Vicodin Addiction

[labelleenfant77]

So I am new to the boards and have been jumping around posting some and then saw this forum and thought it kind of fits my problem.

I am 24 years old. I am addicted to Vicodin. I have had problems for the past two years with any and every prescription medication I could get. I love soma, fiorcet, percocet, percodan, codeine, xanax, ativan... But most recently vicodin has become a big problem. I am pregnant. My doctor prescribed Vicodin since it is considered safe in pregnancy. Now I am completely hooked. I took 16 pills in less than 36 hours. I turned to my husband who has always been supportive and told him I had a problem. He has put up with all of the other problems in the past but I think this one is too much for me. I probably hurt his unborn son. I am afraid I am going to lose him. So basically - I know I need help. I thought this might be a good place to turn. I have no one else I can turn to.

Thanks for listening.

[Buzz Kilowatt]

Vicodin is a mixture of hydrocodone and acetaminophen. If you are taking 5/500s then 16 pills is 8 grams of acetaminophen. 4 grams is the (advertised) maximum daily dosage for adults; it may be less during pregnancy. Acetaminophen can be very bad for the liver . . . you don't want to take chances with yourself or with the baby.

I think it's safe and fair to say that you need to get a handle on the meds; you don't have a lot of time to get started, and you really need to reach out to a pro. I suggest that you contact your primary care physician ASAP and follow his/her advice.

You are wise and strong to seek help at this time. May you have a successful pregnancy, and keep in touch.

Buzz

[serenityqueen]

Welcome to Sr!

With that said, I can identify with your drug of choice, Vicodin was also my doc. I also used during my pregnancy. Nineteen years ago, my son was born addicted. He was less than 24 hours old when he began going through severe withdrawls. It was not a pretty sight and I had so much guilt and shame over this that it was one of the reasons that I continued to numb myself with more and more Vicodin that I got to the point that I was taking on average 80 Vicodin ES a day. I don't know why I didn't die a long time ago. I'm not one to question why, God made that decision. He must feel that I have work to do here on earth. I feel that "my work" is to share my experience, strength and hope. By the Grace of God, I am celebrating 1,000 Days Clean & Sober today!

Please remember, Vicodin, or any meds for that matter are only safe in the level that they are prescribed. You obviously have taken way more each day than prescribed. I suggest the first thing tomorrow morning, you get ahold of your Dr. and let he/she know what's going on. Sure, it's gonna be hard. Not only is your life at stake, your unborn son's is as well. You can't just stop taking the pills cold turkey, you very well could go into withdrawls which can be extremely dangerous to not only yourself, but your unborn child.You can tell when you're feeling shaky, jittery, anxious, nauseated . . . but an unborn child's physical withdrawl symptoms aren't obvious.

I urge you to do this. You don't want to put your baby though what my Son went through on his first several days on this earth. Also, get some help for yourself. You obviously have some issues that have caused you to numb yourself with drugs.

And please don't let any feelings of guilt that you have keep you picking up. It is not the answer, it only brings on stronger feelings of guilt and shame.

Yours is not a unique situation. I have met several women who have gone through this exact same thing. It doesn't make you a bad person. You have a disease. You took a big step coming on here and owning it, continue on and take the necessary steps. I will send you a personal message right after post this with my email address. Please feel free to contact me at any time. I'll do what I can to help you, listen, share my thoughts and feelings and most importantly Pray.

God Bless,
Judy

[jazpoppy]

Please do get help now! In pregnancy you should not take any chances quitting alone, you need a doctor to help you. They may have you wean off so it won't shock the baby. So don't wait a day longer, get help now, please! I am an addict also, and just being an addict is enough of a burden, but to be pregnant too is much more than you should have to endure. You can succesfully beat this now with medical advice and help from a good doctor. Do you have an OB/GYN or Midwife? Can you talk to them and see if they can get you set up with an addiction specialist? Please be careful. Take good care of yourself and your baby.

Luv

Jaz

[Tryin2Recover]

In addition to talking to a doctor, I suggest you get involved in AA/NA. For me just not doing drugs is not enough, I have to work to change my life and how I live it or im doomed to forever repeat my mistakes. Good luck.

[Lily]

I am glad you told your husband. I pray your baby is okay. It is not too late to quit now, even if you messed up. I had a slip in my pregnancy over 19 yrs ago and my son is fine, just take care of yourself and get to a meeting! you really need accountablity! Praying for you!


This is a good place to start! welcome! Sheila

Is there anyway you could get into a recovery home? They bump you up to the top of the list if you are pg. Don't let false pride get in the way! This is for your family, especially that unborn baby.

[ccgirl2]

How scary for you. I don't have any great words of insight; just reach out for help, especially at this time in your life.

[TiredMama]

Hello!

I was in your shoes twice before. I had a horrible opiate addiction of 8 years and I have had two children since. My doc was prescribing them as well and before I found thsi place, I was taking them while pregnant. I would let the doc know about your addiction NOW. This way, maybe he/she can help you ween off of them so baby will not experience too many w/d's. Good luck and you can talk to me anytime you need to!

[ksos]

Originally Posted by labelleenfant77

So I am new to the boards and have been jumping around posting some and then saw this forum and thought it kind of fits my problem.

I am 24 years old. I am addicted to Vicodin. I have had problems for the past two years with any and every prescription medication I could get. I love soma, fiorcet, percocet, percodan, codeine, xanax, ativan... But most recently vicodin has become a big problem. I am pregnant. My doctor prescribed Vicodin since it is considered safe in pregnancy. Now I am completely hooked. I took 16 pills in less than 36 hours. I turned to my husband who has always been supportive and told him I had a problem. He has put up with all of the other problems in the past but I think this one is too much for me. I probably hurt his unborn son. I am afraid I am going to lose him. So basically - I know I need help. I thought this might be a good place to turn. I have no one else I can turn to.

Thanks for listening.

Hi and Welcome to SR. I bolded the part in your post that I am very concerned about, which is your statement that Vicodin is considered safe in pregnancy. From the FDA:

FDA pregnancy category C. Vicodin may be harmful to an unborn baby, and could cause breathing problems or addiction/withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Vicodin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

[Rugrider]

You are not alone in this addiction, I had a 4 year addiction to Lortabs. It is one of the most abused drugs there is. I tried many time to quit but in the end I made any excuse to take. I thought I fooled everyone in thinking I had quit, but I was wrong. In the end, my daughter was the only thing stronger than my opiate addiction. I still think about it from time to time, but it does get better over time.

[Dogger]

This is my first time here but what a great site. I was injured and blow out my lower back and have had a couple of failed fusions. My pain managment doc has had me on oxy,atiq (fentanyl), daulilid and valium for almost six years. Its a crappy way to get hooked but it happens. I de-tox my self and, well lets just say it was a nightmare but my legs burn the same as with the meds. Look opiates or any narcs may help pain or be fun to someone but it leads to bigger problems than people know. Anyway I feel for you and hope you make sure you just do it for all the right reasons I'am not a big 12 step person but whatever works for you is the best way, I have meet alot of steppers and all great people and I think its called alanon but heard great things about for family

[Dragonfly821]

Hi - Feel free to read my threads as I am pregnant too. 30 weeeks now to be exact and I quit cold turkey at about 8 weeks from a major perc/lortab habit. It sucked and was no fun whatsoever but I am so happy now. It has been a long road but a road I am glad I took. As others have said please tell your doc because it may not be safe for you to cold turkey. At the same time it is so important to get some help now, you don't want to live with guilt if your baby is born addicted. That is all that kept me going.

I can not begin to tell you how much better it does get. Prayers and strength to you and your baby - remember you are not alone!

[bvaljalo]

Originally Posted by Rugrider

You are not alone in this addiction, I had a 4 year addiction to Lortabs. It is one of the most abused drugs there is. I tried many time to quit but in the end I made any excuse to take. I thought I fooled everyone in thinking I had quit, but I was wrong. In the end, my daughter was the only thing stronger than my opiate addiction. I still think about it from time to time, but it does get better over time.

Hey 'RugRider'?

Just a word to the wise: there's a LOT of, um, shall we say 'ladies', who post on these boards (it's mostly female, in any event) in case your not aware? I doubt many of them really appreciate learning of your video game 'kills' or other online achievements, particularly when this info is being 'presented' by a nearly nude young 'honey', with a gun hanging from her nearly non-existent g-string.

Most posters here just aren't likely to 'get it' quite the way, that, oh, say, a fellow gaming dork like myself might.


In other words, SR.COM ain't like 'www.counterstrike.net' or nothing like that, so ...

[windysan]

Originally Posted by bvaljalo

Hey 'RugRider'?

Just a word to the wise: there's a LOT of, um, shall we say 'ladies', who post on these boards (it's mostly female, in any event) in case your not aware? I doubt many of them really appreciate learning of your video game 'kills' or other online achievements, particularly when this info is being 'presented' by a nearly nude young 'honey', with a gun hanging from her nearly non-existent g-string.

Most posters here just aren't likely to 'get it' quite the way, that, oh, say, a fellow gaming dork like myself might.


In other words, SR.COM ain't like 'www.counterstrike.net' or nothing like that, so ...

i'm totally digging the g-string girl. ooh la la

[ccgirl2]

I wouldn't be so made if I looked that good.

[serenityqueen]

Thanks Bvaljalo! I am not a prude nor am some sheltered individual who has never seen pics like this, but I DO NOT feel this is the approriate site for that

[windysan]

looks like the original poster is gone, y'all. dang. hope she comes back. hope she gets well.

[TiredMama]

Hey dear hope you are still around. How are you doing today? Please PM me anytime because like I mentioned earlier, I was in your shoes twice already.

Take care.