Early Pregnancy and Vicodin

[Normski74]

I am newly pregnant with my second child, only 6 weeks- just found out.  I've been taking vico/perco for about two years now for migraine pain.  I admit sometimes, I take more just to have fun and yes, sometimes I take one for just a "headache", but I have them ALL the time.   So, I do feel that I have legit reasons for taking them and am completely legally prescribed them from my Neuro.  I have been REALLY careful to not go overboard, but def have them in my system everyday, although NEVER more than 2 (7.5) or 3 (5.0)  Ok, so here I am pregnant, of course I have a headache and am starting to feel the affects of the withdrawal, not major so I think I can make it.  BUT my question is, what should I do- don't take any or take a half and go from there and be really careful from here on out?  I called my neuro for advice, but had to leave a message.  Really getting ancy!!  don't know if I am stressing my tiny baby out by not taking any, or is it worse to take pain meds with such a tiny fetus??????   aaaaaahhhhh!!!  Thanks for any help, support or advice.  FYI, was prescribed pain meds when preggers with my first child for migraines, but refused to take them.  Only took several during my entire pregnancy.  I do know that its ok, but don't know about this exact situation.

[Normski74]

Thanks for sharing Sad, it has really helped me alot and confirmed alot of my own thoughts and feelings.  I have already been tapering and am reaching for the tylenol, instead of the vico (bc I have plenty), so far today, only a 1/2 pill which has not been done for me in a long time AND I don't have a headache. I also have been detoxing from boos as well.  I def had a drink or two every night with my husband.  Another reason for really wanting off and tapering is that I want pain meds to work for me again bc right now they don't bc I take too many.  I had a C-section with my first and I know I probably will again so I will need those pain meds eventually- for real serious recovery.  My OB appt went well yesterday, my OB supports the vico for my pain relief but she really has no idea that there is a problem.  I plan to give it a month and make serious progress on my own and hit her up with any concerns and come clean if I"m having trouble at that point.  It is MIND over matter and I NEVER thought I would be in the position to actually have a child addicted to drugs- it makes me sick and ashamed.  It simply won't happen.  I quit smoking and drugging (weed, minor stuff) over ten years ago and I've not touched it since.  I am that type of person, once I make up my mind, it happens.  There is no "trying" in this world, there is only DO and DONT.  I truly believe that.  I will keep checking in and thanks again to everyone, I'd like to know how you are doing so please keep writing.  I think we all have one goal in mind- a healthy child.  Good luck to you all and God Bless.  

[Sad_Woman]

Just thought id share my experience so far. I'm 9 weeks pregnant and have been tapering from sub. Down to just under 1 mg now. Full blown withdrawals do have to be avoided during pregnancy BUT by tapering I've avoided the worst of it. Yes, I have some wd but nothing unbearable. I let my body be the guide and drop accordingly. It's been a challenge but knowing when this is done that my baby will not have to endure any withdrawal post birth makes it well worth it. I have a bad back and although the pain *****, I take Tylenol to provide a bit of relief. This pregnancy came as a surprise and my first thought when I saw those two lines was "I'm getting off sub" for me staying on was not an option. For me to enjoy my pregnancy, getting off was needed. The mind is a powerful thing. By not over-thinking things or dwelling on the wds, I've kept focused on the taper. I've learned to quiet the addictive thoughts inside that say "take more" by repeatedly squashing those thoughts as soon as they start. And with each little victory,  I've gotten stronger and stronger. Some real plusses: FEELING again, like coming out of a fog. I dream again (for some reason I never dreamed on higher doses of sub) on sub I also felt lazy and unmotivated, find my mind is more "alive" and have more motivation to do things. In the beginning I was terrified, deep down I really doubted my ability to pull it off but now I have faith in myself. My mindset has changed and I now really understand the whole mind over matter thing. This is sooo a mental battle--much more then the physical but when you finally get your head in the right place it's suddenly not so hard anymore. Of course you need to follow your doctors orders but you are ultimately in charge of your life. Quitting ct is not recommended but doing a taper is possible and completing it before birth will ensure no risk of NAS.

[Ashelen]

Hey...how did your OB appointment go? I saw my OB today and he put me back on Norco (vicodin with less tylenol).

Just wondering how everything went!

[Normski74]

I'm so sorry for your miscarriages. I never really understood what that meant until we went through it.  We too have our sonograms and think about our child all the time.  For now, we are praying that everything will be ok.  I see my OB today.

[donewpills]

sry about ur miscarriage we have been through that also after 5 yeasrs of not getting pregnant i did we lost the baby at 13 weeks got pregnant 3 months later and lost baby at 14 weeks worse thing ever i still cry all the time and i have also hung up in frames ultrasounds w attached letters to our babies they r gone for now but in heaven and we will one day see them again. I know how bad it hurts. I had a surgery they found i had a septum wall that was not allowing the baby to grow past 12-14 weeks they removed it and now we have our 8 month old angel and pregnant again God is Good and that is where my faith lies in God. On the other hand the decision is urs and urs alone weather to switch to methadone i dont want u to think i am trying to talk u into it if u feel u can take the pain pills on a scheduled basis and NEVER MORE than staying on them would be fine however ur baby will be born addicted which is never good. That is why i say to get off them fairly soon so u dont take them they say past 31 weeks is when the will most likey be born addicted, to answer ur question my methadone was only 10 mg take every 6 hrs but i think i am going to stick to 3 times a day not 4 i dont need to be 100 % ok just so the baby stays safe. U can take a low dose based on what u take now and how much and long u have been on pain pills methadone is a GREAT long term drug for pain many people w long term pain take this it is a opiote but doesnt make u high it makes u feel normal and takes away cravings i think it is a great solution now w one thing in mind this too can be addicting i think the stories we here from this r from people who have been on it in VERY high doses for LONG period of time, if u r aware and work w a dr they will taper u and i cant immagine it being too bad at all. My goal is to use it for a few weeks to get past the opiote w/d so i dont hurt the baby but be free of all of it in plenty of time for my baby not to be born addicited that would be hard ot live w

[Normski74]

Thank you to everyone, I feel soooo much better.  I still have my headache, in bed now with cloth.  Anyone who suffers from migraines knows the drill.  I am still taking care of my five year old, just checking on the status of his berry blue jello now (we've been waiting!).  Oh, the joys of motherhood.
I will be checking back in and will certainly join the forum you suggested Ashelen.  Thanks again all for the support.  

[Ashelen]

Btw if you're on regular vicodin ask to switch to norco (if you aren't switching to methadone) because the tylenol content is lower and it's considered a lower risk drug as a result.

[Ashelen]

I agree with overopiates...I had to take norco during my pregnancy with my son, tylenol #3 when I was pregnant with my daughter and both of my babies are perfect....I'm pregnant with my third baby now and my OB is putting me back on norco starting wednesday because my migraines came back almost the second I conceived in July and they're far too severe for normal methods to work.

You're totally stressing yourself out for no reason! Low doses of opiates, UNDER A DOCTOR'S CARE (I know you know that, but I had to say it in case someone else reads this) are safe enough, and your OB will know how to monitor you and care for you and baby if any problems should arise, which is unlikely.

Methadone is quite a longer half-life therefore it's much harder to quit, and it's also considered a "harder" drug....something you want to avoid if it all possible, but your OB will be able to talk to you about it.

Please come on over to the MedHelp Pregnancy 18-34 forum (I'm a Co-Community Leader over there) and share your journey with us :-). We have many women on there who have had to take pain meds while pregnant and while that's not the forum's SPECIALTY, persay, you will find some awesome support and advice. This is your 2nd or 3rd child? Congrats!

[overopiates]

There is no bigger risk of ur baby being born addicted to norco than methadone.u would take the meth everyday and u dont take a large dose,u dont take them everyday etc.your doctors will tell u the best plan including a taper at the eme of pregnancy.TALK TO YOUR DOCTORS.See what they say.

[overopiates]

. Btw u dont wanna get on methadone.its alot harder to come off of and takes a lot longer than norco.

[overopiates]

Its safe to take your norco during pregnancy.i was prescribed them through all my pregnancy.It is more dangerous to stop right now so talk to ur doctor and ask what he thinks.Dont worry or stress just b totally honest about your pregnancy and you will get a plan of what to do from ur doctors.this isnt a large dose.Congratulations on the baby.

[Normski74]

Thanks so much, I actually just took a half, I feel terrible.  I won't be seeing my OB I think for another two weeks.  I miscarried about a year ago, don't know if this had anything to do with it as I was given meds then too for headaches.  (the headaches/migraines all started with my first pregnancy and have never left).  I would just die if that happened again, it was terrible to go through and I women always blame themselves for everything!  How many meds are you on a day?  when is methadone needed?  what is a dangerous amount?  am I already way in over my head?
thx

[donewpills]

Oh i can so relate in fact jsut got back fromt he dr they r wanting to start me on a low dose of methadone i am really scared i am 13 weeks but they said the baby can NOT go through w/d it can be very dangerous and even cause miscarriage and the baby feels what we feel i would say do NOT lower ur dose so that u go into w/d i just read a article that says there is no signs of birth defects from taking these pain pills but there is definate danger in going into w/d while pregnant. U need to talk to ur ob. I would say to get off of them however it must be doen if u r disaplined urself to taper however i was not and was alwys running out. This is NOT good for the baby if u cant taper u need to talk about getting on something like low dose of methadone to get off these u do NOT want to stay on these ur whole pregnancy the baby is going to be born addicted u have plenty of time to get off EVERYTHING and that is what i am doign somethimes we have to admit we jsut cant do this on our own it was VERY hard for me and still is i am very ashamed as i have been taking this stuff while pregnant please talk to ur ob and do NOT go into w/d whatever u do really it is not good for baby u should google methadone and pregnancy click on the first ad it explains ALOT then talk w ur dr. keep posting too