Help pregnant addicted to Tramadol

[mom2be_2013]

Someone please help!! I just found out im 10 wks pregnant and i have been taking tramadol for 4 yrs..i am prescribed to take it four times daily but i have grown a tolerance and have been taking more than i should. When i found out i was pregnant i stopped completely and little did i know the withdrawals were horrible. Ive read that it is not healthy to quit cold turkey because of the risk of a miscarriage. I really want to get off this med for my baby amd myself amd i am scared to tell my dr im taking more bec he is really funny about taking any meds during pregnancy. Are there any birth defects related to this med. I take lortab and tramadol at times i know i havent heard much about birth defects with lortab but nothing much about tramadol. Please can amyone tell me what i should do and if i cam still jave a healthy baby on this med?? Anyone heard any success stories?? Should i quit now? I need yall help and please no negative comments

[mom2be_2013]

Hey all..i made an appointment with a new dr for Tuesday next week. Should i ask for an ultrasound to make sure my baby doesnt have any birth defects??? Can they tell if my baby have all their body parts and normal? What should i do?

[Ltanny]

Also, pregnscared said its a good thing that your placenta is just now implanting. A good thing.

[Ltanny]

Listen. Calm down and take some slow deep breaths. I work in the "baby business". Whatever you do don't abruptly stop Tramadol right now!  You MUST be honest with your OB. He will not treat you like Shi# because of this. Many, and I mean many pregnant women are addicted and your ob will be glad that you came to him for help. You can't worry about the first trimester, it has happened and no one can change that. The good news is you are only 10 weeks!  So if you ask your ob for help now you have plenty of time to taper or whatever the ob recommends so that baby doesn't come out addicted. It is easier to withdrawal a baby slowly in utero then out IF its done PROPERLY and with doctor SUPERVISION. You can't worry about what a doctor may think of you...who cares as long as you and your baby are safe and this is possible but you must tell your doc everything. Don't worry about DHR coming to take the baby. It's not the ones who ask for help and are monitored during prenatal visits that need to worry, only the ones who lie.  The nurses and doctors will almost immediately begin to see signs of withdrawal and drug screen the baby... then you have a problem. Best of luck to you. You seem like you are freaking out just a little so calm down take a warm bath and talk to DR in the morning. You can do this and will be so proud to come through this pregnancy with a healthy mom and baby. Please keep us posted

[FourJays]

I am not sure, and she might be away from her computer now.  You can send her a note or message . . . if you hover w/your mouse over her name, click on it.  Her profile will come up - you will see "leave a note" and "leave a message".  You could try either of those 2 options and/or I'm sure she will be back at some point.

[mom2be_2013]

Do you know what pregnscared mean about the placenta??

[FourJays]

I think you need to just be honest with him.  Tell him that you were taking them as prescribed at first but your tolerance grew quickly and you found yourself taking too many.  You want to quit but know that stopping suddenly is dangerous and you need help with a tapering plan.  I understand if you are afraid, but it is what you need to do.  I am sure that he will appreciate the honesty now, early on, so he can advise you in the best interest of your health and your baby's health.  It will be ok - just call him soon - please :)

[painbal]

Just call a Dr and be honest. It is your life & the babies life. Don't worry about being an addict at this point. Please, please call. Love & prayers!

[mom2be_2013]

What do you think i should say to my doctor?? How do you think i should approach the conversation and seem like a true addict and sprung out?? I believe i am addicted but you know how some doctors tend to look at any patient on pain meds..

[mom2be_2013]

Just a little curious as to what you mean when placenta hasnt kicked into gear yet..what does that mean and how can that be a positive rite now?? Do you think i have caused any damaged to my baby yet?? Im so scared

[FourJays]

Hello and welcome . . . I really agree with PregNscared - You need to be especially careful right now in your first trimester.  Since Tramadol is both an opiate and anti-depressant it's like dealing with 2 meds in one.  Please call your doctor (even if you do call a different doctor - you need medical advice on this one).  I know it will be hard to open up and be honest, but what is most important is the health of you and your baby.  You have nothing to be ashamed of - you surely did not chose to become dependent on the Tramadol.  Please call your doctor so that you can get started as soon as possible on a taper plan that is safe for you and the baby.

[PregNscared]

Hmm... I'd really ask your ob. What worries me here is 2 things: 1. You're in the first trimester. Risky enough without putting your body into shock from wd. 2. Tramadol is just so "synthetic" and has both painkilling and antidepressant qualities. A positive thing is your placenta hasn't kicked into gear yet! Make it your job to get honest and talk to a doctor. Heck, even if u need to call another doctor, why not? When I found out I was pg, I was on 4 rx meds. I was very honest with my ob. He told me which ones to wean off of first and it wasn't awkward at all. You can do it, but u need to be SAFE.