pregnant on codeine

[cat6802]

I am 30 weeks pregnant and bubs looks fine but had a 3 yr codeine addiction prior to getting pregnant. ( Bub is  a surprise)..I was on 4 1/2 x 30 mg codeine, 500 mg paracetamol tabs per day and have managed to wean myself down to 1 1/4 30 mg tabs per day. The reason I am stressing is because, I have since found out any withdrawal is very dangerous when preg and no medical person told me this. I am weaning by 1/4 of a tab every 5-7 days and hope to be off it but does anyone know if the last tab is the hardest to withdraw from, If this amount of codeine would affect baby when born  or if baby can get PAWS? ( post acute withdrawal syndrome). I was trying to reduce by too much before and found it to hard as I have 2 other children to look after but just want to be off this stuff and to know whether baby will be affected from my withdrawal

[Angpat1]

Hi Los was just wondering did everything turn out ok for u hin xx

[loz454]

I am 34 weeks pregnant  with my twins. Two beautiful little girls. I am addicted to codiene, taking almost 32 tablets a day 500/8mg sometimes 12.8mg/500mg. The 12.8mg/500mg pills I take...10 in a row. I hate myself knowing what i'm doing but I cannot help it and need these pills to get through the horrible life I have. They ease my pain but I know I am hurting my little princesses. The daddy came home today with a massive hello kitty toy to put in the nursery and my heart almost exploded with guilt. I am developing the signs of pre-eclampsia and scared all three of us will die. What can I do? :'(

[Shiggy69]

I'm doing the same and I feel the same. Today was the first day iv made a strip of 30 mg last and I have not binged at night like I normally do before I get in bed and I feel good but I also still wanted to but I'm going to do ten again tomorrow and see if I can go a week before dropping a pill a week ect, it's a slow drop but I think it's the only way I can do it without noticing the withdrawal. Do it for you and the baby. Don't feel bad just do it and you will suprise yourself. X good luck

[vicki595]

Check in when you can or if you need to vent!!

Just focus on that appt. and look ahead...

It's funny how we worry so much: if the baby doesn't move a lot,we worry. If the the baby
moves a lot,we worry.  Keep YOURSELF calm and it will trickle down.  :)

You can take Motrin post op if you want to.  Remember: You call the shots !!

Vicki

[cat6802]

hehe I won't Vicki! just don't have set times on here as it's dependant on kids..feeling quite unwell today and bubs is moving lots which some say is a good sign but all I keep thinking is I hope she's ok and not feeling discomfort !!! I'm glad I'll be seeing someone but it's great to have you all to chat to and express how I feel and hear how you all do because no matter the cause, being addicted to anything while preg causes me shame and I feel like this is an oasis in a desert of misunderstanding so thanks xx

[vicki595]

Hey~  I'm really glad you got that appt. and the nurse was right,of course. Let us know how things are going.  Don't run away now that we've got a baby coming!!!

xo

[cat6802]

Hi guys and girls..rung about 6 no's today and found out that yes it is dangerous when down to last little bit of codeine as detox is worse with the last of it and bubs can be affected ..have appt with specialist on 20 of this month so will let you know how it goes. Nurse said sometimes it's safer to stay on last dose until bub is born rather then detox her in utero. I'm hoping I can still do it safely so she is born completely free of this stuff, wish I'd never been prescribed it and as I have to have another cesar (my others were emergency) I'm wondering what they can give me post op for pain, hopefully not this stuff again..Thanks everyone!  

[vicki595]

Cat~ You're doing all the right things!!  You're babies are lucky to have you for a Mom!!

Stay in touch with us!!

[cat6802]

Thankyou so much everyone! Optimus, thanks for the link! I was originally in chronic pain because I had two bouts of pneumonia following a ceasar which caused major disc probs in my back. After my last baby who is nearly three now these problems started and I found myself addicted :-(. When I tried to stop taking codeine like most ppl I started to feel very unwell and unable to function with a small child and baby. Your words of advice and support mean the world to me and bubbie is looking wonderful on 3d usound....also had amnio and no problems at all have been detected. Just hope this doesn't affect bubbie mentally/emotionally. I feel so angry at myself for even being in this situation but as I said bubs is a big surprise..doesn't make me feel any better about codeine though. I'm ringing  drugs in preg line today when they are open and hopefully they can give me some more info. Bubbie is due in October :-)

[dominosarah]

I am glad you did post this as it is the baby's safety that is the main concern......Most of the mothers who come here are so scared and feel so alone.  Thank you again, this will help many~~~~~`sara

[optimus22mac]

Your welcome:) I was a bit hesitant to post it because it was originally posted for chronic pain sufferers, not people with addiction problems....but I believe the info is valuable for everyone.  As long as the ultimate goal for someone addicted is to ultimately stop taking the drugs altogether...
For those who need guidance in doing so--for the safety of the baby--hopefully this can point them in the right direction:)

[dominosarah]

Thank you for that info............sara

[optimus22mac]

Hi:) We have a pregnant chronic pain patient over at the pain management forum, who has posted info for other pregnant women, which may be helpful for you.  Of course, a doctor who is experienced with this situation would be best, but at least the info may help you a
little:) I wish you the best:)

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Pain-Management/Chronic-Pain-and-Pregnancy/show/1312038

[dominosarah]

Oh oops!!  I just saw you were 30 weeks!!!  

[dominosarah]

Hi and welcome to the forum.  I am really happy to read you have told your doctors everything.  That is so refreshing!!  I am sorry they havent been very good at helping you taper down.  Just wanted to add my support and say i hope everything works out.  When is baby due??  Keep us posted.........sara

[vicki595]

Hey Sweetie~  It's impossible for me to say if Bubbie is okay. But,my gut feeling is that he is.   Also,I think you're very smart to be getting off the codeine and tapering. I'm disappointed to read that you haven't gotten a lot of support from your doctors. All I can say is that you should keep reminding them and, if I were you,I would continue exactly the way you're doing this.
Stay in touch~
V.

[cat6802]

Thanks so much Vicki, I have been tapering at 1/4 of a 30 mg tab every 5-7 days..but no one told me about the dangers even though I told all of the medical professionals what I was doing, not my GP, obstretician, Phyciatrist or neurologist. I have been totally upfront with all of them...and my GP is writing scripts for way more then I needed to detox .(.I burnt the repeats after I'd filled one which is enough to get me off them using tapering) Was on the internet and came across info last night that this could be dangerous to bubbie and ended up ring a D and A help line and they said the same. I was meant to go down to one today but now don't know what to do? had an ultrasound and bub is very healthy and beautiful. Was put on them for pain and got addicted, didn't know I could even get pregnant at my age (42)after one night with my partner :O without using contraception and feel very guilty as both of my other babies were born without anything in my system. Thanks for your support. I really don't want my baby to be born addicted..will 30 mg of codeine mean she is or not?

[vicki595]

Hi~  I can tell you you it's extremely dangerous to cold turkey while pregnant. It can cause miscarriage.  You really need to get with your doctor about tapering and to answer your questions. He/she can reassure you.  You're doing great to get down to 1 1/4 tabs per day. Call the doc on Monday.

Good luck~
Vicki