Ever since he got diagnosed with kidney disease in 1999, things haven’t been the same for Wheeler. After two decades of having this disease, the bodybuilder had to sacrifice his right leg to save himself. What followed were days of unbearable pain. When he tried something prescribed to relieve that pain, it worked. But it soon started to take its toll on his body. Recently, the bodybuilding legend opened up about the harmful effects of those pain-relievers, and he didn’t spare any words in describing how toxic he feels about them.

4X Arnold Classic winner Flex Wheeler talked in an interview recently about the opiates he was given during his days of excruciating pain. However, they started giving him nightmares and almost pushed his body to the verge of ruin. Soon after, a timely meeting with someone ended up being a lifesaver for him.

Flex Wheeler put himself at risk after taking the opiates

In a recent interview with Danni Levy of Muscle and Health, Wheeler said, “I can’t tell you for how many days I screamed in bed, I was having back problems and one of the doctors accidentally touched a nerve while I was in surgery.” His agony could be felt in his words. He continued, “After losing my leg, I was searching for something that actually worked instead of the horrible opiates I’d been taking”. The opiates started giving Wheeler dark thoughts, those that can put someone at risk of their life.

Bodybuilding Legend With Leg Amputation Relates to the Pain of Wheel Chair Bound Woman in Gym

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About the effect the opiates had on him, Wheeler said, “The type of pain that I go through causes you to have very, very dark thoughts. We’re talking life and death here with these thoughts happening 24/7, even when I was sleeping. They took me from my hospital bed and put me in a mental institution because I just lost it.” When he finally met someone at The Arnolds, he was introduced to “HEMPE”. And it actually saved his life.

Although Wheeler has since carried living on as a beacon of inspiration for others, things weren’t as easy and painless just days after the surgery. Flex Wheeler was provided a choice in 2019 – Either he had to lose his leg or his life. The long, drawn-out kidney disease had finally reached its peak of trouble.

Flex Wheeler overcame his troubles and continues to spread positivity

Even though he couldn’t believe what he was hearing from the nurse (about the need to surgically remove his leg), he convinced himself to power through it. He continues to motivate and guide people toward a healthy life, while also seeking inspiration himself. Just recently, he shared a story about a Paralympic athlete, Davide Morana, who lost all four limbs and then went on to recover from there, so much so that he could work out again.

Very few went through what people like Wheeler did. Even fewer could cope with it and come out of it as strong and confident as him. But that’s Flex Wheeler for you.

WATCH THIS STORY: Bodybuilder passes away at 51, after battling with cancer