Re: does being on a high dosage on methadone affect your ability to have childre

[daryltustin]

i have been on a high dose of methadone im now on 3x50mg injectable ampules per day n 45mg of diazapam,ive been on high doses of liquid methadone for about 8 years on n off while usein gear on top but the last year ive switch 2 methadone amps stayd clean n had a girlfrind ive recently read that men on high dosage of methadone have much lower sperm rates,ive been havin unproteced sex for 6 months n my girlfriend never seems to get pregenent im 24years of age n am worried that i will not be able 2 av children ever or while im on methadone has any1 had children on a high mantenence methadone script? 

[Ursula]

If you're really worried, speak to your doctor about testing your fertility.  However, they may advise you to wait - for most people under the age of 30, they normally wait until the couple has been trying for a baby for more than a year before they commence fertility investigations. 
 
Even if you plan it like a military operation and your fertility is normal, getting someone pregnant can take time.  I seem to remember it's between four and six months on average.  Of course, that average includes couples who succeed in the first month, and couples who take years.  That's why they won't even investigate until after a year, because anything up to a year is considered perfectly normal. 
 
Try not to stress yourself out about it, but do speak to your GP if it's weighing on you.

[Mark R.]

If you're really worried, speak to your doctor about testing your fertility.  However, they may advise you to wait - for most people under the age of 30, they normally wait until the couple has been trying for a baby for more than a year before they commence fertility investigations. 
 
Even if you plan it like a military operation and your fertility is normal, getting someone pregnant can take time.  I seem to remember it's between four and six months on average.  Of course, that average includes couples who succeed in the first month, and couples who take years.  That's why they won't even investigate until after a year, because anything up to a year is considered perfectly normal. 
 
Try not to stress yourself out about it, but do speak to your GP if it's weighing on you.

Personally, I wouldn't call a pinch of methadone powder (150mg) in a green solution a high dose. I'd call 2grams a high dose though.  The advice is correct, inability to conceive may need to be examined up to a year later. After that, there is a simple test called a sperm/cervical mucus test which examines, under a microscope, if there is some incompatibility between the two. If that proves negative, don't worry too much as there are drugs such as clomiphene (not to be confused with clonidine)  which help the formation of female ova, sometimes resulting in twins or more. In some cases, considerably more. In general, don't worry too much. The odds are much in your favour nowadays.

Mark Rx

[Claire B]

Hi
It takes two to have a baby(well it used to before the petri dish!).
Is your partner having periods and is she a regular weight. simple things, easily rectified can alter fertility
Are you aware of the best time in her cycle to try?..
The amount of time you have been trying isnt that long really, my parents became pregnant with me on their honeymoon, but my great friend had to wait 3 years for her first, and then had her second 11 months later!!
Its all too easy for us to say not to worry, I know you are, try to stick to your meds, eat well, try to have time to relax and enjoy being with your girl friend, rather than thinking of 'making babies'
take care
claire b

[Ursula]

Claire's got a point - being aware of where the best time in your partner's cycle to be trying is really important.  She's only going to be fertile for a maximum of five days of it, and probably less than that unless you're very lucky.  For a really clear and comprehensive account of how to track fertile times, I'd recommend reading Toni Weschler's Taking Charge of Your Fertility.

[wastedyouth]

Can I say that i have been on/between 50 + 70mls of meth for around eight years and i have two healthy children,  but i had a misscarige two weeks ago at 12wks the baby had died at around 7wks and its sod's law as i have never been doing so well in my recovery so i have found it hard to understand and when i spoke to my doctor she said that the methadone would most likely have had nothing to do with the misscarige, i did just happen to ask her while i was there if being on meth would i find it harder than other people to conceive she said no it would be more likely to be down to age, weight and general health.  So i think that if your doing your personal best and eating properly, which i think is a big issue because i am slightly underweight(thats the only reason i mention about eating properly).  Anyway to cut that long story short my doctor doesn't think that stabilised methadone use would cause any problems when conceiving.  I wish you all the best of luck and hope you get what you wish for soon.  What is it they say on those baby forms, sending you lots of babydust.  Good luck!!

[wastedyouth]

Can i just add that your sperm can live for up to 5days inside your girlfriends womb, but her egg only lasts for between 24-36hrs, so timing is everything, your girlfriend should be at her most feritle 12-15 days after her period.  I found alot of the baby website of great help when i was trying, they can tell you everything(mostely from the womans point of view) they can tell you what type of cervical mucus is apparent when your girlfriend is at her most fertile, which is llike the white of an egg when raw, and i know its a bit minging but if she put it between her fingers it should stretch about an inch(the thing you have to do eh!),this is because this is the best fluid for the sperm to get a grip and swim up with.  Although they do say the best way if you don't want to go that way is to take your temperature(sorry your girlfriends) every morning before you get out of bed, when the temp shoots up from the norm she should be fertile.  Theres lots of info out there maybe you and your girlfriend could have a look together and find a way that suits the two of you.  Best of luck, hope that wasen't to much like a boring biology lesson sorry if it was.

[Ursula]

One minor point in response to what WY's said - when your temperature shoots up it actually means you've just ovulated and that it's probably game over for that month.  It's the day before the temperature rise when you're most fertile.  So temperature's only a useful tool if you've got a very regular cycle and can predict when that day will be based on previous cycles.

[wastedyouth]

Yes i did wright that wrong, about the temperature it does surge up just after you have (your girlfriend has ovulated), but if she has regular periods this will give you a good idea how many days after her period she ovulates.  I have a BBT machine which takes my temp every morning which i got out of boots for £12.99 about six months ago, it has a screen and it acually charts your monthly cycle, once you have watched the chart for maybe 3 months you could invest in some ovulation testing kits(which is basically made the same as a home pregnancy test but it is there to detect for the hormonal surge LH).  So when she thought she was just about to ovulate she would take the test which would give you a definate and this would give you the best chance possible, sorry if i missled you in any way

P.S. i wish you all the luck and hope things happens for you soon

[will-c]

I super tried when I was on a script and couldnt get there and a few months off, hey presto. But then we are all different

[Andy JsJ]

i have been on a high dose of methadone im now on 3x50mg injectable ampules per day n 45mg of diazapam,ive been on high doses of liquid methadone for about 8 years on n off while usein gear on top but the last year ive switch 2 methadone amps stayd clean n had a girlfrind ive recently read that men on high dosage of methadone have much lower sperm rates,ive been havin unproteced sex for 6 months n my girlfriend never seems to get pregenent im 24years of age n am worried that i will not be able 2 av children ever or while im on methadone has any1 had children on a high mantenence methadone script? 

LOL 6 months.  Worry when you tried for 5 years like i did and nothing happened.  Because of the juice i have to use cidenifil citrate anyway ( lemsip ) so i'm probably totally sterile!  I think they say if nothing happens after a year go get checked out. 

[Andy JsJ]

lemsip.  WTF?? whys it come up as that.

[Jules]

Not sure.  This happened before but I assume you're referring to the sexual aid for men beginning with V and ending with A?

[Andy JsJ]

Yeah.

[Ursula]

Ah, it's something McD added in to stop spammers...  Sorry!