Detox from Methadone Stopped While Pregnant

[suzzxuan]

I am 21 weeks pregnant. I was on 70 mgs. of methadone a day. I wanted to detox from the methadone and be off f it by the time the baby is born.  I spoke with my OBGYN, 2 doctors at my methadone clinic, and a nurse. They all told me that I could slowly taper and only during the second trimester. I have been detoxing for 2 months and have gone down to 29 mgs. comfortably. The methadone clinic I attend has hired a new doctor. He has stopped my detox against my wishes. He said he learned in medical school that pregnant women need to be kept on methadone. He somehow convinced my OBGYN that I should stay on and now my OB has left on vacation. My husband and I are absolutely furious. I only have 5 more weeks to detox. I spoke with another doctor at my OB's office since my primary OB is on vacation (she is the one I see when my primary is away). She agreed with me and couldn't see why I would be stopped against my will especially since there has been no complications. She said she will write me a letter to give to the methadone clinic, to tell them to complete my detox until my 3rd trimester. Is there anything legally I can do against this clinic? This new doctor has already told another pregnant lady at my clinic that she is absolutely not allowed to detox even though her OB gave her the okay. He is ruthless and inflexible. Can a clinic keep you from detoxing against your wishes? I am so close and almost home free. If I stop going to the clinic for my 29 mgs. will my baby be affecting from the withdrawl symptoms? Is it possible for my OB to prescribe something to eases the withdrawl (vicodin?) if I chose not to go back to the clinic? Thanks for your help!

[nursegirl6572]

This thread is very old, please start a new one, by clicking this link:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/new_with_new_subject?forum_id=77

[Jmurphy1214]

We have all done shameful, unexplained things. To ourselves and to our loved ones. I'm also very confused. I'm on 80 mg methadone a day. I was wondering about detox but still haven't found an answer. I do believe that by staying on the methadone and not choosing to go through withdraw, that my baby will be better off. I'm very ashamed of this but I feel stuck! And very very confused...

[desperate42help]

I am a 42year old mother who has a healthy and drug free daughter married with a beautiful 11 month old daughter. I havent been able to get pregnant all these years when i tried so hard and recently i went thru a hard relationship of 4 years and in the last year i was very depressed and started hanging out with an old friend that is highly addicted to EVERYTHING!!!!! I started to take Roxicodone occasionally but then it turned into an addiction and im not going to say i was naieve and didnt know what the consequences were but now out of some crazy miracle i am 2 to 7 weeks pregnant with my ex's baby whom i stll love dearly, but my shame has kept me from telling the ugly truth about my addiction to anyone!!! I am so alone with this guilt that ive recently switched to methadone. I just found out 5 days ago and i do not see a doctor for the meds and get it through a friend and im afraid for the baby and for me!!!! I've read all your comments that now i am afraid to stop all together. I was not a weak person but this has left me addicted and hopeless and i cant turn to anyone cause of my family values and my upbringing will bring shame to my family and everyone who knows me. Ive always believed in self healing til my break depression. He wants to have the baby but i dont think i can and what do i do to not harm my miracle baby if im addicted? I've made a decision to terminate so that i dont take the risk of hurting someone that i've longed for, but I am so desperate for a sign before my Wednesday termination, that i am ready to speak to someone but i dont know where and who to talk to because i dont have a pain management doctor!!!  Please my heart has never ached soooo much and the shame is overwhelming, can anyone point me in the right direction on who i can see that will give me confidentiality and help me to sstop without hurting the baby and all those around me???!!!!!

[hopefulmom749]

Anyone still here? I'm 16 weeks pregnant at I take 16 mgs, down from 35. My docs are okay with this, but I still have fears and it seems all people who are on methadone are saying i'm stupid for wanting to get off while pregnant. I just want my baby to be born without narcotics, and so far everything is fine... Is there a chance, since my dose is so low, that my baby will not be addicted? I feel so guilty i almost wish i had aborted. i would hate my mother if I had been born on methadone. a bad doctor gave it to me for back pain-he was put out of business later on, getting on this drug was the biggest mistake of my life. Is there any chance my baby won't have to suffer for my weakness?

[FLaddict]

DO not go through withdrawl... the withdrawl causes strain on your blood pressure that can be very dangerous to your baby..
I would do what you have to do til your OB comes back and you can get this worked out.. but do not go cold turkey off of your methodone. I have no idea if there is any legalality about what the doc did.