DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THIS MEDICATION IS SAFE TO TAKE?

[Michele, Katy, TX]

Hi ladies.  I went to my regular doctor today because I have been having a lot of joint pain in my hands, to the point that it sometimes interferes w/ my daily life.  Anyway, I didn't tell him that there is a slight possibility that I could be pregnant.  I am only 7 dpo, so it's too early to test.  He took blood and gave me some samples of Celebrex.  I am just afraid to take it, just in case.  I know we timed intercourse at the right time...the day before O and the day of O and I am really fertile, HOWEVER, I am still nursing and I have not been able to get pregnant while nursing.  Some women can and some women have too low of hormone levels to sustain a pregnancy while they are nursing.  I think I fall into that category, honestly, but if there is even the slightest of chances, I am afraid to take the medication.  I think I will put in a call to my OB and ask, but I thought I would ask you ladies as well.

[MommyHJCCMM]

Have 6 pregnant with #7 and #8 (lost one, there were 3 at the begining).

[Michele, Katy, TX]

Thanks again for all the responses!  It has been a wealth of information!

trying43 - maybe we could meet at Katy Mills sometime :)

bonita4 - Yes, I am trying to #7, but that would be it for me :)

30something13 - thanks for the info.  If I end up pregnant, I will need anything safe and natural that will help!  Tylenol just doesn't cut it for me.  Never has.  I like Advil, but can't take that either, if pregnant.

[30something13]

Look on precious arrows midwifery web site, they have lots of natural things that are safe, I know skull cap does help with pain and there is another thing right under it that helps with arthritis. I had JRA as a child from my 12 year boosters:(

You can email Kelly and she can answer you if the skull cap is safe during pregnancy, I know it is in the quiet time and safe for kids!

Good luck and they mail FAST!!!!!

I am trying for #6:)

[bonita4]

You have six children trying for number 7?

[trying43]

I go to the houston area (unfortunately for dr visits mostly) and Bass Pro Shop, but that would be cool to meet up some time.

[Michele, Katy, TX]

Thank you all so much for responding!!!  I really appreciate it.  

Yes trying, I do live in Katy, TX.  Maybe sometime we can meet up :)

[SunWorshiper_26]

Sorry i keep thinking of things after i post!  I would suggest getting a referal to a rheumatologist as it sounds like you have an arthritic condition. Arthritic conditions have best prognosis when treated early, the earlier the better otherwise it can reach a point where it affects your heart, lungs and even cause heart attack.

[SunWorshiper_26]

I have an arthritic condition and I am pregnant I have found relief from Rx lidoderm which comes in both a patch and gel, warm baths with Epsom salts and I take vicodein daily for pain. It is hard when the pain interferes with your daily life :(

[SunWorshiper_26]

DO NOT take celebrex with ttc!!  It can cause miscarriage it causes a problem with implanting. Drs say it is safe but research shows it is NOT safe. It's the same reason you cannot take Aleve in pregnancy they are both a NSAID. It won't cause any birth defects but it can cause miscarriage.

[trying43]

It takes a while for celebrex to build in your system . (about a month before I noticed improvement but it can take up to three months which to me would be pointless to take it esp. if you are going to have to stop it anyway)   I dont know if you have tried this yet but it may be an alternative to the meds.  I use Aspercream maximum strength arthritis formula and rub it on my hands when they are killing me.  I remember u from the bf forum.  Do u live in Katy TX?  I am about 80 miles or so from there.

[Michele, Katy, TX]

Thanks to all for responding!  I did read some on the internet about some of the risks of the drug in general and it's kind of scary even if I am not pregnant.  Many of those drugs on TV sound scary.  Yikes!

I did put in a call to my OB and my nurse called back.  She said that my doc suggested I didn't take it.  The nurse said that it is one of those drugs that my doc would have me stop taking if I became pregnant while taking it.  I actually just read further down the med info. thing I found on the internet.  It says the same thing too.  I am 7 dpo so I will know one way or another in another week.  I can wait that long.  I have waited this long!

My hands do hurt to the point that it is beginning to affect my daily life.  It is hard to grip or open things sometimes.  So I hope I can get this taken care of soon!  Thanks again to you all for responding!

[MommyHJCCMM]

Ask your dr or call the pharmacy and ask them if you can take it while nursing or pregnant. Most pharmacies have no problem answering questions, over the phone. No appt needed...no cost.
Good Luck!

[30something13]

You can not take NSAIDS while nursing! I forget the actaul problem but when I remember I will get back on here to tell you. Also you can not take NSAIDS during pregnancy unless the benifts outweight the risks. THere can be a problem with fluid retention like when you feet swell and other things along with the not taking it two weeks prior to surgery's. I was not allowed to take it when I was TTC as I had taken a couple Advils a day for discs problems.

oh renal problems i think it is, i wll check my physisians drug guide

[Michele, Katy, TX]

She 15 months old!!!  Ahhhh!!  I never thought I would be nursing this long!!!  But it is getting to be less frequent as she takes in more while milk and eats more.  As for the night time feedings....she uses me as a pacifier!!  But I am so trying to break her from this.  It is getting better slowly.  Remember my post a while back on the breastfeeding forum??  Yep, that was me!!!  Thanks for your response.  I was afraid to take it without knowing...especially this early.

[trying43]

Also how long have you been nursing?  If it is still early and the baby is not on solids yet that may be why you cant get pg.  Also I have heard cutting out a night feeding if possible(if the baby is on solids) can help with that.  Good luck.

[trying43]

Celebrex is ok during early pregnancy just not in the last trimester(according to my rheumatologist) because its an NSAID, can cause you to have excessive bleeding.  I never had any problems with it, two weeks before surgery I was told to stop taking it because of that risk.  I had been taking it for about 3 years but stopped (along with all my other meds) when we started TTC.  I was on 400 mg daily.  In some people it can also raise blood pressure but it never affected mine.