pain medication and pregnancy

[M.E.72]

I have had severe back and neck pain for 7 years. After dozens of alternative treatments the only one that helped was medication. I have been taking Methadone 60mg/day(and sometimes more) for several years. My husband and I wanted to have a child, so I started weening myself. I had gotten to 2 or 3 10mg doses/day, with plans to keep going down. The pain is managable some days but very severe some. I stopped my BCP to be ready when I was off the meds to start trying and surprise the pregnacy came early. I do feel withdrawl symptoms when I try only taking 10mg or try skipping. My question is this: How bad is it for my unborn child when I go through withddrawls. Is it better to stay on a low dose, what can I expect for him when he is born if I stay on 10mg/day. I still suffer w/ chronic back pain and fear it will continue to increase as I get bigger. My doctor recommended to stop before I got pregnant, which was the plan. The withdrawls are very difficult to go through while trying to work and deal w/ pain at the same time. Any Advice??

[JL'smum]

It may not be related but I have been injecting opiates (nalbuphene hydrochlodide) for the past 6 yrs (ish).  I fell pregnant by accident in November last year.  I lost that baby in January this year, fell pregnant again 2 months later (still injecting) and lost that baby 2 months later.  
Now, obviously I  have no idea if my habit had anything to do with the miscarriages but I really would advise seeking expert medical attention so you don't suffer the same fate I have.

I am now free of nubain, took dihydrocodeine (df118's) for a few weeks - to my mind that just dragged out the enevitable nightmare of a few days (not so bad) & nights (hell on earth) of opiate withdrawal.
I feel like rubbish, but I'm free of the drugs - my withdrawal is past it's peak but still not fun.  I have no energy or lust for life. I feel depressed and know just 1 injection would make everything just fine again (FOR NOW!!!)  I'm trying to stay strong and having managed 2 drug free nights to go back now would be foolish (aren't we all though, to be in this position in the first place).

on a practical basis, if your pregnancy did go to term, and you were still taking the meds your baby would be addicted the same as you are, if the authorities know they may just watch things or worst case remove the child.

Good luck,.

JL's m xxx

[mom2rachie]

Hi.  First off, congrats on your pregnancy.
I want to let you that a lot of ob/gyns prescribe narcotic pain meds for their pregnant patients during pregnancies.  I had it prescribed ot me my entire pregnancy for numerous reasons.  
I would give you this advice.  1.  Be honest with your dr this way they can watch you closely.  There aren't any real adequate studies done on pregnant women as far as this goes but they haven't shown that there are any real dangers in it if it's used as prescribed and maintained at a low does.
That having been said, I did stop and managed to wean down with the help ormy dr. about 2m onths before I gave birth so my baby wouldn't suffer withdrawal which could be poor suckin relfex, screaming, restlessness, vomitting etc or all of the above.  My daughter was born fine.
BUT if your dr finds it necessary to keo you on thatlow of a dose until the end, they CAN treat the baby IF they know about it.  It's only when they do not know abiout it that it becomes a legal issue.
If you've gone 2 days you might want to tell your dr and explain your situation and he may syuggest to just not take anymore BUT if you do need it later on, be open and honest and try not to take it.
Withdrawals do put unusual stress on the fetus and the mother so it's not usually suggested that one go through it while pregnant.
I wish you lots of luck!!

[marcatj]

just read your post..

Stay strong, sister... you are in the worst of it, and IT DOES GET BETTER!!!!!  It's just going to take a little while...

I wish you much success with quitting.. you can do it.  Many other's have...

take good care,
mj