8wks preg. Anyone have a taper schedule??

Question

I have been taking 10-12 10mg lortabs daily! I just recently found out I'm pregnant. I want to quit all together but i hear it can be stressful on the baby with withdrawals and can cause miscarriage. This is my first baby and I'm really worried about getting off these pills. I don't want my baby born addicted. Also will it cause birth defects???? I have been taking these pills prescribed from my primary doctor for migraines, arthiritis in my knees and back issues for 3 yrs now. It has gotten out of hand and I have become addicted and now its about my unborn baby. I dont want my family or bf to know about my addiction because i have been taking way more than prescribed. Any advice about a taper schedule from this many?? And anybody had the same issue and baby was born healthy without birth defects?? I know i have to talk with my doctor about a schedule but i want to know if anybody else have a good taper scedule and been in this situation with a healthy outcome? Any advice please i feel alone hiding this from family!!

mom_to_be28 · Answer

Hey PregNscared..when i run out of lortab i take tramadol until i can get my refill. Have you heard anything about the tramadol or does that relate to the same info about lortab with having a low birth defect rate????

PregNscared · Answer

I was taking...hmm...idk. When I had a refill, I'd just take one whenever I wanted, maybe every 3 hours? Once I cancelled my pain mgmt doctor and all refills, and the supply was visibly lower, I was taking maybe 5/day. St. Patrick's day, 2pm, was my last dose.

mom_to_be28 · Answer

Thank you!! Anybody have any experiences or stories of other women that took pills and baby ended up still normal and healthy??

hope6hope · Answer

Good luck and healthy babies for both of you.

mom_to_be28 · Answer

How many were you taking??

PregNscared · Answer

You can do this! I'm 21 weeks pg and 1 week clean off hydrocodone. I waited til my 2nd trimester to detox because it's less risky for baby and I. I cut down as much as I could (taper), but I ended up not being successful with tapering and just cold turkeyed the rest. Was it fun? Absolutely not. The past week sucked big time. But you know what? I did it, after 8 years of continuous use. I can deliver this baby without worrying about her being addicted. Good luck, Hun!

mom_to_be28 · Answer

I really like the sound of that:) The only thing is i ddnt start using recreationally, i am prescribed the meds for migraines and terrible knee problems. My primary dr prescribed 3xs daily and after a while they stopped working and i had to increase and so on you know how the story goes. It just started getting out of hand and after taking much more than prescribed i would start having withdrawals and now ashamed to say addicted. When i run out my lortab i take tramadol until i can get my refill. So its back and forth. I cant believe i actually got up enough courage to even post hear!! I have been secretly addicted for a while and was in denial. Now i cant be bec i have another life to look out for. I feel much better knowing the chance of birth defects are low so i can breathe a little more. So should i tell her what dose my primary prescribed and how much im taking now?? Man i tell u how embarrasing this is and the thought of a dr looking at me that way and charting my file as an addict..tears

nursegirl6572 · Answer

Most certainly, if you don't have a great comfort level with this doc, look for another.  I don't think there's ANY more important time in our lives when the quality of our doctor matter SO much.  Having a baby is one of those things that is life changing, nerve wracking, scary, exciting, and full of the unknown.  Having a good doc guiding you along the way can make the difference in a more relaxed pregnancy and being a nervous wreck.

There's no easy way to say this, I'm sure.  I think brief, to the point, and honest is the best way.  No sugar coating, no excuses...just kind of put it out there.

Just say something like, "I was recreationally using lortabs at the time I found out I was pregnant".  You can say that you've known you've had a problem but just didn't ever get to the place to want to stop, but that you're more committed than ever, for your safety and baby's safety.  You could tell the doc that you did your homework and found out that it was best to talk to the OB before making a lot of changes, as w/ds could have put the pregnancy at risk, so you continued to take a small amount to avoid w/ds.  

As long as the doc sees sincerity, I think you'll be fine.  I'm sure a lot of times there is a less than positive reaction at first, but in the end, they will be glad you were honest with them.  I've been on this site for about 5 years, and MOST people in these situations come back to report that their docs were VERY understanding and compassionate and helpful.  Not often do we see someone come back who just got REAMED out, or put down, anything like that...and it goes without saying that if a doctor would have a severe over the top reaction, then that wouldn't be the doctor for you either.

Since you're looking for a new doc, why not maybe try to find one who has experience in dealing with addicted moms-to-be?  THAT would be really nice to have that kind of resource.

Just remember, short and sweet...get the info out there and be prepared to do some listening.  It's going to be okay!

I'll be anxious to see how it goes.  Obviously, the sooner you do this, the better!

mom_to_be28 · Answer

I appreciate that!!! My thing is im not too comfortable with my current ob bec i dont feel like i can confide in him about this. The first time i went to him when i found out about this pregnancy, he asked me what meds i was on and i told him all of them including the lortab. First thing he said was no only tylenol and that was a let down that fast. So i havent discussed it anymore with him bec i can tell he is that kind of dr that doesnt like to deal with those issues. I am actually trying to find another but if i do how will i approach that dr with my issues? What do i say??

nursegirl6572 · Answer

Definitely do not try to stop taking them yourself, as the w/ds can be dangerous during pregnancy.  While there is no guarantee with any meds during pregnancy, the biggest concern with opiates during pregnancy is w/ds, moreso than birth defects, developmental delays, etc.  There are lots of pregnant women who take opiate pain meds safely throughout their pregnancy under a doctor's orders with no negative outcomes on the baby.  Of course, NO meds is best, but I just wanted to reassure you that, in reference to things like birth defects, the risk is quite low.  It's the w/d's during pregnancy, or after delivery that are the biggest concern.

You definitely need to speak with your doctor about this so that he/she can formulate a plan that is safe for you and baby.  I know it's scary, but it's really the ONLY option here.  You'd be surprised how much OB's see this kind of thing.  Trust me, they would MUCH rather know so they can help you deal with it, than you try to hide it or deal with it on your own and cause some kind of danger for your pregnancy.

Very best to you, please keep us upadated, okay?  We're here for you hon.

mom_to_be28 · Answer

My next appt is next month..

hope6hope · Answer

Acetaminophen-hydrocodone has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Hydrocodone has not been formally assigned to a pregnancy category by the FDA. Detailed information about the use of hydrocodone in pregnancy is not available. Animal studies have reported the occurrence of teratogenic effects at doses 700 times the human dose. Withdrawal symptoms and respiratory depression have been reported in neonates whose mothers took other narcotic analgesics during pregnancy. Hydrocodone should only be given during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk. Acetaminophen has not been formally assigned to a pregnancy category by the FDA. It is routinely used for short-term pain relief and as an antipyretic in all stages of pregnancy. Acetaminophen is believed to be safe in pregnancy when used intermittently for short durations. Acetaminophen should only be given during pregnancy when need has been clearly established.

dominosarah · Answer

Please talk with your OB and explain what is going on.  They will be able to monitor you and the baby while you are tapering.  I know you are scared but you will feel so much better after you have talked to them.  When is your next appt?  We are all here to support you so keep posting.

mom_to_be28 · Answer

Thank u lots. I know no one knows what effects it will have on my baby its just good you know to hear other stories with happy endings. I havent been able to really enjoy this pregnancy because of being worried about my baby. I tried to taper but i feel the withdrawals sooner than my next dose so i dont know if im going to fast or putting too much time in between my doses.. i have no one i can share this with but this God sent board! Any advice is greatly appreciated.

hope6hope · Answer

I would just talk to your OB ASAP so you can safely taper off for the baby. I use to work in OB in the hospital and a doctors office. The doctors do prescribe pain meds sometimes. No one can really tell you if or how it will affect your baby. Any medication can negatively affect babies and sometimes they don't find out something is unsafe until years later. Which is why there are always lawsuits on TV. I would just recommend taking to your doctor about a taper schedule, relax and enjoy your pregnancy and not worry if you can. What is always recommended in pregnancy is you only take medication that is absolutely needed. Which in your case for now it's safer to continue the norco and continue to taper off as the doctor says. Also know just because you have taken norco durning your pregnancy doesn't mean anything will be wrong with your baby either. Just try not to worry that's not good for the baby either. I'm sure things will be just fine. Good luck and congrats!!

Cinderelly70 · Answer

Hi, congrats on the baby!  My sister-in-law did drugs during both pregnancies and didn't carry to term.  Both children are slow, in special education classes, have been wearing very thick eyeglasses since before they were 2.  They both also have ADHD, not sure if that has anything to do with it.  But if you are wanting to stop, and you should, there are medications your doc can give you to help with side effects....Clonidine is a great one.  If not, if you do carry the baby, he/she will be born having withdrawal symptoms.   You owe it to the baby to suffer yourself,  not make the guy suffer.
Good luck to you honey.  Let me know how it goes.

mom_to_be28 · Answer

Thanks so much for the support and encouraging words. Have you heard of the pills causing birth defects?? I just came from an appt last week and i was so happy to finally see and hear the heartbeat. They told me my baby has grown so much since my last visit and looked normal so far and i was excited. In the back of my head im thinking could there be any birth defects?? Have you heard of this happening?

Donewiththiscrap48 · Answer

You've got to talk to your dr. We're really not allowed to give taper schedules. It's bad enough if someone does with just you, but there's even another life involved. I understand the hiding  it from family members. Trust me I do!! But I didn't hide it from my dr. You will get a lot of support here, it's definitely one place you need to be. Congratulations on your little one, and your decision to have a better life!! Got someone else depending on you now girl. You got this!! It'll be one of your best decisions ever as a mom :-)