I am down to two medications in the morning.  I am thrilled at the result and the best news of all is that my pain level has actually gone down since starting the program and getting off the narcotic patch.  I am eating much better and I actually eat somewhat normally.  I still don't have an appetite so I have to eat more as a discipline, but at least when I eat I am no longer doubled over in pain.  I still have some pain issues, but they taught me how to deal with the pain and now I can finally move on with my life. 

0 Comments

About Me
Kentwood, MI
Location
25.6
BMI
Nov 21, 2004
Member Since
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
500 + Pre-surgery, The bathing beauty shot taken the day prior to WLS day 422.8, Waterfall after the first 100 pound loss
500lbs
Check out the shot with my son. I cannot believe that this is really me, Wow! Look at the new Bathing beauty shot after loosing 205 pounds
250lbs
Friends 8
Latest Blog 2
×