Pregnant and freaking out

[signmeup]

Hello all.  I am a new member and having difficulty finding answers for my questions on the internet, so I thought I'd give some background on myself and see if anybody here has gone through what I am currently going through and offer some advice.  K, here goes.....I am currently 6 weeks pregnant (calculated from 1st day of last period, so actually only about 4).  I found out 8 days ago and immediately stopped everything I was doing which was drinking and taking suboxone, 8mgs every other day for an addiction to pain pills (20-30 norcos a day).  Problem is, I THOUGHT I could quit suboxone cold turkey since I have long gotten over my addiction to pain pills but when 4 days had passed, I started to experience withdrawals.  The worst w/d for me being the "creepy crawlies" in my arms and legs which just don't let up!  I became REALLY upset realizing that I wouldn't be able to just stop.  So I took an 8mg Suboxone which almost immediately made me feel better and then got on the internet.  Basically, what I found out was that I should switch to subutex, which I did TODAY and that my baby MAY experience withdrawals.  When I went to the doctors today he told me that my baby WILL experience withdrawals for about 7 days which has made me extremely upset!  I am married and we have a 14 year old and we have been loosely following the rhythm method with withdrawal method for over a year with the thought that if we get pregnant, we will have a baby.  I did this "loosy goosy" approach because I knew that I am such a scardy cat that I wouldn't deliberately TRY to get pregnant, but that if it happened, we would then be blessed with a baby.  Well, now I wish I never would have done this!  I am now faced with the dilemma of either having an abortion or having anxiety throughout the whole pregnancy that my baby will experience withdrawals which I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.  If my baby dies after it is born I just would check out.  Both of my parents have passed away and my BEST friend just died 5 months ago.  I lost my dream job 3 years ago due to some really jacked up office politics and haven't worked since.  I thought that getting pregnant would be a wonderful thing for me and my family and give me a new outlook on life, but now that I've realized I can't just stop taking sub like THAT, I am FREAKING OUT!  I don't think that the stress or the consequences for my unborn is worth it.  I really need some TRUTH and advice either way...I was on my way to being fine.  I was planning on looking for a new job and getting my life back. I thought I was DONE being dependent on anything even though I was taking suboxone every other day for pain management, I thought if I HAD to, I'd just take some tylenol and be OK.  Well this wasn't the case and now I'm really scared.  Any input will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

[LoandTansMom24]

I have been there. As a matter of fact, I've given birth to TWO babies while taking suboxone DAILY. Listen, please calm down. Its going to be OK. I don't care what anyone says...NEITHER one of my babies went through wds after they were born! I'm not saying that ALL babies do/don't go through wds from subs but mine didn't and my OB and all the medical staff involved with the labor and deliveries of both my children, where well aware that I was on subs. Feel free to PM me anytime!! (((hugs)))

[leeisgettingclean]

Thank you for always being on point and always having an educated reply..it means alot to have someone around here like you...i really enjoy reading your replies and I am certain you help many

[toughgoing]

i went through the same thing. it sucked but i did a quick taper over 2 weeks and then quit at exactly 6 weeks of pregnancy. it was difficult but i made it through and my baby is perfect. my motivation was thinking that if my baby was born an addict he would be an addict forever. the baby's brain is forever altered by the opiate dependance even if they withdraw as a newborn. when they grow up one dose of an opiate has the potential of starting that addiction over again. just like our adult brains are never the same after addiction. the brain of the fetus starts developing at around 6 weeks so it is important to quit as soon as possible. of course this should be done with your doctor's supervision. good luck with whatever decision you make!

[nursegirl6572]

First of all...you've come to the right place....this site is full of people that are compassionate and caring...and often have been thru similar.

I will say 1st that your sub dose is awfully high...especially since you've been on it long-term.  You should have decreased the dose a long time ago...just for your OWN sake.  How come you were Rx'ed so much?

You need to keep the lines of communication open with your OB....honestly, the very best thing is to come off the Sub completely BEFORE your baby is born...but you have to find out how to safely do that while pregnant.

I had a very close friend who was on a low dose Sub during her entire pregnancy (1mg or less), and her baby had some pretty significant w/d's.  Sub IS an opiate, so just as if you were using Percocets, or Vicodin....the baby goes into w/d when all of a sudden the substance isn't present anymore.  

The very best luck....you're VERY early in your pregnancy, so you have plenty of time to address this head on and fix it before the baby comes.

[Dknd4v]

subutex can be taken while during pregnancy but there are very limited studies. most docs would have u switch to methadone very very very low dose and wean u off fast. you will be in some withdrawl slight at best if done properaly but seein how concerned u are for the life of ur child im sure a few weeks of uncomfortability is worth a lifetime of healthiness for ur baby, hope this helps..

[Holliee]

most women that get pregnant while on subs there doc switch them to subutex