pain meds and pregnancy

[kj37]

I take  7.5/325 percoit every other day sometimes once each day due to c4 c5 disc pain. Is this safe? I am 12 weeks pregnant. Has anyone done this and had a baby?

[refinnejlee]

I am due Feb 21, but will deliver sooner than that...I estimate around Feb 10th.  i have neck problems as well, and will have to have a fusion there as well...LOL...I am just a spinal wreck...I have what is called reversal of the cervical lordosis, which means my neck curves the opposite way, and it puts a lot of stress on my vertabrae...I have bone spurs that grow straight into the nerve roots on both sides at C3-4-5...fun fun fun!!!  I have to have a c-section as well, and will have to be put under general anestesia to deliver...i am not worried about the pain after...but I have also been through 2 spinal fusions as well, and was off my major pain meds after less than 24 hours...I am a bit of a freak though with handling pain...LOL.  I would really love to be able to stay off my meds for 6 months if possible so that I can nurse...but, that is me being overly optimistic I am sure!

[martikadragoon]

I'm due Xmas! December 25th, and this is my 2nd baby boy (I found out when I had my amnio at 16w6d)

My son TJ is 11 1/2 months old. in 2 weeks he'll be 1 year old! By the way most ppl ask why I had an amnio, it's due to the fact that I carry a rare genetic skin disorder that requires a csection. Its called EHK and babies are born with ripped up skin, so it requires a few days in NICU. Also, TJ has down syndrome. It doesn't run in either of our families. My husband and I were that lucky 1:1200 or so. :) We aren't worried about this baby having DS also, because we have already been through it once.

[kj37]

thank you! I understand the high tolerance. when are you due? how old is your son. I have a 8 year boy

[kj37]

thank you, I too have the goal to be off pain med before my c section. I worry about the baby being addicted. I also worry about the pain of c section I want the pain meds to work during that time. I am sure you are the same that when you dont take them as often they work great! I relate to you and chronic pain. I have a c4 c5 disc bulge and chiari malformaton which cause neck pain. That is why I have to have a c section. I am due feb 14, what about you?

[refinnejlee]

I understand your concern.  I am a severe chronic pain sufferer myself due to 2 spinal fusions and needing a third at L3-L4.  I take 15mg of Hydromorph Contin aka Dilaudid, and I have been told by my doc, as well as tons and tons of research that narcotics are a Class C, which means that while it may cause problems with the baby, sometimes it can cause you MORE problems to be off of them.  The biggest problems you may encounter, is at birth itself.  Research shows that the baby may be a bit sluggish to begin and may take a bit longer to take that first breath.  There is also a chance of delivering a drug addicted baby.  

I am 10 weeks along, and am slowly trying to wean myself off of my meds.  My goal is to not have ANY in my system 3 weeks before my c-section...but...I am also NOT going to deny myself pain relief...it is a tough situation that we are in, and I wish you the best...but...your baby WILL be fine, and you WILL be fine.  I don't know if I helped or not...but I do understand your fears!

[martikadragoon]

Lemme add. Norco is 10mg Hydrocodone, and 350mg tylenol. I take 2 every 6 hrs. So basically equal to 4 vicoden. Doctor prescribed amt.

[martikadragoon]

First, CONGRATS!!!!

Yes, I have. With my first son I had migraines and severe leg pain so the entire last 5 months of my pregnancy I was on Vicoden. My son suffered no withdrawal, and no dependancy.

With this baby I have an L5 injury, Arthritis, and scoliosis and have been on Norco for just over a month.  I have a higher tolerance to meds and I build tolerance very quickly. The norco isn't quite working as it should so as soon as my referral to a pain mgmt doctor goes through, I will likely be placed on something even stronger than the norco for the pain.

I'm not worried about the baby because the only real risks for babies born to moms who use narcotics are dependancy and withdrawal and some depressed breathing. I am seen at a maternal fetal medicine clinic which is high risk, and they will monitor this baby closely when he is born. As long as your doctor knows your pregnant and is supervising you and baby while on the medications, you and baby will be fine. They may lower your medication in the couple weeks before your baby is born. But that's all really.