Help! Percocet during first trimester?!

[mimis]

I have bad arthritis, leg cramping, and have slept maybe 3 hours a day for the past two weeks.  I was given percocet and am only 6 weeks pregnant.  Is this really safe?

[ourmiracle0915]

Hello,

I have had several back surgeries which resulted in me having 7 levels of metal in my back along with permanent nerve damage in my left leg and groin area. I also suffer from migraines. I am 9 weeks preggo and all of my doctors including my OB told me that I can continue taking my Percocet just not 4 times a day. If I am able to tolerate the pain then I don't take it. If I am in pain I start with a half of a tablet and then work my way up. The only risk they told me about was withdrawl when the baby is born and THAT all depends on how much you take. If you try to take the least amount leading up to delivery, it shouldn't be an issue. I have been on it for 4 years and conceived while taking it as well. Everything is fine so far. Hope this helps.

[adgal]

Please remember that there are no Dr.'s on this particular forum.  What you read here is all based on opinion, and this is also a very old thread if you look at the dates.  None of the information here should ever take the place of your Dr.s  And yes, often there is misinformation.  Most of the questions here tend to surround issues such as morning sickness, conception over 35, sort of personal experiences with actual pregnancy, that sort of thing.  

I'm sorry you didn't find the info you were looking for helpful.  This is a pretty great support forum, and I do hope you choose to return.  In any event, congrats on your pregnancy and I wish you a healthy and happy 9 months.

[Bethany88]

Thanks for that reply. I was told by my OB that Percocet was ok as long as it was only taken for an extreme need, and today I am in quite a bit of arthritis pain (herniated disc and degenerative hip condition, and I KNEW this when I decidied to get pregnant!) I was on morphine when I conceived and during the first few weeks because I had just gone off the pill and we weren't "trying" yet (DH is 40 and still has the ability to get a woman pregnant just by looking at her) and I threw out all the pills as soon as I found out - don't judge. Even though this OB said it was ok, I still have that drive to protect my 11 week old fetus, and I was here looking for experiences. What I found instead was a veritable library of misionformatoon and ignorance! While I still can't justify taking 1/2 a percocet right now, I thank you for disspelling some of the BS that anyone can and will post on le interwebs.

[anonymous763]

I know I'm responding to a very old post, but for God's sakes people, there is no excuse for giving misinformation when you're connected to the INTERNET. It's just irritating as hell.

Percocet does not contain codeine. Percocet is acetaminophen 325mg and oxycodone 5mg.

Personally I would avoid any category C meds while in the first trimester. I'm 8 weeks pregnant, and I have constant pain from arthritis in my spine and muscle spasticity in my neck that never goes away, and all I take right now is Tylenol. I am in unbearable pain right now so I was searching online for some other opinions, but I'm going to go with my instinct and avoid opiates and muscle relaxants as long as I can still function.

The OP has to d/w her OB and weigh risks/benefits rather than accepting medical advice fin a forum such as this. Taking percocet won't necessarily harm her baby, and won't generally make an addict out of someone who legitimately needs the medication.  Perhaps sleeping only 3 hours a day due to continuous pain would also be detrimental to the baby.

Personally, if it became unbearable, I might take 1/2 of a percocet with one extra strength Tylenol, for a total of 662.5mg acetaminophen and 2.5mg oxycodone. That isn't much more tylenol than taking two regular ones, and the low dose of oxycodone just might take the edge off the pain so she can sleep.

I made it through the last pregnancy with just occasional tylenol, so we'll see how it goes this time!

[cpatow]

I had to take percocet during my 3rd trimester in my last pregnancy due to a very severe, life-threatening DVT (blood clot) from which the pain was worse than child birth (and I'm pregnant again because why????). Prior to that I had been on large doses of tylenol and also vicodin. Now, granted mine was in the 3rd trimester and the 1st trimester is when there is so much neurological development that 3rd is probably safer than 1st, BUT I was on it during pregnancy. I was also on anti-coagulants and other stuff while in the hospital for a month (again...I'm pregnant again because why????? :0)).

My son was born (c-section) and has had some developmental issues (delayed gross/fine motor skills, didn't walk until 19 months, now at 6yrs has ADHD and some behavorial issues). Obviously there is no way to tell what the cause of that is from, but I can certainly feel comfortable in saying it wasn't from the percocet.Could be just his genetic luck. i also drank way too much caffeine in early pregnancy, so THAT could have caused it (not drinking caffeine this time around because -- and God's chuckling at this -- coffee makes me literally gag this time around). Now, I was reading Stephie4's information and when my son was born he did have a weaker Apgar score b/c he didn't have a strong cry after birth and he needed to be watch respiratory-speaking, so THAT could have been related, but he's fine now and was within a day.

Ask your pharmacist and your doctor. I'm on asthma meds and many meds are labeled as Class C and your doctor needs to determine whether the unknown risks outweigh the current situation you're in. My asthma meds are like this...if I don't take them I can have an asthma attack....probably better for me to stay on them. I also WAS on Lexapro for mild depression...that is a Class C. Together with my OB we decided that my depressive symptoms were not worth the risk of taking a Class C during the 1st trimester. My OB told me that if I felt that I needed them, if I could just bare with it as much as possible until the 2nd trimester the risks would be much less. So far, while I've been a bit snarky, moody and tearful over, well,nothing, I have decided to hang in there.

SO...sorry for the long answer, but everyone's right...your pain and legitimate suffering has to be weighed with the risks of a Class C med and this has to be done w/ your doc and pharmacist. If they, together with you, say either yay or nay I would trust that judgment, in my own opinion.

Good luck with the pain!! My good friend has rheumatoid arthritis and just gave birth to twins last week. She suffered a bit so I know what you're feeling.

[stephie4]

who perscribed it !?!  here is info from http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/oxyapap_wcp.htm

Pregnancy
Teratogenic Effects

Pregnancy Category C

Animal reproductive studies have not been conducted with PERCOCET. It is also not known whether PERCOCET can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproductive capacity. PERCOCET should not be given to a pregnant woman unless in the judgment of the physician, the potential benefits outweigh the possible hazards.
Nonteratogenic Effects

Opioids can cross the placental barrier and have the potential to cause neonatal respiratory depression. Opioid use during pregnancy may result in a physically drug-dependent fetus. After birth, the neonate may suffer severe withdrawal symptoms.
Labor and Delivery

PERCOCET tablets are not recommended for use in women during and immediately prior to labor and delivery due to its potential effects on respiratory function in the newborn.
Nursing Mothers

Ordinarily, nursing should not be undertaken while a patient is receiving PERCOCET tablets because of the possibility of sedation and/or respiratory depression in the infant. Oxycodone is excreted in breast milk in low concentrations, and there have been rare reports of somnolence and lethargy in babies of nursing mothers taking an oxycodone/acetaminophen product. Acetaminophen is also excreted in breast milk in low concentrations.

[mimis]

Thank you!  It is nice to be able to talk about it without being judged.  I am going to journal this pregnancy so that if in the future, if anyone is in my position they can call on my experiences.  It is so scary.  KimmieO, I really appreciate your honesty!  I hope all goes well for you and continue to feel good for the duration!  Take care!

[AZ Angie]

If you're asking for a concrete answer, you will not get it, not on this forum, and not from any doctor.  It's a difficult question, and the real answer is a personal judgement call.  The reason-- no one will do research on a pregnant woman.  The only studies are animal studies.  So the answer is not known.  The women here are trying to express the protectiveness for any unborn child from  the unknown effects of a powerful drug.  Narcotic analgesics block chemical reactions in your brain -- we know that.  Babies brains, and bodies are developing at an incredibly rapid pace -- we know that.  Will the drug harm your baby?    We thought Motrin was safe, but there is a new study done in Britian that shows a  high miscarriage rate (83%)when Motrin is used during implantation or very early first trimester.  Use your own judgement, and instincts.  

[mlb1234]

I also agree that you should not suffer but I was just wondering if tylenol alone would help.  I am not sure about the adverse effects of codeine.  I saw it was category B in the US and C in Australia.  I, myself, would try not to take anything in the first trimester as that is the most critical time in development but I also do not have arthritis or anything like that.  If your OB said it was OK then you should probably trust her/his opinion or call your pharmacist and ask them.

[KimmieO]

I would not worry too much about the risks if you are in that much pain.  I too had to take pain meds in beginning of my preg and am doing much better now, and not needing them at all.  I am now 23 weeks along and all is well with baby to be.   Dont stress too much and dont suffer  in pain.

[mimis]

Thank you for your feedback, however neither of you provided a medical reason to back it up.  I am well aware of the addiction risk, that isn't what I am worried about.  Arthritis pain is very painfull, it has me in tears everyday.  I guess I was hoping for some one to tell me if by taking it in the first trimester if there are ANY potential risks on my baby?  Arthritis is supposed to get better in the 2nd trimester, so I am looking forward to that!  My OB gave me the percocets and said it was fine, has anyone else been prescribed this during pregnancy?

[mlb1234]

I wouldn't take it either but I am sorry to say that your symptoms of leg cramping, arthritis and lack of sleep will probably only get worse as the pregnancy progresses and you get bigger.  If you start percocet now it may be hard to wean yourself from it later when you really need it.  Percocet is basically tylenol with codeine...maybe you can try just some plain tylenol if it is OK with your OB.

[1nana]

I wouldn't take it.