5 1/2 Month's Pregnant & On Subutex, Advice Please!

[leilalee]

Hello Everyone-

My story in a nutshell...

Tried opiates a year ago when I got a Migraine Headache, followed by two surgeries. Loved them! And, ended up finding ways to get more from my doctor, and when that didn't work so well, and I needed more, I found someone who sold them. I got very bad! I was doing up to 300mg of oxy, percocet or vicodin a day. I make good money, so that was never an issue. I kept this from my husband and 2 year old son...sadly....

My husband and I wanted a second baby, so, tried, and got pregnant. I thought that would be the answer to my prayers and I would stop using, NOT....I couldn't handle the withdrawals, and read they are bad. I checked in to a local, detox/rehab program specializing in pregnant women. They talked about Methadone and Subutex with me, and for my lifestyle, I chose the Subutex. I liked how it allowed me to go to a doctor, (which is 100% covered by insurance). I was "inducted" to the Subutex in the hopsital, and only was there 7 days, vs most women who they have there 28!

Now, I am 5 1/2 month's pregnant, and really struggling. I only have my second trimester to wean from the Subutex safely according to my doctor. I have two weeks until the 2nd trimester is done, and I really don't know that I am ready to be done with this drug, that is helping me stay sober. I am truly afraid I will use again. Especially, after finding out in rehab that opiates are actually completely safe for the fetus, they are only a problem when the mother becomes addicted.  Anyway...I have tried AA and NA, and they just aren't for me....I do go to an addiction therapist once a week, and she has been great! I am also going to try acupuncture for opiate withdrawal and detox tomorrow at noon, can't wait! I get pre-natal massages as well, as much as I can!

I am just looking for guidance, support, and hopefully someone else in my shoes that can share with me. Has anyone had a baby while on Subutex? I am taking about 4mg a day, or less sometimes.

Thank you again!

[concernedmama00]

Hi! I have read ur posts and I too am 5 1/2 months pregnant and taking subutex.. I know exactly what u mean being scared to death! I am taking about 4 mg a day and been weening down a quarter each couple of weeks. Your story really hit home to me. Mine isnt much different. I started taking pain meds Jan or Feb of 2012. I had to get clean before my husband found out so in June I began going to a suboxone dr. When I found out I was pregnant he switched me to subutex. My Ob knows everything and communicates with my sub dr. However, no one else knows! No one knew about my opiate use either. I am so nervous. I have never dealt with anything like this and I cant tell anyone. My doctor told me I needed to be completely off @ the beginning of my 3rd trimester and that doesnt look possible. I dont know what to do. I can not imagine seeing my daughter going through what I have went through this past year. I have to stop!!! Im going to talk to my doctor about what u said coming down 1 mg a week. It is hard for me to go through withdraws when I have three toddlers to take care of I cant sit down 5 mins let alone stay in bed all day. Im so lost.

[leilalee]

Thank you everyone for your advice, and great words of encouragement!!!
I went to see my Subutex doctor on Friday last week, just to let him know how I was feeling (overwhelmed, scared, etc) about tapering off of the drug.  He knows EVERYTHING, ever since I got pregnant, I have basically started a new life, a life of no lies, and being 100% honest with my primary care doctor (also my son's pediatrician, and my OBGYN) him and my Subutex doctor talk directly, so everyone is in the loop! The only person I haven't told, is my doula. She doesn't need to know just yet....I plan on being done with the drugs, so she will never need to know.  My therapist said it's my choice whether I tell her. I have told the important people in my life! I don't want to be judged.  So far, I haven't been, everyone has been great. What I went through is truly a disease, addiction is a disease, and I will forever be recovering!

So, to answer the questions about if my doctor knows, YES....both of them know everything.

So, my appointment Friday went very well! My doctor just got back from a new training on Subutex, and he found that when taken sublingually, about 35% or less is absorbed under the tongue, into the vein. When swallowed, a guaranteed 15% of the medicine is absorbed. It is NOT nothing, which was widely believed....so, here is his idea for me:

Starting Monday- swallow one 2mg pill for 7 days, then the following week, swallow a half (1mg) of my 2mg pill per day. He said after this, I should be able to stop, and be just fine. Mentally, will be the hardest part for me.....and....just knowing that if I do feel withdrawal or anything bad, I just need to get back on a low dose, and taper again until it works for me. I CAN DO THIS. You guys are right! It's so hard.....I am going to need a lot of support moving forward...

There is a pain pill addiction meeting here locally where I live, that he said I should attend on Wednesday nights. I am goign to do that next Wednesday for sure! I can't WAIT. I have tried NA and AA, I felt out of place at both, and just didn't get anything out of it....it actually made me want to use! Believe it or not.

I am confident that I can get through this, in the next two weeks! I CAN!

[moonshyne]

You know how horrible the withdrawals are right? Now imagine your baby being born having to feel that awful sickness. No baby deserves to spend his or her first weeks withdrawing like that. You have to kick this for the sake of that precious little baby inside you. You need to become determined to get off them and save yiour baby from the agony of withdrawals. Do it now, please! It sounds like you have plenty of support which is great. You CAN do this, I won't lie and say it'll be easy but you have so much to lose if you don't kick it. Please get serious about quitting and no matter how sick you feel, just remember that if you don't stop the baby will be feeling like that when it's born if you don't stop now. Good luck and I pray to God for the sake of your babies you find the willpower and strength to stay clean.

[worried878]

tell ur dr.ur ob and pediatrician so they can be aware that the baby may be addicted when born..that way they can provide support to make the baby comfy just in case....a day opr 2 after birth they will need to keep an eye on the baby and telling them helps them know what to expect

[missy812]

I wouldn't say narcotics/opiates are completely safe for a fetus.  I mean, if you are withdrawling, so is the baby, and do you want your baby to be born like that?

Take it one day at a time and if you feel like using after you get off the Subutex, come here and post or find some other sort of outlet.. Like knitting or something.

You can do it.. you seem to be doing all you can for your baby - keep it up!!!

[avisg]

opiates are not completely safe durning pregnancy especially for someone that is addicted and as you said you were up to 300mg a day that's is alot..People do have babys on subutex there is a chance of the baby having some withdrawal but they will do everything they can to take the best care of the baby and you .Does your doctor want you off the sub before you give birth.I am assuming your obgyn knows all of this as well so they can help you threw you will make it threw this.