medical condition that required pain meds...and just found out i'm pregnant! HELP!

[kellyn223]

               I am 26 years old, and was a former athlete in ski racing.  I had an accident in a race which left me with after 8 years of being undiagnosed with nerve root damage in L4,L5,S1.  The agony had been unbearable for so long that the doctors kept giving me percocet and vidoden and now... I'm addicted!  I was just in the process of getting to the bottom of my issue when I had an epidural steroid injection, which in rare cases results in an increase and worsening of symptoms that of course happened to me.  About 10 days after my procedure I ended up in the ER because the pain meds weren't even touching it( due to my resistance most likely, I could take enough to kill a horse and still be fine) when I doctor came back into the room and told me I was pregnant (about a few weeks)
                Since that day, I contacted my doctor, who said it was safe to take up to two percocet a day (HA!) in the mean time, but I want a healthy baby and want to be off these meds FOREVER! I weaned down to two, and have since stopped in a matter of a few days, and now I feel like I want to die!  I can't tell if it is the withdrawal, the spinal issue I have, or the oh so happy symptoms of being pregnant.  I can bearly get out of bed to get into a hot bath ( I take about 4 a day) and all I can do is drink water and gatorade.  I can't take sleep aids, I can't even take advil! (I take 2 tylenol every 6 hrs.)  I need advise please!! I don't know what to do.  I want to be happy that I'm going to be a mother but this agony and depression is killing me and I know it can't be good for the baby either...

[avisg]

I am sorry this is happening to you. I am glad your obgyn knows that's the most important part for the health for you and the baby.I do have a question plz do not take this as me being mean at ALL trust me I am not trying to be . pregnancy puts so much pressure and pain on your back when you dont have any back problems .Have the doctors said anything about how you will deal with the pain during and after pregnancy.
You are right if you are in pain and upset the baby well pick up on it and that's not the way you want to feel threw pregnancy.I would get on them about want they are going to do to make it bearable for you and you baby

[Jules1866]

Kelly,

Hang in there, I do beleive that your pain is from the withdrawl, when i stopped my vics cold turkey, i was in more pain then I ever had before the meds.

you are also in pain due to being pregnant, maybe not in pain but nausious, cant get out of bed, you maybe having a girl.

hang in there, ask you doct if you can have anything that is non addicting, even a muscle relaxer.

keep posting, this will help you, jules

[Holliee]

Kelly
Hello and I am so sorry that you are having to go thru all this its awful. And not your fault you were hurt and needed meds that how mine started. Avis is right about pain etc... I would speak to my doc about this and see what is best for you and baby. Best of luck and keep us posted.

[kellyn223]

Thank you all for the comments. Avisg, you are not being mean at all!  My doctor has mentioned acupuncture, PT, ect. and she is optimistic. This was a VERY unplanned and surprise pregnancy and I am really worried about the toll it will take on my body.  I am going to join a gym with a pool so I can get some exerise and strengthen my body.  I feel so selfish for wanting the meds, and I feel like a bad mother for even thinking about them.  I want to badly to be happy about this pregnancy, but I feel like I have the worst flu I've ever had right now (probably withdrawal, I have no fever)  I just don't know how I will get through this.  Thank you all for the support, It means a lot

[troubleinohio]

yes, "the worst flu" is a good way of putting it..and yes it definitely is WD. Classic wd symptoms. The good news is, that part of it only lasts 3-5 days for the average person. However you sure are in a pickle figuring out how to deal with your pain during pregnancy. I do not have the answers for you but just wanted to assure you that there is support here and to let you know that you are indeed having WD symptoms. Good luck and keep us posted!
PS congrats on your surprise pregnancy!