ambivalent about taking medication

[lookingforward34]

Has anyone taken a Class "C" drug while pregnant? I've been prescribed a low dose steroid creme to help clear up a very itchy, bothersome rash I've had for weeks. So far, I haven't had the courage to use it, but the rash isn't improving on its own, so I'm really torn.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

[carebear0202]

I know you are scarred to death over this and I am sorry for that! But you have got to relax and I personally would use the cream sparingly. You will get through this and I believe your baby will be fine! Good luck!

[lookingforward34]

I went back to the dermatologist today and she started me on light box treatments (which are safe in pregnancy) twice a week to relieve itching. She also said that the topical steroid, even though it's class "C" is okay to use very sparingly, and I can use it every other day if I want.

I was crying all morning over this. It's my first pregnancy, I don't even know if everything is going okay since my first appointment is not until January (I'll be 13 weeks), and I had wanted to be so carefu about everything! And now, I'm plagued with this awful, itchy, warm, red, blotchy rash that is one of the most uncomfortable things I've ever had to deal with. I can't concentrate during the day, it keeps me up at night, it's spreading (it's now all over my stomach and breasts, and I can't even wear a bra) and I am beside myself.

So, here I am...10 weeks pregnant with my first baby and completely anxious and torn. Do I go ahead and take the topical steroid (which, by the way, will provide relief but not get at the underlying cause), or do I keep hoping it will go away...which doesn't look promising?

Last week the dermatologist did not think the rash had anything to do with pregnancy, but this week she sort of hinted around that it could be something called general pruritus of pregnancy.

Any advice or support would be greatly appreciated. I'm about to go to the drug store to pick up the prescription.

Thank you.

[lookingforward34]

Hi Mumita,

Thank you for all your suggestions. I am beside myself...and have also now taken to worrying and panicking, which isn't healthy for me or my pregnancy. Will they be able to do a patch test and determine if I'm allergic to dust mites? I'm extremely uncomfortable today, and the places where the rash is, feels warm to the touch.

Thanks.

[Mumita]

It sounds to me like allergies.  I  grew up in the tropics and I am extremely allergic to dust mites.  Dust mites loooove warm and humid weather so they grow more and they eat dust and dry skin cells that are all over the house.  Mold is another one that grows like crazy in a tropical climate and many people are extremely allergic to it.
You are probably having a skin reaction due to dust mites allergies or mold.  I suggest that you change your bed sheets two or three times a week and vacum and clean the floors daily.  Keep the house well ventilated and keep towells dry.  Maybe even buy a de-humidifier for your bedroom to take away some of the moisture that maintains dustmites and mold growing.

[lookingforward34]

Benedryl is okay during all stages of pregnancy. I woke up this morning and it spread...my breasts were itching the whole night...now it's all over my inner thighs, and my stomach and I'm very uncomfortable. I'm making an appointment to see an allergist and will just have to pay out of pocket, which really, really, really stinks, since in just 2 weeks, I'll be covered.

[GRose]

I know benedryl is OK later in pregnancy but I am not sure about in the first trimester. You may want to look into that cause it would probably help with the itching.

[lookingforward34]

HI IsabelleCanada,

I'm still not convinced that this isn't related to hormones from pregnancy, although rash/hives, etc seem uncommon in the first trimester. I'm beginning to wonder if there are tiny bugs in my house that I cannot see, that are biting me (we don't have pets though). I moved to a subtropical climate 4 months ago and ever since, I've been dealing with sneezing, itchy throat, etc, so I wouldn't be surprised if there's some environmental allergin that I'm reacting to. I'm not about to go crazy changing my laundry detergent, etc, because I've always used different kinds of detergent and never once reacted. So, I highly doubt it's a soap/detergent thing, or a food allergy. Nevertheless, this is really frustrating. At times, I want to crawl out of my skin, that's how badly it itches. Since I'm not insured until January 1st, there's nothing I can do (unless I want to pay out-of-pocket) but take oatmeal baths, use calalmine lotion and take benedryl as needed. I did get lucky and a friend of a friend got me an appointment with a dermatologist for free last week...but she wasn't very helpful. She thinks it's some kind of allergy, prescribed me a class C and class X drug (anti-itch and steroid cream), both of which I won't take.

I just want this to go away. My husband thinks I'm focusing on it too much, and perhaps he's right and I am. But, it's not going away and, in fact, has spread. Some days, I'm more uncomfortable than others, but not knowing what the cause is, is causing me a lot of anxiety.

[IsabelleCanada]

About 1 month after giving birth to my son, I developped a crazy all-over-my-body itch that was unbearable... I was scratching myself til it was bloody on my arm and legs and neck... I was seen by my dermatologist as an emergency and he prescrived Aveeno  calming oatmeal bath solution to bathe in and calamine lotion to apply on the skin after

and something to calm me down (I think it was Valium or something) and it went away eventually... the dermatologist said that it was a rare reaction to the pregnancy hormone levels changing in my body... rare but not unheard of.

[Darkestlight]

I have to daily take two class c drugs. My dd turned out fine and im sure my second one will too.

[lookingforward34]

Thanks for your advice and suggestions! The rash is not contagious, but very itchy...especially at night. It started out looking like flea bites...and in some places it still does look like bug bites...in other places, like my thigs, it has become hives. No clue what this could be...the dermatologist shot down my thought that it could possibly be related to pregnancy. My husband doesn't want to hear about it anymore and says whatever it is, it will go away on its own. However, that hasn't been the case, and the hypochondriac that I am, worries. I guess the best thing to do at this point is to hold out until my nexct OB-GYN appointment and see what she has to say. She did say it was okay to use the steroid creme but she said to use it VERY sparingly...and not over large parts of my body. The fact that she even said that, made me too nervous to use it.

[SoCalTricia]

When I was pg with my son (this was in 1999) my doctor prescribed Zoloft in the last two months of my pg.  I had experienced severe postpartum depression with my daughter prior to that, and he was being proactive. At the time, doctors believed the drug to be relatively safe during pregnancy. Apparently, since then, studies have shown a risk for birth defects and other problems. Thank God my son was (and still is) healthy as a horse. I think I would be wary of any medication during pregnancy unless it's absolutely necessary. The rash is irritating, but is it contageous? Does it keep you from sleeping? Will it effect your health in other ways? I would probably do some more research and maybe ask several doctors before I used it. Whatever you decide to do, GOOD LUCK!

Tricia

[ArmyPrincess819]

No. When I was 7 mos pg with my middle child they prescribed me supositories due to the flu. On the box it said lab studies showed that rat babies had died from this drug. So I threw it out. I was in and out of the hosp for a week due to dehydration sorry if it doesn't give me a guarantee safe to take while pg I won't. With this pg I have a bad uti. I have had reoccuring ones this yr I have had a few m/cs. I was deathy afraid to take the med since my obgyn didn't prescribe it the er doc did. But I googled and found it is in fact safe to take the med it more unsafe not to. I would call your dr. I think it depends on the situation. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.