Pregnancy and pain meds

[jenny3485]

Hi,  My main question is, I want to have another child but what can I take during my pregnancy that wont harm my baby, but still bring me relief. Of course I will talk to my Doctor but before I even get pregnant I would like to have a good idea of what I am in for.I am 33 yrs of age and already have degenerative disc disorder along with a slipped disc in C7. I am currently taking  600 mg of Neurontin 3x daily which hasn't been helping much lately. I tried to take one more 300 mg capsule which makes it 900. Although it did help a bit more with the pain, I didn't like the way it made me feel. I am also taking percocet daily to help with my pain management.

[JadedSweetheart]

Here is the research info I have:  
http://www.anesthesia-analgesia.org/content/85/5/1074.full.pdf
Definetly talk to your doctor about it all.  I have heard of some women's meds being upped when they became pregnant to help with all of the pain from the extra weight on their spine.  
I am going to taper off the medication as much as I can in the final months of the pregnancy and I know I am going to be in pain from the extra weight on my spine, so I'm planning on trying some alternative therapies and being basically bedridden.
Really we all have to do what's right for us individually, though.  I hope you find relief for your pain now and find a way to control the pain for pregnancy as well.
Best of luck!

[jenny3485]

Thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions. They did help. I have a lot of thinking to do. It may be too hard to find a Doctor who will keep me on a med that is strong enough for my back pain. I just need to decide if it's all worth the pain for it is already almost completely unbearable right now as it is. Not to mention how it would be for me to have no meds and a baby pushing on my spine. Thank you again, and feel free to answer this question again if you happen to get more info about it.

[troubleinohio]

youve gotten some good advice already. I wish you the best of luck. I knew my back was heading downhill too already before I had my two children (I had them later in life- firstborn not until I was 32, second child at age 34). Im glad I had them when I did because indeed my back got increasingly worse (I have DDD, arthritis of entire spine, bulging/ruptured discs and mild scoloisis which Im not sure I really have the scolisis) anyhow, Im glad I had them no later than I did because my back got worse and worse and I dont see how I'd have a baby now, the pregnancy would be way too much on my spine!) So I wish you the best of luck. I cant give you advice on the meds situation because I wasnt yet on meds for my back when I had my two boys. Good luck.

[sandee1818]

Hi,
   It really depends on which Doctor you see. Jadedsweetheart has been through this and can help you. Alot of Doctors will not treat pain management patients who are pregnant, they normally have the high risk OB GYN take care of pain management. If you can not find one like JS then you need to find a PMP that does treaty pregnant Pt's.
I chose to go off all my medications during my pregnancies with my two daughters and it was very hard. I would not suggest this is right for you as that is strictly your decision.
Talk to your PMP that you see now and see what their views are on this and if they can treat you.
I know that Neurontin will be stopped as it is not safe to take while pregnant.
It is each Doctor's decisions as to what they prescribe and feel comfortable prescribing.
I wish you well and am glad you found us:)

[JadedSweetheart]

I was referred to methadone maintenance if I couldn't find a doctor who would treat me.  Luckily I found one, as methadone is an effective pain medication but I had some side effects while taking it for pain and I'd rather not have to take it.
There are effective medications for pain that are as safe as methadone.  Many doctors just won't prescribe pain medications to pregnant women out of fear of liability or misinformation.  
Some women get the doctor's okay, though, and don't have to suffer while trying for a baby.  I know of a couple of women I've met online who are currently trying for a baby while taking medications.  Granted, they are taking the minimum amount they can comfortably and have their doctors on board already.

[tiffany515]

my husband goes to the methadone clinic, and tells me that there are several pregnant women that go there.  he spoke to one about it, as he was curious about why they were there, and was told that methadone is the preferred pain management medication during pregnancy if abstinence cannot be practiced.  you may want to get a professional opinion on that....hope this was helpful!

[JadedSweetheart]

I'm currently pregnant and in PM.  The biggest thing is to get your doctor on board before you start trying to become pregnant.  It will be a lot easier for you in during the pregnancy.  Some doctors will drop you as soon as they find out you are pregnant and finding another doctor to prescribe pain medication to a pregnant woman is VERY difficult.  
I just went through a lot in trying to find a doctor who would see a pregnant woman for pain management and I have been a CP patient for 2 years.  
They will probably want you to go off the neurontin until the baby is born, although, I know of a case where a woman was kept on the neurontin in addition to naproxen, but no opiod medication.
I posted some information about pain medication and pregnany to my journal on MH.  It has a lot of good information to anyone considering pregnancy or already pregnant.  
I hope that you get the doctor's okay and can start trying again, soon!