Pregnant Hydrocodone OR Methadone

[NneedHope]

I was put on Hydrocodone 2 X 5/500 4 times a day. I would end up taking them 3 times a day or up to 6 times a day... depending on how I felt that day. I was on this medicine and then found out I was pregnant. My OB told me not to see my pain doctor anymore and to wean myself off of the hydrocodone. That I needed to see a rehabilitation place for my pain. I tried to wean but that didnt work.... I couldnt help myself. So when I ran out I called the OB office and told them that I was going through withdrawals and needed help. They said that they had already ref me to the rehabilitation place and that they could do nothing for me. I called the rehab. place and couldnt get a live person and no one would call me back. So I went to a methadone clinic (to get

[pregowithtwins!!]

I am almost 29 wks. pregnant with twins and have been doing pain management for the past 3 yrs. for back conditions i was born with. I took hydro 7.5/750 when i was pregnant with my 3 yr. old prob. 7 or 8 times a day and he was born just fine. I have since then moved up to taking lorcet 10/650 and have been taking it 10 - 15 times a day throughout this pregnancy....my only concern is the babies being addicted when they're born b/c of the increase i am taking this time around. I figured that it was better for me and the babies to stay on it b/c my body has been used to it for 3 yrs. now and so far all of my ultrasounds have been excellent..and i've had about 8 so far..in fact both of the babies are at 3 lbs. each right now which is a very good size for twins at 29 wks. and they're always active as ever. but any advice would be great b/c i still have the fears in the back of my mind of what might happen when they are delivered!!

[lashamummyof2]

Hi,
Thanks for your nice words. I read your post in the other forum and was a bit concerned about some of the comments that were thrown your way. Really unsupportive and some of them accused you of being an addict when you're not. There is a difference when you are dealing with chronic pain management.  I'm sure your doc will put you back on hydrocodone, it would probably be the better option for you and you baby. With some of the other pregnant women I've spoken to, not one, at any time, had any problems with babies at birth. A lot of the women were prescribed dosages that you are taking and none of the babies suffered withdrawals. I'm glad you looked into this and are seeing a doctor, you're being a great mother. I didn't think you drank, I just have heard some women needing to drink from pain, which is not a good idea. My best friend smoked throughout her whole pregnancy and her baby was small, but from stress, not smoke. That's why what you're doing is the best, keeping your stress level low, as that will hurt the baby more.
I'll post a note for you here after the baby is born (due July 3rd) and let you know how he is. I'm sure he will be fine...I'm actually dealing with my pain better these days and needing much lower doses than before. Of course, I have a cold now...so it's always something isn't it?
There is a concern I will break my tailbone again during birth, but we'll see, for now it's not so bad and I'm hoping to make it through the next few weeks on plain tylenol. Ha ha -- we'll see how well that works!
Good luck with your doc on Monday and let me know what he says, I'm curious to know what they say about the methadone and your pain.

[NneedHope]

Oh and of course I do not drink.  I may be dependent on the pain pills from taking them for months.  I have had issues with them in the past.... but I am not a alchoholic on top of it :)  I do not drink... even when I am not pregnant.  I did smoke but havent had any... not even one puff since I found out i was pregnant!!!
I didnt have a prob quitting smoking........ but those pills....
anyway thanks again

[NneedHope]

I have not been on any hydrocodone in 12 days.  I have been on Methadone for 11 days now.  I was taking 5/500's of they hydrocodone.  I was prescribed 2 at a time 4 times a day.  I would take 2 at a time anywhere from 3 to 6 times a day depending.  I am 15 weeks pregnant.  The ONLY reason I went on methadone was because I started going through withdrawals and I have heard about how dangerous that can be to the unborn baby.  Yes I told the methadone clinic I was pregnant.  They said I will not be able to come off of it until after the baby.... which I am thinking that my doctor may have a way for me to do it.  Or maybe the doctor will want me on the hydrocodone rather than the methadone for the rest of the pregnancy.  I will find out monday.  I really appreciate the websites and info and most of all support!!!
I wish you the best of luck with your baby as well.  The ONLY thing that these pain pills do to a fetus is make the baby dependent.  Even then most cases they do not require any medication.... just extra love cause they are grouchy for a couple days.  Your baby will be fine!!!!  I have no doubts about that!    Thje amount that you are taking and the pills you are taking are such a low dose that your baby may not show any signs of withdrawal after birth.  DONT WORRY.........  just get better!  
Thanks again and take care!

[lashamummyof2]

Check this out as well. May give you some more info:

http://www.camh.net/About_Addiction_Mental_Health/Drug_and_Addiction_Information/Safe_Baby/safe_baby.pdf

[lashamummyof2]

Dear NneedHope,

I read your other post on another forum and wanted to offer you some positive support. I am sorry you are going through what you are going through, but keep in mind, many, many, mothers have been through the same thing, whether it is legit pain management or not. Having said that, I do believe methadone is worse for your baby than hydro, however, w/d are worse than methadone. There is a site - google methdone pregnancy, you may be able to find it - that will give you accurate information. You can speak to the woman who facilitates the site, she is a nurse. You can also go to http://www.motherisk.org this website is excellent and there is a phone number you can call to speak to a qualified nurse or doctor about your situation. They are leaders in the study of the effects of drugs and substances on the fetus. The website has some info on methadone.

I have a broken tailbone and am 37 weeks. I have been on pain medication throughout the pregnancy and so far, everything is fine. It is critical that your OB knows and deals with your situation, chances are, the baby is fine, and as other's have said, the baby may have withdrawal issues at birth if you continue to take high dosages throughout the pregnancy.

Do not panic. Make sure that you are taking good care of yourself and DO NOT drink alcohol or take anything else.

Did you tell them at the methadone clinic that you are pregnant? I understand that methodone treatment is very specialized in pregnant women; the does of methadone will change during the pregnancy and the fetus must be monitored.  Have you tried just not taking the hydro? How many pills are you taking a day, and how many weeks pregnant are you?

I'm not a doctor, but I have been dealing with pain management throughout this second pregnancy with both a GP and an OB. I take small amounts of drugs (tylenol 3, 2-3 X a day, on horrible days, 1 x 5mg Percocet with acet, not a lot!), but have had concerns like any mother about the effects on the fetus. So far, the doctors have been very reassuring.

Check out: Babycenter.com and go to bulletin boards, pregnancy complications, chronic conditions. There is a bunch of women on that thread who are dealing with pain management issues ranging from scoliosis to sciatica to migraines. You may find some support there too.

I hope you are able to find out more information for yourself through the resources I hae given you.

Good luck and keep me posted on how you are doing!

[NneedHope]

So I went to a methadone clinic (to get help until i could get my doctors to help me) They told me it was great that I came in that there is a 10% chance of miscarraige when a woman goes through withdrawals. I continued to call my ob to let them know that I wasnt getting through to the rehab. place and could they help me make the appt. Finally 4 days after the initial call for help, my ob office calls back to say oh no the doctor doesnt want you to go to the rehabilitation place but to your original pain doctor (the same doctor she told me if I continued to see that they could no longer treat me or my pregnancy, I would have to go elsewhere for ob care). They said it was a misunderstanding and to continue to see my original doctor. I called and he was on vacation and i have an appt in week when he gets back. In the mean time I am going to the methadone clinic every day to get my dose to prevent withdrawals.
MY QUESTION..... Finally i know!
What is safer during pregnancy.... they hydrocodone I get prescribed by a doctor or the methadone? I read conflicting info online. It isnt like I am buying pills off the streets they are prescribed to me. It isnt like I am on heroin. So would methadone really be the best option for me? Am I going to end up HOOKED on Methadone during these 2 weeks I am on it waiting for an appt with my doctor? HELP!!! I need advice