Methadone clinic terror

[LoriGingrich]

Hi there...
   For the past 5-6 months i have been on methadone, and it has def helped me. And for the pas 2-3 months, I have been weaning down fron 40md a day to now 15mg a day. Just this morning, I went to the clinic, and was getting ready to start my 21 day detox from the 15mg, but first, I had to take a pregnancy test for them. To my wonderful amazement, I am pregnant! That is a great thing, but my husband and I were trying to wait until I was off the methadone totally. As soon as they saw the positive test, they refused to lower my dose any further. Im assuming I am about 2 months along, so I have been steadily coming down since I have been pregnant, and am feeling fine. I don't want to go cold turkey for fear of withdrawl hurting my baby, but the clinictold me that I am not ALLOWED to come down any more, and in fact, they will be RAISING my dose, whether I like it or not. I am so close to being off it, and I refuse to subject my baby to it for much longer. What bwould you suggest to be the best way to go about this?

[EvolverU]

Dear Lori,
              Don't know if you're still checking this thread but I was on my last clinic for 20yrs. before I kicked - (actually still kicking.). I watched many girls and women have babies safely. Some of the babies went through withdrawal, some didn't. Luckily, you haven't been on Methadone that long so it hasn't saturated all your bone & tissue and well be easier to kick after the birth - when every thing is settled down. The reason they raise your dose is that just like the vitamin's and nutrient's in your body, your baby is  "consuming" some of your medication & they want to make an adjustment for that. Tapering further while this is going on will most likely make you feel ill as the baby continues to grow. Complications can arise if you're sick/tired all the time or God Forbid, try to go cold Turkey.
               Hope this was a little help - if you hadn't already figured it out. Congratulations on your pregnancy and your desire to get off Methadone. I'm sure you will & this is the place to keep coming for help. I know it's helped me & a lot of other people.
                                    Best of luck in all things

[Sweetness91]

I also agree with Weaver. If YOU feel stable and comfortable, I would assume the baby does as well. I mean they do say the baby feels what you feel, and if you feel ok then....

It just doesn't make sense to me that they would raise your dose. How much have you decreased in the two months you've been pregnant?

[VICourageous]

Thanks for the come back weaver. I knew you would..
Keep posting there will be others too...
vickie

[weaver71]

Oh yeah, I'd talk to your OB and ask about an increased dose. I would follow their advice over a clinic.

[weaver71]

Do not detox while you are pregnant. It has been proven that a steady dose of opiates does no harm to an unborn child, while detox is severely traumatic. As long as the doctors know and are ready, you're baby will be fine. I understand wanting to get off methadone, trust me, I've been there, but you don't want to do anything that will harm your baby. I don't know why they would want you to increase, if you feel stable, but I agree on keeping you on a stable dose. Opiates are very similar to the natural chemicals our brains make, so they don't really do any physical damage. On the other hand, the body is very efficient and has stopped making those chemicals because you have been putting them in your body. Any symptom you experience, the baby feels too. Please don't try to detox. Talk to your OB, be open and honest. Congratulations on the new little one in your life, what a joy. My kids are everything to me, I would never do anything to harm them and would do anything to help them. Be safe and keep us posted.

[VICourageous]

Great come back I was typing when you came in...
Thanks vickie

[VICourageous]

WOW This is interesting. I can understand them not wanting you to go threw the w/d being P. But to put you back up I do not understand this.I was on methedone for 12yrs. I went c/t from it at no chioce plus the adderall/clonazepam. I got down to 15mg from a high does then strarted to go up. I c/t at 30mg and do not recommend it. BUT you do have a baby. It does not sound like you were not on it very long. I am not a DR but I would think they would want you off nice-n- easy & not put you back up. Are you feeling OK right now at the mgs you are at???  I was older when I was using this. So I am going to let the MOMS in here check this post out.I will PM some to give you some of their experience. Hang in they will roll in and out.. Do not go....Very good support here....
God Bless you
vickie

[maria920]

I would listen to the drs. If u have been on methadone since u got pregnant it will hurt ur baby to cone off. They will probably take u back up a bit then mayb lower ur dose later in pregnancy. I can't say 100% thts what their thinking but I would listen to what they say. I'd also talk to my ob about this as well. If they say to stay on it then u kno thts what u have to do. Good luck!!!