Pain mgt/Pregnancy

[whitewatertiger9124]

Hello, I am a first time pregnant mom to be at 35 and I have some complex med problems that require maintenance meds.  I'm epileptic with a small brain tumor and taking Lamotrigine, which I know isn't great for the baby.  But I'm low dose (200 mgs a day) and a seizure will most likely cause more injury to the baby than stopping.  I also have an anxiety disorder and chronic pain due to a failed knee surgery a few years ago.  I take Xanax (down to 1 mg a day) and Hydro or Tylenol 3, about 6-8 a day (5/325 or 3/300).  My husband is aware of the Xanax and Lamotrigine, but comes from a family where medication at large is not acceptable and pain medication is vilified so I never told him about the pain medication.  My ob and PCP are aware I'm about 6 weeks pregnant and recommended first, cold turkey for both the anxiety and hydro, but I know that is a HUGE trigger for seizures, so I asked for a medical taper.  
Husband's family is kind of uninformed about medication and they don't believe in Epilepsy, so I never told them I was epileptic and they certainly don't know about the pain medication or Xanax.  I'm terrified my ob at my first appointment today will say something about the medications in front of my husband and his bad temper will erupt or he'll even say something worse.  Help on how to broach this topic!?  I'm also terrified I'll be in terrible pain/anxiety throughout the pregnancy if I don't have medication.  My heartbeat when I tried cold turkey spiked over 10 bpm resting daily and I was having panic attacks/pain flares.  

[VICourageous]

Hello & Welcome

You are so right about just stopping the meds. This would make you go through some Bad withdraws and also highly affect the baby.

I would like to suggest to you, that you move your post over to our "Pain Management Community". YOU will get lots of feed back over there..OK?

I Pray that all goes Great all through your Pregnancy. At least the OB & DR know. That is a BIG step right there. Maybe some way you can tell your Hub, so he too can understand. This would take a big weight off your shoulders and stop some of your Anxiety. YOU need to stay clam and healthy all the way..Best of Luck!
Bless U
Vickie