I am a 36 year old mother to a 16 yr old son that puts tremdous stress on me. I also have a 4 1/2 yr old son from my current marriage and I'm 7 months pregnant with my third boy. Two in a half years ago I went through gastric bypass surgery and lost around 130lbs. Having a third child was not in the plan, but here we are. I have been having a lot of lower back pain since before my GB. After going to the doctors and having a MRI, which took around 4 yrs to happen they dianosged me with spinal stennois. Before finding out what was wrong doctors were freely perscribing me vicodin. The pain became worse and I lost my heath insurance due to company cutbacks and than everything ends with a layoff. My primary care doctor lables me a narcatic depend in my record and refuses any more pain meds. Now I struggle everyday with terrible pain and so much household stress and to top it off I'm expecting. The doctors I goto tell me I just have to tough it out. But its very hard...and I'm scarred. I take an antidepressant and my prenatals everyday. My pregnacy has been healthy and the baby is doing great. PROBLEM: because of all the back pain and the terrible stress I try to obtain pain medication from my mother and grandmother behind there backs. Since my pregnancy I try to obtain there darvocet. If I get alot of it I'll take up to 6-10 a day. It helps my back and helps me deal with everything else better. I'm hurting my mother and my unborn and I don't know what to do!  Doctors and counceling doesn't seem to help either. HELP!!!!

I am 6 months pregnant and this pregnancy has been PAINFUL.  I was in a car accident a few months before I got pregnant and I have a slipped disc and severe back pain.  My OBG says NO WAY can you take vicodin/hydrocodone while pregnant because it has PROVEN to cause BIRTH DEFECTS in babies.  However, methadone is safe.  I am not addicted to vicodin and decided not to take methadone and i just deal with all my pain. So everyone on these posts says it is safe???????????? I don't understand? My primary doctor and my obgyn say no.  Is it safe or not because if it is I am going to start taking it because i am in so much pain i can't work right now.

Hey - keep us posted!!!  

Bottom line - what I have learned from this site - and Riki - DO NOT GO COLD TURKEY!

Read some of my posts - (more current ones) - and you'll see what I have been going through.  It hasn't been easy - and being that you are "newly" preggo - you have PLENTY of time to do the right thing.

As for me - my old OB didn't mind me taking what I needed to control my pain.  ( I have a whole host of issues too!!!  Medical pain issues) - but my current ob is AGAINST pain management (drugs) while preggo.

Bottom line - be completely UPFRONT with your OB - if you have a valid script for your meds - and you take as it is needed - be honest with the OB.  If you find out that that OB isn't compassionate to your needs - find another.  I was too far along to switch to another - or I would have.

I cannot tell you how good it does feel to BE HONEST with your doc - that way you don't feel like you are hiding anything.  

I am 3 weeks from delivery.  I will keep you posted on the progress - as I went from 5-6 pills at the beginning of the pregnancy - to now just one - split in half. I am still REALLY concerned about the baby and if there is going to be issues - but the doc is aware - and that makes me feel better.

Please let us know how everything turns out!

Methadone is the ONLY safe opiate to take while pregnant. DO NOT quit taking the meds you are on cold turkey though. It is very dangerous for the baby. You need to get to a Methadone clinic ASAP for your baby's sake. I don't mean to scare you but I had a miscarriage because of Lortabs before and I wasn't even taking that many of them. Here is a website that you can go to so you can find a Methadone clinic near you...

http://www.usnodrugs.com/rehabs.php/US/

Click on your state to the right and go to...

Methadone maintenance drug rehab treatment services (Your State here)

It might be easier to try and look in the phone book 1st to see if there are any listed in your area.

And here is a website for Mothers On Methadone.

http://excoboard.com/exco/forum.php?forumid=85305

The people here are all very nice and understanding. Most (if not all) have either had babies on methadone or are pregnant on methadone. Plus the woman who runs the website's name is Sharon.
Sharon is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, NAMA Certified Methadone Advocate and Lead Developer of the "Mother's On Methadone" (MOM) Program   at Kent Hospital in Rhode Island.

Please check out this website and get professional help ASAP. Keep me posted!

Blessed Be!
~Riki

I am 7weeks pregnant and suffer from Fibromylgia and RA and Barretts Esophagus, I was taking up to 12 Percocet a day prescribed by my doctor but am now taking between 6 to 8 depending on my pain, I am trying so hard to stop but my pain is so bad, I was on three other medications which I stopped with no problem, it is the Percocet I am having such a problem, and I am so scared this is gonna hurt my baby, I don't go to the obgyn until the 8th of Jan. and I am so nervious of what she is gonna say, I can not imagine just stopping and trying to deal with my pain, is there any other pain medication that is safer while I am pregnant.

THANK YOU!
I honestly thought (due to my current ob) that I was THE WORST person in the world.  I too have had 3 back surgeries and brain surgery, leaving me a wreck. Pregnancy was never something that was never supposed to happen - and of course.....
My doc has made me feel so wrong.  I TRULY thank you for a first hand account of someone who was prescribed meds while pregnant.  So, there was no weaning of your baby - or social services or being arrested for child abuse?
I've been worried about the stress this has been causing me - and more importantly the baby - that is why I turned to this forum.
Thank you again - and any additional info that you can share about your pregnancy and the meds will be greatly appreciated - as I feel like a boulder has been lifted from my shoulders!!!!  THANK YOU!

Also, just as a side note... It's dangerous for the baby to stop if you've been on them for a while. Th stress of it could do more harm than the drug and the pain you're in (provided you've been taking them for a legitimate reason) could put you and the baby in distress.
Any experienced ob gyn and perinatal specialist would prescribe vicodin or percocet safely if it'sneeded.  But, with anything, the benefits must outweigh the risks.

I took vics the whole time I was pregnant up to delivery and therafter.  It's considered relatively safe during pregnancy.  You do need to watch yourself close to delivery because the baby could be born addicted and have withdrawls.  Tell your ob gyn and if that's the case they can help the baby when it's born.
I had severe migraines and 3 herniated discs so it was prescribed to me by my ob gyn.
I hope this eases your mind a bit.
BTW, I was on about 5-6 pills a day up until the day of delivery and my daughter was very healthy with no withdrawlas.
Oddly, vicodin and percocet are safer to take than motrin during pregnancy.

WolfKwe-

Thank you for your kind words!  Right now I'm really aching to take 1/2 pill - and I just have to keep telling myself it is for my psyche - not for REAL aches.  I haven't had anything since last night at 6pm (1/2 tab)- and the really messed up part is even when you do take something - at least for me - it isn't as good as what you recall.  Part of the mind games!

I feel for your son's girlfriend - the best thing for her is to stop now!  Yes - they are prescribed - but it is tooooooo easy as we all know to "want" more until it is too late.  From what I have been reading - unless you overdo what the recommended dose is - it is safe for the fetus - but this is not really proven b/c it isn't like they test pregnant women with these drugs!

My recommendation for her is to start cutting back - but with your son also with the problem - it won't be easy.  
You give me inspiration - that one day too - I will be saying 32 days without anything!  That is AWESOME!  I really do aspire to be saying that soon!

Thanks again -

Hi.  You will be saying XX day's clean soon.  You have the right attitude girl and I know your going to do it.  I remember not having much energy, but when my thought were going back to "just one and it will make me feel better for awhile" and those kinds of thoughts - I'd get my butt out of bed and go do something - even if it meant cleaning for like 10-15 minutes.  I quit smoking cig's too and I thought that was ten times easier than this is.  You will be so happy when you get through this and so will everybody around you.  Keep going...keep going...your gonna do it!

Thank you bunny -

Yesterday i only did one pill split in two.  It was hard - and at night i almost caved - but reading all the posts and seeing it isn't just me - truly helped.  So did prayer.

I'm fighting taking anything right now - the goal is to be at 10mg for a couple days and then 5 - and then post holiday - CLEAN!  That is the best present I can give myself and my baby.

As for the other pain - it is hard to tell b/c of the w/d effects.  
Thank you for your post!

Not to sound like an idiot, but whut does c/t refer to in the withdrawel process?

Sorry, I figured it out. Boy I am an idiot!

Hi.  I'm so proud of you for what you are doing.  I know how hard it is as I am 32 days of vicodin, taking more for pleasure than anything else.  I was very shocked to read some of these posts.  I had no idea a doctor would prescribe these kinds of pills to a pregnant woman.  My son keeps telling me his girlfriend is getting them prescribed, she is now about 3 months pregnant with what we just found out is twins.  I kept telling him he was lying that no doctor would precribe this stuff to a pregnant woman.  He is addicted to prescription drugs and she is too.  I don't know how much she is taking and that is what scares me I guess.  Keep it up girl, you are doing wonderful.  I'll pray for you and for all of us.  Some things that helped me was first and foremost this website.  I just stumbled across it one day.  I listened to people, because they knew what I was going through and they understood.  I ate my bananas for leg cramps, gatoraide and lots of fluids good ole water, taking a good vitamen and hot baths or hot tubs for the body aches.  It was hard, but I'm still alive.  Take care, and god bless.

Well, I wish I would have gotten online instead.....I was taking a hot shower b/c I was feeling like ass!  Nothing was working.  I even baked Christmas cookies - went for a walk - got home - and I took 1/2 tab.  I almost made it 24 hours.  But I am going longer and longer b/w anything - and that is making me feel better.  I also read that you don't go c/t when you are expecting - as that can be just as traumatic to the baby.

SOOOO - the countdown starts as of 4pm - we'll see how long I can make it.  Not to add stress to all of this - but tomorrow I have in-laws coming for the holidays - yippeee - talk about not wanting to quit while they are here!

But I have had enough of excuses - I just thank you for your email -it is really helping me.  I'll chat with you tomorrow - day 33 for you!  The start for me!  THANK YOU!  It really does mean a lot to me!

If you are being honest, I would not let this doctor intimidate you. I would show him your prescription bottle and tell him what you are taking. Tell him to go ahead and  do a tox sreen if he feel he needs to, but you are following the directions of your pain management DR. and that you discussed this with your previous O.B. Tell him what your other O.B. said and if he still has a problem give him his phone#. I would stick with the plan of getting off the meds, but if you are not off them by tour next appt. follow my above advice and you will have no problems. God Bless.

Scarlett -
I am crying - thank you for your post!  I feel a lot better (despite the w/d feelings!)
Let me clarify - On my history form, I filled out the info where it says "medications" - and I put hydrocodone - just not how much I was taking, and he never asked.  I think I was nervous b/c my old doc warned me that some docs are leary about people who take meds.

My old doc that i am referring to was my primary care doc - not my ob - my old OB had no issue with me taking as long as it was within the parameters.

I guess what has me so frightened is the current OB's severe reaction, almost like I'm a criminal - and being that I'm so far along- (34 wks) - I cannot find another provider to switch to!

I am going to continue to wean down as much as I can - and I truly appreciate your support!  I thank you for you sharing your info - and helping me ease my mind some!

As long as you have a legit prescription on file at a real pharmacy under your name, you shouldn't sweat this at all.  Who cares if he's suspicious?  You have a prescription.

Okay, first of all, I am a little confused....your old doc was your old obstetrician? And he is the one that gave you the pain meds?
And you said that your new OB began to tox screen you because of the fact that you did not mention you were taking hydrocodone on the forms you filled out? How would he have known that in the first place to decide to tox screen you, if you never mentioned taking them in the first place?
Like I said, I am just a little confused about what you are saying, thats all.
As for taking hydrocodone while you are pregnant....I know many women who have taken it during pregnancy in moderation, and the babies have been fine. I, myself, remember with my 2nd child, 10yrs ago, I had a horrible migraine and my OB did prescribe vicodin at that time...and since you have said you have only been taking 4 a day, I think your baby will be fine.
And I really dont see how you can be in trouble with social services if your doctor legitimately prescribed this medication for you due to pain.
Don't freak out---keep up the good work of weaning yourself off of the pills, and look forward to your upcoming new baby. :)

Thank you for your post -
I am truly besides myself right now - and any advice is needed!
I am getting my meds from my old doctor back home (or back where we used to live) - he sends me the script and I mail it in.  He is really good at pain management and understanding - and told me that he would continue to do this for me until I could find someone like him up here - but there is such a stigma attached with all of this!

I'm just really afraid of what has happened with the baby and or what can happen b/c of my current doc. I have never been made to feel like this before -

I am trying so hard to just "quit" - so when he tests me again I'm clean - I've never gone against med advice.

OK - I'll stop rambling - any help in this matter will be greatly appreciated!!!

4 Vicodin (hydrocodone) a day isn't really much.  Certainly you should try to stop if you can, but many people with chronic pain issues are on that much.  And you should be honest with your doctor.  They can't just take your baby, but if there are concerns they will have Social Services talk to you to be sure you can get help if you need it.  

If you are legitimately using it for pain, your doctor should be sympathetic to you in any event.  If you are illegally buying it, you should be honest so you can get the help you need.