[hulagirl]

I am so relieved to find this forum! I have been in pain management for 4 years due to chronic back pain and Fibromyalgia. I also suffer from panic attacks and depression. I am told this is very common with people who suffer from chronic pain.

I am 42 and tried for 2yrs. to get pregnant (with no luck) before starting medications. I have been taking lexapro for 2 months and feel like a new person! I also am on Norco10/325mg. 6-7 per day. I am two weeks late for my period and have all the symptoms of pregnancy except a negative test result. I have an appt. next week for blood-work. I think if i am pregnant, it's because the Lexapro allowed my body to finally relax! Any way I am quite concerned how these drugs could effect a baby. My husband is also worried about my pain and we are praying for this to be o.k. We would be so happy and blessed if I test positive next week. At the same time I am tortured with guilt of that harm I may have already caused on these meds!

[sweetchikk05]

I took pills while pregnant and I was told that if I came off of them the baby could have a siezure or die, when I did try to come off the baby started goint through withdrawl, his heart rate was everywhere and he wouldnt quit moving, I seeked help went into rehab and was put on methadone, they keep you on that so the baby doesnt go through withdrawl, when I gave birth...6 weeks early...he showed signs of withdrawl, they put him on phenobarbital for one month and I breastfed for 2 months so he got his methadone dose through me, and now all is well..

good luck to you, I dont look down on you, I have been there
Liz ann

[byhizgrc]

Originally Posted by fancy1866

I have been taking hydrocodone for about 6 weeks for severe back pain. I am 30 weeks pregnant and want to taper off so baby is not born addicted. Does anyone know how? After 6 weeks of use would I be physically dependent?

Thank You

IDK, but when u find out, will u let me know? I'm going to the doc today to get a prego test & have been taking it over a year for arthritis, fibromyalgia, & lupus pain. Therefore, since I think I may be pregers, I'm worried about the risk to the baby & if I'll hafta stop AND what the doc will do for my pain during the duration of my pregnancy.

I suspect that u prolly haven't been taking it long enuff & the doc prolly has u on the lowest dose possible. So, u prolly have nothing at all to worry about. How strong is ur dose & how often do u take it?

BTW, I commend u for think more about ur baby's health then ur own pain!! I know it's not ez to do something like that when u have pain bad enuff that it requires narcotics, but our babies are more important, right? KUDOS girl!!

[mpvt]

I doubt you'll get an answer from this person as the post is 2 years old but I can tell you that a weak opiate like hydrocodone is still harmfull to the baby.Opiates aren't very good for the ailments you have anyway.Ask your doctor about "Lyrica"??!!This drug works amazing for all the things that you mention you suffer from.I know a few people who are off all the painkillers thanks to Lyrica.Good luck at the doctors.....Dave

[sweetgirl0016]

I'm 38 and a half weeks pregnant, and have severe migraines. my doctor prescribed hydrocodone 750/mg/a day twice a day. I only take it once a day and have been taking it for the past 3 weeks. I want to stay off of it but the migraines are still severe. Does anyone know it it would hurt the baby when taken near the delivery date? i'm so scared , but the pain is too much. And will my baby be addicted to it, if so is it a big deal?
Thank u.

[mpvt]

I know that the baby can be born opiate addicted.The hospital then weans the baby off the opiates usually with morphine.
You would likely have to deal with whatever child services are in your area (I'm in Canada and here it's called "Children's Aide Society").So you should discuss this with your doctor and maybe even get ahold of whatever child agency you need to and ask them what you should have ready in case they are called in.
As far as I know there are no lasting problems when a baby is born addicted to opiates but what happen 20 years later when say the bay (now man\woman) has surgery and is given opiates for pain???I have often wondered about that.
You sound like a good person and you obviously care about what happens to your baby.So do whatever it takes to get all your questions answered so that come delivery day you don't get any surprises.Good luck......Dave

[ymccormack]

Originally Posted by sweetgirl0016

I'm 38 and a half weeks pregnant, and have severe migraines. my doctor prescribed hydrocodone 750/mg/a day twice a day. I only take it once a day and have been taking it for the past 3 weeks. I want to stay off of it but the migraines are still severe. Does anyone know it it would hurt the baby when taken near the delivery date? i'm so scared , but the pain is too much. And will my baby be addicted to it, if so is it a big deal?
Thank u.

Sweetgirl:

The reason taking painkillers near delivery time is not recommended is because the drug can slow the breathing and delay that first crucial breath the baby takes. But hyrdocodone is very short acting and weak compared to the drugs they administer during labor (they gave me fentanyl - way stronger).

Dave is right (as always)...your biggest concern is that you do not want the baby to become dependent on the hydrocodone. With such small doses for such a short period of time...I wouldn't worry about that either.

You are doing the right thing by taking just the bare minimum you need to help with the migraine. The stress of the migraine isn't good for the baby either - so as long as you keep your use minimal - the baby should be great.

Good Luck and let us know....you can email me anytime.

YM

[Ashann]

I am 18 weeks pregnant with my first! I miscarried this summer and it was extremely hard so this pregnancy was a blessing. I went to my OB with some severe stomach pains which turned out to be appendicitis. I underwent emergency surgery that evening. I was terrified that I was going to lose the baby. Fortunately they say that surgery on pregnant women is becoming more and more prevelant. After surgery, I was on IV morphine for two weeks while in the hospital. After leaving the hospital I have been taking about the same amount of hydrocodone that you are 5 mg pills about 5 times a day. I have researched and researched taking this medication while being pregnant.....it surprises me how little there is out there on the subject. My OB is wonderful and has reassured me that none of this will effect my baby. I am looking to taper down over the next few weeks. Hang in there, I am sure it will all be fine. I am sorry that people can be so judgemental but I just write that off to ignorance about the issue. A friend of mine was on 10 mg. lortabs her entire pregnancy due to chronic back pain she has a very healthy little girl now so I am sure it will all work out fine!