Very worried Pregnant Mom who suffers from Chronic Migraine

Question

I take 2 to 4 Maxalt with 1 to 2 oxycodone (10mg) or vicodin (500 mg) per day, I have chronic migraine.  It's not really per day, it just seems like it since my migraine usually last 2 to 4 days too.  Just recently found out am 5 weeks pregnant.  So I stopped the Maxalt right away since it falls under category C.  So I take either Oxy or Vicodin.  Half the time I cut them in half.  I usually take the other half later on when I start feeling the pain coming back.  I try not to take the Vicodin since I found out am pregnant since it is also a category C.  But my doctor gave me vicodin when I was pregnant with my daughter 5 years ago for my migraine.  If I don't take the painkillers when I get my migraine, especially without the Maxalt it gets really really bad.  To a point I start throwing up a lot and feel like my eyeball is going to come out of my eye socket and my head feeling like its going to explode.  My question is, will this harm my baby, taking 1 to 2 pills of this type of painkiller/s?

Quick Background:  5 years ago I wasn't taking any painkillers, just once in a while because my migraine then was not as bad.  And when I was pregnant with my daughter, I was lucky enough to have gotten them only in the 1st trimester.  I am still hoping that it would be the same again this time around.   

My migraine had gotten worst 3 years ago, that's when they diagnosed me with Chronic Migraine.  I was put on disability because of this....so it's been this long that I've been taking these meds and in this amount.

Thank you in advance for any input/advice you can give me....any experience you can share of what happened to you and your baby.

Ashelen · Accepted Answer

As a fellow chronic migraine sufferer I agree with kfrasher and ginger.  I've had to take pain meds for all3 of my pregnancies between this and severe spine and kidney problems and I have two very healthy and bright children and another due any day.  Just talk to your doctor because there are options that are safe,  and severe pain (which if someone says they can cope with using Tylenol is NOT severe ) releases a stress hormone into your system called cortisol.  Cortisol restricts new cell growth so obviously pain that is severe enough in pregnancy could become a real problem if left untreated,  not to mention that migraines severe enough and left untreated can lead to strokes.  SO definitely talk to your OB and neurologist about how to safely treat this. Narcotics in pregnancy are believed to pose no developmental risk to a growing fetus, and the only known risk is dependency and breathing issue after delivery but your doctor will work very closely with you to minimize this risk. Good job stopping the maxalt because triptans are very counterindicated and considered risky for birth defects so continue to avoid and just do as you are until you can come up with a treatment plan with your doctor. 

Good luck and congratulations

Zombonnie · Answer

I'm 10 weeks and at 7 weeks I got a tooth pulled the dentist prescribed me lortab so I called my ob and they said that lortab was fine as they prescribed it to many pregnant women in there office

parkersmommy · Answer

Talk to your ob they will put you on something but they may just keep you on your vicodin. When I was pregnant with my son I was perscribed vicodin a few times.

Starzabove9 · Answer

Narcotics due pose a threat to brain development of a fetus. Please consult with your doc asap as you do not want to harm your baby. Good luck

SBaron · Answer

Thank you all for your comment and great advice.  I was able to make an appt. next Tuesday and will for sure talk to them about the meds I take for my chronic migraine.  They were going to schedule me for April but I begged for an earlier appt.  I explained my situation so they squeezed me in....yay!  Wish me luck!

Again, thank you so much for the support!  God Bless....

JennBism · Answer

Of course you need to talk to your doctor, at times it is dangerous to baby if you just stop meds and also you being stressed/in pain is also unsafe for baby. Some people have to take meds to stay safe so baby can be safe

mrsreeder2be · Answer

I saw a neurologist while I was pregnant because of the constant migraines I developed. I got nerve block shots and perceot to help with the pain. It didn't always work but it would help make them tolerable. I just got a new script this pregnancy for something else for my migraines. Can't remember the name but I'm hoping it works!

lottiexxxo · Answer

Hiya, someone mentioned addiction or something, doesn't matter if u r or not, ur body is used to it. As a nurse I advise u go to ur gp and try alternatives, things containing codiene will constipate u further, but there are many other pain killers out there which r safe. Taking strong painkillers over a number of years can b addictive but u seem sensible so go n c wat ur options r. I get migraines too so I can sympathise with u that they r awfal xx

Ginger077 · Answer

I would definetly talk to your doctor. I've heard but am not sure how accurate this info is, is that the stress your body is under from being in pain can cause problems too. The stress of the pain is not good for your baby either. Talk to your doctor so you can weights the risks and the benefits.ayne he will change your meds. Congrats to you on your pregnancy and I hope your migraines subside.

kfrasher · Answer

I think you should talk to your doctor hun...my mother suffers with migraines as well, so I see the pain she deals with..I'm sure there is something you can safely take while pregnant...best wishes, hun..;-)

Shelley2010 · Answer

Hi, U shouldn't even be thinking of taking any prescription drugs while you are pregnant.  These per day habbit is awfully dangerous thing to do.  I was in Hospital suffering a misscarrage and the nurses tried to give me  2 Oxy-codone but I refuse to take it opting for panadol.  I relize that you've been in this meds for a period of time now - that's were people abuse this meds and that they become addicted to this powerful pain killers.  I'm no doctor, but at 5 weeks you are vounrable and what you take now may harm your beautiful baby.

God bless u & good luck