Question: Hi! Thanks for your help. I have struggled with severe pain from MS and fibromyalgia for 20 years now. I was just recently diagnoses with liver problems and will need to go off my duragesic patches. I have tried this before, and I am terrified of the process - both because of the pain I normally go through and because of the horrid withdrawal symptoms. Can you recommend a good way to do this - or even a good doctor in Illinois to guide me through this? I am also interested in any other pain medications that might be good as a replacement perhaps. I am also looking for some really solid pain treatments. I have tried EVERYTHING (or so it seems) over the last 10 years especially. I have been seen and treated by neurologists, by regular physicians, by chiropractics, holistic doctors, I've tried exercises, diet, massage therapy, vitamin injections, and the treatment where they put those little needles all over you - the word escapes me.
I am getting worse and my life is becomming horrible. I am losing jobs, friends, and family. I live like a hermit anymore. I stumble somewhat, I can't walk for more than 15 minutes, but after that I am in LOTS of pain all over. Keeping house is so hard and even a little effort tires me out something horrible and send me reeling in pain for days. I am on a very low dose of atenalol for blood pressure, I have had hypoactive thyroid for 25 years (since a radiation treatment for hypoactive). I now take a fairly high dose of synthroid. I also take Nuvigil (to try to help me stay awake - but it doesn't help much, just a little). Provigil was better, but got too expensive. I also take a very low dose of Zocor for cholesterol. I am also on Cymbalta, Lyrica and Ibuprofen (which I also have to go off). Just so you have some history. I don't have a gallblatter - had it removed 25 yrs ago. Had a hysterectomy 12 years ago and sex has been painful ever since. Hubby loves that and it is killing our marriage. No one seems to help with that either.

Needless to say, I'm a MESS and no one seems to be able to help me!!!!! Now I'm trying to aovid serious liver problems and I'm scared of going off meds. The withdrawal can be so awful (as I've tried before). I've been on the duragesic for 10 years now. I was up to 100 mg but worked my way back down to 50, but haven't ever been able to get past that. The pain was just too severe.

Anyway, anything you can do to help would be so appreciated - or if you could point me to someone really good in the Chicago area. I live about 1 hour west of Chicago. Thank you so much!