Answers ASAP on Addiction while pregnant!!

[ashalina]

Hey everyone If someone could PLEASE help me with the questions I have! So I am about 23 weeks pregnant now and I have an addiction to percocets, It started when I got in2 an accident and I was prescribed them, when I was done with the script, I had gotten more from friends, street etc, and took long enough to actually see how i was without it. I didnt mean to get addicted and I wish so much that I never would have =( Now I didnt find out I was pregnant till the begging of my 2nd trimester and I told my obgyn as soon as I had my 1st appt with him. At that time I had heard from friends 2 wien myself off my taking suboxene , so thats what I did, I bought those of the street and was told how 2 do it by somebody who has actually been 2 a rehap b4 so i figured it would def have helped me, but when i finally got off the suboxene and weined myself off about 2 weeks later, I still felt like wen they wore off I was feeling just miserable & body was achin n withdrawls were back , so i gave in again! My doctor in the meantime knew  everything because i was completely honest w him and he had made me an appt with a psychiatrist or therapist? one of those, well i waited 2weeks 4 the appt and waited 2 hrs in the waiting room, 2 get there to have the lady tell me she doesn't even see or treat preggo women!! All I could do is cry! I tried 2 explain to her bout the suboxen n she was just saying there was nothing she could do! So i got some numbers for the methadone clinic and other places that help ppl who r addicted but yet again noone will help a pregnant women, So I told my doctor and he was still trying 2 figure out what 2 do. In the meantime he still knows what I am going through. Not to mention I do not get a script so I have 2 constantly get the percocets and be in the fear of knowing Idk what could happen to my baby, this baby is going to be my world and all I want is to be off and have a health baby!  At this point I feel like i am lost and stuck I feel like I have no options??? Can somebody please give me any advice or any information that they know of ! I am so scared !! Thank You so much!!!

[tired_of_oxy]

Just read through all these posts and agree with those telling you that you need to become your best advocate. Take charge and be insistent with your doctor to plan a course of action that will minimize the harm to your baby. I was just reading today on what an epidemic babies born addicted to opiates has become. They wean them off slowly to help them through wd and they try to help the mother get off too. I am so grateful as an addict that I didn't fall into pill hell until AFTER I had my kids. I cannot imagine what your going through right now and I commend you for trying to do the right thing. Keep pushing and demand to be properly taken care of. Most doctors are clueless about this kind of thing and you need someone who knows what they're doing. Yes, sadly it's true that withdrawing and even weaning during pregnancy can cause problems for the baby. In an ideal world we'd just quit and all would be fine. Do your best to get some answers and get a solid plan laid out to ensure a healthy baby. Be persistent and I have no doubt you and baby will be ok. Keep us posted!

[hmf099]

Like I said earlier ash, when I said something was missing I said it could be the right doctor. You do need to get proactive with your care though, you can't wait for the doctor to bring it up. Make an emergency appointment today, tell him everything you've told us, and ask him if he can't help you who can he recommend who can! You don't have time to wait for things to happen, you have to make them happen sweetie.

[vicki595]

I agree with ImDone. Get yourself in to the doctor's office today and tell him exactly what's going on with you!!   This running all over the place is nuts!!  I can't believe the doctor is just ignoring this...something seems to be missing here!

So,if your current doctor is not helping you...call a new doctor. This is a serious situation!
Call today!!

[hiddenme]

I wouldnt let some drama queen dictate your choices. HIPPA protects you from her running her mouth....while it may not stop her you can just report her. After all this isnt about her or even you....but your baby. You are the voice for that baby.....speak up.

[ImDONENoMore]

YOU have to take control of this situation and tell your Dr. everything you are telling us here.  It's up to you to be proactive here - the Dr. can not read your mind.  The sooner you come clean with the Dr. and get on a taper schedule or quit, the sooner this internal struggle you are dealing with can find some resolution.  You owe it to yourself and your unborn child.  And both of you are WORTH it.  Good luck to you.  :)

[ashalina]

^ I swear I am not not telling anything! I honestly told him the truth, he knows how I got started and that I am medicating myself. Which I must say is not easy having to buy the all the time! Which the fact that I do not get a script of them I am worried more, because I would have no legitimate reason as to why I am takin them and in the end it would come back 2 me. But regardless I just want to get off!! I dont like it myself - Even if it was ok for me to take them I just DONT want to anymore, its been to long now Ive had to rely on something & I want to be off !

I do hear though that docs have perscribed patients pain pills for whatever reasons and the baby has been fine - now its another thing that ***** because I have very bad knees and back! I have been in a car accident b4 when I used to live in NY and I had gotten them prescribed for a short period of time as well. But down here I havent had a chance to get mri and all that to see whats literally wrong and I KNOW something because sometimes the pain in unbearable!! And i honestly never started the pills to "get high" or because other people, I have real pain that is no joke and thats why the pills had helped so much, Its one thing to be taking them youself and getting off the street and another to get a doctors dose and be in his care.

I would love to hear more of your stories since I feel completly hopeless . But also, its true, with him knowing everything, the past two appointments he has just said how ya doing on one and nothing about it on the 2nd. So its like for me i figured we woulda talkd bout it but he didnt say a word so I didnt, I know thats stupid of me because I need to speak up! But what does he think? How am I supposed to be just ok If hes not helping me to taper or find the right place for help! I just thought he would have been into it more, but maybe I need to literally tell him - YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHNG! OR REFER ME TO SOMEONE WHO CAN!! Just thought a doctor would have already been taking care of it since I told him everything the very 1st visit !!

also i wasent planning on gettn on methadone but the only place I found that would help me was this
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/psychiatry/bayview/clinical_services/substance_abuse/center_addiction_pregnancy.html

...and they taper you with methadone. which if thats really gonna help and my only option I will go and do it but didnt want to if i didnt have to - which I thought my ob could taper me down hisself or there woulda been at least another option! but i guess not? :[

My mom had also suggested to go to a high risk ob which she knows one because thats who actually delivered me. So I was thinking bout calling and talkin to them to see if they can help! Im a little skeptical about going there because theres this chick I know who works there and likes drama and has already told ppl about another girls buisness by reading her file! my mom said i could sue if that ever happen because its illegal. I just wanted to have the right privacy there not have 2 worry if the towns gonna know my buisness now bcus this girl - and how would i get proof it was her if she did ya know?

So now Im just trying to see if my Ob can actually taper me down because from now it doesn't seem like he can do much of anything at least thats how hes acting, kinda like its just not a big deal.

[hmf099]

Ok, the good news first. I'm in Michigan so it may be different there, but I have seen many friends go through pregnancy on pain pills (usually prescribed by their OB, some not), who had very healthy, normal babies. My one former friend who's the most recent is an addict, and was taking around 7-11 vicodin 750's a day through most of the pregnancy, she got in a car accident right before she found out she was pregnant so her ob was prescribing her 5 a day and she was buying the rest. Even though she was taking even more while breast-feeding, she has a healthy 6 month old today. They did have to wean him with morphine in the hospital when she quit breast-feeding, but they thought it was because of what the doctor gave her so she had no problems. I have many stories similar to this.  

Now I don't want to offend you, but it seems either there's something your not telling us, or you have the worlds worst doctor. I just can't picture an OB knowing you are self medicating and giving you no other information besides "it's dangerous to quit cold turkey". I'm not at all saying your lying or anything, I just think it seems like somethings missing. That missing thing could just be the right doctor. I would call the office asap and ask for the numbers to some high risk OBs in your area. Considering your position you would be a high risk patient. It is dangerous to quit cold turkey, but you need to figure out EXACTLY how much you are taking so when you do find the right help you can give them the right information so they can help you properly, especially if your going on a maintenance drug like methadone. The reasons your finding it so hard to find help yourself is probably because a lot of doctors don't want to be held liable if things didn't go to as planned in labor and delivery. They don't want to risk getting sued. I have ocd and anxiety disorder and some psychiatrists didn't want to see me when I was pregnant for that reason. I know nothing about methadone and pregnancy so I can't say anything about that.  Has your doctor given you any other advice, maybe options you didn't like or something?  I have seen OBs safely taper expectant moms down to a lesser dose so your doctor should be able to help you with that or recommend someone who can. I would tell him I want to taper, what should I do, and see what he says. I was in an inpatient program that had a 1-3 month program for pregnant women that didn't use methadone or subs, but I'm sure they're hard to come by. This one was run by the Salvation Army, maybe you could get in touch with them in your area and see if they have that in your area? There are two here in metro Detroit. I hope you get more answers and the help you need. Please keep posting with updates.

[hiddenme]

Have u asked your doctor to refer you to a high risk obgyn? I could be wrong but I thought they deal with situation such as yours. There has to be a taper plan...I'm sure there are many other women who find themselves in this situation. I would call every practice until u find one that can help u. Good luck!

[ashalina]

Well my appt is in 2 weeks i believe? Did i say today? Sorry! But also there is one place I wanted to tell u about that i just heard of ! Its in Baltimore its called - John Hopkins Hospital and they have a pregnant detox section I think? Supposedly they put u on methadone while your there to ween u off the addiction and then u stay I believe for about 7days and they monitor the baby, and basically ween u off the pills. Now the only thing I'm worried about is the methadone! I mean Ive heard worse about that stuff then pills, I feel like I didn't want to just be put on it when I don't know much about it. But I heard it does work, I'm just nervous ya know? But I mean technically if this place is good then it must be, because seems like this is the only option I have actually found, So I'm guessing if methadone was bad they wouldn't be using that for the place to get pregnant ppl off the pills u know? Just wanted to get your opinion on it as well, since your helping me so much!! And it really means a lot, I appreciate it so much!

But yes whatever information you can find or seem to find would be 110% appreciated!!

& I also cant seem to understand how that is the ONLY thing I have heard of, I feel like is methadone really the only way? There has to be other options!!

Also when you look info up can u check out this place & let me know your opinion and advice on it !! Please!! I believe this is the link! Thank you

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/psychiatry/bayview/clinical_services/substance_abuse/center_addiction_pregnancy.html

[tgtiffany]

Now I know what state you live in I can try to look up some stuff tonight and perhaps post it tomorrow if not tonight.  I think you need to TELL your doctor what you want.  TELL him you want to be put in the hospital and detox before the baby comes.  He probably hasn't been in this situation very often, if at all before and doesn't know what to do either.  Or ask him if he has any sort of plan for you?  If he won't send you to the hospital to be admitted I would go there myself.  I would just go to labor and delivery and tell them what's happening and tell them what you want and see what they can do for you.  Be HONEST as you have been with us.  If they won't help you at all then we will figure out something else to do.  I'm sure they will be able to point you somewhere though, as they probably have dealt with this situation a lot more then a single doctor has.  Let me know how your appt goes today okay?  

[ashalina]

Its not that I dont care what im taking but some days are different then others ya kno? So some days can be 90 mg in total other days can b more or less, and honestly I am only takin somethng when withdrawls start to happen. Its just all making me so overwhelmed because I am jsut getting scared, I want nothing but the best for my babygirl and I feel like when I go to the docs even after I told him EVERYTHING like I said in my previous posts he just doesnt seem to bring it up & just tells me eerything is perfect, which of course I am happy w/ that - but like idk if ppl usually dont want help but I DO! My last appt was so quick & busy and had 2 rush so my next appt is going to be an hr, I have said I really need to get some extra time to talk to him - Wen i had first told him in the beggining he had also askd if i was gonna breastfeed & I said no, bcus of the pills I didnt think it would b a good idea and he was like yes u can u will be off them by then! So that had gave me hope, but its like how does he expect me to be off if he isent makin any effort to help me? I thought he was supposed 2 , it kinda feels like its no big deal , idk maybe im wrong, but the one thing he did tell me was to NOT go cold turkey because putting the baby through withdrawals is worse!! I hate living my life this way, I have to constantly spend money to buy them, always worried bout the next day and hoping im gonna be able 2 get them, so its like theres so many negative things, i just want HELP ASAP. I just want to get the hell off of them & feel NORMAL & FREE again! I dont understand why its so hard and so much to ask for?? I dont know what I can do!? I am 24weeks now and i feel liek time is closer I WANT to be off so that god for bid my child goes thro it, or they try to take her. I feel like I have been doing everything I am supposed to, i know i have a problem, ive been asking for help, I want help, I want to better myself for myself & my babygirl !! But I feel like im getting Nowhere, its just such a hopeless feeling!! =( Thank u all though

Also I live in Maryland! & yes im takin my vitamins! & you are so right, its like nowhere helps pregnant woman. I couldnt believe it though! Like wouldnt it be more important to help and treat a pregnant woman? Even my doctor said that, bcus he had sent me to this psychiatrist in the beginning and I waited for my appt forever then waited for 2hrs in waiting room & I get there & she says she doesn't even see pregnant women so she doesn't know y he sent me there? So I'm like WTF like all that waste of time we coulda been looking somewhere else - ya know?

Well, If any one can tell me what my options are? And if there is somewhere that will help me in the right way? I sure hope there is, I been praying every night I will be able to find something!

[tgtiffany]

I think that you should figure out exactly what you are taking.  If you tell someone "oh I don't know, some of this and some of that"  They are more likely to not ....I don't even know how to explain this, but majoring in social work, and if I heard someone tell me that I'd feel as if they didn't really care how much they were taking, as if it didn't matter much to them.  And it obviously does matter to you enough to ask for help at least.  Also, it will be helpful in knowing how to taper down.  Figure out the amount though.  What state do you live in?  Haven't been to your profile yet, I will try to look up some things tomorrow for you.  I think you should try to start taking a little less each day, even if you take like 1/4 less of ONE pill that you are taking it will help.  Again, not a doctor, so I can't tell you exactly, just as GMcp said.  I will try to find you some helpful information tomorrow though, as I used to work online finding stuff like that.  Are you taking your pre-natal vitamins?  Make sure you take those, because they will help the baby a lot more than you think.  And make sure that you are eating super healthy and not a lot of junk food.  The baby will have a hard enough time as it is that he/she doesn't need other junk and stuff in their system too.  Even if you don't feel like eating, eat anyway!  I'll message you or post tomorrow hopefully, perhaps the next day with any info I've found.  (Would look it up right now but gotta take care of the little ones at the moment)  In the meantime I would call whatever is equivelent to information in your state, here for helpful numbers and stuff it's 211, but that's Texas.  I'm sure you can get help from someone somewhere, they can't just not treat you because you are too far along, if so it's like they are just ignoring the situation and letting the baby get hurt anyway.  I know some places have those policies though for liability reasons.  Good luck

[vicki595]

Ash-   Yes!  Have a serious talk with your OB. He is the one who has to help you and the one who needs to know everything.  Addiction in pregnancy needs to be handled carefully
and only your OB knows what to do for you.

Try to get in before your next appt. time. Why don't you call now?  I think it's important enough to get in to the office right away.

Good luck!

[ashalina]

^ thank you!!

So he is the one who is supposed to taper me down? Like can he do that? I will defiantly talk to him at my next visit, just not sure if he will be able to do that but from what I hear he is supposed to or is able to at least..But other than him helping me I don't know what other options I even have? I am trying hard 2 find out what I have to do and I will do it ! What help I can get and I will get it ! Just need to know what I am able to do, or what Im supposed to do, ya kno? As of now I am feeling completely lost..

[dominosarah]

Please, lets leave out the horror stories.  Ashalina is very aware of what can happen.  She is here for support.  None of us have the right to be judgemental.

Ashalina, i would sit down and have a heart to heart talk with your OB at your next visit.  Tell him straight up what you want to do here.  You will want to taper for sure as that is the safe way to do this.  I am very happy that your doctor knows about this as that is something that many moms dont do right away.  Keep talking with us as i know this is hard on you.  We are here for you~~~~~~~sara

[GMcp]

ps thats still to much for a pregnant woman can u just taper really slowly till u get help like i cant tell u n e kinda plan cuz im not a doctor but i think u should call a hotline and ask them hunny

[GMcp]

all i know is that my gf had her baby takin from her right after birth and i was warrend of it too she never got hers back and then she died but i quit the seccond i found out ct and my baby is now 7 and the smartest most beautiful kid in her class, that is what her teacher told me last week :)

again ashalina im sorry for bein harsh, i take it back, wish there was a delete button you shouldnt have to read that boo :( i just really care about this situation, so please dont hate me

[ashalina]

Oviously I do want to get help and do want to stop which is the reason I posted this in the first place. Being that its also so dangerous to just stop cold turkey, & being its dangerous to be on them in the first place - this is all the reason why I am trying to get help, Ive told my doctor everything,& as of now I am trying to get advice as to what options I have??? How do I get off, where can I go? Like is my ob supposed 2 handle it? Because if that's the case I will make sure something is done by him when I go back for my next appointment, ya know? Thats what im trying to get here is not judged or criticized and i appreciate u all who see that I am trying!!! But these posts are to see if anybody knows exactly as of now what I am to do?

- Now I love my doctor, dont get my wrong, But I cannot also see how he is not getting me help or doing things at more of a pace, I know regardless it happend to me, but I thought it would be more of an issue and he would have figured out something by now, Seems like when I go into the appointments he just kinda asks if im ok, and not so much as , Now what are we gonna do to get u off? ya kno? So im still question as to get a new ob or if i just need to tell him straight up like you need to do something for me asap, because I seem to be more worried!!

As for how many, Well sometimes ill have perc 10s and sometimes 30s. If its a 30 I will break it in half.  So its when i wake up in the am and sometimes earlier than usual and i will need something 2 help me get back 2 sleep. then during the day a couple and night tme. Its really hard 2 say exactly how much. But if its needed to get help I will sit n figure out the exact mg

& again THANKS to everyone who is helping , it is really appreciated !!

[Mom4Peace]

Hi GMcp
Thank you for sharing your experiences with addiction. Addiction definitely affects the fetus in utero and out of utero.
Have you read the laws concerning addiction and pregnancy?  
What does the law say?
Currently there is only one state, South Carolina, that holds prenatal substance abuse as a criminal act of child abuse and neglect. Other states have laws that address prenatal substance abuse:

Iowa, Minnesota, and North Dakota's health care providers are required to test for and report prenatal drug exposure. Virginia health care providers are only required to test.
Arizona, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Utah, and Rhode Island's health care providers are required to report prenatal drug exposure. Reporting and testing can be evidence used in child welfare proceedings.
Some states consider prenatal substance abuse as part of their child welfare laws. Therefore prenatal drug exposure can provide grounds for terminating parental rights because of child abuse or neglect. These states include: Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Some states have policies that enforce admission to an inpatient treatment program for pregnant women who use drugs. These states include: Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
In 2004, Texas made it a felony to smoke marijuana while pregnant, resulting in a prison sentence of 2-20 years.
How can I get help?
You can get help from counseling, support groups, and treatment programs. Popular groups include the 12 step program. Numbers that can help you locate a treatment center include:

National Drug Help Hotline [phone]
National Alcohol and Drug Dependence Hopeline 1-800-622-2255

[Mom4Peace]

Hello, and sorry to hear about your predicament. From what I have experienced working on a maternity unit, you will definitely have a situation dealing with social workers and your addiction will complicate you getting custody while still addicted. Being honest here.
What do you think the drugs are doing to your fetus? Being realistic here.
You cannot stop taking a drug abruptly. You need to start detoxing at a HOSPITAL where they can monitor the fetal heart.
Listen up....my cousin was addicted to methadone back in '76 and had to stay in the hospital and start detoxing for a month or more before the baby was born. The baby still went through withdrawal after birth, but with less drugs in her mother's system.
You need to bebopen and honest if you want to have a live birth and survive.

[GMcp]

ya your right im sorry

[vicki595]

GM--   The standard of care may be different in Canada,I don't know. But,the fact is: it's dangerous to the fetus for the mother to abruptly stop. She can taper but she needs to do it under a doctor's care,we cannot tell her how to do that.  Many times,doctors will keep
a woman on low dose opiates because it keeps her body stable. Once she begins withdrawl,even from a taper,it stresses the fetus and that fetus feels everything and may go into shock.

You have no way of knowing whether that fetus is going to be okay or not. Come on now...

[GMcp]

if you are not going to quit ct and you are not trying to taper or save your babys life that could be y no ones helping you....just a thought

here where im from if you are pregnant while addicted to this ****, they hospitalize you as long as needed !

your baby is not going to be ok

[vicki595]

I think your best bet here is to stay with your OB and have him/her support you through this. It's actually much safer to stay on a small amount than to taper or abruptly withdraw.
Talk it over with him. He's all you've got. Also,Suboxone is a very powerful opiate. That's why it helps withdrawl so much.

Be assured,if your OB knows everything,there's no way anyone is going to take your baby. It's when you don't tell the truth that the problems arise. Give the doctor a call today and talk this through.

How many are you currently taking?