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4-1/2 months pregnant and concerned I was addicted to Vicodin ????

Hello. First time here and I SERIOUSLY need some answers. I am not a long time addict. I have had NO problems with additions of any type so what I'm going through right now is very scary. I am 4 and 1/2 months pregnant and my doctor prescribed Vicodin for severe migraines that started right after I got pregnent. He said that the drugs weren't known to cause birth defects so because my migraines were unmanageable he gave me a limited supply. After spending the next month calling my doctor to get a 10 pill refill every 3-4 days, I explained that it was ridiculous and that he needed to give me enough until I saw him the next month (90 tablets). Little did I know what I was in for. After taking them the second month, 3-4 times a day my doctor and I decided to ween myself off and see if my migraines were gone. I had been concerned about taking them anyway so I decided to stop taking them at all. OH MY GOD. My question is: Are these withdrawals...light headaches, cold sweats..I'm hot but my skin is cold but I sweat everywhere all the way down to my wrists, diarreah (spelling??)tired, close to anxiety attack for which I have been diagnosed in the past so I know what they are, no energy, I scared I'm going to die, ACHY, everywhere, neck, arms, wrists, slight nausea, moody, cry all the time......today is day number 3 and I can make it thru if I know that what I'm feeling has a name or a known cause. It's been scary because I thought I was having a horrible pregnancy and I felt like my body might reject the baby. I'd feel light symptoms while I was taking the Vicodin but only when it came time for me to take another one. SO, I've been kinda yucky for the last 2 months and I thought it was because I'm pregnant. Please respond and tell me if I have hope
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199177 tn?1490498534
think,
this is a very old post go up to the top click on the link that says" post a question" and copy this post  and you will have a new thread
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Avatar universal
hello, i was in a horrible car accident, which claimed the life of two people. althought it was not my fault, i feel horrible. i also had my kids in the car. i was prescribed vicodin from a pill happy doc, who has kept refilling since june 1. at first i was popping about 6 a day to deal with the horrible back pain. now i have weaned myself down to 3 a day. i do not want to take them anymore! when i am on them i have no pain and i feel great but i can't sleep on them. i have nightmares! is this normal? as i have been weaning off of them i also notice myself having anxiety attacks. is this normal? please someone write, so i know i am not dying, because i feel like i am. one last question, do you think i could have any liver damage? been on them since 6-1-08??? thanks :)
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Avatar universal
I too have migranes and have fouind vicodin to be helpful, this was prescribed for a surgery and it works surprisingly well for headaches. I think I am addicted to it, not physically though, more emotionally, I always have a full unused bottle of these around and I rarely take them. I don't want to lose my hearing and I don't care for the side effects. When I get a classic migrane I take axert, I don't tolerate imitrex or any caffeine. When I get a large non-migrane headache I take a small 1/6 or 1/4 of a vicodin, never more than 1/2 a pill a day. More makes me high and sleepy. I am sensitive to medication and I think a whole vicodin pill would put me into the emergency room. For those who need to take vicodin I suggest taking 1/4 of the dose. It still works, you get a little high, your pills will last longer and you won't have the paralyzed digestive tract for days. For those concerned about labeling people addicts, this is just stupid. Everyone is addicted to something. Some of the most self-righteous "healthy" people I know are addicted to anger, excitement, food, Television, creepy movies, and an entire host of socially acceptable conditions which can be just as damaging. As far as 12 step programs, some one needs to come out with a 3-step program.  Step 1 - feel crappy try to take the minimum medication, alcohol, food for any condition or emotion (don't mix). Step 2 - try to be happy. Step-3 stop worrying about what most people think, most people are clueless. -z
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Avatar universal
Seriously? You can take 30-40 vicodin a day and not die of liver failure? I'm not being a smartass--I am completely floored. That won't kill you?
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Avatar universal
You poor poor thing, no one even bothered to answer your post.  I have no idea.
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Avatar universal
EES
i feel so at home for the first time.  as i read julies problem with pregnancy and vicodin, it so hit home and all the others whom have a problem with cronic pain and the vikers......i  have sixth month old little girl...when i found out i was pregnant, i tried so hard to get off the vicodins, as i too suffer from migraines and lets face it....they work...dammit......everything else is like baby aspirin......i coudn't get off of them, the pain of withdrawl was so, so insane.....i was scared for 9 months...no it does not cause birth defects, but it does, for sure cause the baby to become addicted......so so sad for us women who suffer...it was so hard and i am still not off of them, i want to stop but the pain is oh my god.....leg pain, anxiety......amazing what this drug does....sooooo good for pain, yet sooooo bad when you need 30-40 a day......if anyone needs my help on pregnancy and addiction to pain meds....please write me......i lived it......and i even tried to get into a rehab, no one would help me because of the liability......it is so hard.....please help me......with finding a way to get off my 40 vicodin hps.......(higher potency)   and if any pregnant women just need someone to talk to about your fears...i can help...first hand....
***@****    thank you for not making me feel that i am alone in my addiction to these wonderful white pills....

thanks....hope to hear from anyone...this is my first time on thisi site......and yes i am an addict.....but only to the vikers......nothing else will do...don't drink, don't smoke....nothing but vicodin...what should i do?
EES
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Avatar universal
EES
i feel so at home for the first time.  as i read julies problem with pregnancy and vicodin, it so hit home and all the others whom have a problem with cronic pain and the vikers......i  have sixth month old little girl...when i found out i was pregnant, i tried so hard to get off the vicodins, as i too suffer from migraines and lets face it....they work...dammit......everything else is like baby aspirin......i coudn't get off of them, the pain of withdrawl was so, so insane.....i was scared for 9 months...no it does not cause birth defects, but it does, for sure cause the baby to become addicted......so so sad for us women who suffer...it was so hard and i am still not off of them, i want to stop but the pain is oh my god.....leg pain, anxiety......amazing what this drug does....sooooo good for pain, yet sooooo bad when you need 30-40 a day......if anyone needs my help on pregnancy and addiction to pain meds....please write me......i lived it......and i even tried to get into a rehab, no one would help me because of the liability......it is so hard.....please help me......with finding a way to get off my 40 vicodin hps.......(higher potency)   and if any pregnant women just need someone to talk to about your fears...i can help...first hand....
***@****    thank you for not making me feel that i am alone in my addiction to these wonderful white pills....

thanks....hope to hear from anyone...this is my first time on thisi site......and yes i am an addict.....but only to the vikers......nothing else will do...don't drink, don't smoke....nothing but vicodin...what should i do?
EES
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Avatar universal
What makes you think you shouldn't write because you are new?  New people are the essence of this board.  You give it continuing life and new insights!  I wish more new people would post.  When it becomes just a chat session for "oldtimers" is when it loses all its value.  Thanks for chiming in.  Brian
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Avatar universal
I haven't seen any posts by you two lately, and hope you are o.k.  Maybe I shouldn't be writing anything since I am new, but I  can't stop thinking about both of your situations. Please let me know.  Happy Thanksgiving
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Avatar universal
I have 2 comments to make after reading through this board.  One thing, I hope you will be happy about, is that you all have conviced me not to use narcotics...period.  I started cruching on alcohol a bit this last year due to some emotional stress, and have tried narcs and needless to say I like them a bit too much.  I am trashing a script for Vicioden right now.  I had NO idea it was this addicting and could cause this many freaking problems.  Thank you for sharing your stories as I feel really stupid now for not understanding this.  I knew like Demerol/Morphine and other what I considered "strong narcs" could be dangerous but am floored at hearing people have problems with XANAX, Vicoden, and the like.  

This being said, I find it frustrating where people who have chronic pain vs people who like these drugs is discussed so much.  Bottom line for me, I am choosing not to use them.  Whether I have chronic pain or not, that should be MY choice.  Running around town finding crooked doctors is crazy and just goes to show how far the US is willing to go for their crusade on drugs.  Yet Alcohol, nicotine, and other dangerous meds that the pharms make are left for anyone to have.  What a joke.  

We are americans and freedom has a price.  You are free to make good choices and bad choices.  To lock people in jail and give them more time than violent criminals because they have an addiciton is insane.  The drug laws really **** me off in this country.  I could keep rambeling but this is probably not the right forum.  Anyway, my  main point was positive.  You may have quite literally saved me from some of your problems because I thought the Shed III narcs where no big deal.  I have taken them in the past with no problem but not anymore.

Thanks and have nice Holiday.

ANON
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Avatar universal
This is in regards to the person that left no name asking if the doctors would treat addicts like pain patients.
They are here to help people that are in chronic pain but they are not idiots. They will treat only valid conditions that cause chronic pain. You have to go through a lot to get treated. Drug testing for example. There is a way to see what the levels in your blood stream are regarding narcotics etc. They will allow you so much per month etc. You will need your medical records which must show your past history concerning your physical problems. I dont think you can walk in a say "hey listen doc, my ass burns when I **** so I need vicodin but I need to take 20 of them a day"
NOT ALL PAIN PATIENTS ARE ADDICTS
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your post!  It feels good to know we have helped save someone from the AGONY of this addiction.  I too was naive and thought I couldn't get addicted to something like vicodin.  I started with just 1 a day and ended up at 30 plus a day, with my life in shambles!!  I never thought it could happen to me.  I'm bright, a professional, etc.  Guess what, this addiction doesn't care if you're rich, poor, uneducated, educated, etc.  Thank God you found out early.  My life has been virtually ruined by my addiction.  It will take the rest of my life to fix what I have had happen from this addiction.  You absolutely made my day by posting that you have learned from this board.  I come here precisely out of the hope that I can help "save" at least 1 person from this living hell.  It means more to me than you know that we have all contributed to saving you.  Thanks!  Phil
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Avatar universal
Ah, but the key question is, will these docs treat us addicts like pain patients?  If we can get them to, it will be like getting the keys to the pharmacy!!
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Avatar universal
vicky vortex is right about haldol. It's along the same lines as thorazine: a labotomy in a pill. If all you're after is something to help you sleep, there are all kinds of over the counter things that work quite well. Benadryl (also sold as Sleep-eze) works well and doesn't leave much of any hangover. It's an anti-histamine and shouldn't be a problem mixed with Xanax (at least at bedtime, anyway). 400mg of Valerian Root extract (get it at the health food store) is very Valium- or Xanax-like in its anti-anxiety and sleep inducing effects. I think your problem is that you've been on the benzo Xanax for too long without a break. My experience using Xanax for a year or more was that it made me practically immune to any sedative. Probably your best bet is prescription Ambien. Very safe stuff, and not a benzo or barbiturate. Try some aerobic exercise early in the evening and drop the ambien with some warm milk. Are you depressed at all? Insomnia seems to go hand in hand with depression. Check out the Valerian Root, though. It really works. Sweet Dreams.
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Avatar universal
Hey Vicky

The widomaker site is a wonderful thing that has come along to help chronic pain patients. I belong to that group. I havent made any appointments with the doctors on the list yet because basically I am trying to deal with the pain as best I can because I dont have health insurance. Everyone supports each other there and they all are chronic pain sufferers and they dont even mention the word "addiction" there because everyone there feels that they deserve to be out of misery through the use of narcotics. They will give you a list of pain reps for your state, you fill out a pain form on line and submit it to them and then they will send a list of doctors in your area that treat pain patients like human beings instead of druggies.
good luck!
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Avatar universal
unless you are having a severe anxiety attack, I highly recommend melatonin for sleep.  You can get it at Wal Mart, unless you are on the East Coast, where I don't think they have any!!!  Any drug store or health food store should have it.  Also, I ask again if anyone has heard of any of the doctors that are listed on that widomaker site?  And it does seem as if you East Coasters have it made.  Here in the midwest, life just generally sucks, even Indianapolis.  What are your thoughts about Indiana, J.B?
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Avatar universal
Benzodiazapines as alcohol cause a cross tolerance to most sedatives. My experience with xanax is that tolerance to the effects eventually cause sleeplessnes.More and more are needed to promote sleep. The sleep upon dose increase is not good sleep and you will sleep shorter periods because xanax is a short acting benzo. If you feel you must take something for sleep do it occassionaly  and not nightly because a person can become addicted to most any sleep aid including Ambien. I am treating a person for AMbien addiction currently.  Most all problems due to sleep is caused by depression. Xanax,valium all benzodiazepines cause some chemical depression if taken daily. Klonopin is the worst for causing chemical depression. Sleeplessness is best treated my an antidepressant such as remeron or any A/D that has sleepiness as a side effect. For occassional sleep problems sleep clinics have determined that restoril,sonata and ambien are safest. All can be addicting!
Dan...
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Avatar universal
Here is a website that offers help for chronic pain sufferers find a decent doctor.......I gave this out to you before. Its worth a look.
http://www.widomaker.com/~skipb/PlacementReps.html#Map
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Avatar universal
The younger a chronic pain sufferer is, the less credibility they seem to have with doctors. There are many networks of chronic pain patients who turn each other on to compationate (legitimate) physicians. Use your search engine. Look under things like chronic pain, pain management support groups, etc. If you can't find one, come back to this forum and I'm sure someone will have a site or two to send you to. Take care.
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Avatar universal
Mixing Haldol and Xanax is like mixing gasoline and a spark.  DON'T DO IT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!  If you need a good night sleep so bad, TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR.  There are some fantastic sleep medications that are FAR safer (such as Ambien) that will let you sleep safely.  Furthermore, any "sleep" you get with the Haldol/Xanax mix will leave you feeling totally drugged in the morning, not rested.  My point isn't that you will get addicted to the Haldol, just that it is dangerous to mix with Xanax, is NOT a good sleep agent AND will make you feel like **** in the morning.  What are you REALLY trying to accomplish?  Sounds to me like you've got more of an agenda than a good night sleep.
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Avatar universal
The reason I am hiding my use of pain pills from my family and friends is because of the bad name the pills have.  Yes I am really in pain, and I don't see why I need to prove that to you.  I wouldn't expect someone like my family and friends or even you to understand what it's like for someone of my age to have to go through pain all the time since the age of 12.  I am still trying to find a doctor that will even believe I really am in pain to even give me some sort of diagnostic testing besides just x-rays.  Put yourself in their shoes.  A 21 year old comes to you saying she's in chronic, severe pain, yet there was no injury or trauma known to have caused it.  Automatically that always makes them think I want pain pills.  Sorry that narcotics are they only ones that work!  If I could have it my way, I wouldn't be in pain at all.  I do use imitrex for migraines, and it works.  However, like I said I've this back pain since I was 12 years old and have tried everything, and the only thing that works is narcotics.  I don't like it any more than you do, but I don't like the pain either.  I just want a normal life, and it seems I've never had one.  Gee, it must be nice for others my age to be able to go out and do things without having to come home crying because of the pain.  That's all I want, is some fuckin relief.
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Avatar universal
Since I posted I looked Haldol up in my pain pill book. It said that this drug was non-addicting.  Are you sure that it is addicting?  I have been taking Xanax for years and this drug just does nothing when it comes to sleeping properties.  Right now the only reason I'm even taking it is because I don't want to go through withdrawal and I figure as bad as my sleeping habits are they would surely be worse if I stopped the Xanax.  I would just about do anything for a good 8-hours sleep.  Could I take the Haldol because my body is so used to Xanax? I mean really I have done so many drugs I just want to know the low-down on the Haldol. NO, NO, NO, I'm not bragging here but the truth is the truth. I came across this drug by accident and will not have any way to get some in the future, but right now I just want to get a little sleep.  Please help.
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Avatar universal
Pain is always caused by something.  If you've had no injury or disease, it makes no sense you would have chronic agonizing pain.  Makes one wonder whether what you really have is a craving for the narcotic buzz.  No doubt doctors have identified you as a "narcotic seeker".  It is the natural assumption.  Also, if you're a chronic pain person and not an addict, what drew you to this addiction site?  And, I've never heard of someone with real pain hiding their use of pain medication.  That's what us addicts do.  Get yourself some help before it's too late.  My best to you, Linda M.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for the clarification on dependance and addiction.  I see what you all mean.  I do have a diagnosis.  They treat what I have with pain pills in the older patients but tell the younger ones no.  I think I have a problem with both.  I am an addict....but I'm also in pain and if it weren't for the pain I wouldn't have stumbled upon the narcotics in the first place.  I guess my whole entire point for this is that they will treat people that are 65 with pain pills for the same exact condition I have, but think that just because I'm in my 20's it's OK that I live with pain.  **** it.  I don't know what the point is.  All I know is that I found this website and I wanted to talk to people that are addicts or take narcotics or whatever you want to call it and share my experiences.  So let's talk about what we do and why and hopefully we can all find some common ground.  OK?!
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