Pregnant and heroin addict, want to quit with suboxone

[nightflower900]

Hi,
I'm very disappointed and unhappy, although i'm passing a period that every woman would be glad in my shoes..
I'm 5 months pregnant and i've beeing doing heroin the whole time. I'm very upset doing that to my unborn son, and i'm so afraid too. Afraid of the phycical problems that he might have, afraid of how i'm gonna give birth, afraid of so many things... I've read that the best time to quit heroin if you are pregnant is in the second trimester. Is it true?
I've also read that the better way to do it is with methadone or subotex, and that suboxone should be avoided because of naloxone. Unfortunatelly, i cannot find any of those except suboxone. I want to do the best of my baby, and i want so badly to give birth a healthy boy and everything to be alright. I want so much that baby. The only way i can quit now is with suboxone, and i'm gonna need about 3-4 pieces the maximum. Has anyone done it this way? Does anyone know more?? Please let me know, i'm desperate!

[vicki595]

To answer your question, SUBOXONE is still an opiate so it has the potential to cause dependence in the baby, as well as you. It IS better than H, though. As Weaver said, you never know about all the impurities in H. So, if your doctor can switch you over to something like morphine, that would be good...It seems that Sub is out of the question here anyway, right? You don't have enough right now AND you need to be in moderate wd's to begin it so that makes it a bad idea. You do not want to go into wd's like that...

[weaver71]

Will your medical coverage help with morphine, if the doc would give it to you? Is it possible that your doc can help if you explain the money problem?

[nightflower900]

And dont forget the other thing too, there is not enough money to stay on H another 4 months.. Right now, im spending 100 - 150 euros a day!

[nightflower900]

Ooops. Thats so sad. im sorry. The question i have girls is that with suboxone you dont feel much, i could say, you dont feel anything.. how can it be bad?! :S

[nightflower900]

That is so nice! I'm happy to hear such thing, wow! You can't imagine how much i want things to be like this! x)

[Teri9498]

I agree w/Vic...just taper the H slow...& then maybe the Dr can put u on something else...please don't just stop...I was taking pills, found out I was pregnant & just stopped completely..had withdrawals & a couple days later lost the baby!!..I was scared, didn't want to be taking stuff while pregnant...I later found out I could've just talked to my Dr...not trying to scare u, just telling u my story...Congrats on baby boy!!..xo

[weaver71]

Thanks Vicki, I have to agree with staying at as stable a state as possible. Switching to a pain med could be a good choice, any of them. At least you would know that what you are getting is pure. H is not always as pure and can be cut with many different agents from one batch to the next.

[brokenspiritandsoul]

I really feel for you hun!  You are getting some great advice. I dont know how to help you but am here for support. My sister was (she still is) addicted to heroin while pregnant with my niece!  She didnt tell her doctor and didnt cut down or slow down her life style at all!  My niece was born addicted to the heroin. I took custody of her the day she left the hospital. She only stayed for 3 days and was sent home on very low doses of morphine. It took me 3 months to completely wean her off. Not trying to scare you...keep reading...has a good ending!  My niece is now 19 and started college this year. She was an A honor roll child her whole life. The doctors nor I see any effects on her life. She does have a very addictive personality but thankfully has stayed away from drugs!  Just wanted you to know that it can turn out ok. I am sure there are other kids who didnt fare so well but my niece did!  I hope this story wasn't inappropriate to tell you. I wish you and your baby the best!

[vicki595]

Okay...so you've been tapering and, so far, feel okay. In this situation, I'd almost agree with what he said. You don't want to just stop because it's dangerous and you don't want to spike your dose, either.  So, staying stable is the best option. But, at some point, he may be able to switch you over to a legal opiate (pain med). Ask him about that...

No matter which way you go, your baby might be born dependent. Heroin, methadone, Sub...it doesn't matter. The important thing is to keep yourself as healthy as possible under these circumstances. Also, ask what the procedure is for dependent infants; how it's managed in the hospital.

[nightflower900]

I'm seeing a Doc, i asked him from the beginning if i had to stop the pregnancy, and he said  'not of-course'. He only said to be stable to what i'm doing, he doesn't know much about suboxone, and he is the best one here.
I'm taking H in the morning, afternoon and night. I've lower it since the beginning, and i'm doing about 0.7 mg the day. I was having 2-3mg before 4 months.

[ROSYouralright]

You did good by posting! We only want the very best for you and baby

[vicki595]

Okay, you have other options here. First, are you seeing a doctor at all for this pregnancy?

[weaver71]

Okay, I thought that may be the case. I haven't been to Greece, but I have been around the world a little, so I get it. Are you seeing a OBGYN, what it the protocol there for pregnant addicts?

The problem with subs is you have to be in withdrawal to take it, so the baby feels that, but it may be you only option. How much and how often are you using H?

[nightflower900]

Thank you sooo much! You guys have helped me calm down. I wanted so much to tell the truth to someone!

[nightflower900]

They have prohibited Methadone in the clinic 'programs' that are left, and now they give(grant) Suboxone. But except these, to accept you, if you have the benefit of being married, it takes for them 6-7 months. If you are not married, you're gonna wait about 5 to 6 years from your application. That's the situation here, that's how goverment helps people here!!

[VICourageous]

Nightflower..Take a Deep Breath and do not go on a quilt trip..This will bring on SO much stress..What is done is done..Just GO and talk to a DR for sure..Let them help you..Do Not do this on your own..This will calm you down and take a big weight off your shoulder..We have all been here. I wish you and the Baby the best..You must calm down for the safety of the Baby and You..
Bless

[weaver71]

Oh, I see you are in Greece. That changes things. The heroin can harm the baby. Is there any methadone clinics or any other sources there to get you on a longer acting opiate? The fast ups and downs of H are what cause all the trauma on the child.

[nightflower900]

I don't care about me, all i want is the best for my baby :( . I'm in an island that doctors here don't have much experience in these things. To let you understand, the most of them, don't know what suboxone or subotex is! In addition, there is not much money left to be on heroin another 4 months.. God, i hate myself. I've ruined everything, my whole life. I've already lost one last year because of placental abruption, and i was clean back then. I cannot imagine losing my baby again. I just can't.

[weaver71]

By the way, I hate methadone more than the devil, so don't think my recommendation is given lightly. For a pregnant person, I do think it is best, but get off it as soon as the child is born. When you see that healthy bundle of joy, you won't care about what it took to get it in your arms.

[ROSYouralright]

Being completely honest with your OBGYN is the best gift you can give your son right now. My little sister was born addicted to Heroin and was 1 pound 8oz. She has many scars on her head and suffered severe wd's when she was born. She's our miracle baby and a fighter! She had alot to deal with from the moment she was born! Do the right thing and talk to your doctor so he can HELP you and your baby

[weaver71]

I would go fess up to your OB and tell them you want to protect your child. Methadone is the standard, not enough research as been done on suboxone or subutex. Get your head together and do what is right for the baby. Even if you choose subs, you need a steady supply and the doc needs to know for safe delivery. Usually quitting after the birth is what is recommended. There are many, many methadone born children who are healthy and strong. This is really important, put the child first on this one. Don't try this alone. As there is a lot of research proving Mdone use doesn't harm an unborn child, there is equal proof that detox does harm the child. Please talk to your doctor. I don't know what I would do if my kids were harmed because of something I did. The doctor has heard it all before, so don't worry about what will happen to you, worry about the baby. That is your new job for the coming years. Congrats on a new family member, my kids are everything to me.

[vicki595]

Hi there- We're not able to advise you about taking SUBOXONE.  Are you seeing an OB? That's who you need to ask about all of this.