Addcited to pain meds and pregnant

[Hockeytownbabe]

I am 32yro and I just found out today that I was pregnant and I am addicted too pain meds. I recently just had a auto accident and my back is really messed up. This is the 1st day I had no pian meds and I am having a VERY VERY hard time . What should I do ? I have waited and waitied to have a baby, I want my baby , But what does 1 do when they have a addiction like this ?!

[JadedSweetheart]

Hi!  I haven't been on much, but I couldn't help but respond here!  The others have answered your question better than I could have, but I just wanted to lend my support to you.
Whether you are addicted to the meds or dependent on them, it's important not to stop completely cold turkey.  There are some good ways to find out, but if you always take your meds as prescribed, you're probably dependent.   Either way it's great that you are putting your baby first.  
Definetely call a high-risk OB.  They will want to see you because of the MVA, anyway. Let them know the situation and hopefully they will get you in ASAP.  If they can't get you in and you are taking too many meds, then go to the ER.  They can help you and have no right to judge you as the baby and Mama-to-be are what matter most here, not their opinions.
We are all here for you.  Please feel free to add me and please let us know how you're doing. You're not alone and everything will be okay!

[sandee1818]

Hi,
   Welcome to the Pain management community. You said your addicted but I am wondering if your dependent for pain relief. As Tuck said there is a difference. You have gotten some excellent advice I just wanted to stress how very important it is that you do not stop the medications cold turkey as it can cause you to miscarry!
We have a member ere as mentioned going thru pregnancy and dealing with chronic pain too and she has been thru alot and can help you. Her name is Jaded Sweetheart.
Hope you will get into see a high risk OB-GYN soon as possible. Most high risk handles women of older ages with a chronic pain problem.
If your out of medications please go to the ER.
Please let us know how your doing:)
Congratulation's!

[needhelp206]

What kind of meds are you taking and how much?

[Tuckamore]

Hello Hockeytownbabe,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I am so glad that you found us. Please know that there are no physicians on this site.

Congratulations on your welcomed pregnancy. How very wonderful!!  

I know how thrilled and concerned you must be. So please do not take medication advice for anyone other than your physician, especially given your pregnancy.

You said you are addicted. However you also said you had a MVA and that injured you back severely. Please don't confuse the need for opiate therapy and physical dependency with addiction. They are two completely different animals. To some degree the fetus does not know the difference.

You've received some good suggestions. As said above please continue to take your prescribed opiates as ordered.  They are also correct that withdrawals may place your fetus in more danger than taking the medications. What opiates are your currently taking? Some are perfectly acceptable during pregnancy.

I have many questions but most importantly you should consult your physician asap. If you are being followed by a PMP he/she would be my first call. If you are not than please contact the physician that is prescribing your opiates. Don't don't hesitate this is an urgent situation. Any physician would see it as such.  

I am so thrilled that your wait is over. A precious baby awaits you. That fact that you immediately put your baby first and are suffering with pain tells me you will be a marvelous mother. So please don't worry dear. There are answers and you will find the, with a bit of searching. You have nothing to be ashamed of....you have pain.  Relax, everything will be okay.

I hope to hear from you very soon.  We will look forward to your updates.

Blessings,
~Tuck

[Jaybay]

Asheleen - we must have hit that Post button at the same time.  LOL!  I'm so glad you chimed in here with the voice of experience.  :-)

[Jaybay]

One thing you shouldn't do is put your body through withdrawal and risk having a miscarriage.  The next step is to get yourself an appointment with an OB/Gyn and talk honestly about your situation.

There is a pregnant member here in pain management on opiate therapy so hopefully she'll be along to share her experience.  It was very difficult for her to find a pain management doctor willing to treat her pain while pregnant, but she did.  Of course, pain management with opiates and addiction are two entirely different issues.  

If you haven't done so already, check out the Addiction, Substance Abuse community here at Med Help.  There are some terrific folks over there who can help you through this.  You know you need to deal with the addiction in order to carry your child to term.  That process means you need a physician and also mental support.  And no, I'm not saying you're crazy!  Most addicts simply cannot stop using without some form of psychotherapy or a 12-step type program - or both.  Without addressing the mental part of addiction, the odds of relapse are depressingly high.

Detox shouldn't be done without a doctor's help, and being pregnant, that is doubly true for you.  What meds are you taking and how long have you taken them?  Do you remember when you started taking more than prescribed and for reasons other than pain?

[Ashelen]

I need to add....if you are not taking the meds because you are out, head to the nearest ER and tell them that you are pregnant and out of pain meds and you are withdrawing. I'm so sorry I know you've got to be scared....you are doing the right thing if you seek help and are honest with your doctor.

[Ashelen]

First of all, I'm very sorry you're going through this.

Second of all, DO NOT QUIT COLD TURKEY. it is very dangerous to your baby. you need to taper down slowly UNDER THE CARE of a doctor, or you need to continue to take a maintenance medicine while pregnant for the safety of your baby.

I am very serious about this. quitting an addiction cold turkey while pregnant can cause fetal demise as well as maternal seizures.....that's the worst case scenario, it can also be fine, but I need you to understand how very serious this is.


You need to approach your OB doctor about this. be honest, be thorough, be completely open. they are not there to jduge you, they are there to help you. they will not report you, they will do what they can to help you and your baby be safe.

you HAVE to see your doctor I repeat do NOT quit cold turkey.


I had to take pain meds while pregnant with both of my children for pain issues and they are both VERY healthy, happy, and they were both born full-term (I have a 2-year-old and a 2-month-old.) I took pain meds under the care of my OB doctor.

Please please please take care of yourself and unless your OB doctor tells you how to taper down do NOT do it on your own.

Also, there is an Addiction: Substance Abuse community on this forum that may help you once  you have seen your doctor and you and baby are being cared for.


Best of luck sweetie I don't mean to scare you but I cannot emphasize how very important it is to be careful with this...if you need to ask any questions about pain meds during pregnancy I'm more than happy to help you in any way that I can...I AM NO DOCTOR but I do have experience with pain meds and pregnancy.



hang in there honey and please get the help you need for you and baby...you are NOT a bad person, you are NOT evil, and you are doing the right thing for your child if you get the help you need.

Please see your doctor tomorrow and do not quit cold turkey.