pain medication and pregnancy

I have taken two 50mg Tramadol for about a year now for a shifted pelvic bone due to an accident.  I have sever lower back pain and tramadol is what my doctor prescribed to me, and seems to be the only thing that will even touch the pain.  I am 27 wks pregnant now and my OB knows I am on the medication.. in fact i reduced my dosage to one 50mg a day.  I honestly just want a second opinion about continuing the medicine for the duration of my pregnancy or stopping all together.  I'm worried about my baby's health and I am willing to take the pain. I have researched this drug on the internet and it seems to be in category C. Please help!:) I am very concerned about my baby's health!

[kittykates]

I just wanted to let you know that I'm in the exact situation you are. I am 14 weeks pregnant and have a severe herniated disk in my back that causes me so much pain I can hardly move.  I have been on Vicodin for years due to this condition, and I rarely go a day without taking one.  My OB prescribed Tylenol 3 (Tylenol w/codeine) and I took it, but it made me very queasy.  I have taken Vicodin a few times while pregnant, but decided that I'd better stick to what my OB gave me, but then I did my own research and found out that Tylenol w/codeine is a catagory C, and the Vicodin is a catagory B (at this stage of my pregnancy).  I would love to just take the pain, but without the meds, I can't even get out of bed, which therefore means, I can't get to work.  After careful consideration, I realized the benefits of taking the medication outweighs the overall risk, and for my continued health, and the health of the baby, it would be in my best interest to take the medication.  I have regular ultrasounds and prenatal appointments, and so far, the baby is doing fine.  I feel so guilty at times for taking medication while pregnant, but it's like my doctor says, it's either that, or traction.

Good luck!

[DanielleLeigh0325]

I also am in the same boat as you are. I have 3 herniated discs in my back, 2 torn discs and degenerative disc disorder. I have been going to a pain management doctor for over a year before I found out I was pregnant. When I saw my OB for the first time I told her that my pain management MD had me on Vicoden. My OB said that vicoden is not good to take during pregnancy. She prescribed tylenol #3 for me but that made me really sick to my stomach. I called my OB back and told her that they make me sick and she ended up prescribing Darvocet-N for me. It seems to relieve some of the pain, but not all of it. I would stick to whatever your doctor prescribes for you. And NEVER take more than you are suppose too. If you want to talk email me at [e-mail]. I am also 14 weeks pregnant.

[GlennaJ]

Hi there.  I am 13 weeks pregnant.  I am taking Hydrocodone for daily headaches.  I've tried NOT to take the pain medicine and I cannot do without it.  My doctor says that its ok to take the hydrocodone while pregnant in fact that is the only pain medicine they said was ok.  I too am worried but I cannot deal with these headaches.   I never took anything with my other 3 pregnancies.  I wish you all good luck!

[kittykates]

Not that I'm happy any of you are in pain...but I'm just happy that I'm not the only one dealing with pain and pain management.  I spoke to my doctor again and he said that if vicodin is the only thing my stomach can handle, then it's okay to take it as long as I'm taking the prescribed dose.  He said acetominophen is the safest pain reliever to take while pregnant, and doesn't believe it will cause a problem.  I'm supposed to be starting physical therapy in a week, so we'll see it that helps.

Good luck to all of you guys!

[stephnewmom]

thank  you all!

[Carriex2]

I am also very scared I have just found out I am pregnant (very pregnant)
I have been on Methadone for 3 years now for my Rhumatoid Arthritis and Back pain.  I am also on thryoid meicine and a steroid (for the swelling which my doc thought was my RA)  

It is very normal for me to miss periods and I have taken over 5 tests the past 5 months and they all said neg until thursday evening 6/28
So I called my ob and he wont touch me he said I am wat too high risk and I have to see a specialist  but they cant get me in until 7/19  

So i dont even know at this point if any thing is ok!!!   I am worried my baby is going to come out addicted to the meds, I am also diabetic (wow no wonder my ob said i Need to go to a specialist HUH  lol)
I am just trying to stay as positive as I can  
I think you will be fine hun tyenol based meds ARE the safest I know that from my last pregnancy.  

Good luck and I wiil say a prayer for all of us

Carrie

[fljunebride]

I have been on Vicodin 10 for a year now. I have severe back problems. I just found out I am pregnant ( about a month). I am trying to figure out the ebst way to deal with the issue of taking the meds or suffering. I tried 2 days without the meds and I was in tears by the end of the day. The is my first child so I want to do everything right. Is it safe to stay on? Will my baby be deformed? What do I do?

[Mommypepper]

Well I can't tell you how happy I am that I am not alone and there are other mothers going through the same things as me. I am sorry you are all suffering though and I wish you all the best with your pregnancies and babies. I would like to share my story also. I am sorry it is kinda long.

I am 27 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child. Prior to getting pregnant (which was a complete suprise) I was on various narcotic medication for a back injury from a car accident and for migraines which I have had since I was 11. When I found out I was pregnant my ob told me to continue with my primary dr because he didn't want to handle an existing condition. So my primary changed all my meds to just vicodion (sp) and took me off everything else. So the first 16 weeks I alternated vicdion then to oxycodone (was hospilizaed with placenta previa/bleeding early on) and was also on diluaid shots for pain while in the hospital and for my migraines which I have been cursed with more frequently than usual.

So my dr and I talked about the fact I felt the vicidon/oxycodone was not working completely without my other meds and I didn't want to take anything that would hurt the baby and if it wasn't working why bother right? So I decided to continue with massages and chiropractor for my back and deal with the pain etc.. and only taking the diluaid pills (which she switched me too for breakthru pain) when I was in extreme pain.

Unfourtanly I have been getting migraines more frequently the further along I get. I am not talking just a typical migraine, I start thowing up and my blood pressure gets really low (weird huh) and I can hardly walk or even get out of bed.Far worse then they normally get and not easily relieved. So I have been getting Diluaid/Pherngan injections 2 times a week and have the precription at home as well. They have also had to increase the dose as my body has grown a tolerance to it and was not working as well.

The baby is doing wonderful. He is perfect measurments, even though I have not managed to gain any weight yet. All my labs are good and the ultrasounds are fine. The my ob was not worried about anything. Well last week it was discussed with a few drs and they decided that my baby must be addicted to opiates and if I stop taking them cold turkey the baby may not survive in utero and when he is born he will be kept in the hospital hooked up to morphine and weened off that way.

I am scared to death of him being born addicted to drugs. They tell me that if I am suffering then the baby is so I can't be left to be in pain all the time. I have decided to allow them to send me to Chemical Dependecy to attempt to wean me and the baby off before he is born. I am scared... I don't know what to do. I want to stop taking them and do whats best for the baby but I can't fuction or care for my other kids properly when I am in so much pain I can't move! I have 2 older kids one of which is autistic and I am a single mother...

I am sorry this is so long. I feel very alone and am scared to talk to people for fear of what they may think of me. I feel like a horrible mother right now. I wasn't planning on getting pregnant but now that I am I want to make the best of it. However having one child with a disability is all I can handle I think. Anybody have any advice.. Thanks for listening!  

[samjo85]

I felt very relieved when i found this site. I am due in 9 days, i have been taking 50 mg tramadol throughout my entire pregnancy and my doctor told me that the baby would have withdrawls for a few days and maybe small seizures. It makes me feel like a bad mother but there is no way i could of made it 9+ months without the meds. Has anyone else heard any information about tramadol 50mg?

[Tinkerbell123]

I'm 35 and 6 1/2 months pregnant in terrible pain with my bladder.  Everytime I talk to my doctor he says it's just pregnancy.  My stomach swell 8-10 inches when it flares up.  My legs are on fire and my back is killing me.  I start throwing up and urinating every 10 minutes until I'm exhausted.  My doctor also said that a urologist won't treat a pregnant woman for Intercistial Cystitis while pregnant.  I feel like I'm trapped and have no place to go.  I have been in terrible pain the entire pregnancy.  In addition when I walk more than 50 yards in a day, my abdomen gets very sore as if my female organs and bladder have so much pressure that I'm going to explode.  My doctor said that's just my uterus stretching.  I have a history of ongoing pelvic pain and have also had a uterus suspension.

Does anyone have any suggestions?  I am not being prescribed anything for pain, the IC bladder cathederization treatments only help for a few days and I'm about to have an emotional breakdown over the pain.

PLEASE HELP.......

Brandi

[[e-mail]]

Hi, I am from Florida and have several chronic illnesses. I have Lupus (Systmatic), Fybromalgia, Rhumitord Athritus, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I was diagnosed with Lupus right after my daughter was born. This is the first time that I have had a remission longer than 2 months. My daughter is now four years old and my husband and I want to have another baby while I am doing ok. I have several problems though. I am on Oxycotin 40mg twice a day, Darvacet when needed, Wellbutrin for depression, Warfrin which is blood thinners, and a few others. I am concerned what medications I will no longer be able to take and if I will be able to withstand the pain. I would like to get off the Oxycotine anyways because it is a horrible drug. I get ill even if I miss my 12 hour dose my one hour. The one thing I do know is that instead of taking the Warfrin for blood clots I will have to take Hefferiane injections twice a day. If anyone has any knowledge of what types of pain medication doctors believe is ok to take while pregnant please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope all of you have good and healthy babies. God bless you all and good luck.

[becerrax6]

Sorry for everyone's pain.........But now I know I'm not alone. I have a herniated disc in my back and another one in my neck.........I take pain meds for my pain.....I am taking oxycodone 5/325 mg.......i have been taking this since my failed surgery in December of 2005. I am in terrible pain without the meds. i have been pregnant twice now and miscarried twice. My fear is this........are these meds causing my miscarriages?.........I go through terrible times when I dont take my meds.....i've been on these meds almost 2 yrs now. I just had my last miscarriage last night and I am in disbeleif............i keep thinking how did this happen to me again..........It hurts so bad........I just want one more baby before I'm too old.....I'm 34........now........so i keep thinking is it the pain meds causing this to happen or could it be the fact that I've had 4 c-sections already? If anyone knows anything let me know...........VERY SAD

[hlb0224]

Hello this is my first pregnancy, but I have suffered from migraines since I was 13 years old. Everyone told me being pregnant that I might not get migraines again, but I guess I was one of the unfortunate ones I still get them. I'm 5 months pregnant and since I have been pregnant I have noted most of my migraines and it seems to be 3 or 4 a month. Sometimes they are not so bad but occasionally they last for days. Before I got pregnant I would take Imitrex but since I'm pregnant I can't take that. So my doctor has tried mulitple things and the only thing that seems to kick the ones that last for days is Lortab, but I'm supposed to start out taking Midrin and if that doesn't work then I'm to take the lortab. Everytime I mention about getting refills on the lortab he tells me that it is harmful for the baby. I understand that it is a narcotic but what I wanted to know is if I take it at most 3 times a month is the baby goin to get addicted to it. I don't like takin it but it seems to be the only thing that kicks my migraines.He also put me on some blood pressure medicine, but I haven't noticed any change in my migraines. Sometimes the midrin works and sometimes if I wake up with a migraine it usually lasts unless I take lortab as soon as I get up and lay down for a couple of hours. Please help me!!!

[ladybushi]

Well Im on my 3rd child, the second one was in Seattle, and even when your pregnant, if you have migraines or pain, vicodine 5 was the solution or percocet 10. nothing over. as long as it has only acetaminophen for the cut, and is not abused. Here in florida, my third pregnancy, I have worse migraines, and have to go to the ER to get a shot of Demerol! That is soo bad. I choose to obtaine percs or vics through my own resources since it works.

[poro]

I am writing because i found out i am pregnant about 1 month and am taking about 12 ultrams a day. I am so worried about the health of the baby but get horrible WD when trying to taper.  Is there any safe level of Ultram while pregnant or should i try to quit cold turkey? This is awful!

[PaigeParris]

A related discussion, Please Help was started.

[olive7789]

This is the most help I feel I have received on this!

[joejoe506]

A related discussion, scared of proublems to my baby was started.

[Loveasm]

I am 36 weeks prego and I have Apollo arthritis, low thyroid, low immunesystem and back problems and I quit everything I was doing a week after I found out I was prego there is no excuse to keep doing them. I was taking alot of oxy and I quit and the withdrawals didn't hurt my little boy he is purfect and healthy. Do u really wanna see your baby go threw withdrawals there withdrawals r going to b worst then urs. So just quit not for u but for ur unborn child.

[beachgirl393]

A related discussion, 4 months and I'm on morphine30ml was started.