UNCERTAiN

[zajelder]

i have fibromyalgia & i take tylenol with codeine for my pain, But i just found out i am 5 weeks pregnant so is it still safe to take the tylenol with codeine?

[JadedSweetheart]

PS.  Ashelen and the other ladies were completely right about not stopping anything abruptly until you can confirm with your doctor what to do.  Withdrawls can cause miscarriage and while most people who take opiates for pain do not become addicted, withdrawls are the same for an opiate dependent patient as they are for an addict.

[JadedSweetheart]

I agree to speak with your doctor.  I am currently pregnant and in pain management.  I take narcotic pain medication and my baby and I are very healthy.  Everyone's pregnancy choices are their own right and responsibility.  Some women go off all meds in pregnancy and choose to deal with whatever that causes for them.  Some women take their meds during pregnancy and deal with whatever that may cause.

I don't believe there is a right or wrong in this situation as long as all doctors are aware of what you are taking and the medication is prescribed. (or like tylenol, not prescribed, but doctor-approved).

I have met many women online who have had to take far stronger medications than Tylenol 3.  In all the cases it should be doctor prescribed.  Some OBs do not feel comfortable providing pain management, but don't have a problem with a patient in pain management as long as they have records.  That has been the case with me as my OB does not do pain management at all.  They do have the information from my PM doc and I keep them both updated as they would both rather me be the go-between.  I will tell you that it was very diffficult for me to find a pain management provider who was willing to treat a pregnant woman, so that is something you should make sure of right away.  I am also considered high-risk, because of my conditions, not because of the medication.  I was also surprised to know it's ME who's high-risk, not the baby or the pregnancy.  

I actually talked to my OB at length about this today and she has had patients in pain management and delivered babies to women in pain management.  The biggest concern here, as the other ladies said, is opiate dependence in the baby.  It is different than addiction in many ways.  Most people in pain management will never become addicted.  Addiction is it's own illness and can happen with many things.  An opiate dependent baby may have issues with feeding and sleeping.  My doctor told me that most babies are a little jittery but it's not a problem.  I was also told, to my surprise, that I can breastfeed.  I breastfed my first two children up to a year and was originally told I would have to bottle feed.  I was so dismayed, so I made a point to keep asking and finally got the green light.  

I have done a good amount of research on this topic as I needed the information for myself.  I was happily surprised that the medication I take, and most opiate pain medications are Pregnancy Class B.  Which is the same as tylenol.  I also take flexeril as a muscle relaxer and it is Class B as well.  

Here is some additional information in the form of a study done on the effects of narcotic pain medication in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

http://                www.anesthesia-analgesia.org/             content/85/5/1074.full.pdf

I wish you all the best in your pregnancy.  It is harder than a normal pregnancy and can be a lot more stressful.  If I had a choice I would not go through pregnancy on medication, but with the pain I deal with, it's not much of a choice.  I am currently working on tapering off my medications for the birth.  Please feel free to contact me via private message and I generally hang around the Pain Management forum here as well.

[smjmekg]

http://www.rxmed.com/b. main/b2.pharmaceutical/b2.1.monographs/CPS-%20Monographs/CPS-%20        (General%20Monographs-%20T)/TYLENOL%20with%20codiene.html

That site gives some info on a testing of Tylenol 3, during pregnancy.

zajelder~~~Every doctor is different, and while yours may not prescribe Tylenol 3, or want you to continue it...he/she may allow it. Ashelen is proof that it is considered safe enough to take during pregnancy. You should speak with your doctor as soon as possible, call today if you can to find out what your doctor recommends.

[Ashelen]

Very true Emily. and I would recommend calling 2 pharmacists until you can get in to speak with your doctor if you need an immediate answer. I say 2 because you always want to cross-check...as it has been proven today, different medical providers believe differently..so you always want to collect information from more than one professional until you can speak with your doctor. But any time you have a question about medication, like I said before, speak with your doctor but never start or stop any medication without their approval.

[Emily_MHManager]

Hi ladies -

Let's keep the fighting out of this (posts have been deleted), and please be very careful when giving out information regarding any medication during pregnancy.  As you all are aware, talking to your personal medical provider is best, as he/she knows your medical history and will be able to determine if a medication is safe for you to take during pregnancy.

It's great to get support and double check with the wonderful members here, but please make sure you are also talking with your doctors.  (I mean "you" as in the general you, all members, not "you" as in the original poster of this thread only.)

Thanks!

Emily

[Cassandrajane]

Actually I think you will find, you are more likely to harm your baby in the 3rd trimester than the 1st as my doc actually stated to me today!!!!! About 2 hrs ago actually.

Codiene shouldnt be taken in pregnancy. My old step mum took codiene in her pregnancy she became addicted, my brother is now halff blind and will probably be fully blind in 2 yrs. Result from codiene. They say NOT to take it as it is ADDICTIVE!

MANY people take tylenol and have been fine, if you read many posts that are up here.. many people have stated it is PERFECTLY SAFE... Doctors even perscribe it! They wouldnt if it would cause harm!!

I suggest you speak to your docs and say what meds you are taking and he / she will replace the ones that are unsafe like Codiene!

But you are more likely to harm your baby in the 3rd trimester than the 1st... That was confirmed today by MY DOCTOR.

I also need to add this: I will have everyone here know that Ashelen actually REALLY knows what she is talking about, Every bit of advise I have asked on here, she has answered, I also mentioned what she said to the doctor with an 'I was told' attitude and my doctor said she was spot on... soooo yeah... So everyone who thinks she is being a Ms Know It All... At least she knows what she is on about!

x

[jessmoss626]

Well I don't know about the first trimester, but I would imagine that with a chronic pain condition your dr would be able to prescribe something. trust your dr! I just took tylenol 3 for a short time (less than a week). I fell and my hand landed on a sharp object and I had stitches, it was very painful and the ER doc, nurse, and my regular ob all said it was fine, but I am in the 3rd trimester. But like I said talk to your dr, as you can see people online all have different opinions. Personally I believe it's better for your baby for you to be feeling healthy rather than being in pain all the time. Good luck!

[Ashelen]

this is another chronic pain patient on here who has had to treat pain while pregnant...this may help you:

http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/219225/Chronic-Pain-and-Pregnancy?personal_page_id=1039015

please stop by the Pain Management forum as well...there are several chronic pain patients who have had to treat pain while pregnant who can offer some tips and/or support if you are interested.

[Ashelen]

Sorry meant to add....it IS best to avoid taking meds if you can while pregnant. that includes ANY meds. but if you have to, there are some safe ones to take and you should discuss this with your doctor. don't quit cold turkey, that's the most important thing.

[Ashelen]

http://         www.drugs    .com/vicodin.html               (remove the spaces)


"you may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking Vicodin...."

[Ashelen]

There are so many misconceptions on this post!!!

YOU CAN TAKE TYLENOL #3...it is safer than vicodin. It is a lower-dose narcotic. I know because I have been a chronic pain patient for 5 years and been through 2 pregnancies having to take pain medicine.

Vicodin DOES CAUSE withdrawals if taken for a long period of time. It is a NARCOTIC, and causes DEPENDENCE when used for a long period of time. But just like Tylenol # 3 (tylenol with codeine) it can be SAFELY used during pregnancy if used under the care of a doctor.

When it comes to narcotics, they very in strength from weakest to strongest of the most commonly prescribed ones during pregnancy this way:

Codeine (weakest)
hydrocodone (vicodin/lortab)
oxycodone
demoral
morphine
dilaudid ( I may have the last two reversed...but either way, they're similar in strenght).

these are the most commonly prescribed narcotics during pregnancy and they can ALL cause dependence and withdrawals; all narcotics can. as long as your OB is the one prescribing your pain meds and knows all about how many you take and how often, your baby can be born perfectly safely and you will most likely go on a tapering regime near the end.

I had to take Tylenol #3 during both pregnancies; during the pregnancy with my daughter I had kidney stones and ended up having to take Dilaudid and Morphine two times while in the hospital....and I was able to taper off near the end and she was born healthy, full-term, and without dependence.

I had to take Tylenol # 3, then Lortab, during my pregnancy with my son...and near the end they gave me percocet as well. I was able to control the doses near the end and my son was born WITHOUT dependence and withdrawals, and completely healthy.

It just requires a lot of communication with your doctor...but of the narcotics, Codeine followed by Hydrocodone (vicodin) are considered the safest to take while pregnant.

There ARE a lot of things you can do for pain management while pregnant; many women on this forum have had to treat pain while pregnant and you can look up several posts asking the same thing. please speak with your doctor about your concerns; they are the only one that can tell you what you should do while pregnant.


Sorry to seem so rude to everyone here but from personal experience I know that some of the things stated were false. Good luck! You may need to be referred to a high-risk OB...but that's not a big deal, I had to see one while pregnant with my son.



****** I NEED TO EMPHASIZE EVEN IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO TAKE THE TYLENOL #3 DO NOT STOP COLD TURKEY. VICODIN *AND* TYLENOL WITH CODEINE CAN CAUSE WITHDRAWALS AND/OR MISCARRIAGE...you MUST speak with your doctor before changing/stopping narcotics while pregnant*

[BeautifulMistake2010]

Vicodin is not a medication that causes withdrawls. I already spoke with my Dr. about it..You can stop it cold turkey. But like I said there are very few medications that you can take while your pregnant that are stronger than your regular OTC pain meds... I would call your Dr. and your Pain Dr. or whoever it is that prescribes your pain meds and see for sure if there is  anything you can take. Believe me hon, I know your pain, as it is right now everyday is a constant battle for me as I am on NOTHING at all because even regular tylenol doesn't work. Hang in there .

[SunWorshiper_26]

They prefer to use vicodein in pregnancy however if this is something you take daily DO NOT STOP until you speak with your dr and are given specific instructions. Some medications can cause withdrawal which could lead to miscarriage.

[beanie485]

Talk to your dr. it's the only way to be safe and sure I know you can take 325mg of regular Tylenol when you are pregnant if you have to but I would be worried about the codeine if you must take it I would only take it when the pain in unbearable until you can talk to a MD to be sure that it is safe

[cassandra19]

Regular tylenol is safe, but i am pretty sure that codeine is not safe. I would talk to your doctor and tell them you are pregnant.

[BeautifulMistake2010]

I understand your pain hon.. I suffer from the same thing.. But No it is NOT safe to take the tylenol with codeine ...... You can take regular tylenol.... I know I also have a herniated disc in my lower back and my Dr. said  there's not really much they can do for pain management. .....