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Pregnany mom about to start Suboxone....

Hi, I posted a story/question in the wrong forum topic so I wanted to post a new question so that I might get more responses. I am a 23 yr. old mother of a 2 yr. old and I am 5 weeks pregnant. I have been addicted to Hydrocodone for about 2 years. Recently, I've had to up the dosage in order to maintain my habit. I am used to taking about 120 mg of Hydro a day. I recently found out that I was pregnant and I've been swearing that I would quit cold turkey when we were expecting again. So, here I am. I am pregnant and I'm finding that kicking this isn't nearly as easy as I thought and that I'm not in control like I thought that I was. My body is in control. I visited an addiction doctor yesterday and he said that we could either do methadone or subutex. He recomended the Sub since methadone itself if extremely addictive and our goal is to not have an addicted baby when he or she is born. It's just not fair for this baby to suffer my consequences. My predicament (aside from just needing to get all of this on paper) is that I have a 2 yr. old that demands ALL of my attention and I can't be sick. My doc and I are going to start the Sub on Monday and  I was wondering if anyone knew any side effects for the baby. My doc said that it would be far more traumatic for the baby to go cold turkey than to go on the Sub. Also, I paid for one pill yesterday and it was almost $10. I'm trying to get this through my head if I can afford this or not. If anyone can help, please post in response. If you have any advice at all!! Thanks!!
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Avatar universal
Glad I found your post today.

I will not give you any flack about being pregnant, sounds like you are beating yourself up enough, you don't need to hear it from others.

I am on day 5 of sub and I feel the best I have felt...starting just this morning. The first day was a nightmare but it is getting easier as the days pass. The sub made has me very dizzy and sick to my stomach. It is a horrible feeling because even though I no longer have w/d symptoms, I still have pain and then dizzineess, as I said. I feel like it's a lose-lose situation (but getting better every day).

Under the suggestion of someone here in the forum, I began weening myself off the sub. I am all too familiar with "replacing one drug with another" and it scares me how easily I could do that. My doc said about a year or so on sub. No way! I hope, and plan, to be off in a few short weeks.

You know your body better than anyone, so tolerate what you can and try and get off them as soon as you can.

I now that was easy for me to say because you are totally in a different situation then I am. You have another life depending on you, so you have a "double whammy".

Please take care of yourself and, of course, your baby, and keep posting. You are in my prayers.
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Avatar universal
You don't know how much I deeply appreciate any and all of your feedback.

To retiredrn: sorry for the typo in your name earlier and I wanted you to know that I'm not sensitive to facts or the truth. What you said to me was simple truth and I can deal with that. The truth does set you free!!! Don't feel as though you should apologize for anything...

To Fladdict: my addiction doc. told me flat out that subutex is NOT approved for pregnant women. He also said that it couldn't be worse than high amounts of narcotics and that this will be a time of renewal for me and this child. I trust him and feel as though he has my best interest in mind. You are completely right  and thank you for giving me more info. on Sub.

To Ode2shel: I'm terribly sorry for the negative responses about you getting clean. It's seems as though you have a true will to quit but just as this addiction has so many of us, it has you by the throat. From what I read,  the flack was consistent with you not getting off of it until now. I have no opinion because I've never been there and I don't feel comfortable giving advice or counsel about something I've never experienced myself. I just encourage you to get clean. Be very encouraged that there is a power higher than this addiction. That has helped me wean down and has given me courage. I'm not very courageous which is why I took the easy way (or so I thought) and started a habit that numbed me to where I didin't have to be courageous to fight this life, especially ADULT life. I'm not clean but I'm coming for it. Good luck and God Bless You!!!
Helpful - 0
182493 tn?1348052915
I dont't think Sub is FDA approved for preganant women yet.. I could be wrong.. not gonna do anymore damage than the hydro would.
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Avatar universal
If I came across as giving flak or making you feel guilty, I apologize--I just wanted to make sure you understood your options.  I also understand, only too well, what you are going through.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hello, Kind of ironic I posted something sort of similiar yesterday, got a lot of flack.  Im 35 wks pregnant, with a 3 yr old @ home.  I understand where you are coming from.  Was never on pills with my pregnancy with my daughter.  Was out on pain meds a yr ago medically, my dose kept going up, so they put me on subutex.  I found out I was pregnant, and my addiction dr switched me to subutex.  I was referred to a high rick ob bc my ob was unfamiliar with subutex, the ob's switched me to oxycodone, and wanted me to stay consistently @ 20 mg.  I also siffered from rh disease, antibodies in my bleed early in my pregnancy, so they didnt want me to wean until the end of my 2nd trimester.  I am still struggling to get fully off the meds, its very hard, and I understand the guilt factor of being pregnant, the chance of your unborn baby being born addicted.  You are definitely taking the right steps now.  40 mg of hydro is not a lot, and you should be able to do a fairly quick taper with subutex.  It is a wonder drug and really helps as long as you are not on it for long.  Good luck to you, and Im here to listen.  I understand
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Avatar universal
I'm sorry. I'm going to start on Subutex. I didn't know that it was different. Pray for me. I've weaned myself down to about 40 mg of hydro a day from 120. I'm feeling very tired and sick at my stomach but my guess is that it isn't just from the W/D. I do have a baby growing inside of me. This baby is going to change my life, although I already have a 2 yr. old. I know that she should be enough but I wasn't addicted or even using when I got pregnant with her. Now, this baby that is growing inside of me depends on everything that I put in my body and uses that to nourish and thrive. I have to be strong. This is the hardest thing I've ever done. Please pray for me!!
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217599 tn?1202850952
if you do the sub right, starting with one or two and quickly tapering off of them, they will help you get off the oxys, and keep your baby safe.  the person in here who knows the most about suboxone is Ffladdict.  She can help you.  read some of her back posts, about a month or 2 ago.  going ct from that much oxy could cause a miscarriage, so be careful there.

Lucy
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Avatar universal
Hi I will tell you what I know, I have a friend who was very addicted to oxy's and when she found out she was pregnant she started subutex she took them her entire pregnancy mean while relapsing constantly she pretty much used the subutex when she couldn't find any oxy's she finally stopped the oxy's during the last month of her pregnancy and only took the subutex and was weaning down when she had the baby, he is now 4 months and doing great!!
he had a very MILD case of withdrawals that you really wouldn't notice unless you were watching for them and he didn't seem to be suffering at all. i hope this helps...good luck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for posting in response. For some reason, I was thinking that Sub. wasn't an opiate. My doctor described it as blocking the opiate receptors therefore kicking all of the withdrawl symptoms. I'm a little confused and I suppose I need to do a little more research. Thanks again!!! And if anyone has any info. on Sub,...I could use it right now!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, welcome.  I feel for you, it's hard to know what to do, with your dr saying "that it would be more traumatic for the baby for you to go cold turkey than to go on the Sub".  The question is, do you want to be addicted to opiates even longer?  Sub is a very strong opiate to quit.  Sooner or later, you will need to ween off the poppy.  How about tapering, with the help of someone holding your pills if the temptation is too great----how does your obgyn feel about that, one would think that would be less stressful on a baby than being born addicted and having to go thru withdrawals? Your breastmilk will contain opiates also, it's been proven. Best of luck
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Avatar universal
Tank you for posting your own response. I want to speak with you, but I am out the door on my way to a wedding.
I am certain you will get responses today. I will be back on tomorrow and will get back to you.I don't know, but mabye I can help. My prayers are with you.
Helpful - 0
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