I'm back.....

[cruz214]

Well now i'm 9 months pregnant. I'm due on the 23rd of this month. I stopped doing heroin when I was about 5 months pregnant. I've been doing good, no craving for heroin or anything.  But NOW, I'm taking OTC sleeping pills. I don't go over board, I just take 4 every night or during the day if I want to sleep. I CAN go without them but I choose not to. I don't know if i'm just replacing heroin or what. Let me just clarify,  I CAN SLEEP WITHOUT these pills. What I want to know is, will they give my baby withdraws? Will she be positive for something when I give birth? Will CPS get involved just because I'm taking OTC sleeping pills? And my doctor knows I was on heroin and she knows that I stopped heroin at 5 months pregnant. Please let me know so I know if I should stop taking these pills. I WILL stop, I just need to know if it's safe or not to take them. Thank You!

[cruz214]

Thank you every one for the replies. It really mean a lot to me knowing I'm not alone.
Yes, I am going to NA meetings. Not every day or anything but I try to go at least every week.
I think I do just have the urge to just take something. I actually started to snort OTC meds just because i wanted something in my nose and i wanted my nose to burn. It was a big habit. I know I don't crave heroin, I just want to feel different. It's so weird to feel 'normal'. I didn't take the sleeping pills last night. I am taking 2 tonight though. I am only gonna take 1 or 2 if I choose to take them at night. No more then 3. I saw my doc today and she said it's fine to take OTC sleeping pills. I just wish I wouldn't want to feel different. I know once my baby comes i'm going to be to busy to even think about any of that. I guess its harder right now since I'm not working and I'm alone. I will work after my baby comes though so that will keep me busy.  Thank you every one!

[Andie015]

There is definitely that urge to take something when you quit drugs...especially if you took pills. I know what your talking about though...you look for anything to alter how you feel even if its just getting that tired chilled out feeling from sleeping pills. I took sleeping pills every night when I was pregnant and all of my kids turned out fine...although I didn't take as many of them as you are. Try cutting back on them...instead if taking 4 take 2 or 3. And I agree with everyone else...talk to your ob and let them know what your taking. I was told by mine that the OTC sleeping medicine was ok but only when I really needed it. Good luck with everything...I hope you and the baby do well!!!!

[VICourageous]

I am Proud of you comming off the herion...Great Job for you and the Baby.Soooo glad you were honest with your doctor...Hang in this site you can share your experiences with the next one that comes along.
Ditto from the above post!
God Bless
vickie

[lynnalb15]

You shouldn't take anything not prescribed by your ob. Especially while prego. Please talk to your dr ASAP. It may be harmful to your baby.

[Clarityrocks]

I cannot speak on the OTC meds, but good for you and your baby that you were able to get clean, that is HUGE! Congratulations!
Allison

[Sweetness91]

The OTC medication packag should have warnings on its label about taking them with high blood pressure, taking them during pregnancy etc etc.

I have to be totally honest here...when I was on methadone, I always kept them in my purse...it was such an everyday thing..."where's my purse? Gotta get my medicine in me". Once I stopped taking the methadone, I felt this urge to grab my purse just to take something! ANYTHING! Even though I didn't want it to be methadone that I took, I just felt like I had to swallow something. Horrible I know. So you know what I did? I started putting the bottles of vitamins I began taking for detox in my purse and the Tylenol and ibuprofen. And it truly did help me...I know it sounds silly. But I really believe it is not only an addiction, but a HABIT! To this day, I still carry vitamins in my purse for when I have that urge. And since you feel you are replacing the sleeping med for the H, it may be beneficial to try taking something that you know for a fact doesn't harm the baby, just to quell the urge, especially since you say you can sleep w/o it. This is just my experience and my opinion. Only you can do what's best for you and your child...which I think you will or you wouldn't be coming here for help. Good luck!! And congrats on the little one :)

[nursegirl6572]

Don't just stop taking them on your own.  What exactly are you taking and how much?  You need to let your doctor know exactly what all you're taking.  Chances are, it may even be something that your doc would be okay with.  CPS would onnly get involved and take your child if you DON'T reveal everything to your doctor, to protect the baby.

BTW, congrats on getting clean!  That's great!  Are you participating in aftercare?  NA/AA meeting?  Therapy?  Aftercare is VITAL to staying sober, especially because you are still sort of stuck in that mindset of self medicating.  It goes without saying that whilew pregnant, a woman shouldn't take anything unless it is ok'ed by her doctor.  Even the most "innocent" seeming med can be harmful to an unborn baby, and not everything "OTC" equates to being safe.

Talk to your doctor hon.  Good luck!!