Addicted to Vicodin and pregnant :-(

[Daytime101]

I am 7 weeks pregnant and terrified. I have been using Vicodin for about 3 years due to a back injury. For the past 6-8 moths I have been taking 10mg 3-6 times a day, prior I was taking 5mg 2-4 times a day. I know I have a problem but until now would not admit it. I have to stop using it but when I do I start yawning uncontrollably (within hours of not taking a pill), diarrhea, stomach pains, vomiting, I am fatigued, my skin craws, I am unsettled, I am sleepy but can’t sleep and I am in pain and bad anxiety. No one knows my dirty little secret because everyone knows I have a back injury, I am a mother of two, and have a good job, nice house so they only see that. Without the medication my back pain will be debilitating and even worst with withdrawal. I have bad morning sickness and I am terrified that if I stop cold turkey I may end up in the hospital. I cut all my pills in half and as of today I am taking a half pill to fight off W/D 3-4 times a day. My am going to try to do this for a few days than cut one half out and so on till I am taking no more; my goal is to be clear within 2-3 weeks. I just quit smoking 3.5 weeks ago ( I smoked for the past 4 years) I went cold turkey with no cigarettes but used 2 nicotine lozenges that I would suck on for a second at a time once or twice a day ( to kill the bad cravings) for the first few days. My question is this can I do this without medical/ Doctors help and how? How long will it take to  I know this can be dangerous due to how long I have been using but I want to stop within a few weeks but I know my W/D is too bad to cold turkey it. My OB doctor knows I am using but obviously not how long or how bad. I never thought I would be at this point, addicted to a substance, but I am and I have to quit now more than ever. Thanks for your advice.

[vicki595]

It's serious when you're pregnant. Right now, the details are not as important as getting this fixed!  Play it cool BUT be honest with the OB. It will work out but now you know it's serious and you need to think about how you're going to stay off the pills. That part isn't easy at first. For now, think about your baby and how healthy you want him/her to be. From that perspective, everything's pretty easy, right?

As I said, this is not an unusual occurence and your doctor will know exactly what to do!

[Daytime101]

Thank you. I know I need to tell my OB, I am so ashamed and embraced. I have been hiding my use for my husband too. I just told myself I could quit when I was ready but didn’t realize that W/D was so serious.

[mary577]

You can do this but you need to talk to your Ob first.  

[vicki595]

Okay, just relax...This is not an impossible situation and it can be readily fixed!  It's,also,not unusual.

First, don't try to taper by yourself. Cutting your dose in half is way too much. You'll feel it and whatever you feel, the fetus feels. Cold turkey is out of the question, too.

There's nothing wrong with approaching your OB about this. Just explain that you've been taking it for back pain, feel sick when you don't take it, and need some reassurance and help with pain management.

You'll feel a lot better once you get this burden off your back and the doctor will definitely appreciate your honesty!

Let us know how it goes!

[IBKleen]

Tiem to get honest with your OBGYN and let him help you. This is not something you should be doing on your own.