38 weeks pregnant-addicted to vicodin

Question

Please do not judge me! I'm so scared! I was on oxy before I got pregnant for severe nerve damage in my back, and decided to drop to vicodin. During my second trimester I went cold turkey and quit. I felt great and was learning to cope with the pain I was in.  About a month ago I got another script from my doctor and I've been taking it every day since. After a tragic incident that I went through, I took it to get high. Now i'm up to 10 - 5/500's at a time. I only take that dose once a day, and I space it at least 24hrs apart. During those 24hrs I do not feel any withdrawl. I don't want my baby to withdrawl! Is 2 weeks too late? I can't bare the thought of my baby going through that pain! If I have only been taking it for the past month, can I stop now to prevent her withdrawing? I've withdrawn several times from oxy and I know how painful it is! Can anyone give me advice without judging me?

Lilred86 · Answer

Thank you!! I live in pa, so we got hit too... But not nearly as bad as you guys! Everyone at the hospital told me to name her Sandy! Haha.. I love being a mommy! She is so perfect!!

atthebeach · Answer

Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful, perfect daughter. There is nothing so precious as the birth of your child. She now shares a birthday with my third son who just turned 15. We live in  nj and he got hurricane sandy for his birthday. So happy for you everything went well.
Children are a blessing!!
GOD bless you and your daughter.
Debbie

Lilred86 · Answer

Wellll everyone... I have AMAZING news!! Oct.29th I woke up to pee and my water broke!!! Contractions came shortly after, starting at 4 minutes apart! Can we say OUCH!! The weekend was definately Braxton Hicks!! Got to the hospital 7cm, an hour later I was 9!!! Pushed for a little over 30 minutes, and my beautiful daughter was born! She was/is PERFECT, and absolutely GORGEOUS!!! No withdrawl, no problems whatsoever! It's our 2nd night at home and she is just amazing!!! thank you everyone!!!!

ms_walker · Answer

I'm so glad to c u did the rite thing n let ur Dr kno. I'm kinda in the same situation. 38 weeks as well. I think that was the hardest thing when I finally built up the courage n came clean. Congratulations on ur new addition! Plz let us kno what happens. good luck & God bless

pitbullmom · Answer

im so happy 4 u. it was brave to talk to the dr. we get alot of scared mommies here and it always works out when they come clean. im sure ur in the hospital by now. i hope u come back and let us kno the baby details. :-)

proudworkingmomof3 · Answer

That's great news! Thanks for coming back and sharing. There is nothing more exciting than becoming a Mommy. Children are magical! :) Im sure it wasn't easy having that conversation with your doctor but I bet having the courage has brought you some relief and I hope your burden has been lifted.

Sonrissa · Answer

I'm so glad your appt went well! How exciting for you! Take care, relax and try to get some rest! Please let us know when you can! I'm wishing you the very best and I will be thinking of you!

Pat1956100 · Answer

I think you should call and give them an update anyway.  Just my opinion.  Tell them exactly what happened and how you are feeling.  They may tell you to come in.

Lilred86 · Answer

They said to calll when they get 5 minutes apart... They got to a steady 10 minutes.. Then just stopped about 2 hours ago... I'm still having the  period-like cramps, but not good contractions and i'm praying I get some sleep tonight!! I'm so uncomfortable it's unreal!!

vicki595 · Answer

I'm happy for you! It must be a huge relief!

The contractions should begin again shortly. Did they tell you to call in the morning to report what's happening? Or when the contractions are close together? 

Best of luck with everything and let us know how you're doing.

it_will_go_on · Answer

I am so happy for your relief! I truly hope for a safe and uncomplicated delivery for you and your baby! I am in a similar situation. My c-section is Tuesday. I have been prescribed norco 7.5, 3 times a day the whole time. I have fibro and bad discs and have not been able to take my cymbalta, which was more help than anything. I didn't always take it 3 times a day, but normally took at least 2 a day for functionality. This last week I have taken it only 1 1/2 - 2 times a day if the pain got unbearable. I've been told not to worry on one hand and also that it could cause withdrawals in the baby on the other. I don't know if I should worry, I don't want to stress myself or this gift I am about to receive.

Lilred86 · Answer

Well... Appt went wellll... Ob want concerned with the dose.. Said if i'm not withdrawing, the baby isn't either. I was 3cm dialed and 80% effaced.. The strpped my membranes to get her to come before we get hit with this hurricane.. Started having contractions, but they stopped about an hour ago... Guess she's not quite ready yet.. I'm relieved with the appt!!

Sonrissa · Answer

You will be in my thoughts tomorrow Lilred! Please let us know how it goes! Take care of yourself!!

weaver71 · Answer

Good for you mama. Let us know what happens.  Stay calm, talk to the doc, and lets us know what's up. Nothing more amazing than parenthood.

proudworkingmomof3 · Answer

Im sorry I misread your dosage. I thought you were taking 25 mg but after reading again I see it was 50. I still stand by what I have said and I think you and your baby are both going to be ok. Please do check back in after you talk to your doctor and less us know how things went.

proudworkingmomof3 · Answer

Hi Lil,
I am definitely not an expert and can not claim to know any of the medical implications of taking medication but really in my opinion 25 mg of vic was probably not enough to do any damage. When I was pregnant my doctor prescribed me low dose vicoden (5 mg) for a sever cough. This was before my dependence had really peaked and being pregnant made it easier to take lower doses. The doctor that prescribed to me said that short term, low dose use was not dangerous. He gave it to me right before I actually went to the hospital to deliver and I told my OB and asked again if it was ok to take and she said yes, it was fine. I wanted to say great job looking out for your soon to be baby and congrats! So exciting! Little girls are magical and I am sure she will be just fine! It is true that stress is one of the worst things for baby so do try and relax and don't worry too much. Good luck at your ob appointment tomorrow. You are doing the right thing!

Lilred86 · Answer

I go to the ob tomorrow... I'm going to talk with him and i'll let you all know the outcome. Thank you for your support. I chose to not take any vicodin tonight, instead I took a couple tyl3, and I feel fine. I'm a little restless and peeing more than normal.. But that's just the pregnancy and baby kicking my bladder.. I haven't felt any withdrawl symptoms yet and it's been 29 hrs since my last vicodin dose. I'm hoping that is a good sign. The baby is still moving and very active like normal. They are checking me tomorrow for dilation as well.. I'm very nervous for tomorrow, but i'm staying calm! Thank you all so much!

pitbullmom · Answer

they r priscribed tell ur ob that a dr gave them to u if ur ob knows they can treat any w/d symptoms when the baby is born. every1 needs to kno. i kno its scary but it will b ok just calm down. the stress is bad for the baby

Teresa1717 · Answer

As Sonrissa said, noone will judge you here! I cant give you much info on your question, but just wanted to say that :)

Best of luck to you!

dominosarah · Answer

Please let your OB know how many you are taking.  That way if the baby would show signs of wd they will be prepared.  Are you planning on breast feeding?

candy_17 · Answer

Great advice weaver!! Best of wishes to you and your baby:)

Sonrissa · Answer

Welcome Lilred! I am so glad you posted! You will find we do not judge here! We give advice and support! You just need to sit down with your doctor/OB and explain your situation! Tell him the story of how this happened! Trust me he will help you! Be completely honest with him! Please don't be afraid! This is more common than you think! 

After the baby is born, and things settle down just a bit, think about getting some counseling about the incident that caused this! You can not carry that with you, or blame yourself for the rest of your life! 

I think you will be a great mom, and I can't wait to hear how everything goes! Please update us, OK? Take care! I will be thinking of you! PM me anytime!

weaver71 · Answer

There is little effect on the baby if you are taking a stable dose. You don't want to go through withdrawal this late, it's better to take barely enough to feel okay and relax. Your anxiety is worse than the opiates. Opiates are so close to the natural chemicals our brain make naturally, that they do very little physical damage. An addicted baby is usually detoxed within 24 hrs. Your breast milk will have opiates in it as well. All those things aside, you need to tell you doctor what has been going on. Prescription addiction is much more common than most people realize. You are not alone. The most important thing right now is the baby. You will be okay and so will the baby, but you have to let go of the shame and anxiety. You need to work with your doctor to form a plan to detox the baby and then you. Congrats on having a new child. I love being a parent, as hard as it is sometimes. Just be open and honest about your situation, just like you want your child to be with you. It's hard sometimes

selfinduced · Answer

Good Morning Lilred, I am so sorry, I know very little of pregnancy and pills. I do know there are many members here that do. Your not alone. Can you confide in the Dr. that recently wrote you the script? It does sound to me like they will find out at time of delivery and seems better to revel now. This way you have a piece of mind and the Dr. can be aware and possibly minimize the babys w/d. Hang tight ok......more will be along to help.