Narcotics During Pregnancy???

[Mariah]

     Hey guys!  I wonder if I write this here will a doctor answer me???  I hope so, I need help.  Here goes...  I'm a 23 years old.  I have been taking lorocet 10/650 everyday for a little over a year & I'm up to about 7-8 a day.  The problem is I found out I'm pregnant, I'm about 14 weeks.  So, when I found out I was pregnant I was taking at least 8 a day (3-4 at a time).  So after I realized I was pregnant, I tried to quit.  I had no luck.  I needed the pills (at least 3) to even get out of bed.  Plus, I was scared of what withdrawal might do to my baby.  I know what it does to me & I figured it was probably not good for the baby either.  I'm scared to go to the doctor for fear of what he might do or say.  I've heard stories about women being put in jail when they use drugs while they're pregnant.  The last thing I want is to be seperated from my baby or to hurt my baby.  I'm trying to quit, believe me.  I just wanted to know what the dangers are to my baby & if I slowly stop using will my baby still need detox?  A good friend suggested taking them on a schedule, that way I'm not high, but I'm not in withdrawal either.  It worked great, I had only a little discomfort.  I took 1 every 3 hours, sometimes sooner, sometimes later.  This sounded smart to me because that's how you're "supposed" to take them.  I never thought of that for some reason?  My thinking was all or nothing.  I only took 4 yesterday.  I was also wondering what effect the drugs or getting off the drugs would have on my blood pressure?  I have a little girl & when I was pregnant with her I had GBS (Group B Streptococcus).  My OB did what was necessary to treat it, but I almost had a stroke.  My blood pressure was sky high.  I have been checking my blood pressure because I'm a little scared of what might happen & it's a little too high right now.  Please help, I'm terrified!  Thanks so much to anyone who takes the time to read this.  I appreciate it...

[SarahCox]

I've been on narcotics since 2005.My first back surgery was in 2006 and was unsuccessful.I ran outta insurance soon but filed for disability in 06' and received it finally in August 2008.The beginning of 2009 I had my second back surgery.A 3disk 3level anterior Interbody fusion and they went through the front if course.I've got 3 fake disk spacers,3 plates and 4 screws per plate which is 12 total.I've been in so much pain ever since,wish I would never have had that fusion done.Its ruined my life,cant work or do anything close to what I use to.Im on Opana 6 times a day.Thats a Morphine pill.Immediate release and I also wear a Fentanyl patch that I change every 72 hours.I've lost 3 kids already.Miscarriages which runs in my family.Grandma (moms mom)lost 3 had 4,my mom lost 3 had 3& 1was a twin but she had my brother.He was the twin.They called it a disappearing embryo since after he was born there were 2 sacks.The first time my sister had sex she had a miscarriage&then my aunts have no kids.Those are my grandmas daughters.My question is,and I'm 32 right now,I want a baby before its too late but there's no way with all the pain I have will I be able to get off everything.I wasnt sure what all a woman can take narcotic wise for pain other than pregnancy pain,that I could take the entire term of pregnancy.Along with being pregnant comes with low back pain of course and I already have enough of that and cant deal or suffer with anymore.So if anyone knows if there are any at all I could switch to when or if I got pregnant let me know.My obgyn once said its not good for what I'm on to have a baby.Also she said because of the pain I'm already in,she wasnt sure if I could handle having a baby.Having serious back problems or equipment in their backs surely doesnt stop all women from having kids does it?I dont want to be 40 and still no baby.I do have lots of problems in my marriage as well and he doesnt care about my back pain.Only himself and while he doesnt/hasn't worked since March we live off my disability.Its deeper than that tho.12 years of "deeper than that" plus lots of problems.So back to my question and I'll end it with that,which if any narcotics can women take safely during a pregnancy? Any info on this my name is Sarah C. Thanks alot.Its very important and I appreciate it very much.

[Joey1742]

Hi I'm from uk I'm not a doctor and I'm not familier with the drug you are taking the names are different in uk. My partner was addicted to heroin when she became pregnant and we went to the docs for advice and he was great it doesn't mean they all will be. He told us about the blood brain barrier and how drugs only work once they get past this point, he told us about wich drugs couldn't harm the baby wich could and there seemed to be a little degree of protection as long as you were not using lots of drugs. He advised us to break down what we were using start a reduction then to get on subutex by the time my partner hit labour she was on 2 mg a day and the baby came out fine with no withdrawels whatsoever. Try and find a doctor ask a friend to go and see them I realy hope everything goes well for you Joey.

[casandra_lisha]

i need some advice please? my daughter recently gave birth to a healthy little boy,
when she was younger she had an injury to her back and during the pregnancy it at times became unbearable. she sometimes would take 1/2 or a whole percocet to ease the pain, her doctor refused to give any narcotics and i had an old script that i never finished taking of them.
after the baby was born the social worker asked her about the percocets and asked her to bring in a bottle with her name on it to show it was a legit perscription, she didnt want to tell her they were some of my old meds for fear it would get both she and i in trouble.
we no longer even have that bottle either, there was only a few and i had them in a little pill container for a few months.
will this get us in trouble now? her having them in her system at the time she gave birth and by us not having a bottle to show they were legit??
they never said there was anything in the babys system, only in my daughters.
this has us so terrified that we havent been able to sleep in 3 nights  and shes suppose to call the social worker tomorrow !!
can someone pleaseee tell us what may happen??
i never dreamed by her taking a couple of my pills it would be such an issue, but it appears to be.
id appreciate ANY help you may offer
thank you
casandra

[kane332]

you are in luck my wife and i are going to the doctor tommorrow oct 31.she was taking pills all the way up until she found out she was preggers at 2months so we will be asking all these questions.i will even ask the doc about the anesthesia.im sure you already know this but get a home pregnancy test make a docs appointment and congratulations.in my opinion i think your fine as it sounds like you werent a heavy user unlike my wife and i.i will post what i find out tomorrow the minute i get back from the doc and please dont stress over this you are ok.congrats

[Kimi915]

I just had hernia surgery.  I was placed under general anesthesia and recieved a boatload of pain meds post surgery both in the hospital and the week and a half following surgery.  I am competely off them now but have missed my cycle and am concerned I am pregnant.  If I am pregnant I am wondering what I have to be concerned about with the anesthesia and narcotics in VERY early gestation (first 2-4 weeks).  Please let me know about any experience you may have had or any research you can direct me to.  Thanks.

[lonestar480]

Hi I'm 20 weeks pregnant and have been taking 8-12 5mg of lortab a day.  I'm so scared and ashamed of what I'm doing but I can't stop.  And even if I could I'm scared from everything of read that I could have a miscarriage.  I would love to hear any research you have on this.

[lashamummyof2]

hi-
write me a message - I'm lashamummyof2 and just had a baby - well, 6 months ago - and I was on percocets all the way through b/c of a broken tailbone. I can talk to you in depth about the baby, any harm done (none probably). the big issues are stopping suddenly can hurt the baby and a slim chance of addiction in the newborn. So far I have yet to speak to a mother who took responsibly and under a doctor's care that had a problem with the baby.
If you want more info on this, I did a lot of research and can help you.
write me.
L

[babyhelp911]

i have been hooked on vicadin for about 5 years buying them from any one that had them. i was recently treated in the hospital for the past three months and they were givin to me left and right.i found out i was pregnant about four weeks ago. no one knows i even have this addiction. well anyways i was all out of vicadin and i could only get my hands on percacet.that was two weeks ago. i took those and i swore by christmas i wouldnt take anymore and i havent. dnt give me so much credit yet though, i dont know if it was because i switched to a different kind and the vicadin was out of my system or what but it was easy. ive tried to quit numerous times and never could get passed the withdraw symptoms. i still have cold sweats and an uneasy feeling but nothing i cant handle. my question is what harm do you think ive already done?

[Joyd]

I think that I am pregnant and I am worried about my abuse of headache meds.  I take two to three excedrin per day.  I also take an imitrex for migraine pain about every four days.  Does any one have any advise or knowledge of how to quite these types of meds, and what effect excedrin has on a baby? I know that I have to stop taking them but I am afraid of how I will cope in everyday life with no meds for the migrains.

[soon to be a mommy]

I am having major complications with my pregnancy and my doctor has put me on narcotics--I have taken Darvocet, Vicodin & codeine--not all at the same time of course--during my entire pregnancy.  As long as you are under the care of a physician, and you watch how much Tylenol you take, you and the baby will be okay.  Some narcotics are safer than Tylenol!  And what ever you do--don't take asprin, motrin, advil or any other anit-immflamatories.  Just make sure you don't go over the limits that the doctor tells you--and make sure your doctor knows exactly what you are taking.  My doctor has told me that the baby will suffer no long term side effects--but when he is born he may need to be weined off the meds which will take 2-5 days.  

[IBKleen]

I do not personally believe that one will hurt you, or the baby. But you said you won't take anymore? Good idea. Daily and long-term use would potentially be harmful. Don't beat yourself up, just follow thru with what you said: "No More".

Thank you for the post.

[mommy2008]

I am twenty four weeks pregnant and  three months prior to getting pregnant i broke my right hand. I was taking  narco and vicodin and  even two months later when I had conceived and didn't yet realize I was pregnant, I continued to take a few every day or every few days until I finally found out I was pregnant six weeks into my pregnancy.  Then, a few days ago my hand was aching and throbbing due to the fact that I use my hands for a living(skin care and hair removal specialist) and I took ONE 750 vicodin.  I will not take any more throughout my pregnancy as I felt so guilty and worried!  Is it likely that I hurt my baby?  Could I have done harm and damage? Help! I am so worried!!!

[[email protected]]

I have a question.  I am 32 weeks pregnant and I take Darvocet for my back pain. I  really want to stop taking the Darvocet because I am scarred for the baby to have withdrawl when born and I don't want her to go through that.  But then I question what she will go through if I quit cold turkey while pregnant.  I take 3-4 a day.  Does anybody know if it can hurt the baby to stop taking while pregnant.

[FLaddict]

You cannot stop cold turkey while pregnant... Please talk to your doc to set up a taper schedule... or go into a detox in a hospital..


PS>>The thread you posted on was from years ago.. I would post a new question on the page if you want people to be able to answer and give your advice..

[Brian to Sick and Scared]

Please take Tom's excellent advice.  Find an addiction medicine specialist to help you through this and also a pain specialist to offer you options for the future.  Hang in there, it will get better.

[tom to Dee]

Dee, take heart! It's going to be OK. You're not doomed. You CAN find pain relief without being actively addicted to the source of your relief. It may even be the kind of drugs you're using now.
--- It's just that you know you can't be put in charge of ADMINISTERING OR DISPENSING the drugs to yourself. That's all it is!
You're going to be alright. Once you're properly detoxified from all the oxycodone, you can arrange to receive normal, controlled amounts of whatever you need for pain -- YOU JUST CAN'T CONTROL IT YOURSELF. I know when the docs show up today, they will, among other things, tell you to contact an addiction specialist AND a pain control clinic (might be the same place) that specializes in untangling these kinds of situations and restoring patients to relatively normal "relationships" with their pain relievers. It's done every day, everywhere. Do you think you're the first person to find herself in this position? Happens all the time. People base their medical careers on solving these problems. But you're going to have to put yourself in their hands.
Just working the steps while enduring unrelieved, agonizing pain is simply not going to work. Make some calls. Contact, like I said, a doctor who specializes in Addiction Medicine. I know there are lots of pain control clinics in the yellow pages. Just make sure it's a genuine clinic with real MD's and not just a chiropractor.
Dee, you're heart is in the right place. You've been honest with your mate and you've made contact with an AA (NA) group. That's a good start, actually. But follow through with those calls today. Do it now. The sooner you start, the sooner you'll get help. Take care. Look for Brian's or DrSteve's replies today. You're going to be fine.

[Dee]

I have been crying all day, I'm so depresed..I've went to a NA chat meeting today...I've read the 12 steps with tears streaming down my face..I approached hubby.....he just says I'm saying this because I'm withdrawing, and I should really think about my pain before I do this...that everything I have wrong with me needs pain meds and to tell him what in our life would change for the good what positive thing can happen all I could say is just maybe we'll find what we are supposed to find as we do the steps I know it's not going to bring us money..and we're in this together and we'll control together, we're a team, blah, blah, blah, I feel defeated already, like my destiny is already written...my heart tells me different..but how can I walk away from my home and family....How???I don't think I'm making any sense...forgive me...

[tom to Dee]

you're withdrawing from a pretty high daily dosage of oxy. You're going to feel a lot of strong emotions. Dee, you're really going to need some help. Do you have any insurance or at least have a doctor to call? If there's any way you can get some medical help through your withdrawal, you should seek it out now. I gave Charlie some practical advice on ways to cope with opiate withdrawal on another thread, still on this site. It's one of the threads with Oxycontin in the title. Look for "tom to Charlie" August 20th. What I told him applies to you to. But these tips will only partially relieve your symptoms. If you can get help and are serious about quitting, pick up the phone now while you're still lucid enought to make the arrangements. That's the best I can do. You will live to see a better day, but I know it doesn't seem like that now. Get some help or at least read the thread I directed you to. Take care and keep in touch with us here. Perhaps Dr Steve or Brian will have something to add.

[Dee]

thank you Mariah for sending me a messege and for your concern,
I'm not doing so well right now, not well at all...I just want to go into a room and have EVERYONE just leave me ALONE!! the withdrawal is not to bad yet, I'm sure by tomorrow morning it will be very bad....I'm so scared right now....I do have a question I'd like to ask maybe someone will know what I saying,
right now I feel like punching my hand through a window or something, the rage I feel inside is so strong! what's up with that???? Mariah I hope your keeping up with your schedule you were doing great...keep thinking of your baby

[tom to Mariah]

so ... how are you? Have you made any progress finding a doctor? Let us know you're out there and are ok.

[tom to Mariah]

woops, I must have missed your post, or it came in while I was typing. Anyway, glad to know you're ok. Only two a day? That's quite impressive, actually. You seem to have more control of your use than most at your stage of recovery. Your boyfriend is, well, ethically challenged, as the politically correct might say. If you get into a serious recovery program, you're probably going to be advised to stay away from him, considering that he's still using, is your source for more vics, and has surprisingly little guilt about his role in all this. You've probably already discovered how difficult it is to be relatively sober around him while he's buzzed. It's very difficult for two people to maintain an intimate relationship if one is high and the other is not, or at least is trying not to be. In a way, Mariah, he's the worst person for you to be around right now. Considering he got you pregnate and helped you get addicted, he's not being very responsible or supportive. Not at all unusual, I'm afraid to say. Try not to worry too far into the future. Focus on the things we've been talking about. And if you do relapse some day, so what? Big deal! You'll just recover again, only you'll know a little more about your condition. Knowledge is, or can be, power. Many addiction specialists today see recovery as a series of relapses and recoveries. Rome was not built in a day. Brian is right, you're doing great! Take care ...

[Brian to Sick and Scared]

You are doing great!  Hang in there, it will get better.  Feeling hot (or cold) is a normal part of withdrawal, which you are starting.  Many people get the chills, then after a hot bath they overheat, etc.  None of this will kill you.  Have you discussed this with your OB yet?  I may have missed it if you posted.  You really should.  As to the melatonin, it is probably ok to take small amounts, but please consult your OB first.  That is what they are there for.  The only dumb question is the one you don't ask.  Keep up the good work and before you know it you will have your life back.  Take care, Brian

[Mariah]

Hey!  Tomorrow will be a week since I cut down on my pills.  Yesterday & the day before, I only took 2.  Today I plan on doing the same thing.  I was wondering, can getting off pills make you hot?  I can't seem to get cool & I'm freezing everyone out of the house!  Also, I can't seem to get anything cold enough to drink.  Freeze pops & ice barely do it.  Sometimes I feel smothered.  I don't know if this is from withdrawal or pregnancy or a little of both.  If anyone has any ideas, let me know.  I asked my b/f to help me find a doctor today & he left, as usual.  I know he cares about me, but he won't help me.  So, I know I'm gonna have to do it myself or break down & tell someone in my family & get their help.  I'm starting to realize, (now that I'm not high) why I used to stay high.  There is definitly something missing in my life & now that I see that, I'll have to fix it or go back to the pills.  I don't want to do that after I have this baby, but I know I probably will if I'm in the same place.  I'll start taking them again for the same reason I did to begin with.  The only thing I have pushing me right now is the love I have for my baby & after I have the baby, what will I have then?  I'm just worried, because deep down I know I'll start again.  Even though I like to deny it, it will always make me happy.  I know I sound like a cry baby, I'm just so depressed today.  I hope it will change when I go to the doctor.  I know my worries about the baby's health will be helped.  I know my mind will be put at ease.  I'm sure my baby will be fine & that's my biggest worry.  But, I can't say the same thing about me.  There is one thing that will push me to get off of them.  When my b/f & I get in a fight he always threatens to not give me any pills & I am so sick of that!  I'm sick of having to depend on him to give them to me.  He always throws them up in my face.  He just hurts me so bad, because he's the one who got me started in the first place.  I'm not blaming him for everything, it's my fault too.  I'm just saying, he practically pushed them down my throat & now throws them in my face.  I'm sorry to ramble, I've just been so depressed & crying all day.  I would love to hear from anyone.  Thank you so much to anyone who takes the time to read this.
Mariah

[Brian to Sick and Scared]

Brighty, thank you.  I always enjoy your posts and appreciate both your insight (due to your unique situation) and the knowledge you bring to this board.  Mariah, the best way to find a good physician is to seek a referral from a physician you know and trust.  I gather your situation is such that you don't know such a physician, so if you have a good hospital nearby, ask for the head of obstetrics.  They should be affiliated with a practice group and then you can see if the group is accepting new patients.  I guess this may be an obvious point but...make sure whomever you choose is board certified in obstetrics.  This ensures they have the requisite education and training to properly care for you.  I'm not sure if most of the public knows this, but any physician can practice in ANY area regardless if they have further education in that area beyond that from med school.  Kind of frightening if you ask me.