My life is a mess. Second time trying to go into detox.

[lynnalb15]

Well I went in almost had all my intake done and they did a test on me to find out I am pregnant. I'm so lost right now. I need advice. Really badly.

[ImDONENoMore]

Wait, what?  Are you in rehab now?  Please don't let them kick you out again.  Getting clean now couldn't be more important to your future, and the future of your child.  Please keep going, Lynn.

[nursegirl6572]

Oh goodness!

Did the rehab tell you they couldn't admit you because of that?  I'm sure there are facilities that will, but most likely, since you JUST tested positive, they probably require clearance from an OB or something (just guessing).  They probably want you to at least be assessed by your OB before they can proceed.

Can you share more about what happened and what they told you?  I know you're confused and scared, and disappointed that this changes the plan, but hon, this may just be the biggest blessing of your life.  This possibly could change a WHOLE lot about your life in ways you couldn't imagine.  I know you're probably just shocked at this point.  You have more children, don't you?

[1sorryperson]

Woah!   What news to bring us!   Stay very close to the girls on mh and all of us, push for rehab, get an OB dr.   This is your time to shine!  You can do it, we all would love to participate with you as much as we can.    :)

[lynnalb15]

Sorry my head isn't on straight right now. They can't detox me because I'm pregnant and on methadone it's too dangerous. So I'm home tying to decide what to do. Ugh I hate this

[lynnalb15]

So now my choices are to terminate or I can keep the baby and go into rehab Monday where they will dose me on methadone daily and keep an eye on me and this pregnancy. Then once the baby is born I will be admitted into detox. I'm lost right now and could use some advice. I have a2 year old right now and I just don't know what to do.

[1sorryperson]

How far?   Get a good ob.  I think you can detox throughout the duration so babe will be fine and you will be clean by then.   Please tell us what's going on with a doctor.

[ImDONENoMore]

They can't schedule an appt. with an OB for you today so you can get into rehab now?

[nursegirl6572]

I agree that it would be great if you could get into rehab, where they could stabilize you, for the safety of you and baby, while you make your decision.

[lynnalb15]

I have an appointment Monday to see my ob. Until then I have to find out what to do. I'm a mess right now. But I'm thinking rehab where they can stabilize me would be best. I don't think I could go thru with an abortion.

[atthebeach]

Oh Lynn Hun you don't have to terminate. I know this throws a whole new monkey wrench into the mix, are you on 30 or 40 mgs?
You can switch to subutex that is safer during pregnancy.

[atthebeach]

Do you know how far along you are?

[lynnalb15]

I have no idea hpw far along. I don't think any further than 5 or 6 weeks. But I won't know till Monday. I don't know what to do anymore. Will they switch me to subtex if I ask?

[nursegirl6572]

I know you're scared, but don't panic.  Just maintain your dose until you can see your doctor.  Your doctor will discuss your options.  Plenty of women carry to term and have perfectly healthy babies, even if they decide to stay on a low dose during the pregnancy (even methadone).

The doc will discuss the safest alternatives for you if you decide to keep the baby.  You certainly do not have to terminate the pregnancy based on your addiction, but you also are free to choose what you think is best for you.  And, NO decision needs to be made right now.

Hang in there until Monday, it will be here before you know it.  Thinking of you!

[atthebeach]

Does you clinic you go to also prescribe subutex? Call and ask.
Call different sub doctors today, ask the rehab if that's what they will do. Those places should know that subutex is the way during pregnancy.
Do you know when you had a period last?
What mgs of methadone are you on?

[lynnalb15]

Thank u guys. My last period was end of may if I remember correctly. And I'm curretntly on 40 mg of methadone and I want to do what's best for the baby. I hear subtex is best.

[weaver71]

I agree with you, go to rehab and stabilize. You are in no condition to make major decisions. Get comfortable and form a solid plan with more clarity. Making decisions was so hard during methadone withdrawal. Allow yourself to surrender to this process. One thing at a time. Do what it takes to get in that rehab, let the doctors help you take care of your baby. You can do it, one thing at a time.

[atthebeach]

breathe hun and try to relax. was your hubby with you this morning?
so the plan is going to the ob on Monday and then going to the rehab?
is it a rehab for pregnant women or the one at redgate?

[ActingBrandNew]

Forgive me if I'm wrong but I always thought it was the opposite and that Methadone was the better choice over Subs. I have no medical background...just a bunch of free time to read online articles...I guess your doc will tell you but I will share this article that Ive shared many times on this forum with other pregnant women in similar situations.

Standard Protocol

    When a pregnant woman wants to detoxify from opiates or other opioids, the recognized standard of care, according to the National Health Institute, is methadone treatment while under a doctor's supervision. Methadone is not known to cause birth defects nor have any long-term affects on a baby. There are other medications available for opiate detoxification such, as Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone), or Subutex, (buprenorphine), but because they are "Pregnancy Category C" medications, meaning they are known to cause harmful and possibly fatal birth defects on a fetus, the are not recommended for use in detoxifying pregnant women.

http://www.ehow.com/way_5634991_recommended-detox-procotols-during-pregnancy.html
___________________________________________________________

Like I said...just passing on some info. Most importantly...Im so sorry you are dealing with this right now. I cant imagine how it must feel...

You've shown your strength and determination to get clean...I believe you will persevere above this.  Stay strong!

[ActingBrandNew]

If you can get into a rehab that will monitor your methadone and pregnancy that will probably be your best deal. Also, here is an old thread about pregnancy and methadone. I hope the old user doesnt mind but Ive copied and posted below what she had to say.

By: acl1213
Apr 17, 2013

"I had my first daughter on methadone. I did not detox off.  I had her while still on methadone.  She was healthy but did go thru withdrawal.  She stayed in the hospital 16 days, then was allowed to go home with a small prescription for me to continue her detox.  Not all states or hospitals let you do that. You would have to call your NICU where you plan to deliver to see if that is something they do.  If she hadn't detoxed at home she would have been there about 5 weeks.  Don't let that scare you. Some babies have no withdrawal symptoms.  I was on a high dose of 95 mg.  Looking back I wish I had detoxed down some.  My obgyn actually said it would always help to decrease down a little, but my clinic doctor said no.  But always discuss these things with your obgyn and your clinic doctor.  The most important thing is the health of your baby.  Good luck. It will all work out.  When I had my daughter, I stressed so much about her being born on methadone. but now almost 3 years later, it is such a small part of her life and it will go by fast. I can't even tell she born on anything now.  After you have the baby you can then focus on getting yourself off methadone. "

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Addiction-Substance-Abuse/methadone-while-pregnant/show/1932998#post_9033027

[clean_in_ks]

Acting Brand New...that was my understanding, too.  That methadone was the preferred maintenance drug over subutex.

Lynn....you are one determined lady!!  I can't even imagine working up the courage, taking care of all the details, and making all the arrangements to go to detox/rehab.....and then being sent home....not only once....but TWICE!!  Your strength and acceptance is AMAZIN!!  You're gonna ask all the right questions...and you will make the right choices for yourself and your child and your new baby....and you WILL get there I know you will..!!
I believe in you.....and even with all these temporary setbacks...you're gonna be a WINNER....May blessings abound~

[atthebeach]

There have been woman on the forum who have been on subutex and methadone. Each one has delivered and not had any birth defects, withdrawal yes.
Because methadone has been around longer and has been tested more and used more that might be why there is more positive literature available.
I think the baby's has a longer withdrawal period from methadone though.
All the articles I have read on the subutex has stated they have used very toxic doses in the lab animals. There is really no evidence of babies with defects. It just is a newer drug.
Woman on suboxone definitely get switched to subutex.

Sorry if I gave wrong information before.
The rehab will know the best way to proceed.

[atthebeach]

Lynn I said about switching before I knew you were on 40mgs and you can't switch anyway because of the time needed to be in withdrawal.
When switching from suboxone to subutex they don't have to worry about the precipitated withdrawal.
Definitely my mistake.
Sorry

[weaver71]

My research is similar to yours Debbie. There have never been testing on sub long term use, much less on pregnant women. Because they don't know, they classify it as harmful to cover their liability. From my own observation, a stable dose of any opiate does not harm the child. Longer acting opiates are better, less ups and downs, more stable. As much as I hate methadone, I would not make any unnecessary changes. You hit a few obsticles, but you are following through. I really admire your commitment. You are an amazing person.

[VICourageous]

Oh we are going to have a MH Baby!!! I am so excited. Lynn I would just wait and see what the Docs says. You will be fine at a low does of Methadone. Then after you can do the detox part. This is a Blessing
for sure. I am so excited for you..Yahoooooo!!!!!!
Bless!!