Help taper off opiates 6months pregnant

[willie97]

Hi this is my first time posting something like this but I thought maybe there was somebody out there who had been through this before or have possibly had some advice I was in a terrible car accident a few years ago with many broken bones my job bone fractures in my spine etc. etc. I was in recovery for about three months then onto wheelchair and now I'm doing about 80% better. I got pregnant seven months ago and went to my doctor told him what was going on, and he told me to taper as much as I can, and  ideally be off of them by the 7th month. At the time this seemed like a very doable goal, now that the time is running out, and all the reading I've done online of different people saying withdrawal in utero is far worse than in the hospital. I just want what's best for my baby I will do anything the information out there is so conflicting and it's even conflicting amongst the doctor community. If I was to be on strictly bedrest with no pills and told my baby would be fine, I would go get in bed now not to get back up for another three months. I'm willing to do what it takes but whats scary to me is that everybody tells me something different anything from methadone Suboxone inpatient and outpatient. I guess I'm just having a hard time finding the right type help. Best case scenario for me would be taper off my remaining pills 10 or less, fight through a day or two of acute withdrawal symptoms, and then force myself to get out and exercise and eat right and finish this pregnancy strong w/ 2 full clean months however, I read this is very dangerous to do when the babies in the womb, but it has to be a personal thing as well, I don't want my baby having to be put on drugs in an ICU for months when it feels I could prevent that from happening right now although it would've been best prevented months ago I understand that please don't get me wrong.
I have taken advice gotten from forums from well-meaning people however in the end cost me more damage than it did good I would really like to find somebody or few people that are maybe even in my same situation that could support me I could support you, fill me in on what worked for you and I could help you to. it sounds kind of cheesy but itd be like a penpal for a tough situation; I guess like a sponsor would be I don't know, I'm just going through this all alone and I know there're many other people going through this ,as well and it always helps to have somebody thanks for listening I know this was a long one. I look forward to hearing from somebody hopefully LOL

[msmariexo]

I just want every pregnant person to know. I've been through the same thing. I was taking 10-12 10mg Norcos every single day of my pregnancy. I was scared to tell the doctor... I finally told her when I was 8 months because I tried to stop cold turkey...  She said it was too late in my pregnancy, she said I would harm the baby if I did that. She told me to taper down and take one or two a day. I tried but was sick... I got down to about 5 a day, went into labor with my son. He had terrible withdrawls. My son was in the nicu hooked up on machines for a week, he couldn't breathe on his own, couldn't eat. He stayed after I got discharged. It was terrible. He's fine and healthy now but it was awful i feel so bad still to this day...  Talk to your doctor get help.  

[Lordie12]

Wanting to know about being 7 weeks pregnant and stopping.opoids use can I do it safely

[SJS49]

Loridie12, you should post your own thread so you get more advice as this is an old thread and may not be seen as it should. Have you talked to your doctor about stopping use? Does he know you are taking them? And how many do you take per day? When I was pregnant, I was taking 8 per day and he tapered me down to 2 a day and kept me there throughout my pregnancy as the benefits were greater than the risk, but it is definitely something you should discuss with your doctor. Opiate withdrawal can be very stressful to your body, which in turn stressed the baby out also. What you feel, your baby will feel also.

[iml77777]

Hello Willie97! It's been 2 years since your post so I'm hoping you're doing well with your baby (whose not a toddler I'm guessing!  :) I'm hoping to get advice from you or someone else hopefully as I'm in your same situation exactly. .other than I'm at like 7 months 2 weeks now. I an also planning on tapering and have found that a super low dose of benzos helps with the withdrawal symptoms such as cramps and shakiness and sleeping at night(not so much diarrea or vomiting) but all of the info out there about the danger of withdrawal on the fetus during this time scares me. I feel so stuck! One thing I know is I will not be able to live with myself if my baby is born addicted and has to be weaned off.i am more than willing and ready to start a low taper with assistance of vitamins and natural herbs n some benzos if I had a sure knowledge that doing this would be more good than harm..I knke just getting through it and being completely off will be a dream come true but since I'm high risk I was told against quitting first trimester because of miscarriage risks, was unable to quit 2nd because of my extreme fatigue and immune disorder side effects and read now is the time to do it so I'm set n ready ..anyone have any personal experience with doing this ? PRE or Post thoughts advice etc...I would really appreciate it !

[vicki595]

Hi willie97!   I think you got good info from the doctor:"taper down and be off by the 7th month".   That's the best.

Was it your OB who said that?  If no, talk to him or her, as well.

Are you abusing these pills? It doesn't sound like you are...How many do you take per day?

[femmy29]

Hi willie97,

I think the others have given you great advice.  I was on a low dose of Tylenol with Codeine throughout my pregnancy and gave birth to a healthy baby boy with an apgar score of 9.  There have been many others active within this community that were on stronger meds during pregnancy than I was and their baby had no withdrawal symptoms and were considered fully healthy at birth.

You are right that there are different viewpoints on this subject within the chronic pain patient community and amongst the medical community as well and not all viewpoints are true.  I believe that you do need to consider the fact that it can be hard for the baby in the womb stopping medicines that you have been taking for 7 months already while pregnant.  This I have heard can be more difficult on the baby in the womb than possible withdrawal symptoms at birth out of the womb.  I do believe that the risk of your baby developing withdrawing symptoms after birth are low as long as you are taking your medications as prescribed.  The cases where withdrawal symptoms from opiates have popped up were when the mother was seriously abusing opioid medications by taking enormous amounts to get high.

I had my primary care physician and OBGYN reach a consensus on how to manage my pain during pregnancy which included a low dose opioid medication.  Additionally, during the labor and delivery phase, I was given several morphine injections to ease the pain while awaiting for further cervix dialation to begin the epidural.  

Opioids are generally safe during pregnancy as long as your healthcare team, knowing all the specifics on your health throughout this pregnancy, believe it is the best solution for you and your baby.  If one of your doctors thinks that you should taper off completely in the 7th month, I urge you to get a second opinion on this matter before attempting it as it can be harmful to your baby.

As others mentioned, there are many others within this community that continued to update us throughout their pregnancy through delivery of their healthy babies.  I encourage you to use the search feature at the top of the page and search for "Norcos while pregnant".  I believe a good discussion will pop up and you can click on the original poster's user name and private message her to ask her more additional questions.

Good luck and you are not alone in this.  

femmy

[Tuckamore]

I am sorry you are faced with this situation. You're right the information available is conflicting.

I have no personal experience. We have had several expectant mother's on this forum. They were on opiates and delivered healthy babies.... but they were monitored closely by PMP.

I would not listen to anyone on an Internet Forum.... even though they/we mean well we don't know your particular situation/health. I encourage you to find a PMP that specilaized in treating expectant mothers and stick with them.

I wish you the best.... you are always welcome here. We are a supportive community but your medical answers should only come from an expert.

Best of Luck to You and Baby,
~Tuck

[timber253]

I do not have the answer you need, but please know we are all here for you and always will be. The idea of just going cold turkey seems to me like it would be very hard on you as well as the baby.The best person to ask is your doctor, the one who has taken care of you since the wreck. Stay well and keep in touch will be watching to see how you are doing.

[dominosarah]

Hi  willie97~~

What meds are you on right now?  How much do you take a day?  You are not alone here. You will find alot of support.   It is usually pretty quiet at night so make sure you keep checking back.  We have quite a few girls who have given birth to healthy babies and they have a ton of knowledge and will ease some of your fears.  It's also important to have your OB helping you with a taper method. You and your baby's health and safety are what is important.  sara

[littlebit667]

hon, I don't feel I have the knowledge to post and support you.  However, I have messaged two people that should be able to help.  I am sorry you have not had a good experience in the past with prior interactions online.  Be patient and I am hopeful they will be able to help you.  Take care and keep posting.  I have seen some helpful posts for pregnant mom's and what do to  become clean on the addiction substance board.  You might check it out as well.  

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Addiction-Substance-Abuse/show/77