Not sure if this is right for me...

[carriekeegan]

I visited the Dr yesterday and he recomended I go on Suboxone (not sure if its spelled right!) I dont know any thing about this drug though. I have been taking ultram 50 mg aprox. 20-30 a day also percs 10/325 aprox. 15 a day! I know this is bad and I'm lucky to be alive. The thing is I can function like I did before I used drugs this happened over a 3 yr time span. I have been trying to play it down and say its just ultram because I feel like such an awful person : (.  It seems like I need this amt. of pills to just feel normal!! The real prob. is I am about 7 weeks pregnant maybe a little more. I had NO IDEA, I wasnt trying to get pregnant.  I want this baby and I want to stop. The Dr. says suboxone. I have heard mixed reviews on this. I know from prev. answers I cant c/t. I wonder if I should get a second opinion? Whats the dif. between suboxone and methadone? Or maybe it's best to taper!!! I am driving myself nuts!!! I have the will power and reason to quit, just dont know what road to take?    -Carrie

[mtgoat911]

dawg, he told me that he never took sub,, has he been on it? do you have that link?

carrie i am sorry you are going through this right now being pregnant, when you are researching information on suboxone please be aware that there are pro sub sites and sites where people are 100% agaisnt sub, a middle ground is hard to find, medhelp has both ends covered
i have been on this drug myself and do not recommend it for people who are ready to stop doing drugs, its a matience drug, not intended for short term used, it was not designed for this, i learned that the hard way, it is just so hard to get off the stuff, but i can understand why your doctor told you about suboxone, its defiantly safer for the baby then what you are taking now, so if you choose to stay on pills suboxone maybe the right choice, if you want to get clean, i say ask you doctors help and set up a taper plan, or the BEST plan is to go into a detox facility, followed by aftercare, i can help you find one in your area, or an na meeting
you asked what the difference is in sub and methadone, i took both and did not see much difference in the way they affected my life, and the life of my family, their chemical stuctures are similair and their detox is definantly similair, methadone was marketed decades ago as having an opiate blocker agent, infact if you enter into a clinic they will make you watch a video that explains how methadone blocks the affects of other opiates, the suboxone contains revia you may know this drug as narcaan, this drug not only blocks other opiates but will make you deathly ill if you take other opiates, i would be worried about the affect the narcan/revia would have on the baby vs the opiates in sub, the effects of revia have not been adequatley studied, so when you look this stuff up also include effects of narcaan/revia, i think thats something that gets left out when, and  researching the safty of this particular drug, and remember this is such a personal descion, no matter what people here will stand by your descion,

[Dawg0521]

Check out suboxonetalkzone.com. There are a couple of articles about suboxone and pregnancy over there. Definitely read those and read the other articles over there. They will answer alot of your questions. I treated my addiction with suboxone and it helped save me. I think the doc who posts over there is Dr. Junig. He not only has the education and neuroscience degrees, but he is one of us as well. He used suboxone to treat an opiate problem too. Congrats on the baby and good luck.

[avisg]

See an OBGYN as soon as you can .Let them know everything that you are on they will help you do what is best for both you and your baby .It will be OK!!!!! We are here to help you threw

[TysonRed]

My first thought about suboxone is that it should be almost the last resort option compared to tapering or cold turkey. I think your main concern should be drastically tapering the amount of ultram your taking. Im not exactly sure of the complications ultram can cause with pregnancy, but I know it cant be good. Im also not sure if suboxone is suitable for ultram addiction, although I know you said your also taking percocet. The whole suboxone issue is very debatable to say the least, I do think its a much better alternative to methadone. So Im not sure if you've made any attempts at quitting, but I would always try tapering or c/t before going with sub. If you do end up deciding to go the sub route, try and find a doctor that does accept your insurance rather than one that only takes cash. Whatever you end up doing be sure to stick around and do as much research as you can. Theres a tremendous amount of support and guidance that this forum has to offer that will only benefit you during your recovery. I wish you the best of luck, congratulations on your baby. Take Care!

[carriekeegan]

Is suboxone covered under most ins. plans?

[carriekeegan]

He didnt say exactly how long, he only said he would put me on sub. and then grad. and eventually down to nothing. Not sure how much time we are talking. But if I take it through my pregnancy wont that mean I am back to the same prob.?The baby will be born adicted right? If so than why switch addictions why not just tapper off the ultram and percs with help?

[outotown]

I was on sub for 13 months it is not for everyone, you should be able to stop the other pain meds really fast with sub but the taper takes longer and w/d are harder than pain meds i dont know about the ultram w/d tho, I wish you all the luck and congrats on your baby.

[imanaddict]

Hi Carrie,

I am on sub and have been for a year and a half. I DO recommend suboxone for people that take high doses of opiates, but only do it for a short period of time. DON'T stay on it for long, probably a month would be good. Of course your brain needs time to heal, but with prenatal vitamins and the baby, you have 9 months (as long as you don't relapse) for your brain to heal. I am grateful to the sub because it saved me from a nasty norco addiction, but at the same time, I feel trapped. I don't know first hand about sub withdrawal, only what I have read on here, and it doesn't sound pleasant. If you do decide to go the sub route, research it long and hard before you make your decision. I wish you luck and congratulations on the baby!!

[allaboutmary]

Yes I'm on Suboxone. I don't know how it works for Ultram though.  You would still have to taper off the Sub. It is addictive also. Did your doctor say if he wanted you to be on it short or long term ?  

[carriekeegan]

Thank you!!! ; )
Yes, I feel I could taper, I have no choice, I will not further endanger my baby. However, I do have a very loving husband who will help when I need it. I am new to town and had not seen a OB, I saw this dr. for the first time yesterday, dont know if I am sticking with him. I go to a "pain controle" dr. for my pain meds. I could taper off with him. Do you know anything about suboxone?

[allaboutmary]

I just re-read your post.  I think the doctor probably wants to get the amount of Ultram down quickly and thats probably why he wants you to go the Sub route. Which does make sence. Such high doses can't be good for the baby. So the taper might take too long.  
It's just best to go over all the options again with the doc.

[allaboutmary]

Congrat's on the baby !  Do you think you could taper off the Ulram and percs ? How would your doctor feel about that instead of going on Sub.   Is there someone that can take control of your meds and dispence them to you ?  Usually it's too hard for us addicts to do on our own.