ADDICTED TO VICODIN AND OXYCOTIN AND PREGNANT

[Ms.Esha]

Hello, well I really don't know where to start but here goes I have been abusing prescription pain pills for 3 years now. I have got off of them for a few time only to find my self back on.I recently found out that I am currently pregnant.4 months along and before i knew I was pregnant i was up to 8o miligrams of oxycotin a day as soon as I found Out I came down to 4 or 5 vicodins (7.5). and I occassionally still take the oxycotin when I have no more vicodin. has any one had any experience with oxy. and vicodin while pregnant. or even if you have some supportive advice. I have been to this site before and met some really great people that gave me great support and helped me to get clean and I stayed clean for 3 months I really need support. I carry around alot of guilt for what I migh have done to my unborn child. but I also have alot of faith in God.I get a ultrasound next month and I am so scared of what I might see.

Thanks
Ms.Esha

[Nogods]

As with Heroin, the drug itself will not deform the baby, but it will leed to low birth weights and a baby addicted to opioids. You need to seek expert help to get clean and stay clean if you cannot do it yourself. A baby addicted to opiates/opioids is not a pretty site and family services will possibly remove the child to foster care. I hope you can get clean and stay clean, As for the baby it will have 10 fingers and 10 toes, but needs a mother that is mentally capable of giving it all it needs. Also avoid quiting cold turkey while pregnant, you will need to taper. I hope this is of some help and if anyone is more knowledgeable please give this girl the information she needs. All the best to you all.

[RobynBanks]

First and foremost: DO NOT STRESS OUT. That is the worst thing for you and the baby. Abrupt withdrawls will stress you out. Ignor the last post- family services will not "possibly remove the child to foster care". 4-5 Vicodans/day is a managable habit to withdraw from SLOWLY. You have a wonderful reason to do it now and it can be revolutionary for you.Think- a healthy baby and no drug habit! If you come off the Vics in one month (reduce by one per week), the baby should be just fine and you will be able to focus on enjoying your pregnancy guilt free. I'm no doctor but your habit is small and I have a friend who was prescribed Tylenol #3s for severe back pain while pregnant. Mind you, I don't know what trimester she was in at the time and the first trimester is the most crucial. You must have known you were pregnant for quite a while if you're 4 months along. I hope you take it seriously- You MUST come off the vics. You will feel great afterwards and you should have had an ultrasound by then. That MAY tell you if the baby is OK.
All the best, Robyn.

[RobynBanks]

By the way, stay the hell away from the Oxycontin...it stays in your (and the baby's) system longer. Good luck and start reducing your Vicodan intake NOW.

[g.g.]

nogods post is not ot be ignored!He is only saying that if you do not get help this may happen and trying to help you.Your baby will be ok as long as you get the drugs out of your system now!It wont have any withdrawal when born or be deformed in anyway.As long as you get off the pills and take care of yourself now you and baby will be ok.If you can not do this on your own then ask Dr. for help but get off of them NOW!!NO one is going to take your baby for asking for help.Its if you dont get help that raises a ? So please if you cant do it get help. Jerri

[Ms.Esha]

Thany you for the advice it was very comforting. I have some other concerns and just need some one to talk to so if you would please email me @ ***@**** that would be so helpfful I have some person things to discuss.
Again thanks to you and everyone else.
Ms. Esha

[Thomas03]

Sorry to butt in, but a certain Canadian used up all the posts on our thread ...

pepsi4: hey, you don't owe us a thing! Quit, splurge, taper, or relapse -- we're here for you (and for a small fee, we'll be THERE for you). Whether it feels like it or not, the giving and getting of support is an even exchange.

I agree that, with guests decending upon you, now would be a terrible time to go cold turkey. 'Fact is, you'd never make it through the weekend. It takes a tremendous amount of energy to act emotionally "up" and play the good host when you're dying by inches inside. You need to detox when and where you can feel free to act just like you feel. As for the Valium, it's just a suggestion. You should always do what you decide is best for you. Enjoy your guests. We'll be around.

Thomas

[Nogods]

Ignore my post and she will lose not only her child, to a foster home, but the joy of bringing up a happy, healthy baby, a baby not addicted to opiates and sooner or later her self-respect. And what gives you, Robyn Banks, the right to tell her to ignore my post? Self medicating opiates will draw the attention of family sevices in my country and she should be informed of this not only to be informed and fore-warned but as a extrinsic motivation for quiting opiates and opioids for her and her childs wellbeing. I suggest to you to pull your head in, as in my case I am an addict of opiates and I know the real willpower, extrinsic motivation, intrinsic motivation and external help it will take for her to get clean and stay clean. I know addicts that have lost their child (born addicted) and have had to battle to get them back once they were clean.
The truth of the matter is the baby physically will be normal other than addiction the opiates. The sad truth is will the knowledge of that be enough for this woman to stay clean? I suggest to you not! (knowing from being an addict myself). The fact that she will lose her child to family services if the baby is born with an active addiction may just be enough persuasion to keep her clean. For her and her babies sake I hope it is enough to keep her clean.

[mrmichael67]

Yes Thomas, codeine wd is morphine wd.  It is just on a much lower scale than your average morphine wd....tolerance wise.  I agree with the valium thing.  A four to five day detox is not going to get you hooked.  I survived a couple.  I don't use benzos now nor have I ever had withdrawals from them.  Just never got into them.

[lisabet]

Hey guys - the thread we were writing on is closed, so I'm weaseling in on this one.
First of all - Jesus Christ, you both are such lechers...I'm SO totally offended by your comments...(but, uh - listen, guys, will let you know when I go on my valium/ambien binge...)heh-heh.  As for you Thomas, how the hell did you know I attended Sex Addiction Anoymonous?...smile.
Seriously, Thomas, I read your previous posts (It may have been Golden, but I'm not sure), about getting up during the night in your sleep and raiding the fridge.  It made me remember experiences very much the same. When I was younger, and would go out and drink with friends, after I came home and went to bed, I can remember so many nights standing in front of the refrigerator sucking down a coke.  Also, when I was abusing Nyquil, many moons ago, I would get up in the middle of the night, half asleep, and just INHALE Little Debbie Swiss Rolls. Always after these binges, I would wake up with a really funky, "metallic" taste in my mouth.  Any insights to this?  Was it due to low blood sugar, or what? I never experienced this anymore, even when I was drinking several shots of Jack Daniels a night just to go to sleep.  I've wondered a lot about this.  
Well, Goodnite to both of my perverted friends, whom I love so dearly.  I've got to go back to work full time next week so probably won't have as much time to post, but if ya need me e-mail me anytime @ ***@****.  Love you guys, Lisabet

[afriend]

I dont think anyone has the right to tell anyone to ignore anothers post!!!Most all people here, are here to help others and share information. Have you Robyn, ever seen a baby born addicted to crack, opiates, benzos ect? If the baby could talk you may think different...If the fear or losing her child gets her clean, then I'm all for scaring her, for the health of her child that has no choice, but to consume the opiates MsEsha irresponsibly chooses to feed her unborn fetus, after 4 months without a period!.. Yes, I agree that you don't wan't to thro the mom and baby into acute w/ds, and to stay away from the o/c, but should the truth be hidden! Nogods said,"possibly". MrsEsha this is not all directed at you!! You do need to taper as R/B said and get clean as soon as possible. Maybey I'm taking this wrong but are you looking for reassurance here to take opiates/narcotics (even small amounts) all thru your pregnancy? Hope not. I, as others wish you the very best to get clean as soon as possibe. You sound like a very loving mother to be! Please don't let my comments to others keep you from posting, we all love you here!!! Love, hugs, friends ...afriend....smile, you can do it and your baby will be fine. Remember, you make the choices, to use or not to use, not your faith in GOD......

[RobynBanks]

OK,  I see your point...i was wrong about 'ignoring the whole post'  BUT DO IGNOR THE PART ABOUT FAMILY SERVICES(the info is a load of ****).I don't believe in scaring someone into quitting.  It doesn't work and sometimes can just a stress a person out.  Why are you trying to stress out a pregnant women if you 'care' so much? There is nothing wrong with an objection to information posted. Jesus, Christ! Its all opinions here. Do not take offence, if i offended you Ms Esha... I'm sorry .

[sharonver]

I can understand you not wanting to stress Ms. Esha out it is true that is the last thing a pregnant woman needs but where I live in CT when you deliver your baby, the hospital has the legal responcibility of reporting this to the appropriate authorities. They are actually mandated to do so. This is definitely true, I know for a fact it is being done right here in my town. So scare her or not it is inevitable, this will most likely happen unless she can hide it from them. And I wouldn't advise that for the baby's health. We all want what is best for both the mother and baby so lets try to help her get through this.  Ms.Esha- If you want to talk regarding any of this I will be happy to try and help-***@****

[BLUE501]

I have to agree with shanover. I live in colorado, and in  this state, if a child is born addicted to a substance and or alcohol, proper authorities are contacted and the child CAN be released to the state. So, msesha, if you are not sure what the laws in your state are, I wouldn't risk it!!! A child is TOOOOOO precious. A child is toooo innocent. A child is the true definition of unconditional love. My advice would be, LOVE THAT CHILD.

be safe
linda

[pepsi4]

Sorry to interrupt this thread, but the other thread was used up....  Well, I decided to wait until next week to quit -- I was getting so stessed out about going through the wd and playing perfect hostess, that I ended up using some hydros last night and today.  I'm not too bummed out, though.  When I quit drinking, it took a few tries.  I didn't have to lose my job or family or friends to quit, btw -- although I was told by some AA folks that I just hadn't "bottomed out" and would be drinking again soon...but that's another topic....  In any case, it's very handy to have Thomas's recipe, and I've found a few things that will help me out with the wd thing, also.  Thomas and Dancing, you both are awesome (as all of you are).  The facts are the facts, though.  I know I can taper down to a point, but not down to zero -- so I've just accepted the fact that I'm probably not going to feel great for a few days -- better than not being free for the rest of my life!  Dancing, can you send me the Epsom Salt "recipe" (not that I'm sure there is an actual recipe, but I'd like to know how much you suggest using, etc.).  I'll be back later......

[theGolden1]

If the mother-to-be dosen't taper and quit as you have suggested, her baby will have withdrawal and possibly seizures. Hospitals are on the alert for this situation and they must call social services who will investigate before allowing her to take the baby home. She needs to come clean or get clean. Trust me on this. On the otherhand, she has come down to a low dose and is obviously looking to you for support. I think your advice was constructive and it is good that you are helping her. She wants to help herself or she wouldn't be here ... and that's a good thing.

[afriend]

Good post Golden. RobynBanks seemes to be in denial and (IMO), led Ms.Esha into believing that, (CPS, "child protection services",in my state) won't/can't interfere with her childs welfare, if born addicted to drugs! They CAN and WILL take her child in most of the states I know of, as you and others have also stated. Nogods had a valid and informative/supportive post, and, SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED as stated by RobynBanks. Sharonver, BLUE501 & g.g had informative and supportive posts also, as I thought mine was! We ALL are here to support and help you anyway we can Ms.Esha !!!!! We won't beat you up, we promise! Please re-read all the posts and put them to use! Please let all of us know how you are doing! Love, hugs, friends,... afriend.....

[Esmith28]

Hey sweetie, I can only imagine the pain, worry, guilt and burden you are carrying right now. Know this..you realize what you were doing, you admitted i, asked for help and now what you dofrom here is up to you, you CAN do this and I knw you will. Your baby has her/his own God and he is protecting it with his infinite love and light. Know that babies have suffered much worse and you are stopping in time and you will be OK. I am here if you need a friend ***@****
Blessings to you
Elizabeth
I will dhare in private what I did (not knowing I was pregnant) and my baby ended up being a gifted child by the grace of God. She is fine and is now a bratty 12 year old who thinks she IS GOD!!

[Kris34]

I have been lurking on this site for several months now & never posted, but I have to offer whatever advice I can regarding being pregnant and addicted to painkillers.  I was addicted to vicodin (and whatever else I could get my hands on!) about six years ago, went through rehab and stayed clean for about five years.  I recently relapsed with Ultram and then found out I was pregnant.  I knew I couldn't take Ultram while I was pregnant, so I switched to vicodin and darvocet and then went cold turkey off of that at about six months into my pregnancy.  If you can avoid going CT I would because depending on the amount you are taking, it could be worse for you and the baby to have to endure that stress, both mental and physical. I was also told that taking narcotic painkillers while pregnant probably won't make your baby be deformed in any way, but there are other very good reasons to get off the vicodin asap.  I went into preterm labor at six months and almost lost my baby, and I wasn't even taking large doses of the vicodin or darvocet, and never took both at the same time. It scared me enough to quit, and now I have a perfect little girl who was born with no problems, and wasn't addicted.  I'm not trying to scare you or stress you out, I just wanted you to be aware so that you know how serious this can be.
I do have to offer another note of caution - if you can avoid it, do not take any pain medicine after you give birth (at least not after you leave the hospital).  I thought that I could handle it, but I'm back on vicodin again and am in the middle of trying to get off of it - AGAIN!  People always say that one is too many, and a thousand isn't enough and it is so true.  Once you are an addict, chances are you will never be able to take pain medicines again responsibly.  If I could turn back time I never would've accepted the perscription after I left the hospital, because now thinking about quitting while caring for a newborn is pretty overwhelming.  Hopefully it won't be that bad this time because I've only been taking them for a few weeks, but I really wish I had listened to that little voice in my head that was telling me I was making a mistake as I got that prescription filled.
I hope you can get through it and quit so that you give yourself and your baby a chance for a happy and healthy life.  Believe me, there is nothing scarier than being faced with losing your baby, especially when you know that it could've been avoided.  It will be very hard, but it will be so worth it.  If I could do it, I know you can too!  Recognizing that you have a problem is the first step, and you've already done that so you're part of the way there!  Ask for and accept whatever help you need, nobody will think badly of you for trying to do what is best for you and your baby.  I'll be thinking of you, and am always here if you need support.

[RobynBanks]

Sweet Jesus Christ almighty saviour!
I was never saying that Child services wouldn't take a baby away if a mother is an addict-obviously, that would be part of the equation. DUH!
BUT....why bring it up?....I'm not PRO-scaring people. That's all. Chill out.
Amen etc...

[peaz]

Hi and welcome...That was a FINE post with many, many supportive and helpful comments.  You speak from much experience, and that wisdom carries a lot of weight.  It is obviously a volatile topic, but your common-sense approach gives much-needed insight to what's really important here.
  So, what is YOUR game plan at this time?  I think you said you wanted off  vikes again, but felt w/ a newborn, it would be next to imposible.  Perhaps you're right, since I recall getting little sleep those first weeks or months...But since no one can sleep while they're in W/D's, anyway, maybe we should rethink  your strategy!!! LOL
  Just know that whatever you want to do--I hope you keep posting--if for no other reason than you'll meet a lot of caring people here who will love you unconditionally and make no judgments. We are addicts who make no pretenses and realize we're none better than the other.
  So take care and keep in touch!   Peace, Peaz

[afriend]

Thank You Robyn for all the religous compliments! As not to boost my ego anymore, you may call me (afriend). But maybe we should tell Iraq that were going to drop snowflakes on them instead of bombs!.DUH! Sorry, this is not an addiction post!

[Jerri2]

Ok Guys enough menapausal moments!!!Peace to all!!Hope your all doing good in your recoveries,taperings or wds.I'm on day 6ct.wds and feel GREAT!!I can see my rainbow right in front of me!!So I hope everyone is doing good!Take care my friends and have a wonderful Monday!!    Jerri

[Kris34]

I have been lurking on this site for so many months that it seems strange (but wonderful!) to finally have someone speaking directly to me - I wish I had started to post a long time ago!
I haven't come up with a game plan yet because I'm so scared and unsure of what will happen in regards to withdrawl.  I have two other little girls, 18 months and five years, and I know how hard it is to take care of them while going through withdrawl.  Of course, it's not exactly easy being an addict and a good mom either.  The worst part for me has always been the malaise - sometimes even getting off the couch to get one of my girls a snack or change a diaper seems impossible.  Also, another big obstacle for me is that I have three refills of vicodin left, and I know myself too well to think that I'll be able to just let them sit there at the pharmacy.  I read on this site about people who can actually quit with painkillers still in the house and I soooo wish I was able to do that.  I have never even been able to taper, I've always had to go CT.  The first time I did it I was in rehab and they loaded me up with valium for a week so that it would make the withdrawls easier.  This last time I was pregnant, so I couldn't take anything at all.  It wasn't fun, but it wasn't too bad because I wasn't taking nearly as much as I was the first time. I am still dumbfounded and disappointed in myself that I let it get to this point (about 8-10 a day on and off for the past three weeks).  I know I need to get over that and deal with it now or it will only get harder.  I am hoping that with the help and support of the people in this forum I'll be able to do it for good this time.  My first step is to come clean with my husband so that I can get his help.  
Also, do you (or anyone) have any suggestions as to what is a good alternative to opiates for tension headaches?  Migraine medicines don't work because they aren't migraines, but more like really bad chronic (almost every day) headaches.  I appreciate any and all advice!

[Jerri2]

You sound like me in the respect if their there I eat em!I too could not taper and if I had refills I wouldnt let them go to waste!No way would I leave em at the pharmacy!And to flush em down the toilet I'd probably dive in after them!NO JOKE!I was buying them off of a lady and she lost her perscription this time so I'm sooooooooooo glad cause now I'm day 6 of ct.wds.And feeling GREAT!Its hard but you can do it sweetie!!Do it for yourself first then children and hubby.You really sound like your ready again.This is my umpteenth time too so I know and others here just what your talking about.And can also see your delima(sp)as far as the refills go.Some of us just cant taper.I'll be praying for you to have the strength to get through tis!Take care and if I can help in anyway just let me know...                Jerri