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Pregnant & tapering off Methadone

Hi. I am new & terrified all at once. I've been reading thru the posts & have decided I need support. I am 33yrs old and have been on Methadone for 4yrs. I have been prescribed it by a pain specialist from the beginning. I have a beautiful 4 yrea old daughter. I started taking it the month after she as was born. Methadone changed my life. Before it I was prescribed loratabs, then on to percs, and right b4 I got on the dones I started going overboard. Got prescribed them and was able to 'function'. In late December I learned I was pregnant again. I was scared for the baby from the vey beginning. The baby doc told me to stay on methadone, and talked to my pain doc. He moved me from 5 10mgs a day to 10mgs 8times a day. And sd at 31 weeks we'd start tapering off. ok, I thought, they are the docs and know what they r doing. Well, I went back to him monday & am 33wks preg. He gave me a clonidine patch .1mg and cut me down to 4 a day for a week. And tomorrow I go to 2 a day for a week, then 1 a day for a week.
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Thanks for checking back in...that's wonderful news!!!

Take good care of yourself and your family-
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1235186 tn?1656987798
Wow that is beautiful. Thank you LORD.HE is faithful. Congratulations to you and your family. Please guard your sobriety. Stay close to the LORD. HE will strengthen you and keep you. Take care of yourself and your babes. Try to get to some counseling and some support groups. Keep us posted.
Sending hugs and continued blessings
Debbie
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Avatar universal
CONGRATULATIONS .....WOOO HOOO IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU YOUR A MOMIE NOW
its always a crapshoot when having a baby under these circumstances but every one Iknow turned out foin im glad this ordeal is over for you and you can get on with being a mom
im the father of 5 4 from birth and 1 of the street when she was 14 being a dad is the greatest part of life im sure being a mom is the same so cherish the time there babys they grow so fast work on getting your addiction under control so you can be the best parent possible im sure you will do well keep us posted on how its going and im so happy everything tured out prayers are answered........Gnarly  
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Avatar universal
Hey everyone!! Just wanted to give a update.....The Baby is HERE!!!!! He came Aug 12th, 2011 at 235am. He was 4 weeks early, but healthy as a horse!! 6 pounds 3.8 ounces & 19 inches!!!! He is beautiful & doing wonderful. He showed some signs of wd's, and that was horribe, but they weren't bad enough to have to be put on morphine. Thank God! They told me the wd's were so slight that they might be just normal newborn behavior, but still.....I never prayed so hard as I did this past week! Now a week later, and he is just perfect still, big Sister is doing great and adjusting to her new role famously! I just want you all to know that you guys helped me thru one of the hardest points in my life, and for that I am forever grateful!! Thank each one of you & God Bless!!!! xoxo
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1235186 tn?1656987798
how are you feeling?
debbie
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495284 tn?1333894042
COMMUNITY LEADER
You sound like you are feeling better today.  Keep us posted!       sara
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Avatar universal
Hey Gnarly.....I am in awe at what a difference the 30 to 20 jump is!! I am really nervous about going to 10. Last night thought I was gonna have to go to the hospital, but we made it thru. Around 9pm started getting real bad stomach cramps & then dirreah followed suit. The baby moved & laid in a spot that had my sciatic nerve hurt, and it stayed that way til bout 6am.....after all that(we survived...yay!!!) i got a few hrs sleep, and feel like I havent eaten in a month....spirits are up 2day, I go to doc tomorrow so..once again I will tell all, & see how it goes. Thank you so much, just having someone listen helps more then one could know!!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
HI cnoel.....soory to here your struggling but it just goes that way some times getting below 30 can be a ruff road and your right about it being withdrawals that stuff will make you feel like someone has been beating you with a pipe.....hang in there and  try to taper slower
if your doctor know anything about methadone they know you have to taper it slow ...
especially in the lower doses call your doctor and let me know what he said...will compare notes .....hang in there good luck with the new baby .....if we dont hear from you I will figured you went to have your baby good luck and God bless.....Gnarly
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It has been rough, it seems to be getting worse!!! I dont know what the deal is....but I am at 36wks...yay.....and I know a lot of it has to do with pregnancy. Just real achy, crampy, and just feelin crappy and low! My house is in total chaos, I feel like a failure as a wife, and mother!!!! Ugh!!!! Back hurts something awful...the usual! TRying to be positive....
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What's going on now?  Still struggling?  What are your symptoms?
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GUYS....I am struggling something feirce today!!!! OMG....its awful!! I keep coming back and reading posts over & over!! I went as far as to call a clinic and set up an appt monday.....but GOSH I dont wanna go!! I told my husband all this, & I think he thinks I've flipped my lid! LOL! He is off work this weekend and he has been a big help with the Girly!! Just needed to vent for a moment!
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Avatar universal
Wanted to chime in and say WAY TO GO!! Your doing amazing, you really are :) I'm 9 wks along and also tapered pretty quick too. I'm down to less then a mg of subutex. It's no easy task but were doing it!! :)
Helpful - 0
1310633 tn?1430224091
I've been following your story, but haven't posted anything, but I feel like now's a good time.

I just want to say how PROUD I AM of you;-) Coming here and communicating with all of us, asking for advice, and following advice that's been given... awesome.

You are truly an inspiration, and I wish you the best of luck with your newborn, and your quest for sobriety.

After you birth that baby... get yourself clean, Sister! YOU CAN DO THIS. We're all here for you, and will continue to be here for you and support you.

Good luck!

LMNO
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Avatar universal
Oh, and I just wanted to add.....if anyone reads this that is going thru wd's from methadone or heck anything, and they are wanting to get their life back YOU CAN DO IT!! If I had a choice I wouldn't choose the taper. I would go CT in a facility that can watch and make sure I'm safe. My reasoning is, everytime I go down on the taper I start wd's again, where if I could c/t it would be a one time thing. That wasnt a choice for me this go around. The jump from 80mg to 30mgs was hard but I survived. Believe it or not, going from 30 to 20 has been the hardest as of yet. The 1st couple days I couldnt tell a difference then last night I was thinking, heck I'll go to 10mg today....WRONG!! As soon as I thought it my legs acted like they no longer were part of my body, they ached, they JUMPED, as soon as I fell asleep they'd jump so bad I'd kick the dang wall & wake myself up!!
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Avatar universal
Hi.....I just wanted to update u all...I am now 2 days away from 36weeks. I have been down to 20mgs a day now for 5 days. And last night I got a big dose of RLS!!!! it is awful!!! Eeeek!!! Other then that I am doing ok....and baby is doing wonderful!! We spent last weekend in the hospital due to dehydration and was starting labor. But after 28hrs....all was good & got sent home. But, thank u all again for being there thru those days of HELL!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Man, last night I got little to no sleep.. I have read some of the posts and seen that was one of the major probs from this.. since i 1st started taking em all i had to do was think bout sleep & would be OUT! Today round 5 I put a movie in for the girlie and we laid in my bed, I napped, she watched her movie. A nurse from my pain doc called at 9am & asked what was happenin & I told him. At 1st he was saying the doc wouldnt do anything, and I politely asked him to just talk to the doc b4 he makes assumptions. At noon he called back & sd they talked to baby doc and I could pick up my prescription 1st thing in the A.M. I am not rejoicing, we are gonna stay low on dose as possible. Ad for that I'm happy. It truely is a no win situation. I would rather be off all together, but at this point its not possible. Thank each of u for the advice & support!!! No amount of words can say how much you have helped!!xoxo
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Avatar universal
I am as of two days ago taking 10mg 3 times a day. Today hasnt been as bad. It still ***** and I just started getting 'runs of buns' today. But, the stomach cramps are the worst! Iam gonna say Friday was the 1st trying day. And I was feeling awful but could handle it. Then Sunday went dow more & it all started over again. If I can stay at these 3 I think I just might be ok, and so will baby. Like I told baby doc, a lot of it has been mental anguish. She is in complete agreement, ad now I just gotta wait for pain docs input. I dont think its gonna go the way we need it to, but we'll see. As for how I am....I am taking it minute by minute. I'm used to bopping round the house like flipping suzie homemaker, but she has dissapeared & cranky crazy has replaced her......but I am alive. Me & my daughter are gonna go for a walk for the 1st time since this has all started, and I actually want to!!
Helpful - 0
1235186 tn?1656987798
hun how are you feeling? are you still having withdrawal or have you leveled out?
what dose are you taking? this all started friday right?
praying for you and your baby boy
debbie
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Avatar universal
Well, I just now got home from the baby doc. I was there for 4 hours. She agrees with all of you all. But,,,,she cant write the prescription. She wants me to call my pain   doc asap. IF he doesnt wanna taper slower she sd for me to find another doc, which how easy will that be, what doc wants to start seeing a woman who is 34wks pregnant? or she said I'll need to start going to the clinic!!! That is an hr and half away!!! So, calling pain doc now, leaving a message, and will call him back 1st thing in am. If I ever am off of these I will NEVER do this again!! Thank you all so much for the advice & support. I will let ya'll know whats up tomorrow. Just hoping to get thru all this in one piece!!xoxo
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Honestly,there's nothing to be afraid of here. He really needs to know how you're feeling.
The pain doctor is one thing but the OB has a huge resonsibility in all of this. Just let him know. That was a huge drop in Methadone so tell the OB and don't be scared!!  They see this more often than you can imagine. I promise.

You'll always get support here Sweetie,anytime...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Vicki, just being on here & 'talking' is helping. And I can honestly say, hearing others are worried, people I dont even know, has 1.made me cry, & 2.given me such hope. I still havent called the doc today. And the ONLY reason is outta fear! I think the biggest fear is they will say there is nothing they can do. And to tough it out.  I know my pain doc is hell bent on it to be this way. I should be more afraid of what is happening to me & baby then what thy'll say but right now I think I am just lost in this. I have taken 30mgs today, sposed to be 20, and am ok. No I'm not doing backflips, but as of this moment, I am alive & the baby is a kickin'. Just to think, this time A week and half ago I was on 80mg. WOW! Again, I say thank you!!! Any & all comments are so welcome!!!xoxo......I thank God he directed the search engine here!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Honey, I'm worried about you,okay?  Just call and speak with the doctor about this. That's what he's there for. He needs to know how you're feeling. If you don't call,he'll just think everything is cool and it isn't.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I also would like to say, out of the meds I have left, i wanna get into them and stop the wd. The hard part too, is if I do that then in afew days I'll  be at square one, Ugh!!! This is insanity!! I do not want my baby to have wd's....but I want him to have a chance!! Lord give me stregnth!!
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