Vicodin Addiction

[star13]

Hello,
I am 29 years old and have struggled w/ chronic migraine headaches for the past 7 years. It was so bad that I literally had a continuous migraine for years straight. I am much better now since I found out I have MCS(multiple chemical sensitivity) which means I get a migraine from chemicals/smells like perfume/cologne/cleaners etc...but it is hard to get out in the 'real world' since smells are everywhere and they can easily trigger a severe migraine. I get a real bad one maybe 1-2 times/week. I've tried every preventative med. and most any alternative treatment as well.
My question is...after 4 years of going through horrible pain w/ out any help..the only thing I found that could at least keep my migraines to the point where I wouldn't throw up was vicoden. No other meds helped, none of the migraine meds or even oxycodone, etc.....I used to be so bad that 3 years ago I had to take 6 vicoden/day. I have cut that down to 1/2 a vicoden every night(5 mg). I really want to be off them but it is tough because I still get migraines once/twice each week and have to end up taking 3-4 vicoden on these days.
I notice that if I don't take any at all...I get physical withdrawal symptoms such as restless legs, craving and insomnia. As it is I don't sleep hardly at all. The only reason I take the 1/2 vicoden at night is cause otherwise I wouldn't sleep at all. My Dr. wants to try a muscle relaxer or sleep aide...but I don't want to get addicted to something else. Although it is driving me nuts not sleeping (minus the fact that I have to sleep on an old worn out couch cause I am so sensitive that I react to the chemicals that they put in beds as fire retardant..so I can't find a bed to sleep on).
All of this leaves me with fibromyalgia as well...extreme fatigue and aching all over. I have been taking the vicoden for 2 years now.
Does anyone have any suggestions on what could help me to sleep or help my aches and pains, fibromyalgia and other symptoms? It seems like it all is correlated and I'm not sure how to stop the cycle. It would help a lot if I was able to sleep on a comfortable soft bed that didn't hurt my body...but I can't find a bed that doesn't cause me to get a migraine.
I just feel a little hopeless so I'm open to any suggestions.
Thanks so much:-)

[star13]

thanks for all your suggestions. to answer your questions:
1. polly08: yes i have been on neurontin and topomax(those actually didn't help my head and made me gain 70lbs which was horrible..finally lost it after i stopped taking it)!

2.flmagi: haven't tried the oxygen mask idea...it's a possibility and i'd love to get a special mattress made but because of my health issues i'm on temporary disability and can't afford one..and insurance won't cover a special one either:-(

3. allaboutmary: haven't tried a water bed...wish i had the money. maybe i can find a second hand one somewhere? in re: to the vicoden..thanks for the kind words. i guess i'm just a person that doesn't like to be addicted to anything..yet i do need it at this point for quality of life..because when i didn't have it..i was in so much pain that i could barely get out of bed most days. i do only take 1/2 a pill or 1 pill/day (unless I have  a real bad migraine and have to take more--no more than 4 pills/day for bad ones). i just feel guilty about it..but my bottle of 90 pills lasts for 3-4 months. i just hate that i have to take them at all and i wonder if taking them is what causes my sleep problems..cause it seems that i can't sleep if i have withdrawal. for ex. last night..i took my usual 1/2 a pill at 2am, but because i had a real bad day two days ago and had to take more pills, it's like my body goes into a withdrawal of sorts. and i finally broke down at 9am to take one more 1/2 pill so that i could get some sleep...cause i really needed to sleep just a little. i'm sure it doesn't help though that i don't have a sleeping surface that doesn't hurt me. i guess all i can do is keep thinking positive and praying to find a bed that i can sleep on that doesn't cause me pain/migraines....who would have thought it would be so hard to find a bed...i've been searching for over 5 years now!

[allaboutmary]

How about a waterbed ?   They make them with baffles in them now so their not so wavy.  If you can take the vicodin as prescribed and its the only thing that gives you relief ?  Sometimes it is nessesary for quality of life. Just make sure you keep it in check. As we all know it is so easy to get out of control with them.

[flmagi]

Have you tried sleeping with an oxogen mask? Something that would filter out any of these smells that trigger the migraines?  I get migraines every now and then and I know how bad mine can be, not as bad as yours though. Just glad I don't get them to often.
There are also places that will make mattresses to your specifications. I'm sure they cost a fortune but it may be something to concider.
Good luck.

[polly08]

It sounds like you have tried everything but I will still ask just in case, have you ever been on neurontin or similar anti seizure meds. I also have fibro and migraines, I totally understand the smell thing, mine isnt as severe, but exhaust, perfumes, lots of smells can trigger a flare up. the neurontin has helped with the migraines