Goodbye fentanyl, morphine and more


Today is my first day in 2 months without opioids. To manage pain over the last two and a bit months, I've had ordine (liquid morphine, taken orally), morphine, via injection, and fentanyl, via a skin patch. At the worst moments, all three were in parallel use which blows my mind now. This is on top of anti-nausea tablets, anti-reflux tablets, anti-blood clotting tablets and others that I've been given. It will probably take a few days to get out of my system, but this is another milestone moment in my recovery.

I am still very tired and spend a lot of time sleeping, or resting and dozing, during the day. I am so lethargic it's hard to even comprehend. I've got to listen to my body though as it's gone through a lot and I can't rush it. My throat is still sore, and I can't eat solid food yet. I'm on the Ensure TwoCal drinks (4 per day) at the moment for my nutrition needs. On top of this, I still have next to no sense of taste or smell still but some things I can taste and smell again. The problem is, it's wrong and very off-putting.

 

I'm just starting to get walking again. It's very slow and tiring, and I can only manage 500m from the house and back for 1km. Quite frustrating considering only a few months ago I was easily walking 5-7km or jogging 3-5km. I suppose I will get back to that but it may be a while!

My weight is remaining steady and a tiny 65Kg. None of my clothes fit; they are all way too large. In hospital, I lost 15kg in about 10 days. The dietician who is looking after me is keeping an eye on me and is ok as long as I'm holding my weight and just not going backwards.

I'm going to try and return to work, albeit Work From Home next week. I don't think I will manage full days, but I'd like to do something and not just sit like a zombie in a chair all day.

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