chronic hip pain and i'm pregnant

[Alissa89]

I would really like to know what I can do about my pain. Tylenol is not working. I have had 2 hip surgeries in the past year and now that I'm pregnant and getting farther along it is starting to become unbearable. I don't want my baby to be addicted to pain killers but it's getting to the point where i can't even work.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Allissa,

Welcome to the Pan Mangement Forum.

I am sorry that I do not have any suggestions. I am sorrier that you are having issues obtaining good pain management during pregnancy. Fortunately I did not have to face that challenge.  

It's good to see that that our resident expectant mom has answered your question. She has some good information.

I wish you the best.  It must be difficult and frightening to face pregnancy when you have severe chronic pain.  Please feel free to post and ask additional questions. We have not have all the answers but we do have the best support!  

Take Care,
~Tuck

[JadedSweetheart]

I am also pregnant and have Chronic pain.  Mine is in my neck, shoulder and arm.  I have some herniated discs and a number of other problems.  I take oxycodone daily.  I was taking a muscle relaxer as well, but my doctor wanted me to take as few meds as I can.  It's really not easy at all.
There isn't much information about pain medication and pregnancy.  I will post the link to the best information I have found.  It's a personal decision for everyone.  Some women go off all meds when pregnant and others take meds.  The biggest problem is finding a doctor who is educated about pain medication in pregnancy.  I recommend seeing a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist if you're not currently seeing a Pain Management Provider.  Either that or find a PMP that sees pregnant women.  This can be difficult, though, as I just had to find one after my regular PM stopped seeing patients.
From what I have read, opiate pain medication doesn't have to be any more dangerous for the baby than advil or aleve in pregnancy.  There is a chance of the baby being born opiate dependant and going through withdrawls.  Not addicted, though.  They can give the baby medication to ease withdrawls and I have met some women online who were on medication and delivered healthy babies with no withdrawls.  I even met one who was able to breastfeed her baby.
Lexy, I recommend talking to your PM about your wanting to become pregnant before you start trying.  It's much better if you can assemble a "team" of doctors; PM, OB, and Maternal-Fetal Medicine before you become pregnant and that way the pregnancy will be as stress and pain free as possible.
I wish both you ladies the best of luck.  I have this information and my personal journey through PM and Pregnancy in my journal here on MH.  
Here's the info:
http://www.anesthesia-analgesia.org/content/85/5/1074.full.pdf
I'm glad you ladies found us.  I should mention that I'm not a doctor, just a pregnant woman dealing with pain who has researched this for myself and my baby.  

[Lexy485]

I can't answer your question. I don't have any children. I would like to have children soon though. I am dreading the pregnancy, do you think your doctor can put you on bedrest? I don't know if there are any other pain relievers that are safe to take when you are pregnant, let me know what you find out. Good luck!