I am 37 & Pregnant, need input because I also have fibromyalgia,THANKS!!

[daybreak]

My question is about Fibro medications and wanting to hear from others' experiences during pregnancy w/fibromyalgia (or chronic pain issues). I also NEED encouragement how to taper off of valium (I am down to from 20 mg to 10 mg a day for anxiety & muscle pain, but feel stuck here) I am probably about 3weeks along and happy about it!! however I am concerned because withdrawals could put baby at risk and so could the medications (the pain meds I am on are;60mg mscontin 2x's a day & 5mg oxycodone as needed...I was taking up to 8 a day and am down to 1 or 2 a day)
PLEASE pray for me and if you know about things that naturally help please let me know that too. thank you!! I know I will still be in pain but this baby will be so worth it all...thanks for praying, listening and sharing your stories!!

[daybreak]

Thank You SO much Heather!! I think I was trying to taper WAY too fast. I really appreciate your insightful and encouraging words. I pray that I can do it too. (btw Good for you, & way to go!!) getting off of xanax, valium any of these when we still have anxiety is NOT easy. will you please PM some of the relaxation techniques you used? I hope something else works for me too...

[adgal]

I just have to comment on your post...you always have such beautiful and reassuring words for posters here.  I'm glad you post here and hope you continue to do so.  Your just a lovely person.

[Heather3418]

Oh honey, congratulations on your miracle pregnancy.  I am so sorry that you are dealing with anxiety and Fibro issues too.  I pray that you will be in that category of women that goes into remission during pregnancy.  I have MS and Fibro and the rate of remission during pregnancy is much higher.

I do have one bit of advice, about coming off your medications safely, if that's your goal.  The key word here is doctor supervision ONLY and the taper must be VERY slowly, to have no withdrawal symptoms.  Very slowly.  This is the way I did it once and I had no problems with withdrawal.  None.

The Oxycodone is Percocet.  If I am correct, there is Tylenol in them.  I may be wrong.  I commend you for not wanting to take medications while you are pregnant.  Thank God you are not taking any anti-depressants at this point.  Too much bad publicity with those during pregnancy.  It may be a lot of hype, considering the advertising on tv, is done by lawyers.  That's where your own doctor comes in, with HIS advice.

There are several CD's out on the market, that can help you with relaxation, to cope with your anxiety issues.  Since I had panic and anxiety for over 20 years, I know all about how that feels.  With a personal therapist, relaxation techniques and hypnosis, I was finally able to say good-bye to my Xanax and learned how to reduce and then stop my panic attacks.  That kind of thing can still be of benefit to you, even if you're pregnant.  It can even be helpful in dealing with pain.

I hope you don't mind, if I pray for you, the baby and your medical issues.  Please let us know how you are doing, after you talk to your doctor about your medications.  If I can be of any help, please feel free to private message me.  Sometimes it helps to talk to someone else, that has been through it.

All the best to you, dear one and congratulations again on your pregnancy.  How miraculous and precious.  Everyone on Medhelp is happy for you.  Although I am way beyond childbearing years, I know that the ladies on the pregnancy forums, are some of the most caring and compassionate women on MedHelp.  They are definite "angels with invisible wings."  Trust me on that...

[daybreak]

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!! I AM NOT SLEEPING EITHER & I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT I TAKE XYREM AT NIGHT TO SLEEP. EVEN THOUGH IT IS CATEGORY B, I REALLY WANT TO GET TO A PLACE WHERE I DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE ANYTHING. I HAVE HARDLY SLEPT AT ALL THIS WEEK!?! I HAVE TRIED SO MANY NATURAL REMEDIES FOR SLEEP AND ANXIETY OVER THE PAST 7 YEARS, BUT THEY HAVE NOT HELPED. I WILL SEE THE NP/MIDWIFE ON WEDNESDAY FOR MY FIRST PRENATAL APPT AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL HAVE IDEAS FOR SAFE MEDICATIONS OR TAPERING...WITH CHRONIC PAIN AND FIBRO, I HAVE ALREADY HAVE NAUSEA OFTEN(PHENOGREN IS CATEGORY C??) AND SLEEPLESSNESS A LOT, ALONG WITH ANXIETY. I REALLY NEED SOME SLEEP.
I KNOW THAT IN THIS STRESSED STATE IT IS NOT GOOD FOR ME OR BABY. I AM PRAYING MY BODY WILL ADJUST (EVEN BETTER GO INTO REMISSION, LIKE 1/3 OF WOMEN DO)!!
MIRACLES DO HAPPEN, AFTER-ALL, WE WERE TOLD THAT WE ONLY HAD A 1% CHANCE OF CONCEIVING, AFTER MY HUSBAND HAD A SA LAST YEAR. SO, I AM TRYING TO FEEL THANKFUL AND TRUST THAT ALL WILL BE OKAY (EVEN IF BEING ON THESE MEDICINES DOES NOT FEEL OK, BUT STOPPING THEM IS WAY TO DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS ON TOP OF ALL OF THE OTHER SYMPTOMS THAT ARE STILL THERE & THE REASON I AM ON THEM). AS FOR MY PAIN SPECIALIST, THEY USUALLY WANT PEOPLE TO TAKE EITHER METHADONE OR HYDROCODONE (NEITHER OF WHICH HAVE HELPED ME IN THE PAST). OXYCODONE DOES HELP, SO HOPEFULLY I CAN TAKE A LOW DOSE AS NEEDED. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THAT IS SAFE. I CANT BELIEVE I AM FINALLY PREGNANT, YAY!!:-) ALL OF YOU LADIES' INPUT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED , TY!

[Super_sally888]

Please make sure your doctor is checking your thyroid.  Thyroid problems often go hand in hand with fibromyalgia. Your docotr should check TSH, FT3 and FT4 and make sure all are absolutely normal.  This is very important for a healthy pregnancy.

Best wishes to you.

[adgal]

Ah, if only those with chronic pain had it disappear with pregnancy.  Unfortunately, that just isn't the case. So I have two different schools of thought for you.  First off, sadly many women suffer from chronic pain. The great news is it is manageable throughout pregnancy.  No narcotic is considered a perfect scenario during pregnancy, but it is all risk vs. benefit, and when taken properly and with proper monitoring, babies tend to be born perfectly healthy.  Yes, some will suffer some withdrawal after birth, but hospitals are prepared and can ensure that they don't suffer.  Honestly, they do just fine.

It can become an issue if some of these medications begin to be abused.  Now, that is not in any way an accusation or anything, just that I know oxcy is highly addictive, and this happens to so many.  So IF that is the case, it is extremely important that you talk to your Dr. as there is help out there.  Alot of pregnant women don't come forward as they are afraid of judgement, but trust me, this happens every single day.  

In either case, it is never a good idea to quit medications like this cold turkey while pregnant, and tapering should only be done under the supervision of a Dr.  This is extremely important.  It is very possible to manage your pain and keep baby safe and healthy.  And remember, mom suffering means baby does, and that's not a good situation either.

So I guess I am urging you to not begin tapering either the oxy or valium on your own.  Work with your Dr. and everything will be just fine. And I'm sorry honey, but no one here can tell you how to taper safely or even safely get through withdrawals.  It is so incredibly important that your Dr. be the one to do this as everyone is different, and careful monitoring to ensure the safety of your baby is so very important.  

Congrats on your pregnancy, and I wish you a healthy and happy 9 months!!

[buggie216]

Oxycodone is the only safe pain med...that i do know...i have a pain mgmt dr and that is the only thing he will give his preg patients...but he also says a max of 15mg a day which isnt much...talk to your pain dr and they will help you...i had bilateral hip replacement...i only take it on the bad days...but your drs will help taper you to a safe dose... :)

[daybreak]

Also this is my first pregnancy and a MIRACLE because we were told we probably would never be able to get pregnant!?! I want to be excited but i am nervous about all of this as well...