Possibly hardest days of my life ahead...

[halfseminole]

I take opiate painkillers because my body is literally falling apart (I do not produce the protein fibrillin b-1 properly, causing all my connective tissue to shred itself) and there's nothing medicine can do to stop it.  I have been on them for about three years now.  There is nothing wrong with them if taken properly, other than the fact that the side effects for me were causing me as much pain as they tried to relieve.  So tonight with my doctor's support I'm transitioning to a different pain control regimen without any opiates.  There is a rebound effect (you feel pain much more intensely than before) for about a week.  I would appreciate if you would pray that the side effects cease and the transition isn't any harder than it has to be.  Hopefully this will get me out stretching a string more.

[Doc Nock]

Gracious, Ed!!!

I'm so thankful this forum is here, as caring for one another and holding each other up, is a "traditional value" that I hold dear...

it's amazing that any of us ever come out of the uterus whole and functioning, given all the complexities of a sperm and egg joining and dividing into all the tissues, organs and systems from that one cell!!!!

It's not until folks like yourself come and share how much can go wrong with that intricate system called the human body we're taken back to stop are remember the amazement of our own creation!

My deepest and most sincere prayers for your transition to non-opiate meds to provide a less-than-horrific transition!

May your strong faith and God's Love keep you strong thru this time.  May the new regimen bring you some peace and comfort to enjoy what you can of life.

Lord, hear our prayers and thank you for your Love and Grace

[BenBow]

Amen. Prayers continue for God's best

[lunatic11]

Continued prayers sent.

[DennyK]

Ed prayers are continuing for you Daily.  God Bless and Heal You.  Denny

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Coming off opiates is no picnic, between the aches and pains as well as sickness. I pray your transition to the new pain management regimen goes as smoothly as possible.

[halfseminole]

This has been some of the worst I've ever felt, and it's still got a few days ahead.  I thank everyone for the prayers, I have held onto this as I've fought the DTs.  Got the support of my pharmacist today as well-he knew what I took and the dosages and he thinks it's a great idea what I'm doing.

Even typing is a chore right now-and this coming from a published novelist and theologian.  But I'm making it, and I know I'll be better after.

[BenBow]

Prayers continue for the strength, grace, and peace of God

[chall]

Prayers sent

[Doc Nock]

Christ suffered-- and I guess ours is only a reminder.

Prayers for God's presence to cover you thru this time of trial!

Lord in your Mercy...

[halfseminole]

Amen to that.  I always get asked why I get out of my chair and kneel at communion.  Christ suffered on the cross and died for me and I can't kneel?  No dice.  I don't use the kneeler cushion either.  Gets me in the right mindset.

It's letting up-today I started truing up the frame of my Qing quiver and my hands didn't shake.  It's really nice, though I still have episodes of tremors.  Lost a few pounds, though I needed to lose those (as they were a consequence of the opiate sickness I wanted to be free of) and I'm starting to actually feel like doing stuff.

It's still painful as my body adjusts, and I haven't gotten my TENS unit yet, but I'm hoping after I get it I can walk in the woods again.  It's been a long time since I could walk more than across the house, and that was full of stumbling.  No guarantee I can do it (both hips need replacement and the second stroke trashed the controls for my right leg) but I'm remaining hopeful.

[BenBow]

Thank God for the improvement and Praise Him for continued healing and blessing

[MR BILL SHORTY]

   

[Doc Nock]

With your attitude, Whatever God has planned for you, you will do it with His Grace and your guts!

Interesting perspective on the communion posture...

I'd hope it's more of what posture my head/heart are in at that moment then what position my body is in...but I do admire your sacrifice and dedication!

Keep the Son in your eyes!

[halfseminole]

I see it together.  Christ's sacrifice for us, the body and the blood only came through great personal pain.  My discomfort just puts me in mind of it better.  We say thanks for the sacrifice but its cost is never in mind so much of the time.

Forgive me, my theologian is showing.

I ended up in the ER last night coughing and short of breath.  Nice case of pneumonia, thankfully caught early so I'm recuperating at home.  It's so much better that way.

[BenBow]

Thank God and yes we need to think about and hold close the cost of that sacrifice. Not to make us feel bad but to be aware of just how much God loves us. We tend to judge God's love by our circumstances rather than what God wants us to learn from them and how to overcome them.

[Doc Nock]

Boy! You said a mouthful right there, Galen!

Amen and AMEN!!!  I fear I have a lot to learn in that area myself...  :(

[BenBow]

Me too Doc but we have the greatest teacher. Just got to learn to listen and obey and I'm kinda stiff necked