narcotics and pregnancy

[niknurse]

I posted before but didn't get much of a response.  I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with taking narcotics during entire pregnancy (be it prescribed or not) and what the outcome of the baby was.  Any experience at all.  I've had to be on them for a medical condition and I'm terrified for the baby to be born addicted.  I've heard it totally depends, some are some aren't.  My doctor seems to think the baby will be fine, but that is not good enough for me.  I just want to hear from people that have been or are going through it.  Please any story will be helpful.  

[niknurse]

You are right that is the one think my doctors have been absolutely strict about.  Not to stop cold turkey.  I actually don't think I could.  I'm so sorry to hear about your miscarriage.  You did what you thought was best for the baby.  I so appreciate your kind words.  I hope that you are doing ok.  I have read some of your older posts and they have been very helpful.  It is good to hear about your friends twins too.  I pray everything will be ok.  You take care too, you are in my thoughts.

[worried878]

When you miss a dose, do you go into WDs?  In other words, are you physically dependent on them?  Using pain pills during pregnancy happens some times as it is necessary....If you are physically dependent on them, then there is a greater chance that your baby will be,... And even then it is not always the case...It is just more likely...hope this helps

[niknurse]

I absolutely have w/d symtpoms.  I get RLS and jitters.  I hate it.  My pancreas acts up too.  I'm on them because I have bad chronic pancreatitis and cystic fibrosis.  I'm trying to wean but it has been difficult b/c of pain and w/d's and the docs say teh w/d can hurt the baby.  So, if I am dependent that does that mean the baby has a higher chance of being too?  I've heard so many conflicting things.  I talked to a neonatologist that said it totally depends and noone knows.  But, they must have some idea.  In fact, a nurse in know in my OB office told me the other day there was a woman who was taking tyl #3 not everyday and never more than 3 (way less than I take) and the baby had to go the NICU for w/d and had to be medicated.  She also said though that , that is very rare with that dose and that drug and that she may not have been honest about her usage.  If she claims she's not dependent how can the baby be?  

[worried878]

I do not mean to scare you...but think about it...if you are physically dependent there is a better chance your baby will be as well...They do an abstinance score on the baby and will medicate with ativan if needed to help the baby...the WDs are very similar as an adult...diarrhea and anxiousness...crying   Let your doc know the whole picture...sounds like you have  H e needs to know and help you safely taper and this will help the baby tremendously...Gosh it is hard for me to say this as I feel bad that I have said it...I do not want to scare you but you need to take this seriously

[niknurse]

Oh believe me seriouly is an under statement for how I'm taking it.  In fact, I feel all my doctors aren't taking it seriously enough.  I've seen some neonates in w/d in the ER (i'm a pediatric er nurse)  and it's awful.  I know a score over 8 calls for pharmcological intervention.  I've researched the heck out of it.  I think I just wanted to hear more stories about people that have had to take them and knowing that I thought it would give me abtter idea of the chances.  One of the things I read said that the molecular weight of narcotics is higher than that of like tylenol an dis not absorbed as readily thorugh the placenta, so even if you are dependent there is a chance b/c of the weight that the baby isn't getting hardly anything.  Truthfully, I don't think anyone knows.  I am on a tapering schedule per my doctor, but they don't want me weaning any lower than I am.  I really want ... so I don't know what to do.  I swear you could know every study and every biological element to this and I still need to hear from people to be prepared.  When all your docs keep telling you it's gonna be ok and then you think it will be you are not prepared when or if it's NOT ok.  Does that make sense?  But, I thank you for your honesty.  Ihope I don;t sound like I don't take it seriously because I actually have been losing sleep over it adn can't atop researching it. You are not scaring me I need to hear all aspects and opinions.  It just helps me deal and be ready for anything.

[Flutterby111]

Can I ask what you take it for?  Is it a pain you feel you can handle with some other drug?