Bupe Suboxone and Pregnancy. Please, no judgement - just support.

[weliveinawheel]

Alot of the stories I read are regarding quitting suboxone during pregnancy at either a late time, or after being on suboxone for quite a long period of time.

Here is my story. I was taking pain killers on and off for about a year. About 6 days ago I got one 8mg Suboxone strip to quit taking pain killers altogether.

I tore the strip up into 10 pieces. I started at the second biggest piece which still looked tiny. I found out I was pregnant yesterday (about 6 weeks along). So by day 5 - I took a piece of sub that was the size of the head of a nail.

So basically - I've been taking sub for 5 days. Yesterday I took probably about .5mg, if not less. I didn't take any today. I feel fine. In fact, I get more anxious reading about it all - than I feel normally doing my day to day activities.

So I guess my question is - considering I've been on the suboxone for such a short period of time and such a minimal mg a day - the chances of it passing though to the baby is not likely, right?

Also, considering the above - it would be absolutely ridiculous to go up in mg, right? I'm just confused. Excited !!!!!! but confused.

 

[citizenuzi]

Please go see a doctor, don't play around with your unborn child. You did not magically kick the habit via taking suboxone (this is a common misconception), and will still have some withdrawal from the substitution. It will probably be pretty minimal (based on the doses of sub), but it will be there. I don't know how the addiction will affect your child but I assume there is a seriously increased chance of losing the pregnancy for a short time afterwards.

Note: The reason you feel ok is that the bupe is not out of your system yet. It generally takes about 72 hours to clear out.

EDIT: Also note, bupe is apparently safe for preggo women, it is prescribed in the form of subutex. For whatever reason, it is the naloxone that is worse (defects?). IIRC the bupe doesn't cross to the baby, I only read about it in passing though.

 

[Lorne???]

Suboxone is safe in pregnancy, MUCH safer then opioid withdrawal would be.

With that said, it sounds like you didn't have much of a habit. Still, it could take another day for the WD to kick in. so you should set up an appointment, in case you do end up with any half-way serious WD symptoms.

But if you're OK in 48 hours(that is, 72 hours after your last sub dose) then you dodged a bullet, big time. What I mean is, you avoided any serious physical dependency and that the 1 suboxone strip was enough to taper painlessly. Honestly, 1 year isn't long, unless you we're doing very high doses.

So don't stress yourself, you'll know soon enough whether you will need to get more suboxone to taper properly. But again, if by chance you do get physical WD symptoms, DO NOT ignore them "for the baby", because WD is much, MUCH worse on your unborn child then a relatively benign substance like buprenorphine.

The important thing is, you want to quit, that is obvious, so if it takes a few weeks to do it properly, that is OK.

But I think your fine; in general, you shouldn't listen to idiots on the Internet Seriously though, the stress of worrying about something is often FAR worse than the "something" actually is.

And PS: Don't worry about nalaxone either, when used as intended(sublingually) it is not absorbed into the blood stream(BA of 1%)

Good luck and feel free to direct any queries here.

 

[weliveinawheel]

You, StickyChron, are a moron.

I am not so sure where you read that I asked for you to support me taking drugs - IN FACT, before I found out I was pregnant, I decided to quit taking drugs by tapering. You are being extremely judgemental and also have no idea what you are talking about. I'm not crying about withdrawal, AGAIN, I am pretty sure if you read my post I said that I haven't taken any and that MOST people say that you should not quit taking suboxone during pregnancy but since I am on such a low dose for such a short period of time - there is no reason in going up in dose.

Seriously. Also, alot of women are kept on some type of maintenance because of losing the child. Half the shit you said is dumb.

Btw, I just got off the phone with the OB that delivered my first child. He said that because I am healthy and am on such a low dose - that it is fine for me to stop and that at such a minimal amount - none should have passed through to the baby at all. IF I begin to feel terrible, to let somebody know. And that it would not make sense for them to up me to a higher dose when I already tapered so low and haven't taken any for a day. He said it would just re-start a process that is not necessary.

That's it. So thank you - for being judgemental, and offering zero help or comfort or fact to a pregnant woman who is actually EXTREMELY excited.

 

[cj]

I don't think anyone here can "support" your decision to continue using drugs, this is a harm reduction forum after all. Taking suboxone while pregnant will SIGNIFICANTLY increase the chance you have a mentally disabled child or worse, that he/she will not be born at all. Trying to rationalize your use is pretty pathetic and if you care about your child at all I would go get yourself a reputable OBGYN whose dealt with addiction in pregnant women before and check yourself into a live-in clinic. I'm not being judgemental, but do you honestly think its worth the risks? Boo hoo, you'll go through some withdrawal if you stop now, but I'd rather go through a week or two of discomfort than spend the rest of my life caring for a retarded child or mourning the loss that could have been avoided.

I have three children so this hits home for me, don't fuck around if you can't step up and be a woman. You're being selfish and I hope you're able to see the stupidity of taking any drugs while pregnant before its too late.

Your wrong it's disturbing that you would post like your some kind of authority on this when your so fucking wrong. Going through withdrawal while pregnant is known to cause miscarriage. It's a known fact. As the other poster who knows wtf there talking about clearly stated subutex and methadone are both approved for use in pregnant women. Neither one have been proven to cause any kind of birth defects. So weliveinawheel please go see a doctor as soon as possible! Also try to avoid opiate withdrawal it can cause a miscarriage.

 

[Lorne???]

I don't think anyone here can "support" your decision to continue using drugs, this is a harm reduction forum after all. Taking suboxone while pregnant will SIGNIFICANTLY increase the chance you have a mentally disabled child or worse, that he/she will not be born at all. Trying to rationalize your use is pretty pathetic and if you care about your child at all I would go get yourself a reputable OBGYN whose dealt with addiction in pregnant women before and check yourself into a live-in clinic. I'm not being judgemental, but do you honestly think its worth the risks? Boo hoo, you'll go through some withdrawal if you stop now, but I'd rather go through a week or two of discomfort than spend the rest of my life caring for a retarded child or mourning the loss that could have been avoided.

I have three children so this hits home for me, don't fuck around if you can't step up and be a woman. You're being selfish and I hope you're able to see the stupidity of taking any drugs while pregnant before its too late.

That is absolute bullshit and the exact opposite of harm reduction.

Seriously, you should be banned for posting such trash.

Fact: suboxone is universally recognized as safe in pregnancy

Fact: Opioid WD is universally considered HAZARDOUS to pregnancy.

Fact: Medicaid in many states covers ORT for pregnant women, because the rid of miscarriage is far greater during opioid WD.

Fact: you are some ignorant crusader with an agenda.

I don't care. Do not bring your bullshit on to this board. Scare tactics are why no one takes legitimate drug education seriously.

And besides, isn't the fact that the OP hasn't dosed in 24 hours, and is here asking the "professionals" proof of her "womaning up" as you say???

 

[weliveinawheel]

Lorne, thank you so much for being so kind and well with your words. Reading your post made me feel much more at ease than "idiots on the internet". Ugh, After reading that and what the Doc said - I feel pretty comfortable. If it does get terrible - then I will let them know, but he even said that at such a small dose that I would not feel it 72 hours after taking it - that I would already go into WD before then, or feel terrible because I did not take enough to begin with.

I feel pretty proud of my decisions. And am very glad that I was at the end of a taper when I found out I was pregnant. Much less anxiety for me than having to go through an entire pregnancy taking something that I don't feel all too comfortable with.

I will keep updated.

Again, thank you so much Lorne - as right before I have to go to work, you have made my day

Suboxone is safe in pregnancy, MUCH safer then opioid withdrawal would be.

With that said, it sounds like you didn't have much of a habit. Still, it could take another day for the WD to kick in. so you should set up an appointment, in case you do end up with any half-way serious WD symptoms.

But if you're OK in 48 hours(that is, 72 hours after your last sub dose) then you dodged a bullet, big time. What I mean is, you avoided any serious physical dependency and that the 1 suboxone strip was enough to taper painlessly. Honestly, 1 year isn't long, unless you we're doing very high doses.

So don't stress yourself, you'll know soon enough whether you will need to get more suboxone to taper properly. But again, if by chance you do get physical WD symptoms, DO NOT ignore them "for the baby", because WD is much, MUCH worse on your unborn child then a relatively benign substance like buprenorphine.

The important thing is, you want to quit, that is obvious, so if it takes a few weeks to do it properly, that is OK.

But I think your fine; in general, you shouldn't listen to idiots on the Internet Seriously though, the stress of worrying about something is often FAR worse than the "something" actually is.

And PS: Don't worry about nalaxone either, when used as intended(sublingually) it is not absorbed into the blood stream(BA of 1%)

Good luck and feel free to direct any queries here.

 

[weliveinawheel]

Wow, thank you all so much. That person is an idiot. Obviously trying to get me besides myself.

I really appreciate all of the support and information.

I feel fine right now not taking anything, I will let you know as time goes on. I am a little anxious but I suffer with panic disorder so that could be why. I don't really know what other WD symptoms to look for being pregnant lol...

I am hot but it is 90 degrees. I am not nauseous, I am eating and drinking just fine, I don't have diarrhea, I slept like a baby last night, &took a nap earlier today. No headaches, no body aches.

I decided to quit taking the pain killers when my tolerance was 30mg of percocet to feel anything. So maybe with a lower habit, for a year, and a basically week long taper with 1 8mg strip - maybe, just maybe, and hopefully, everything will be okay.

THANK YOU ALL!

 

[The Doc.]

Stay on that sub that's the best choice if you start having symptoms don't try to get through it just be safe and stick with the suboxone therapy but still check in with a doctor let then know your on it. Its safe a lot safer than doing other opiates while pregnant or going cold turkey those would be the two biggest dangers to your baby.

Don't beat yourself up your being responsible and Shame on you Stickychron!! What a dick. At least he had enough sense to delete the post when he saw what a goof he sounded like

 

[Lorne???]

^ ^^He deleted the post? Oh thank God.

And it looks like she may not need any more suboxone, though if she does, that is of course just fine, and WDing while pregnant isn't an option.

But I agree with her doctor; at such a small dose, she would already be feeling some symptoms, or at least very soon. But buprenorphine is damn potent, so we'll see. If she is ok in another 24 hours, then like I said, she is fine.

And if stichychron indeed deleted his/her own post then at least I can respect that much.

 

[weliveinawheel]

Stay on that sub that's the best choice if you start having symptoms don't try to get through it just be safe and stick with the suboxone therapy but still check in with a doctor let then know your on it. Its safe a lot safer than doing other opiates while pregnant or going cold turkey those would be the two biggest dangers to your baby.

Don't beat yourself up your being responsible and Shame on you Stickychron!! What a dick. At least he had enough sense to delete the post when he saw what a goof he sounded like

I think I should be okay from this point forward - again I am not sure what I should be looking for since I am pregnant and most WD symptoms can also be pregnancy symptoms. But again, I am eating okay - I am making sure I am dehydrated. I am sleeping well. I am not nauseous or dizzy. I don't have headaches or body aches at all. I have slight anxiety but I also have a panic disorder. I don't feel lethargic - today I woke up, took care of my other child - cleaned the house, made some food for us. Wrestled around with him (carefully of course ) and now I am off to work feeling just fine.

We will see, I will keep you updated. Again, I appreciate any and all support/feedback, or stories that you may have that relate.

 

[T. Calderone]

Going through withdrawals can cause stress to the fetus. That's why doctors feel maintenance therapy is useful because in many situations, the benefits outweigh the risks. Of course it would be ideal to wean yourself off opiates if possible. Speak to your obstetrician if you're struggling to get off pain medicine. Like citizen said, when you quit taking the suboxone, you may have withdrawals. I don't know what your habit was before this.

http://www.drugabuse.gov/news-event...ine-during-pregnancy-reduces-neonate-distress

 

[StickyChron]

Sorry for my brash response, I often get worked up by posts I see on here and just blindly type things out of anger. It seems like you genuinely care about the well being of your child so I deleted my post and again I'm sorry for the tactlessness. With that said, Buprenorphine was first approved by the FDA in 2002, which is pretty recent IMO. People thought it was okay to smoke while pregnant but now the thought is absurd to most women.

This is from the FDA's website where they list it as a Category C risk: Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks. Again, I didn't really make my point in a helpful way, but this states pretty plainly that there is a potential risk. Why not minimize risks where you can?

Since you're taking a miniscule amount anyways, why not stop altogether and be done with opiates forever? I'm not some anti-drug conservative, I just really love my own children and would never want to see someone else suffer or regret their decisions because of something that could have been avoided.

 

[Lorne???]

^^^ She has stopped. Her plan, as far as I can tell, is to stay off, UNLESS she begins having significant WD symptoms.

As I said, if she makes it another 24 hours and feels ok, then she should thank her lucky stars and never touch the stuff again.

But ultimately if she needs ORT, then that is just fine. Medicaid wouldn't cover it if was dangerous.

And don't compare it to smoking. We have came a LONG WAY since then. And besides, at that time there were fucking commercials telling us about how great smoking was!!!

But thank you for deleting your post, I do respect that, as it was out of line, and didn't at all get your point across.

(And for the record, I fucking love cigarettes, like seriously, I feel for pregnant women, I could never, ever quit smoking!!!

 

[StickyChron]

^^^ She has stopped. Her plan, as far as I can tell, is to stay off, UNLESS she begins having significant WD symptoms.

As I said, if she makes it another 24 hours and feels ok, then she should thank her lucky stars and never touch the stuff again.

But ultimately if she needs ORT, then that is just fine. Medicaid wouldn't cover it if was dangerous.

And don't compare it to smoking. We have came a LONG WAY since then. And besides, at that time there were fucking commercials telling us about how great smoking was!!!

But thank you for deleting your post, I do respect that, as it was out of line, and didn't at all get your point across.

(And for the record, I fucking love cigarettes, like seriously, I feel for pregnant women, I could never, ever quit smoking!!!

My insurance (Medical) also covered Clonazepam, Prozac, Zolpidem and Diazepam (all prescribed simultaneously)...I wouldn't say medical insurance companies standards are a good indication of safety. See; statin drugs like Lipitor or Crestor, Anti-depressants like Abilify or Zyprexa, or even something like Oxycontin or Methadone.

I was using smoking as an example of something that we've come to realize the true destructive potential of over the last 60ish years. Maybe it will take another 50 before the studies are done with suboxone?

My heart goes out to you, I wish you the best of luck.

 

[cj]

My insurance (Medical) also covered Clonazepam, Prozac, Zolpidem and Diazepam (all prescribed simultaneously)...I wouldn't say medical insurance companies standards are a good indication of safety. See; statin drugs like Lipitor or Crestor, Anti-depressants like Abilify or Zyprexa, or even something like Oxycontin or Methadone.

I was using smoking as an example of something that we've come to realize the true destructive potential of over the last 60ish years. Maybe it will take another 50 before the studies are done with suboxone?

My heart goes out to you, I wish you the best of luck.

I get what your saying. But on the other hand we know for a 100 percent fact that opiate withdrawal increases the risk of miscarriage. It's the lesser of the two evils.

 

[Slum Survivor]

^^yeah it all depends on how far along etc... babies w/d hard from sub in the vids i saw it was hard to watch. Even with other opiate/oid withdrawing babies. The sub seemed to cause the most distress. Coke was bad too, the meth baby they showed had no Subcutaneous fat.

Bupe W/D would be awful for baby. Your story, i wouldn't freak out. But try to be honest with drs... for the baby, so they can help u best. Like suggested too hard an opiate w/d could harm a young unborn baby. So consider professional help.

Dr phil had some F'd up video on baby w/d's of differrent types. Subs and coke were the worst from looks.
The episode was about him trying to get a repeat geust with an opiate prob to quit/taper her sub ORT before it was too late and the baby is born with w/d's. She was 5 months I think.but she was an ass about it.
If u r early still u will be ok I would geuss. Best of luck!

 

[weliveinawheel]

Thank you, for those of you who provided support.

Dunno if anybody will see this but just an update. It is day 3 with zero sub and besides anxiety, I am fine. I sleep fine, eat way too much and do not hurt (except pregnancy woes). I spoke with my ob/gyn and she said if I'm not having cravings for pain meds and am not trembling and throwing up from the need of it, then their is no reason to takeanymore pain meds.

She has me taking a low dose of klonopin but as I said before, I have panic disorder. Which I'm sure will all fade once I get my first ultrasound!

I am so glad I dodged that bullet. I will never take opiates again now that I am aware that they are a weapon of mass destruction!

And since I don't drink alcohol, smoke weed or cigarettes... I suppose I'm going to be sober. Super happy and proud!