I'm 38 weeks pregnant and addicted to vicodin and still smoking

[chrissaleh]

I need help asap ..... Im 38 weeks pregnant and I've been taking vics for about 5 months out of the prenancy now..... i ve also been smoking a lot ..... I've been soooo stressed and depressed with so many problems and I feel like **** ..... my doc told me to take vics for my back pain butnot to many... as soon as she perscribed them to me I got hooked to them now I'm taking 9 to 10 a day and can't seem to quit at all .... I only have 2 weeks left and I'm afraid my baby is deformed or addicted to them .... I've cut done to 5 a day but I'm affraid I won't be able to quit ...... plz help me if anyone can I'm a mess......

[Keith Downing, MD]

Hello,

I'm not sure I know what you are referring to regarding Vics (maybe Vicodin), but talk to your obstetrician about what you might expect and how to address your depression.  You will be at risk for postpartum depression which, if severe, can have significant consequences for you and your newborn.  Also, if you deliver in a hospital the pediatricians should be made aware of your drug use and they will observe the infant for signs of withdrawal and treat accordingly.

I hope you get better,

Dr. Downing

[t_camacho]

I don't know much about the subject, but all I can give you is my support. Think a lot of your baby, his/her life could be at risk. Smoking isn't good for the baby and for you either!!! Try to distract yourself with other stuff. Try listening to music while relaxing, go to the beach, take small walks at the park or sit and think beautiful things. My advice is for you to stop at least until the baby arrives. I'd do anything to be pregnant and I CANT. So please reconsider. If you need a friend I'm here and God's there!!!!

[wannabenana]

Two weeks away from delivery and NOW you're concerned?

[spanky30]

you can't be serious...i guess you want to have a sick deformed baby. You need to talk to your doctor about your addicted and please stop with the smoking. Think about your precious baby and be responsible. I don't know what's going on in your life. But believe ME I've been homeless and eating ice because I didn't have any food..while sleeping on a floor everynight during two of my pregnancies...almost all pregnant women experience depression and stress...don't make excuses...JUST TO WHAT U NEED TO DO and take care of YOUR BABY..U CAN DO WHATEVER YOU SET YOUR MIND TO...STOP PLAYING...PLEASE...@ 38 WKS..YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT BABY...please talk to someone and seek help

[chrissaleh]

I'd appreciate if people didn't judge me ...... I'm asking for help....

[Fourpaws]

Have you tried to cut down on your smoking? My doctor said quitting cold turkey is a no no. She said set a limit per day and slowly cut that limit down until your not smoking any. Smoking is so addictive and it is hard to quit. Just take it one day at a time.

As for the vicodin. You'll probably just have to keep cutting them down as well until you have no more. Have you told your doctor? You probably should so she won't prescribe anymore to you. Your going to have withdrawals, just deal with them. They will go away. I had to take vicodin for a little while and thank goodness I hated the way they made me feel, I did have a little withdrawal after I stopped, but I did know someone who was addicted and it made me sad. Please talk to your docotr so you can get through this.

[MomNpain]

Hello Chriss. I am 6 weeks pregnant and have been on vicodin for a 6 years now for a few different reasons. I also smoke. Part of the reason I'm on vicodin is because I have endometriosis. I've been told a few times that there was a huge chance I'd never be able to conceive...first try, and here I am. When I found out I was pregnant, I immediately made a plan for myself to cut down on both smoking and taking the pills (even though I only took them as directed, I was still dependant on them.) My advice to you as for the smoking goes is to sit down BY YOURSELF and decide a day to quit smoking for good. You don't have very much time left, so make it before your due date. As each day passes, take note on what makes you need a smoke the most. For instance, if you need a smoke after you eat, make THAT time the first time you cut out. If you need a smoke when you first get up in the morning, make that the second time you cut out. During the day, make sure that there's at least 1 or 2 more times you cut out along with the times you feel you most need one. I started my plan to stop on Thanksgiving the day I found out I'm pregnant and I'm down to 1 cigarette a day, which I'll get to stop early. Believe it or not, this drastically helped me to quit. I've been smoking for 6 years, at half a pack a day.

As for the pills, I sort of did the same thing. I was only taking them as directed, but I started taking them only when I absolutely had to have one. My husband has been taking them on and off for around 5 years as well. His suggestion, which will work, is as follows.

DO NOT tell your doctor you are addicted just yet. This will label you as an addict.
Ask for a drug called Tramadol. (Obviously see if you're able to take it first.)  This is addictive, however, it will take much longer, and it actually takes the edge off since it is a opiate synthetic.

Keep in mind that if you have been taking that many during the entire pregnancy that there is a cause for concern. Codiene is extracted from the opiate plant. Same as heroine.Hydrocodone isn't pure codiene, but it is a relative. You may want to talk to your OB because there is a great chance that your baby will come out detox. Do not stop cold turkey because it could cause a serious shock to your baby's system. Call an anonymous drug rehab center and tell them what's going on and they will advise you how to tell your doctor without you being labeled as an addict or a junkie.

Most importantly, don't blame yourself for this. Keep in mind that everything happens for a reason. You may be going through this because you may run into someone in the future with the same problem whom you will feel propelled to help. I know that being addicted isn't easy - let alone while you're pregnant. But, if you have enough will, you can get through it. I feel so connected to you while I don't know you because of this; it's not a situation too many people go through (or at least admit that they're going through.) If you ever need to talk, I am here for you all the way. Email me, write back, do whatever.

Good luck in everything that you do. Hope to talk to you soon.

Chels

[chrissaleh]

Just sooo everyone knows I'm on my 2nd day of being vicodin free ..... I haven't touched a cig. Since I quit...... but I feel horrible and sick right now..... I still need people to cheer me up ..... thanks

[christiney]

good luck! i hope for your sake and your baby it all works out! i know you can do it!

[MomNpain]

Awesome hun! I'm so proud of you! Good luck to you and your baby!

[Jizi]

Good job on quitting vicodin & cigarettes, I've never been addicted to pain killers but was to cigarettes for 10 yrs and decided one day to quit cold turkey, havent touched a cigarette since, it is very hard but I did it by the hour. Every time an hour went by that i didn't have a cigarette I would tell myself ok you can go without one for another hour and another and so on, well that worked for me. But cheer up pretty soon you are going to have a beautiful little baby and thats whats going to be more important to you than a cigarette or a pill. Just try to get through these first few horrible days by keeping yourself busy, go for walks, clean, read a book anything to get your mind off of them. The cravings are hard but remember they only last a few minutes. well good luck and keep up the good work.

[chrissaleh]

I'm going on 3 days ...... thank god I'm almost through it ....... I feel sooooo sick right now...... but I keep saying to myself that tomorrow will be 4 days ..... I'm just worried I might go into labor a week early cause my due date is the nov. 25th and I've been dialated to 1 since monday.... I have a doctors appt. 2morrow.... I just hope my baby won't come out addicted if I have her early ... I just need to know how long it takes for vics to get out of my system and for me not to feel the withdrawls anymore so that way ill know my baby won't be addicted

[MomNpain]

Vicodin for me, only took about 3 days to get out of my system...same with cigarettes! I'm sure your baby will be fine, good luck and be sure to keep us posted!

[kethrie]

Chris, thank you for asking for help. Thank you for finding a way out of addiction and for finding a way to turn your love for your baby into concrete action. You are in my prayers.

I am more worried about your emotional state after birth than anything. During pregnancy, the excess hormones can act as a mood-stabilizer. You are undergoing a violent change in your physiology. First, nicotine and pain-killer withdrawal, and in a few weeks post-partum recovery. Consider breastfeeding. Your body will have a more gentle transition into its post-partum state and your baby will be less likely to have colic and excessive crying.

Please talk to your doctor about appropriate psychiatric medication immediately after birth that may be taken while breastfeeding. Please also deal with whatever psycho-social issues connected to the child's father that are causing this time of your life to be so difficult. Make that child and your health your first priority and surround yourself with support. Tell yourself your very life and your child's life depends on you making drastic changes.

[chrissaleh]

Hey everyone...... I just had my baby on 11-19-07 at 102 am and she was 5lb 14oz.... she was 9 days early ...... she's healthy and very very beautiful ..... the great news is she didn't have any withdrawls or anything wrong with her.... actually she's pretty stronge 4 her size.... I just wanted to thank everyone in here for helping me get through everything ..... u guys are great .....

[rochelina]

i hope that you keep out of the medicine and smoking, 2nd hand smoking is also very demaging, and you want to live a long life to be there for your beautiful daughter. you are very lucky. i hope people don't take these kind of chances w/ their babies.

[CG1980]

Vicodin is an opiate and at this point, stopping cold turkey would put you and your baby is distress,  Talk to your doctor. There are medicines that can help you stop using Vicodin and stay off it.  It's very important to tell your doctor. Your baby will be born dependant on the painkiller and must be supervised and receive the proper medical attention.  Good Luck and there is no shame in asking for help.

[Leanna26]

I agree with fourpaws. I am 6 weeks 5 days pregnant, I also smoke. My dr said as well quitting straight up is a no no. It will cause more stress, and I am a high risk patient due to 3 mc. Though I only had smoked a pack a day for 10 years now. I have been slowly cutting down by packs a week. I have a goal in mind. Before the end of the first trimester I do not want to be smoking at all anymore. I have cut down to about 8-10 cigs a day. I know its hard believe me, but at least try to cut down. Good luck.