5 months pregnant and taking Morphine and Roxicodone for pain

[gretch1976]

I have been trying to fine forums on line where I can ask anyone who is experiencing any of these issues like myself..I am 35 years old and have been in  pain management for 6 years..I was in a horrible car accident in 1999 which led me to have neck surgery a fusion on my neck..I have a 8 year old that was born in 2003 and that pregnancy was no meds at all..I started having severe neck pain again which was probably around when my son was 2 or 3 years old which led me in having to make a  decision wether to have neck surgery again to fix it which i was told by 3 doctors or be on pain meds..I of course went on pain meds not wanting to have surgery again on my neck..I am currently on Morphine (30mg) 3x's a day and roxicodone (15mg) 4 x's a day, I have recently cut back a lot..When I found out I was pregnant I was taking 60 mg 3'xs a day of Morphine and the same of Roxicodone except I took 6 (15mg) a day..I am extremely worried where my pain managment and rehaab centers tell me DO NOT WEEN ANYMORE off of my meds because it can lead to a  miscariage..Even though I am trying my best to do better then I have..Where as my OBGYN says to try and get completely off or I am taking a chance in my baby being addicted..This is the hardest thing I have been dealing with trying to get off, but I do not want to stress my baby or go through the withdrawl since my body has been so immuned to this medication for so long, to mention the many days of having severe pain in my neck..I would love to speak with anyone who can give me advice , or who has been in my shoes to make me feel  better..Only the lord above can help me feel better as I pray and hope and have faith that my baby comes out okay..Lord I Pray!! Thank You for listening and again I just need some advice from only people who know or know someone who has been in this situation..Thanks :)

[jb41799]

I think what your pain management doctors meant were that they didn't want you to go cold turkey off of your meds.  This can have serious and deadly consequences.  The withdrawal can cause you to have seizures and heart attacks.  Have you talked to both your pain management and ob/gyn about replacing your morphine with Methadone?  Methadone is prescribed for moderate to severe pain but is also and opiate blocker.  Their pamphlet says there have been no official studies on the effects on a baby HOWEVER, of those taking the methadone who were pregnant, they suffered no side effects, birth defects or dependency by the baby.  

Here is a like to the fact sheet on webmd:  http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-2194-METHADONE+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=2671&drugname=methadone+Oral&source=1

[margypops]

I dont I am afraid , we do have a pain management forum and a group called the chronic pain couch you may get some answers there. Good Luck