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Chronic Pain
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Ladies, it is so nice to "meet" all of you. Like you, I've been through the wringer with pain, having tried all forms of alternative options, physio, pain clinic, etc. The only thing that works is drugs.
I have been on a mix of Celebrex, Lyrica, Trazodone and Fentanyl for the last 2-3years. I am finally in a place where I can "manage". Sadly, I have what they call a "reaction" to narcotics, and it took me a good 2-3 months to get used to the meds. Now I find myself married and hoping to start a family. I was sent an Ob/Gyn to discuss my situation and what we could do, and I was so frustrated by the time I left that I almost gave up. She had no information to give me...she suggested that I get off of everything except the Fentanyl, and claimed that I could "safely" use it throughout my entire pregnancy, and even increase the dose! Somehow I don't buy this.
Has anyone gone through pregnancy while on fentanyl patches? How did it go? Did the fentanyl make up for the lack of all the other drugs?
Desperately seeking info........
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| Posts: 2 | Location: London, Ontario, Canada | Registered: 07-17-2008 | |
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Hi Everyone.
I have to say reading all of these comments makes me feel a lot better about my situation. I originally came to this page because I was on a small dose of fentyl and darvocet (for chronic rt shoulder pain) when I found out that I was pregnant. I've since gotten off the patch and am down to about 1 1/2 darvocet a day....and continuously trying to get it less till I am completely off...only a few more days, I'm guessing. Anyhow, before I found out about the baby (currently I am 13 weeks with my first), I was in the process of getting a spinal chord stimulator put in. I was so afraid that since I'm pregnant, they wouldn't do it, but my obgyn and pain management docs both agreed it would be OK to go through with it. I had the trial done over the 4th of July and the actual surgery two weeks ago. It's been a strange journey, and I still have some fears (mainly that instead of just my right arm tingling, my right leg is also beginning to tingle), but all in all, I think I made the right choice. Anyone else out there with a spinal chord stimulator? Do you like it? Good luck to all!!! It's nice to have a place for support for this sort of thing. Most people think you're an awful person for undergoing what I've (we've) gone through while pregnant!
Maggie
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to Hotmom: congratulations on the new baby. I had a primary care doc tell me to get off every med, it can hurt the baby. Then I spoke to several pharmacists, an obgyn and the midwives team at Group Health in Seattle. The midwives took over the prescription of 10mg of oxycodone 2x/day. Tylenol does not cut it for me! When the baby was born I was taking 10mg 1x/day and he had absolutely no withrdrawal. Here he is a little over 4 months old and he's perfect. Developing wonderfully and i was so scared. I know it's different than hydrocodone, but it is in the drug family. What people tell you about how narcotics effect a baby- totally depends on who you talk to. And yes the stress of pain can be more harmful than pain meds (per my medical team). Anyway, I just want you to know you're not alone, it just seems like a short while ago I was 8 weeks pregnant and worrying about him and he's here and doing great! Good luck to you!! renee
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Thank you queen of pain for answering my q?'s azk's mom, you mentioned you were on the patch during your pregnancy. I too am on duragesic, and have heard it can be used during pregnancy. May I ask what dose you were on? I currently take 250mcg every 48hours which is twice the highest indicated dose, along with 60mg morphine sulfate 4x a day (240mg total). Have any of you successful mothers been on doses as high as these? I see a lot of lucky ladies who were able to get by on an ultram or percoset a day, but I don't think that will be an option for me, as I have severe CRPS/RSD. (by-the-way, by lucky, i am in no way dismissing your struggles with pain. Pain is pain, and we are all in the same boat there :-) I got engaged this weekend! Can't believe any man would sign up for a life with RSD. But at 33 and 37, we are gearing up to conceive asap, and there's a lot of preparing and research to be done!!! Thanks in advance for your help!!!!!!
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Hi Everyone!! I am so happy to have found this site!!! It's amazing that I have found women that I can relate too, and who are here to support me and others!! I am 31 years old, and live near London, Ontario, Canada. I, very unfortunately, got into a bad car accident, July, 25, 2005. I was hit when I was at a dead stop from behind, by an elderly man that should have not been driving anymore!! From that day, my life turned completely around!! I had a very successful business and everything in my life was going perfect! Now, I have substantial injuries, that cannot be reversed!! Believe Me, I have not given up, and still think to this day that I will get better!! I pray, and still have HOPE!! I have tried pretty much everything to make the pain go away, but nothing has worked so far... Except medication which only takes the edge off the pain. I have even traveled to The Netherlands to see a Re nound Specialist, to see what he could do, but, he could only tell me what he thought was wrong, and he tried to help me on my 2 week visit there. My injuries are bi-lateral C-1 to my C-6 in my spine, also a spot in the middle of my back of my spine. I have severe fascia damage, all muscle around those areas have been damaged. Basically this means my spine has been pushed up and now sits way over to the left, with all my fascia muscles that have been torn, and now have turned into scar tissue, which causes the pain and the problems, because there is no way they can go back to how they were. Secondary problems include Fibromyalgia, and severe adjustment disorder.. due to my life changing so dramatically, intense headaches, muscle spasms, loss of sleep, and other things to go along with all of this, but I DEAL WITH IT!! I don't complain to anyone, I try my hardest to try and have a POSITIVE ATTITUDE! Because I say to myself everyday there is always someone worse than Me, and I didn't die!! I am very blessed and very fortunate!!! I have cut down on my medications dramatically even if I am in pain, so I can learn to deal with the pain, But... I cannot go without because the medication helps me live my life the best I can, AND, this is my FEAR!!! I am READY TO HAVE A BABY and I WANT TO BE A MAMA!!!! I have an AMAZING PARTNER!! He's my Angel!!! And I couldn't ask for better parents! They are all so supportive with Me!! I have been thinking about this for quite sometime now... And I know I am ready for it!! I have done my research... talked to my specialist, he sent me to a Gynocolgist that specializes in women like me!! And I got some Amazing news from both of them!! They both said GO FOR IT!! My Specialist even said to me "I have over 500 female patients that all have had babies, even with double the medication you are on, and all went O.K with all of them, and none of them regretted it... This will be your job... And You will be very good at it! You will come to me in 3 years and say "PAIN! I don't have time to talk about that!" My Gyn said the same thing! I told him the meds I am on, and he didn't even blink an eye! He said "If You are ready to have a baby, Do IT!! He said "The baby might have a little bit of withdrawl from the meds, but this is what I specialize in, and sometimes You have to do, what You have to do!! Do what makes You HAPPY! And I will be there to support You through this, and everything will be O.K!!" I feel so blessed to have such supportive Doctor's willing to help me and support me! Especially when I have read most of the stories on this site, and The Dr's aren't being supportive at all! This is why I'm telling You My story, so far, And maybe it will put some of You a little more at ease!! My Specialist is also one of the Best in Canada, when it comes to CHRONIC PAIN! I have been seeing him since my accident and he cares deeply for Me and my life,and I know he would not say this to Me, if he didn't think it is not O.K! He is one in a million, and I wish all of You could have a Specialist like him!! I need to say this again!! Over 500 women he has dealt with have had babies with no problems on medication!! I thought it is very hard to believe, especially with all the stories I heard, but he reasured Me, even when I told him some of these stories! And I TRUST HIM!! The medications I'm on... 2 20mg oxycontin a day(long acting)...for pain 2 to 4 5mg oxycocete a day(short acting)...for pain 1 to 3 0.5mg clonazapam(for anxiety and sleep... when needed)... 4 8.6mg senokot(fibre for constapation) before bed... 3 600mg Advil a day( will stop taking when pregnant)... tylenol headache when needed... I am going off the pill in the middle of this November 2008, so this is exciting, but also scary for Me, but I have confidence in my Dr's!! I am open for any suggestions, advice, constructive criticism from an any of You!! And if You have any questions for Me, I will be there for You as well!! All The Best to Everyone!!! And you are all in my prayers!! I am looking forward to hearing from You, and also to be here for each other through this amazing journey and experience together!!!  ))) Lots Of Love xxxx |
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| Posts: 2 | Location: Canada | Registered: 09-17-2008 | |
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I haven't been on this site for a while, but i'm the one who started this thread and am SO happy to see how many of you have written in and supported each other! That's great!
I don't get a chance to login as often as I'd like, but I'll try to do more since this thread seems to be one of interest to many, and also very important to me as I've gone through a pregnancy in pain (while on medication) and am tossing around the idea of doing it again believe it or not! The best way to reach me if you would like to chat is a private message b/c I get notifications that way to my email, but otherwise I will try to do better to be involved in this forum. I've been in your shoes, and it's not easy... I have talked to MANY doctors while both planning and during my pregnancy, and felt so very alone during my pg. That's why I wanted to share my story so that you didn't feel so alone also. I'm pleased to see most of you are anything but alone...this thread is awesome. Keep it going!
My "baby" is almost 2 now so i'm busy, but I love to offer any support that I can to those of you going through this, or thinking of doing do. I know there are some things I wasn't comfortable posting online, but that was just me. My point is I'm still here.. in and out, but here.. and will get Private Messages through this forum.
Congratulations to all of you mothers to be, an those of you trying to become mothers. It's something we forget while we are in this process, that you ARE already showing how great of a mother you'll be by doing research and reaching out to others. Good for you all!!
Sincerely,
Nicole
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quote: ***Previous Post*** The medications I'm on... 2 20mg oxycontin a day(long acting)...for pain 2 to 4 5mg oxycocete a day(short acting)...for pain 1 to 3 0.5mg clonazapam(for anxiety and sleep... when needed)... 4 8.6mg senokot(fibre for constapation) before bed... 3 600mg Advil a day( will stop taking when pregnant)... tylenol headache when needed... I am going off the pill in the middle of this November 2008, so this is exciting, but also scary for Me, but I have confidence in my Dr's!! I am open for any suggestions, advice, constructive criticism from an any of You!! And if You have any questions for Me, I will be there for You as well!! All The Best to Everyone!!! And you are all in my prayers!! I am looking forward to hearing from You, and also to be here for each other through this amazing journey and experience together!!! ))) Lots Of Love xxxx
Hi Guys - Just wanted to say when you're pg usually they make you go off of any anti-inflammatories (advil, motrin, etc.) b/c it thins the blood and can be dangerous. Some docs will let you stay on it for a little while, but not many. I also had to go off of anti-anxiety meds too. There are however other sleep aids that you CAN take that are OK. And what pain meds you decide to take is between you and your doctor... I chose short acting meds b/c they are out of the system faster and therefore my baby didn't have to go through withdrawls severe enough to stay in the hospital. If I would have stayed on Fentanyl (which I could have) she would have had to stay in an extra few days to wean her off that drug. If your pain is so severe you need the long acting (fentanyl or other) and your doctor is supporting you through that, know that you have no judgment by me at all! It's not easy. Also, this may be a good chance to remind those of you who have never been pregnant, that often women feel a lot better while pregnant because of the way our hormones go whacky! You have more natural pain killers running thru your blood. That wasn't really the case for me, but I've heard from a lot of women who felt much better pregnant and didn't need the meds they thought they would. So just go day by day! Good luck to everyone!! |
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quote: Originally posted by Hotmom:
When I came across this board it was a complete relief to hear that I'm not the only one. I'm currently 8 weeks, my ob told me that whatever I'm taking get off, that I'm having a baby. Well I know that and easy for him to say! I had a spinal fusion on L5-S1, nerve damage to my right leg and terrible muscle spasms in my lower back and neck. I was taking Zanaflex, Ultram and Vicodin. I stopped everything except the Vicodin (which I think is great considering I've been taking some type of prescription meds since 2004. I've tried getting off hydrocodone and can go 24 hrs. without taking it. But usually I start hurting so bad that I'm more worried about my blood pressure rising and the stress from pain than one 5 mg pill that doesn't completely ease the pain. So when I go for my dr. appt next week I'm going to talk to him about me taking either 8 tylenol a day as opposed to 1 no more than 2 hydrocodone. I may try to find a maternal/fetal specialist or high risk ob, if my appt doesn't go well next week. I want a healthy baby which can only happen if I'm healthy.
I had a baby on the same day you wrote this. I just read it today and I remember having the same fears. My baby did go through withdrawal and it was very hard to watch, but she is absolutley fine now. A perfectly heathly little 7 month old who is always smiling. I am still breatfeeding and she is doing great. I just had the pain pump implanted two days ago and am exciting to explore its potential. I hope things went well with your pregnancy! |
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| Posts: 7 | Location: SLC, UT | Registered: 01-07-2008 | |
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Hi Want To Be A Mama! This is the right forum for this topic. It seems to be active in spurts. I think often once people have their babies, they're so busy they just don't have time to come back and visit often. I noticed that Nicole (aka IceCreamGoddess), who started this thread, says she doesn't always have time to check the forum, but if you'll send her a private message, she'll get an e-mail notice and will respond. (To send a private message, click on her username from one of her posts, then choose "View IceCreamGoddess's Public Profile" from the drop-down menu. When you get to her profile, click "Send Private Message to IceCreamGoddess" and it will give you the PM form.) You might also try doing a Sharepost on the subject from the ChronicPainConnection's main site. More people tend to see those and you might find some other expectant moms or women who have been through it already. Here's a link to the homepage: ChronicPainConnection.comSince my children were grown before my pain problems started, I don't have any firsthand experience with pain meds and pregnancy. But I did look both OxyContin and oxycodone up to see what they said regarding breastfeeding. Oxycodone listed it as "Probably Safe" and OxyContin said "Safety Unknown" because they don't have research on it – or at least not enough to say. I saw in your October '08 post you said you were going to start trying to conceive in Nov. Are you expecting now or still trying? Either way, I wish you the very best! Karen
Karen Lee Richards
ChronicPainConnection Expert
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Hello Everyone, wow I am amazed at all the ladies who are or have gone through what I did 5 years ago when I got pregnant with my son Anders. It was truly a nightmare. I am bitter that the doctors made a much desired pregnancy into a complete descent into ****. I barely survived it.
One thing I was told is that most Docs know that small to moderate doses of narcotic pain meds are not harmnful in the long-term to babies. However, they are terrified that you could sue them if anything is wrong with the baby whatsoever. I offered to sign a paper stating that I understood the risks and would not hold the doc. legally responsible. My pain doc said it would not hold up in court.
I hate the way our society treats people who have pain. I find it bizarre that a woman can have an abortion for any reason but I had no legal right to pain relief to help me stay pregnant. My pain doctor made me go to a genetic counselor who then told me what I was taking (percocet and Kadian both low dose) would not hurt a baby.
The pain doctor told me that Anders would go through withdrawal at birth while the ob said no way. Guess who was right? The Obstetrician! No withdrawal, no problems, perfect health. I never believed that opiates would cause that in moderation. Think about it - people have used opiates for thousands of years. They are very safe drugs. I don't think people should use them for any reason except pain , of course. But when I think of what I went through, it makes me mad the public has so little knowledge or understanding.
Now I have a 4 1/2 year old boy who is extremely energetic and intelligent, no thanks to the medical profession.
I was told by a doctor at the Cleveland Clinic that I could not take anything, not even a tylenol while pregnant. Whatever. I would love to see him deal with some pain and see how fast he would be begging for relief.
I wish I had found this group while I was pregnant. I was beside myself with pain and did not know if I would make it. I had some dark thoughts. I have had a lot of pain over the years but to have agony for 9 months straight - I knew I could not do it. Plus I had to work full-time and care for an older son.
Good luck to everyone.
I cringed when I read what some of the nurses and offices said to you. Honestly, they don't have a clue and need a good dose of suffering themselves. That way they could learn some compassion and also be grateful they are not in our bodies.
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Hi IceCreamGoddess, I can't tell you how helpful this thread is to me. I'm going to go through all the responses tomorrow! Anyway, I am 29 and my hubby and I are seriously thinking of TTC in the very near future. I started my prenatal vitamins and am off the pill and have found a wonderful high-risk maternal/fetal specialist to help me through everything. That helped a lot..as I've been anxious about this for years. I have a neurostimulator...does anyone have experience with one of these during pregnancy? He is recommending I turn it off during my 1st and 2nd trimester. I'm also on methadone and morphine and some others. He told me what I def. have to come off of but said ok to the pain meds..as long as I know that the baby will have to be in a special unit after birth and will likely need withdrawal treatment. I just hate the idea of that and feel so guilty already but also know there is absolutely no way I can make it through pregnancy without pain meds....I know I wouldn't eat or sleep and that would be worse for a fetus. Luckily, this doctor told me there is nothing about my situation that indicates to him that I shouldn't be pregnant..and that made a world of difference to me. Anyway, again, thank you so much for this post. It's really kind of you to offer your advice and support. If anyone else out there lives with an SCS...I thought I would mention that I have a blog. I will be posting info. about my appointment with the maternal/fetal specialist too. Thanks, Danimal
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I am so happy I found this website! I am 6 weeks pregnant and I have been so scared by everything I have read that the medication I am taking for my chronic pain will cause a miscarriage and my baby to have neonatal withdrawal. I am taking Kadian 60mg twice a day, or I was till I found out I am pregnant and now I am cutting down on how much I am taking.
I am searching for an doctor that won't judge me and will understand what I am going through right now. I do have an understanding Pain Management group I belong to and I am hoping that by my third trimester I can be almost weaned off of the Kadian and then weaned off a short acting med. My main concern is for the health of my baby.
So I just wanted to thank you Karen and all the other ladies who have posted on the forum. I have been beside myself with worry which is horrible for the baby and this has really put my mind to ease!
Sasha
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