herinated disc and pregnancy

[manju78]

I am 32 and 1 year ago i was diagnosed with L4-L5 herinated disc and has sciatica pain .i was planning to get pregnant .Is it advisable and anyone with similar experience ,please share your views appreciated

[Jenn102707]

I have three herniated discs and was advised by my neurosurgeon to get lumbar fusion and got a second opinion and he told me not too until it was absolutely necessary.  My husband and I are TTC and that is the one thing that scares me to death...is my back! Right now I have been able to tolerate my pain with the use of tylenol as needed (I had harder meds but trying to not use b/c I don't want to mess with my TTC). I am kind of a big girl to begin with, but I have recently lost 20 pounds to try and help the back situation. Its good to know that some doctors are willing to help out wherever they can to help relieve the pain for you when you are pregnant.  Good luck and keep us posted!

[martikadragoon]

Manju78~ they haven't said if mine is herniated... it's injured, I know that. I still have pain 7 months later. You can speak to your doctor and pain mgmt dr. about your plans.
it IS possible to get pregnant. you will have to determine anothe pain mgmt method. And later in your pregnancy when you have strain on your back. if you need to it is fairly SAFE to take certain pain killers, even opiates, just in certain quantaties.

I've been told by 3 HIGH RISK obgyns that it's ok to take vicoden in 2-3 trimesters, and as long as your not on a high dose all the time. (I took it with my son about 2-3x a day, 3-5d a week)
for the entire last 5 months I was pregnant. I'm pregnant again this time. My dr. was supposed to send me to pain mgmt, but hadn't and I said forget it we want #2...

I've managed with Tylenol, and Icy hot and Heatpacks, along with 1 maybe 2 doses of Ibuprofen. my dr. said it was ok in the first trimester. but be sure to ask your doctor about ALL of this!!!

Good luck! When I see my High Risk OBGYN again, I plan on finding some sort of pain mgmt that'll work for me, without me still being in so much pain I can't sleep some nights. (and it DOES get that bad about 1x a week.)

[jenntanis]

I was diagnosed with 4 herniated discs the summer of 2007.  I underwent a lumbar fusion to repair two of the discs in Jan of 2008 and was advised to wait 6 months before trying to get pregnant.  I am about 5 and half months pregnant now, and doing well.  I have been following with my neurosurgeon, who recommends walking or swimming as exercise.  I am also taking Tylenol as needed, which all of my doctors are aware of.  My neurosurgeon did warn me about sciatic pain (due to the baby leaning on the nerve) in the second and third trimesters, which will be relieved when the baby is born.  So far, so good for me though.  I have also watched my weight, as to not gain a huge amount.  I was informed though, that I may not be able to have an epidural due to my disc problem and the instrumentation in my back.  I have been informed to discuss this with an anesthesiologist at the hospital I'm going to deliver at, which I haven't scheduled yet.  I have a friend who also has back problems, who was able to get an epidural without any problem.

[mikaleen]

Hi...
I also have herniated discs at L4-L5 and L5-S1.  I get really bad sciatica pain as well.  With my first pregnancy I was ok until 8 months, and my Dr. prescribed me Vicodin, which I took only when I couldn't stand up or walk or around.  You should talk to your Dr., because pain management would be the biggest issue.  There is no danger in being pregnant, but the added weight definitely adds to the pain.  There are different approaches that can be taken.  Some Dr's prescribe pain medication along with physical therapy and water therapy, some just prescribe pain medication, some just prescribe physical therapy.  You know how you can tolerate the pain and what level you are at, so you should discuss it with your Dr.  before you get pregnant and have a plan in place ready to be acted upon when needed.  Good luck!!