<< I can't imagine taking vicoden long term like that, but then I don't suffer
from chronic, severe pain.>>
The dose this mother was taking does not seem unreasonable to me.
In discussions about addiction with several physicians, I have been told that
with real pain, the receptor cites bind the medication. It is only when a
person does not have pain and takes narcotics that addiction becomes more
likely. It is the fear of addiction that keeps both the physician and the
patient from receiving adequate pain relief even in the short term post-op.
People with chronic pain and terminal cancer pain  are chronically under
medicated.
I wonder if these babies were truly born addicted and are actually having
withdrawals or if the nurses just see the symptoms because of the stigma
narcotic use carries in our society. (anyone care to chime in on this?)
Vicodin may be the only thing that gives this woman relief and long term use
in her case is acceptable.
The active ingredient in the Vicodin is 5 mg of Hydrocodone bitarate plus the
500 mg of acetaminophen per tablet.
Marie Davis, RN, IBCLC