I'm new and in need of some HELP

[mommy2be25]

I'm 22 weeks pregnant with my first child and it's a boy. My husband and I are so excited, but I have a problem. I have been addicted to Hydrocodone for about 5 years. I have been trying to stay off them since I'm pregnant, but I keep falling right back into the habit. I just need some suggestions on what to do. I'm not a bad person, I work at a professional office full time, I have a nice home and a wonderful husband and three fun and loving doggies. The big problem is that when I stop taking them I feel better and wonder why I ever let it go on that long, but then one day it's like something takes over in my head and I find myself right back on them. Any suggestions or comments are welcome. Please don't be too harsh. Thanks.  I just want to be a good mom and a good wife. My husband and son don't deserve this!

[worried878]

chiropractors are totally safe during pregnacy...some even attend births to attend to the newborn and make sure no back misalignments are  present at birth...adjust the new born baby!...many neck/back injuries are incurred during the birth process....chiropractic is a safe thing...doctors prescribing medicines that can harm us is not safe

[mommy2be25]

Thank you for your kind words. I am going to try my best to get through this and put it in my past as well. I don't want to loose all that is important to me over some stupid pills!

[Fergman]

Wow!  That was quite a situation.  I'm surprised they didn't try to Baker Act you for your own safety.
Let me share that I had severe back problems for 7 years.  L3 and L4 were protruding 6 mm. and resting on the sciatic nerve.  It was freakin awful.  I went the pain management route.  After 6 years, I graduated to 45 mgs. of morphine daily and 6-8 perc 10's for "breakthrough pain."  Needless to say, I had a lot of psychological breakthrough pain incidents.  I lost control of my usage.  My family moved out.  I almost lost my job.  3 drug-induced car wrecks, etc.  I went to this chiropractor that was in the back of my mind (a God thought).  She performed a procedure called Manipulation Under Anesthesia.  Fortunately my insurance covered the procedure.  I have been pain-free for 2 years now because of that procedure.  Getting of my goodies was not so easy.  I went the suboxone route for 6 weeks.  It all cost about $650.00 for the suboxone treatment (insurance doesn't pay).  It was either that or a 30 treatment center.  Recovery is a journey.  I'm thankful that I'm not addicted to those pills anymore.  I was the last person to realize that I walked around in a narcotic haze.  So glad you're tapering off.  I wish you the very best!  If I can do it, you can do it!

[mommy2be25]

What did they do? Did they do an adjustment? Is that safe?

[tramaddi]

chiropractors are a big help...my back was killing me so I went and it made a big difference!

[mommy2be25]

I don't take that many anymore. I only take 3-4 10mgs a day right now. I use to take anywhere from 8-10 a day but I would pass out regularly. I just don't have control. When I have them I take them non-stop till they are gone. I have been standing and fell backwards on a hard floor with my eyes rolling back in my head and almost choking on my tongue when I've taken that many. It's a problem I know... but it's been at least 6 months since it was that bad. The last time that happened my brother was there and when I came to him and my husband were over me screaming and crying. They had called 911 because they didn't know what was happening to me. It scared me so bad I started cutting back right then. I couldn't bear seeing my family that upset.

[slk714]

wanted to lend my support, just had my baby girl Sept 25th, also battling a long addiction with vicodin. i started tapering my dose when i found out i was pregnant. the most important thing is to be honest with your Dr, he will/should guide you along. i had so much guilt and fear about my use and pregnancy, i thank God every day she is ok. i have learned there are legit reasons for pain meds to be used during pregnancy, i for one only used them to get high, but again, if you are up front with your Dr, he should help you stay monitored and possibly taper off.  you should be proud of yourself for asking for help and support, there are many wonderful people here to help, they do not judge and understand what you are going through...good luck to you and your baby, feel free to pm me anytime if you need to talk

[Fergman]

Congratulations are in order.  You say you take 10 10mgs. a day? Do the people around you talk about unusual behaviors you might demonstrate.  that's a lot of dope!  I'm all for you tapering down.  Hopefully you can do it slowly and be off the goods soon.  Have you done research on the effects of hydros and pregnancy?

[worried878]

and it sounds like a step in the right direction...forward..stay safe and keep trying ur bext

[mommy2be25]

I've had cronic pain in my neck, shoulders and back for over 5 years now. Some of the pain is due to a spine problem. Some of the pain is due to muscle spasms from stress my Dr said. But the back pain has only gotten worse since I've been pregnant. So, as you can see I do need the pain relief. But deep down inside I feel like I can find other ways to deal with the pain that will not harm Owen. Whether it be tylenol which I can take while pregnant, exercise, or seeing a chiropractor. I do know I have other options. So, in a way I feel like it's the addiction telling me I need these pills to deal with the pain. I am stronger than this and with support from my husband, family and others on this board who have been where I am now I can get through this one day at a time. I've only had a 1/2 dose so far today. That's 1/2 of what I've normally taken by now. One step at a time... Right?

[worried878]

Owen is very cute....but a doctor who prescribes narcotics to a pregnant person unconditionally should be held at bay...if u have a life threatening pain to warrant narcotics then that is different....then i could see a doctor prescribing them...i wouldnt put my license at risk to do that...u know the time will come when this will have to end...addiction does not get better only worse...if a pregnancy is not enough to make u quit then u have some true issues to deal with later...if u r a chronic pain patient then that is a different story and i wish u the best..pregnancy with chronic pain like DDD or congenital pain problems///injury problems can be a major battle and challenge..especially when with child......but many can stop just for themselves...even when another life is not involved and seek alternative pain measures..i know because i am one of those people....cant see how i could use narcotics being pregnant...but no one is here to judge and u know ur needs and ur baby's needs  much better than anyone here...be safe ..and keep ur baby safe

[mommy2be25]

Thanks everyone. I am so glad to see such a response. It makes me feel like I really have the support I might need to get through this. I am currently down to about 4 10mgs a day which isn't much compared to the 8-10 I was taking not too long ago. I have started to taper back down. Its just getting past the mind over matter part I guess. I want it, I know how to achieve it, I just can't seem to stick with it. But I have to soon for my baby. Oh.. and one name we really like is Owen. Cute? I hope so... I have really low self esteem which is part of the reason I take these awful pills. It takes all the pain and worry away. My Dr knows about my addiction but doesn't seem to be taking it very seriously. The prescription that I filled the other day is from a different Dr. that I have been treating with for years. He makes it too easy to get the pills. I can't imagine my life without them. But I want nothing more than to move on in life and never look back on them again.

[avisg]

The most improtant thing you need to do right now for your baby is tell your doctor what is going on they are a heck of alot more understanding then you think they will be .have them help you out with a taper plan .Seen as you said you keep going back to them. I would look into some type of recovery care to help you threw the time you feel like using .good luck it will be OK.

[opi]

a lil comment from a non pregnant male.....although i've often wondered how much money i could make as a pregnant male,,,hmm,,,,,anyway,,,,,we are all "not bad people"....so that guilt needs to go...we are just  wired differently than others....we have a lil issue...you have taken a great step by checkin in here...it is a start..the fact that you can stop and feel great i awesome....... when you are clean again{get there the safest way possible for you and child}......and when the brain game starts tune in here....write down what you have to say,get **** off your chest..read posts...whatever..it brings me peace that i still don't understand but it turns my craving down{for a while}...i've made the mistake of avoiding this forum and i give in very easy....tune in,,don't turn on...lol ...<---gay.......anyways...do what you gota do...the people here are know a few things about a few things and the support they provide is ammazing..fight the good fight and the'll back ya.....hey......call him opi  ;}

[hopinforhappy]

I thought I would just weigh in.  I have three kids.  On all three pregnancies I took hydros.  I started in with pre eclampsia at about 20 weeks.  Killer headaches.  I never abused them when I was pregnant but all three kids were taken to NICU shortly after birth.  I know that the hydros were not the reason for that, it was underdeveloped lungs, but I tell ya, it sure goes through your mind.  That kind of guilt is not worth it.  I agree the best thing to do is to talk to your doc and keep them informed.  They want just as bad as you do to have a happy healthy baby.  This is a great reason to get off painkillers.  Taper taper taper.  By the way, any names for the little one yet??

[tramaddi]

Join the club altho it's not that great of a club:(  I am 25 weeks pg and have a tramadol addiction and am finding tapering to be a miserable experince but it is the only thing I can do I have a Dr. Appt at the end of the month and plan on asking about an antidepressant w/axiety features that can take while pg.  I am due in Jan with a baby boy. You are not alone, it is not easy especially by yourself.  The important thing is to start working on a plan to be done or at a lower dose before the baby is born.  Pg can be tough in itself and unfortunatley u can't take alot of things that may bring u releif of the w/d due to the pg.  (hyro can be used during pg in small amounts, my dr. prescribes it for migraines but I can't switch from the tram to the lortab w/o having w.d) That really bites! Start a taper at the lowest dosage u can take w/o the w/d starting and taper from there.How many are u taking?  Keep posting u can pm me if u want I talk w/ a couple of other gals in the same positions some on hydro too.  Keep posting.  

[RC184]

Hello... It is so exciting when you are pregnant,I myself will be their someday also.. I have the same habit 5 yrs also ....Just do yourself a favor and your body don't just stop taking the medication just taper and keep your dr in the loop of what is happening the worst thing you can do is go ct because it sends your body into shock and you might risk the pregnacy...ask your Dr they should be able to help you especially if you have an open communication with him or her....they will understand... I did totally the opposite went CT and at 3 months had a misscarrige ...My husband was very supportive and understood but I felt it was all my fault my dr said it was not just try weaning yourself to were you are comfortable ... I am not saying that what happened to me will happen to you....PLEASE do not take it that way our bodies are not all the same I am petite (small) I do have a 13 yr old son that I love more then anything but my goal is to get off this pills so I can get pregnant again..Take Care and God Bless..
RC