Chronic Pain

I truly enjoy reading all the posts on here. I'm so glad some of you girls found good doctors. I on the other hand don't know what to think of the dr's here in SC. Everyone I go to seems to say the same thing You Can't Take Meds When You Are Pregnant Or Trying To Get Pregnant. Grrrr I hate hearing this all the time. My husband I are were supposed to start insemination in June that was canceled then we were supposed to start in July that's been canceled. I get so upset and feel that I will never be a mother. My brother calls me all the time he lives in PA and his wife is pregnant for the first time and guess what it's due December 12th and my birthday is December 15th. His wife hates being pregnant and he thinks this will be there only baby cause she hates being pregnant so much. I would do anything to be pregnant. I'm having a very hard time with listening to her bitch about being pregnant. My husband is 35 and I'm 27 we both knew we always have wanted kids. We will be married in July 2 years and we just thought it would happen and it hasen't. I'm running up dr bills like crazy. I have a nerve block on my back July 6th I've had them in the past and they never work for me. I have an appointment with my OB on the 23rd. He's been on vacation and that's the soonest they can get me in again to talk to him about the insemination and I need to tell him I Can Not Be Off My Pain Med. I only take one pain med 3 times a day and I only am on 150 mg. This new pain management dr I'm seeing doesn't know why the OB wants to take me off of it. He says he gives his patients 650 mg a day of what I'm on. My spine is fused at L4- L5 S1 but in November 2005 scar tissue grew and is pressing on a nerve sending pain all the time down my right leg and into my toes. I have disks problems in my neck too but the Chiro helps with that I go 2 times a week. My husband and I are from NY and we had much better health insurance up there than we do in the South. We have the State Health Plan in SC but for us it's horrible. In NY we only had a copay every time we go to a dr here they want us to pay 20 percent right then and there. My medical bills are huge and I have a hard time paying all the bills. The pain management dr I have to pay money before I can have my shot on the 6th and if my husband and I don't have the money I can't get my shot done. I told my husband yesterday it's to hard trying to have a baby and I just wanted to be done with all of this running to different drs and what not. I get so sick and tired of it and I don't ever seem to have a good outcome. We've been running to dr's since December of last year. I'm just very frustrated. My OB says I can only take tylenol well I want to know what they Think Tylenol does for Nerve Pain. For me it does NOTHING. They don't understand nerve pain or chronic pain for that matter. I do I live with it everyday for 14 years now. Anyway sorry to vent ladies. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

Aislyn

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Originally posted by Aislyn:

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Originally posted by KateDogg:
My husband has always been very supportive when it comes to my chronic pain. However, now that we are talking about getting pregnant, he is nervous. He doesn't want to see me in more pain. He also is worried how I'm going to lug around a baby, a car seat, a stroller, etc. with chronic back pain. My meds are very minor right now, and I've told him that I'm willing to take a chance for the opportunity to raise children. Does anyone have any advice on how to reassure my husband? I know it's a personal thing, but I thought some of you may have been through this already.

It sound's like your husband needs to talk to my husband. They sound so much alike. My husband is wonderful to me and does a lot for me due to having the chronic pain. My husband is nervous about the same things as your husband. I just keep talking to him and he comes with me to all my drs appointments so that he can try and understand more about what I do go through on a daily basis. He comes with me to my GYN and the different dr's I've been to for the pain. He goes right in the room with me too. I always make sure I ask him how he is feeling I think it helps us to talk a lot about this, I know it doesn't just effect me it effects my husband a lot too. We have decided we are going to do everything in our power to have a baby and he will support me 100 percent. I know it's going to be hard but I feel deeply in my heart that I can do this. I don't have any real advice for you and I'm sorry for that. For us just talking to each other helps a lot and taking it day by day. I feel that's all we can do.

Aislyn

Thanks Aislyn- I like that you take your husband with you to your dr. appts. I guess I've always taken my pain to be "my thing." Maybe he would understand more if I let him into my world a little more.

WOW.. It makes me so sad to listen to you guys. Only because you sound just like I did a year ago.. I want to tell you that I have been there and done it!!! My heart goes out to you all, really. It's a tough road, but it can be done.

I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately. One thing, pain aside, about having a baby, your emotions go inside out and upside down. I've been struggling there. Also just made some HUGE decisions in my life and I've been wrapped up in that.. but I'm here now and totally willing and able to help anyone who wants it! Anyway, I want you ladies to know that everything your experiencing emotionally right now, your husbands, etc.. sounds totally normal to me. I'm not a doctor, but just a woman who just had a baby and has chronic pain. You CAN do this!! :-)

I suggest before you get pg (if you aren't already) that you find a pain management doctor that is willing to support you. My OB/GYN and my Pain doc DID talk to each other.. and if they hadn't I would have pushed for that. They worked as a team on my care. I also was referred out to see a Maternal/Fetal Medicine Specialist. You'll be considered a high risk pregnancy b/c of your pain and any meds you take b/c of it.. and these docs are amazing. Mine was wonderful. I wish there was a way that I could have him consult all of you...because he is really the only one that said "yes you can take that, or no you can't" My pain doc and OB were nervous, and guessing... but as soon as the specialist said OK, they were all on board. So, if you have that resource, or can ask your pain doc to please help you find the resources for a doctor that specializes in medicines during pregnancy, it will help a lot.

I took meds while I was trying to conceive. I was having problems there too and it took us 8 months, (btw, Clomid is what finally did the trick - for the woman who said she was about to start clomid). BUT I had spent that time tapering off the Duragesic patch. (Which was MY choice, b/c doc said I could have stayed on it if I wanted.) Then, once the pregnancy was confirmed, that's when I had to go off of a few other meds, ones that they know are harmful to a growing baby.

I stayed on as little medicine as I could, and ones that my doctor had told me I could take. I tried taking as little as possible, but by the end of the pregnancy was in more pain b/c of the baby that I was at my full rx'd dose. I felt guilty every time I took anything, tore myself up many times. I suggest that you recruit a few friends (even if they are your online buds) to be there for you when you get to that point and people judge you or you judge yourself. I had Stacy mainly, and she saved my life many times just cheering me on and reminding me that I was doing what was best for me and the baby. The truth is, and any good chronic pain doc will tell you this, that the more stress you put on yourself and the more pain you are in, the more harm that does to the baby. It is more harmful for you to be in that condition, that it is for you to take some medicine.

You need to find a good support group of doctors if you can, or at least one that will continue to prescribe your meds. You need to find out which meds are absolutely no-no's (backed up by research) and which ones are just ones they haven't done research on and simply don't know. The fact is that most women don't offer their bodies to science, so that's one reason why many docs say NO meds during pg, because all their little books say that... and if you ask which class of medicine yours are, and learn a bit about how classes of meds work, you'll see that many meds just have not had enough research to deem them "safe" during pregnancy.

It really depends on which meds you are on, or if you can switch to ones they know more about, also how much you take. I was always told the lowest dose is best, but not to tweak my doses if I was in pain, because again.. that puts me in more pain and jeapordizes the baby more than taking the pill! My doc at one point said "Nobody should ask you to be in pain!" That really hit home.. it's true. You CAN manage your pain and be pregnant..but it will be hard. It also matters if you are taking long acting or short acting meds. There are a lot of things that will come into play as you go through getting pg, being pg, and having a baby (breastfeeding if you wish to do so), etc. I did a lot of homework for my own personal case, because having a baby was something very important to me! I wasn't going to let chronic pain keep me from that. Now, let me say that my injuries and situation isn't as serious as some of yours, but chronic pain is chronic pain.

I'm here if anyone would like to talk, or vent, or pick my brain from the things I've gone through. You can send me a message on this board, or emails me at Luv2Laugh@sbcglobal.net

Please just remember my 4 month old runs my schedule, so if I don't get back to you right away please don't think I've forgotten about you!!

I'm certainly not a doctor, but willing to be a friend. I have been through this.. and my baby was born HEALTHY HEALTHY HEALTHY... no withdrawls, no side effects, pink and screaming, as babies should (via c-section - which is what most of you likely will do I assume). She is perfect, just amazing... she has no problems whatsoever.. I am still thanking the powers that be for her safe arrival.. and for each day I have with her. I worked SO hard to get her here (as you are all doing now) that I just stare at her daily in amazement. BTW, I'm also breastfeeding her! She is alert, happy, thriving.. it's me that suffers.. LOL.. It's not easy balancing a baby and chronic pain. I thought the pregnancy part was the hard part.. uh, no. LOL. But one thing at a time for you all!!

I truly wish you all the best, and sorry for the LONG post... but not sure when I'd get a chance to write this much again! You are all doing great for trying to reach out, find answers, and keep your babies safe as can be, and they aren't even here yet! What great mommies you'll be!

Again, email me if you wish.. I'm more than happy to try and help, or just be there for you.

Nicole

AHHH!!!

I just spent so much time replying and wrote this LONG detailed post, and it's gone.. poof. ARGGG. (Yes Stacy, I know...)

I don't have time right this moment to write it all again, but I want to again, offer my shoulder, ear, hand, whatever.. to you ladies. I have been through infertility, pregnancy, cesarean, and now new motherhood... all with chronic pain. I DID take medicine all the way through! I want you all to know it can be done, and that I'm proud of you for starting now to reach out to people and get your doctors on board, etc. It will make your life easier to have some good people on your side. I understand the hurdles, and that not many docs understand chronic pain, let alone that coupled with pregnancy. If you can, try and find (or be referred) to a materal/fetal medicine doctor.. they are specialists and will help make your life a lot easier. Make sure your doctors communicate, or communicate for them! They should be working together on your care.. it's in their best interests too!

I know this is hard.. it's definitely not something that many people can relate to either, so I'm happy to see you all have found each other also. I was pretty alone in my pregnancy until I found groups like this.

My baby is healthy, happy, thriving... I'm breastfeeding, she's never had any problems with anything.. My pain is managed (sorta), but mostly it's stress in my life causing more pain. I thought the pregnancy would be the hard part... but what comes next ladies, is a whole new ballgame!! LOL. One thing at a time though...

If anyone wants to talk, I've said it a dozen times and I'll say it again.. I'm here for you!!! Send me a message on this site or email me if you want at Luv2Laugh06@sbcglobal.net.

My infant runs my schedule.. so if I don't reply right away, don't think I've forgotten. I really truly care about all of you, about helping you feel better, and have you all in my thoughts!!

Nicole

Hi Girls,
I just had some questions I wanted to ask you all. Do you go see a Maternal/Fetal Medicine Specialist once your pregnant or is there anyway you can talk to them before you get pregnant? I would really like to talk to one about the pain medicaine. My OB won't start IUI until I'm off my med. so it keeps getting post poned which really upsets me. Also I have a Spinal Fusion at L4 L5 S1 my OB here in SC says they make you try to have a vaginal birth and then once your in labor and if you start to have problems then and only then will they do a C-Section. I have always wanted a C-Section just because of all the metal in my low back. My Dr's in NY always told me that I would have to have a c-section if I got pregnant. Does anyone know about giving birth either vaginally or by c-section with metal in there back?

Thank you all so much,
Aislyn

Hi, Aislyn. I started seeing a M/F Specialist 2 years before I became pregnant. If you call the office of one and explain your situation, I'm sure that they would see you for a consultation. I think it would really help put your mind at ease.

As far as the metal in your back: I too have rods and plates but in my skull to C-5. My neurosurgeons have said that I absolutely can NOT have a vaginal delivery. I must have a c-section. My OB totally agreed. I can't imagine that anyone would want to take the chance of compromising your fusion by pushing. That seems ridiculous.

Good luck and keep us posted!
Stacie

I have been checking in and reading posts for a few weeks now. My heart just oes out to each and every one-especially those of you who are having trouble finding a doctor who will help. You CAN take pain medication while pregnant, there are safe ones that won't harm the baby. I have chronic back pain and also thought that I couldn't take anything while pregnant. My OB (who is wonderful) told me that not only can I take the meds, I would be doing more harm to my baby by suffering with the pain. My blood pressure and heart rate go up when I'm in severe pain, as do most people. My OB found a pain management doctor in the area (I live in MAnchester, NH) and she works together with him to do the pain meds. Currently I am on the duragesic 75, with oxycodone for breakthrough pain. I started out on the 25 patch, and we've gone up when we had to. I am now 26 weeks pregnant with our daughter, who is growing just fine (and moving constantly). Please don't kill yourselves over this- find a doctor who will treat you. They do exist.

Bettie:

Thanks so much for saying how successful you have been with meds and being pregnant. It goes to show that it can be done. I am 17 weeks prego today and ave been on Duragesic 75mg all the way. I have a great OB and things are going as best as they can. My thoughts and prayers are with you!

Heather

I was just wondering if anyone could help me. i have been on vicodin and i was wondering if it is safe or ok to take durning pregnancy???

I just got done bawling after reading all the posts on the health central discussion board-I have been fretting and sick to my stomach with worry when I take meds-I have chronic overwhelming (at times) neck pain, and am 6 weeks pregnant and this is the first time I've seen anything that makes me feel like I might NOT be totally alone. I have Group Health and have worked so hard to try to set up a support system and I presently do physical therapy, acupuncture and massage therapy-I also do yoga and other exercises, etc. and on and on...the pain clinic is worthless here-at least the doctor I saw was... long story uggg. But I am scared to death of taking Percocet 2x a day and maybe that isn't so bad compared to some meds? I haven't heard of a lot of the meds I saw here, but I'm scared because it is with docs saying-well we don't know what it does, but it might be ok, but take as little as you can...
that's what I do anyway...I'm just exhausted and feel so alone and half ass supported and like I have to twist Group Health's arm to get any kind of support at all. I'm just scared I'm hurting my baby and my neck hurts so much I'm afraid my misery is hurting my baby somehow...I just can't get a straight answer from anyone and no one understands chronic pain and how it effects every little aspect of my life... thank you so much for taking the time to read this. Just reading your posts was so helpful (this is the first site I've found like this). I just keep crying...ya maybe I'm a little hormonal?? uggg. is there anyone out there that took Percocet/Oxycodone through pregnancy and had a healthy baby/or problems come up? renee

I'm so glad I found this forum! My husband and I have been thinking about becoming pregnant for about a year, but we're very, very hesitant to because after 5 years of hell I'm finally stable on pain medication and have a life again. I've had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia for 6 years. I'm currently take Ultracet (75 mg per day) and Xanax (.5 mg per day). The Ultracet has changed my life. I was bedridden on-and-off for 5 years. It was very hard on my husband and daughter (who was 3 when I became ill). We have had such a great year since I started the Ultracet doing things we never thought we'd do together...Disney for 2 days..a vacation in the mountatins..going to the park and rollerblading. On one hand, I would love to have another child and give my daughter a sibling. On the other hand, I'm terrified that going off of my meds and having a baby would cause a major relapse and I would be unable to care for the baby and my daughter. Any advice and inspiration any of you can offer would be very much appreciated. Thank you, Kim

Hi-
Great to find this forum. I tried to post the other day but think I wording something wrong. Oops.

I am 24 wks prego and have IC (interstitial cystitis). I take valium now, but not in third trimester and then vicodin, only about 3 a day. My big concern is I dont' think I can go off before birth, which is a planned c section. Anyone have any advice on babies born to moms on pain meds? I am worried, and will find a pediatrician to work with me, but of course the only articles on this are with people who have addiction isues and are usually unreliable, so it is rough.

Being on narcotics has such a stigma, glad to have found this spot.

Thanks!

Cheers-

Melanei and baby b

To Renee, Melanie, and any others who have not received answers to your pregnancy-related questions...

I do apologize for not answering sooner. Since my children were grown before I developed my chronic pain problems (fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome), this is not something I have personal experience with. I usually try to wait and see if someone with first-hand experience answers before I say something.

If you haven't already read all three pages of this forum thread, please do so. There is much good information and encouragement throughout. Nicole (aka IceCreamGoddess) is particularly helpful since she has successfully gone through pregnancy and childbirth while on pain meds.

As far as questions about specific drugs and pregnancy, all I can tell you is what the PDR says, which is often less than helpful. In most cases, they just don't know how it will affect the baby. To check out individual pain medications, look for the drug in "Drug Information." The information on safety of use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is usually near the end of the Precautions and Side-Effects section.

Probably the best advice I can give you is to try to find an obstetrician who specializes in high-risk pregnancies. They generally have the most experience in dealing with pain meds during pregnancy and can best help you get through it with the least risk to your baby.

I wish each of you the very best. Please keep us posted on how you are doing.

Hello everyone--
I'm 21 weeks pregnant with my second child, and am dealing with many of the same issues I see on this forum. I have been dealing with chronic back pain due to hypermobility and associated chronic muscle spasms for 10+ years, which got much worse after a miscarriage 2 years ago. Turns out my pubic bone separated and did not realign after I lost the baby. Now I have a condition called symphysis pubis diastatis, which basically means that my pelvis is falling apart, and will fall apart more as the baby grows and pushes down on the pubic bone area (which he's doing quite rapidly). My ortho doc. dismissed my concerns for 2 years until I forced him to recheck the X-rays today and now he's "very" concerned.

BUT (there's always a but with us, isn't there?) he doesn't want me to take pain meds either. Fortunately, my OB/GYN is human and has said it's perfectly OK to take Vicodin ES as needed (though I can't take more than 3/day because I have to be able to function). I'm getting a TENS unit this week, which I hope will help me cut back on the vicodin. My husband is also worried about how the drugs will affect our baby, though I had to take morphine with our first daughter, due to preterm labor, and she turned out perfect. My OB/GYN said Tylenol is the only safe OTC pain-killer, and I see now where they've added new warning labels to all the other OTCs like Motrin, Ibuprofen and Aleve because they can cause birth defects and bleeding. I know we are all past the OTC level of pain management, but what really bothers me is that there's no decent pain relief for folks like us, and that I've had to deal with a bunch of condescending jerks who are supposed to be "compassionate pain managers" in my ortho's office. Two nurses actually told me that I "have to expect a little discomfort during pregnancy." I told them I'd love to get to the level of a "little discomfort." I haven't felt that good in years! :-)

Sorry about the long post, but I'm just so glad to find this forum where there are people like me who understand what it's like to live in pain and fear that you're going to hurt your baby. Had we known about my pubic bone, I doubt we would have gotten pregnant. On the brighter side, the pelvic brace I have to wear seems to have calmed down my muscle spasms!

I'd love to hear from any of you. Keep your chins up, ladies.
Bonnie

I am a chronic back pain patient due to a car accident five years ago and my pain is from my back through both legs. I also have nerve damage in both legs. I have tried to be off meds since I found out I was pregnant because I was told there would be negative affects to teh baby and that the baby would be born addicted and require weeks of hospitalization. I am very scared of what I might do to my baby if I continue my meds. After coming off my meds I have been bedridden and unable to care for my other children or even myself. I haven't been able to find answers to my questions about taking meds while pregnant. I went back on duragesic patches (75mcg) not knowing what would happen. I hope to find out what other doctors are saying out there with someone in the same circumstances that I'm in. I normally take much more meds for my pain but I reduced it for my pregnancy (I'm just 4 weeks pregnant). Someone please help!!