5 weeks pregnant and on oxycodone for chronic pain. can I just stop?

[MzMay]

Just found out I'm pregnant a week ago and I'm on oxycodone 60mg a day for chronic nerve pain. My pain management Dr said the only thing I can take is opiods and made me stop my muscle relaxors, prednisone and lidoderm patches. My OB would like me to stop for the first trimester as she said it could cause birth defects but my pain management Dr doesn't agree. She said my high blood pressure associated with my pain, the pain itself , anxiety and stress outweigh the risk of taking it.

I love my baby and don't want to do anything to hurt him/her so I want to stop immediately. I know because I'm pregnant I'm limited to things I can take and my drs don't really agree with me stopping my medicine but what can I take to make the process easier? Clonidine? Loperamide?
I would appreciate any experience woman had with this or suggestions of what I can take because I don't want to take this medicine anymore! Id rather be in pain everyday. I'm so scared my baby might have a birth defect and I just want off the oxycodone! Please help! :((

[mandella06]

I'm in the EXACT same situation. Although I feel the right thing to do is quit cold turkey! What did you end up doing?

[Natty778]

I am 5 weeks pregnant and have been taking 10 mg hydrocodone for 2 years now. My Dr also prescribed me gabapentin and I find it so easy to not take the pain meds, and get more rest with so much less withdrawal symptoms. This may be something you can speak with both Dr about. I did research on taking the gabapentin while pregnant and have not found any negative info on pregnancy however, you should still get professional advice from the people who know your body.

[atthebeach]

how are you doing? did the doctors get on the same page about your meds?

[MzMay]

No. They gave me 10 count of 5mg oxycodone. I have an appt with my new OB tomorrow but my PM Dr won't prescribe me anything until the OB oks it. So I hope tomorrow goes well because I hate to say this but idk if I can have this baby if i came take anything

[atthebeach]

do you still have any of the meds they gave you at the hospital?

[MzMay]

So its 230 pm here. Still have not heard from my PM dr. Have been calling the OB office for an appt all day and they only called back now! I'm seeing a new OB but the soonest I can go in is tomorrow! I'm do frustrated and am in immense pain and cant to er cuz there's no one to watch my son. Haven't had anything since 7pm yesterday. Ugh I don't understand how I can be pregnant and not one of the two people or drs rather called me back yet! This is so frustrating :'((

[MzMay]

Thank you. I'm hopeful that tomorrow will bring good news and some much needed mind easing. I'm trying to take it as easy as I can till I hear something tomorrow. Have a great night and thank you so much for taking the time to give me that info and support. Means a lot to me :)

[MzMay]

Lol very true. I hate the ER. I hope my PM Dr calls me early tomorrow. I will ask her for a referral to another OB that treats woman with chronic pain. It's been really devastating to hear all the things ky OB has told me and just down right wrong. 9 months is a LONG time to be in excruciating pain.
I really appreciate all of your concern and you all giving all this info and support. It really means the world to me! I'm a little scared I will get in trouble because I got rid of my medicine and she'll have to write me a script a week early.
I will keep you all posted on how it goes tomorrow and I hope it goes well. Today was a bit rough. Been in lots of pain and in new most the day. The rest is good but also bad when I have a 5 year old energetic boy to  clean up after lol. Blessing to you as well :)

[nursegirl6572]

Very wise advice above from CIK.  You know you'll have this resolved soon, so try to get out of your head a bit.  It's going to be okay.  

[clean_in_ks]

SO glad you went to the ER.....so sorry you had to be there for 5 crazy hrs...but gotta admit....I've never had a "just wonderful" experience an ER.

Even tho you aren't on the same dose, etc. for NOW.....you at least have stopped the w/drawal process which is highly dangerous for your baby.

I'm thrilled that you are seeing your PM tomorrow.  Since this PM dr. is telling you the very same thing we are telling you.....please ask this particular dr to recommend a new OB....or find one thru your PM dr's network of dr. friends, K?  You SO do NOT need to have all these worries right now.  The first 3 months are so special for many reasons.  You need to be enjoying this special time in your life.

Can't wait to hear back from you after your dr's appt tomorrow.  Try to relax, be good to yourself.....and if at all possible....just "shut your head off" until you see your dr tomorrow?  It'll be good for you AND the baby...
Blessings to you~

[MzMay]

I agree with you and plan on getting one ASAP! That's why I was shocked because oxycodone is a cat B along with tylenol. I did lots of research on my own but my OB dismissed it. Can't wait for Monday so I can talk to my PM Dr and try n get a.new OB . I was suprised as well that lidoderm was safer than oxycodone

[MzMay]

I have read some stuff that it increases your risk but that's it. I'm feeling a bit better although the pain meds they gave me weren't my normal dose it was better than nothing. Trying to hang in there till Monday and I still want to find another OB just don't know how to go about doing that.

[nursegirl6572]

I still say you need a new OB.  The ER doc was afraid to commit, and obviously didn't know a whole lot (normal as OB isn't his speciality).  Increasing the risk of something, and factually, regularly causing something are two different things.

Honestly...there is is a far greater risk to your pregnancy than there is for birth defects.  PLENTY of pregnant women require pain meds throughout their pregnancy...they are monitored closely, and the baby is treated for w/d if necessary.  I've never heard of a pregnant woman on an opiate having a baby with birth defects.  Some opiates are classed as a high risk than others, but that can be addrressed by changing the med if needed.


Here are the Pregnancy Risk Categories (with explanations):

Category A
Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).

Category B
Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.

Category C
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.

Category D
There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.

Category X
Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use of the drug in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.

Category N
FDA has not classified the drug.


Oxycodone is categorized as a "B" risk, which is low.

Here is a quote from drugs.com:

"FDA pregnancy category B. Oxycodone is not expected to harm an unborn baby. However, oxycodone may cause breathing problems, or addiction and withdrawal symptoms in your newborn if you take the medication during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant."

http://www.drugs.com/oxycodone.html

I too was surprised about the recommendation to stop the Lidoderm patches.  That's a topic anesthetic...while I haven't looked it up, I would DOUBT there is any risk with that.  Find an OB that understands this stuff better.  I'm sorry, but yours doesn't.  Any OB who would recommend 9and then pressure) a pt on an opiate to go cold turkey doesn't know what they're doing.  This is not an "unsafe" drug as far as the ratings go.  My opinion...

[Clarityrocks]

Oh, I meant to say something earlier, I was given lidoderm patches when I was pregnant, because they WERE safe, so I was surprised to hear your OB won't let you use them. I thought it was more of a topical medication.

[Clarityrocks]

I am so glad you went in and hopefully were able to get some relief. I haven't ever heard of opiates causing birth defects, so that is news to me. I hope at the very least your doctors can come together and make a plan that is beneficial for you and the baby. It is obviously ideal if a momma doesn't have to take any meds while pregnant, but pain can cause many problems, which can include early labor, etc, so it is important to address it and get the pain under control. I hope you are feeling a little better today

[MzMay]

Thank you so much for your concern! I can't wait for Monday cuz that's my hour long appt with my therapist and I have so much stress to release and crying to do! They took me in quickly but took awhile to get my pain meds cuz I wanted the ER Dr to consult the OB and they were full. Not chest pain but just my left breast that shoots pain to my underarm and down my ARM along with a burning sensation.. I dealt with the extreme pain for 2 days bit couldn't take it anymore. Again thank you for the concern. Means so much to me! I'm so glad I joined this site

[MzMay]

Sorry so late . Was there for 5ish hours and went home to rest. I told the ER Dr what my OB said n that I got rid of my medicine and he said that he hadn't heard it causes birth defects but he would double check and the risk was in late pregnancy because risk of withdrawals . No one really said anything about withdrawals n miscarriage. The ER Dr spoke to my PM Dr n my PM Dr said she would call me OB on Monday to try n come up with some type of plan. It took 2 hours to get my pain medicine cuz they were so busy and then the er Dr came back n said they had did some recent studies he wasn't aware of and it did say that taking pain medicine double the risk of like 7 birth defects. So he only sent me home with 10   5mg oxycodone n said to only take it sparingl and come Monday I would find out their plan for me . Talk about even more confusing! I'm glad you had an amazing dinner and get some good rest. I will be going back to bed soon.

[Crybaby2006]

my heart goes out to you and your baby!  You are surely in the right place right now; hopefully it won't be too much longer for you to get yor medicine.  I have Kaiser also.  Triage should have given you a higher risk factor to be seen sooner.  Do you have any chest pain?  They respond to your symptoms; don't be afraid to speak up!  ❤ and prayers.

[clean_in_ks]

Hey girl....are you home and ok now?  Thanks for your well wishes.....I had a GREAT dinner and am so full, I'm sleepy.

Hope you got some meds and will let us know tomorrow how you are, K?

[MzMay]

365 days? Im so happy for you! Congrats! Pls enjoy your dinner and will update later. Still at the er waiting on my medicine

[clean_in_ks]

Well, Thank God you are at the ER....thank you for listening and acting.

I'm gonna get treated to a nice dinner tonight to celebrate by 365 days clean, but will be anxious to check in when I get home and see how you are.  Don't worry about "what other's think".....just be good to you and your baby......will be prayin for you, too~

[MzMay]

Here at the ER now. I will let u Ladies know how I'm doing

[atthebeach]

good girl.

[MzMay]

I will go to the ER today. My pain level is at a 10. I'm just so scared. N worried..this is so hard!

[MzMay]

I have been on and off for over a year but everyday for like 4 months or more.. I had nerve damage from a revision breast surgery and then my implant ruptured and because the pocket is closing it causes shooting pain all day. I've tried everything bit once the rupture happened the only way to get through the day was pain meds