Aa
Soooo worried...pregnant, smoking, taking medications, ex-drug addict
I am 21 weeks pregnant with my first child. I use to be a heroin addict and have been on subutex! I am also on a low dose of xanax because of my severe anxiety! I take Gabapentin for pain since its a non narcotic....On top of it all I have asthma and I am smoking!!!!!! I see a specialist and she says everything looks perfect but how can I be sure? Should I go into rehab????
Thank You so much for your reply!! When I say specialist I mean I see 3 doctors:
1.) Addiction PA that prescribes the subutex and is slowly trying to ween me off before I deliver.
2.) Regular OBGYN who prescribes all other medications and is monitoring my anxiety and everything else.
3.) Perinatologist aka Maternal Fetal Specialist who monitors, measures everything in these 3D high tech ultrasound equipment. She tells me the risks out withdraw and the possibility of getting high again are way worse than the medications I take.
ALL OF THESE PHYSICIANS COMMUNICATE TOGETHER ...
I just couldn't live with myself if anything every happened because of my issues! It is ridiculous that I do not have more self control being that it's no longer just me to think about!!! The ciggs and benzo's are my biggest problem and I'm aware of the classes...and xanax is the riskiest!
I've looked into rehabs but medicaid does not COVER! Very misfortunate
1.) Addiction PA that prescribes the subutex and is slowly trying to ween me off before I deliver.
2.) Regular OBGYN who prescribes all other medications and is monitoring my anxiety and everything else.
3.) Perinatologist aka Maternal Fetal Specialist who monitors, measures everything in these 3D high tech ultrasound equipment. She tells me the risks out withdraw and the possibility of getting high again are way worse than the medications I take.
ALL OF THESE PHYSICIANS COMMUNICATE TOGETHER ...
I just couldn't live with myself if anything every happened because of my issues! It is ridiculous that I do not have more self control being that it's no longer just me to think about!!! The ciggs and benzo's are my biggest problem and I'm aware of the classes...and xanax is the riskiest!
I've looked into rehabs but medicaid does not COVER! Very misfortunate
Hello! It's great that you're being proactive about this.
When you say "specialist", do you mean an OB/GYN? THAT is the only kind of doctor who should be telling you what is and isn't okay to take during pregnancy. A lot of pregnant women take various medications during their pregnancies with no issues. While there is NO guarantee with any medication, there IS a pregnancy risk scale that was developed by the FDA to rate the level of risk of a medication during pregnancy. Here's how the scale looks:
Category A
Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
Category B
Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
Category C
Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.
Category D
There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.
Category X
Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use of the drug in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
Category N
FDA has not classified the drug.
Just to give you an idea where your meds fall, here is how each med you're taking rates on the risk scale:
Neurontin: C
Subutex: C
Xanax: D
As you can see, the most risky med is the Xanax. I personally have not heard of too many OBs that would recommend the continuance of a benzodiazepine during pregnancy. In each situation, the risks and benefits must be carefully weighed with the help of your doctor. There are usually better alternatives in the case of the meds that are rated riskier.
The biggest issue with the subutex is w/d after delivery. If your doctor is well aware of what you're taking and how much, the team would be watching the baby closely, ready to intervene if w/d symptoms are noticed. Usually a baby's w/ds are treated with a gradual tapering dose of an opiate, commonly Morphine.
Definitely do not make any changes without talking to your OB. If it was an OB who said everything was okay, it wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion, preferrably from an OB/GYN who is familiar with addiction and pregnancy. I would recommend doing so. It goes without saying that it's extremely important that you're 100% honest about everything you're taking, and how much...from prescriptions, to anything else.
Also, what kind of aftercare have you set up for yourself? That's extremely important. Obviously, a baby is a blessing and a joy, but they are also very stressful. As an addict, you must stay on your toes and guard your sobriety. A baby and the new routine a baby brings may trigger cravings and desire to use. That's why it's SO important to have a solid aftercare plan and support system in place...to deal with anything that may come up.
Congrats to you, try to relax and enjoy your pregnancy. You're smart to be concerned, just be sure you are working closely with a doctor you have confidence in.
My personal opinion would be that the Xanax wouldn't be a good idea during pregnancy, but again, you would have to make that decision for yourself after careful consideration and discussion with your doctor. The smoking is something you can decrease. It's definitelty not easy, but it's important, ESPECIALLY with your asthma. Pregnancy can easily exacerbate asthma, and you don't need to be doing anything to make that even worse. In the very least, trying to cut down is something. Your doc can support you in that as well.
Very best to you, keep us updated!
When you say "specialist", do you mean an OB/GYN? THAT is the only kind of doctor who should be telling you what is and isn't okay to take during pregnancy. A lot of pregnant women take various medications during their pregnancies with no issues. While there is NO guarantee with any medication, there IS a pregnancy risk scale that was developed by the FDA to rate the level of risk of a medication during pregnancy. Here's how the scale looks:
Category A
Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
Category B
Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
Category C
Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.
Category D
There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.
Category X
Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use of the drug in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
Category N
FDA has not classified the drug.
Just to give you an idea where your meds fall, here is how each med you're taking rates on the risk scale:
Neurontin: C
Subutex: C
Xanax: D
As you can see, the most risky med is the Xanax. I personally have not heard of too many OBs that would recommend the continuance of a benzodiazepine during pregnancy. In each situation, the risks and benefits must be carefully weighed with the help of your doctor. There are usually better alternatives in the case of the meds that are rated riskier.
The biggest issue with the subutex is w/d after delivery. If your doctor is well aware of what you're taking and how much, the team would be watching the baby closely, ready to intervene if w/d symptoms are noticed. Usually a baby's w/ds are treated with a gradual tapering dose of an opiate, commonly Morphine.
Definitely do not make any changes without talking to your OB. If it was an OB who said everything was okay, it wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion, preferrably from an OB/GYN who is familiar with addiction and pregnancy. I would recommend doing so. It goes without saying that it's extremely important that you're 100% honest about everything you're taking, and how much...from prescriptions, to anything else.
Also, what kind of aftercare have you set up for yourself? That's extremely important. Obviously, a baby is a blessing and a joy, but they are also very stressful. As an addict, you must stay on your toes and guard your sobriety. A baby and the new routine a baby brings may trigger cravings and desire to use. That's why it's SO important to have a solid aftercare plan and support system in place...to deal with anything that may come up.
Congrats to you, try to relax and enjoy your pregnancy. You're smart to be concerned, just be sure you are working closely with a doctor you have confidence in.
My personal opinion would be that the Xanax wouldn't be a good idea during pregnancy, but again, you would have to make that decision for yourself after careful consideration and discussion with your doctor. The smoking is something you can decrease. It's definitelty not easy, but it's important, ESPECIALLY with your asthma. Pregnancy can easily exacerbate asthma, and you don't need to be doing anything to make that even worse. In the very least, trying to cut down is something. Your doc can support you in that as well.
Very best to you, keep us updated!
If yoou feel like you need rehab then go to rehab. However no matter which you choose you need to talk to your obgyn what is going on and the medications u are taking. There is a large possiblity they are not going to want you to come off colk turkey because I could really hurt the baby and it may cause you to miscarrage. Please please speek to ur dr. They are deffinatly the ones to get your much needed advise!
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