PREGNANT and MEDS...HELP!!!
 

Hi everyone:

I have RSD in both my rt. foot/leg and lft. foot/leg. My RSD started in just my rt. foot and slowly started spreading throughout the leg. I have had 26 Lumbar Sympathetic Blocks and 1 Spinal Cord Stimulator Trial. After the SCS Trial I realized the RSD had spread to my lft. foot/leg. It is exactly the same now on both sides. It is horrible. I also suffer from insomnia.

My doctor has me on: Duragesic Patches 75mg - 1 every 48 hours, Morphine Sulfate IN 30mg - 1 every 6 hours, Topomax 100mg - 1 @ bedtime, Valium 10mg - 1 every 6 hours, Klonopin 1mg - 2 @ bedtime.

I just found out 3 days ago that I am pregnant, 6 weeks. I called my Pain Dr. to tell him because we had just scheduled 9 Lumbar Blocks for the month of May and I had to cancel them, and ask him about my meds. He told me to find an OB/GYN and see what they will allow me to take. I called around the Las Vegas area to find the best OB/GYN, since I am new to the area and told them my situation. The earliest they can get me in is the 27th for an ultrasound and the 30th for a consultation to talk about the US and the meds. I can't wait that long being that this my 1st tri-mester and most critical phase for the baby.

So, I started researching the meds myself. I found out Valium and Klonopin could cause "floppy baby" syndrome. So, I stopped those immediately. I stopped the Topomax also because I read horrible things on anti-sezure meds and pregnancy. I read up on my MSIN and Duragesic and they seem to be okay except for the fact that the baby could be born with a dependency.

I need some advice. Is anyone familiar with this? Or, has anyone had a child while having RSD? I would love to know your story. I have never had a child and my fiance and I are so afraid that we may lose it. We want to take every precaution that we can.

Thanks for any advice and information!:(

I found a few sites with mention of it.

http://www.aboutrsd.com/pregnancy-and-rsd.htm
http://www.rsdrx.com/rsdpuz4.0/puz_7.htm
http://www.rsdrx.com/rsdpuz4.0/puz_141.htm
http://www.rsdinfo.com/rsdandpregnancy.htm

google results list-
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...=Google+Search

Hi nopainever.

You don't know me and have no way to judge how much of what I say is real, vs blowing smoke. I can say that bullshitters usually find a cool reception here, and that I came here at the same time that a lot of others came over after the collapse of our former RSD site, and most people seem to like me. That's a good clue that I'm probably not a BSer.

I have studied RSD and neuropathic pain extensively, plus read nearly every post on this forum and at BrainTalk for the past nine years or so. Several members have reported being pregnant over the years and most of them have said they were able to stop using opiates without experiencing excruciating pain.

I recently watched a lecture on pain in women, and plan to watch it again in a little while so I can talk with some certainty about what was said, but the gist of it, regarding pregnancy and pain, was that hormones released during pregnancy had a dramatic effect on reducing pain.

This certainly corresponds with the reports of pregnant members here.

Opiates are not very effective against RSD pain anyway, so stopping them may not cause the problems you expect and fear. GABAergic drugs, like Gabapentin, Gabatril, Lamictal and Lyrica do moderate RSD pain, and I plan to write an article on how they work, but this isn't the time.

I suggest you talk to your doc about the potential risks of GABA drugs during pregnancy, and I'm betting that others; especially Kate (Cake) will be posting here to talk of their experiences and what they learned about these drugs and pregnancy.

I'm gonna stop for now, but I'll post again after reviewing that lecture. Others will certainly give you information, encouragement and support. For now, try to avoid "awfulizing" whats going on; I suspect that the reality is better than the pictures and scenarios going through your mind right now.

I can say without hesitation that if you have to have RSD while you're pregnant, you got lucky! You found the best RSD site and the best RSD people in the world, right here. Talk about good timing.

I believe in love at first sight, so I'm sending you my love and my prayers that your pregnancy will be a happy (under the circumstances) experience and your child will be healthy and happy...Vic

I appreciate this info. I have seen most of it, but one article that speaks of Fentanyl. That is the patches that I am on. I don't know if I should rip it off or what? Then I start going into WD. I am so confused and scared. I do not want to hurt this baby.

Ok, just my story
 

I've had RSDS for 13 years, now total body. I've had 3 beautiful baby girls in the past 10 years. My pregnacies went great, vicc is right, my pain decreased with the pregnacies, but came right back after delivery. I stopped all my meds in the first trimester of each pregnacy, but my doctor told me after that I could go back to my meds. My youngest is 3 months old and my oldest is 12 years old. The biggest problems is getting around, bending, lifting, but good news is my 12 year old is a big help. Good luck

Does your insurance have a nurse hot line?
or the local hospital?

Gosh I would think an OB/GYN or a hospital should be able to give you some sort of answer on this.

You might call and ask if any cancellations could they fit you in sooner?

Vic, I am teared up at the moment. You made me feel a lot better. I can't even explain the horrible thoughts and dreams that I have about my pregnancy and the thought about how bad my RSD can be afterwards.

Narcotics have worked the best for me, along with topical compounds and Lidoderm Patches. But, I have heard that the body will release chemicals and endorphins when pregnant, so I will pray that I am one of those people.

I can't take Lyrica or Neurontin because they make me sick and so do most other meds that I have tried (which is basically everything). Also, I have severe insomnia. What would you suggest for sleep since I will not be taking Valium or Klonopin?

Thanks again,
Heather

My Ob/GYN knows my situation and still can't fit me in. I can call my insurance company and see. I have Cigna PPO, It's AWESOME!

Thanks again,
Heather

What About Withdrawl?
 

Thanks so much for writing back to me. I have a couple more questions for you? I have been on such high doses of narcotics for so long, I can't just quit taking them. They are the only thing that helps me with the pain. Since I found out I was pregnant, I have had 50% more flare-ups. Not sure if it's stress or my bodies hormones.

Also, your kids all came out okay? No problems? What meds were you taking and what dosages?

Sorry I am asking so many questions....

Thanks,
Heather:wink:

Hi again Heather.

First, I had to stop taking Neurontin because my eyes stopped focusing on the same place. The first time it happened it was really interesting: suddenly I was looking at two different parts of the road at one time, and the road my left eye saw was about a foot higher than the one my right eye saw. I was afraid I was gonna run into the higher part.

I didn't like gabatril either, but didn't notice any side effects at all with Lamictal. If you decide to keep looking, good luck.

It just happens that I was a pscchiatric social worker and certified substance abuse counselor before I became a crochety old man. Take your finger off the panic button, kiddo, all those things we're all read about birth defects and addicted babies only represent the very worst possible outcomes.

The women who delivered those babies were MAJOR substance abusers, spending every penny they could steal on drugs. They smoked enough crack in one day to put three normal women in the morgue. Same about heroin and coke. The chance that the small amount of meds you have taken since you got pregnant is going to hurt your baby is about the same as the chance that I'll get lucky tonight.

Neither you or my wife have anything to worry about.

I remember that several teens were admitted to our nuthouse while pregnant and abusing drugs. We didn't have the funding to run any studies, but drugs, pregnancy and birth weights were the topic of many discussions among staff. Since these girls didn't get to take drugs while they were our guests, we were able to put together some pretty good guestimates about birth weight, and those fell right into the average for deliveries in our county.

I am too professional to claim that the drugs you took didn't hurt your baby, but I do get to say that if this had happened to my wife I would have been reassured by facts that I learned later. I would have been apprehensive, but would have not lived in fear of what we would see when our baby was born.

I don't lie to make people feel better, I calls em like I sees em, and I promise you that the reality will be lots better than what you're afraid will happen...Vic

Oh. yeah, about the sleep thing: I can't remember the last time I slept more than three hours. If you find something that works, let me know...Vic

You Do Rock!
 

Vic,

I feel like I can breathe now. You had me in tears to laughing. Who does that? Especially someone you don't know, that takes the time out of their day to reach out and make someone else's day (or pregnancy) a lot easier. I admire what you do for people. You just changed my stress level from an 8 to 4 in matter of minutes.

Also, I am glad that I found this RSD site that is active. I saw an old site, this one, but you couldn't reply or register or anything. But, somehow I found you. Thanks for the guidance and STRENGTH. I am gonna keep asking ???? Hope you don't mind.

Blessings,
Heather:winky:

try
 

just a thought....

Try calling your pain doc and have THEM call the OB/GYN. Often doctors can get you in to other doctors much quicker than they will see you if you call yourself. If you tell the pain doc you found an OB that will take you...give them the date of the appointment you have made...and ask if they will call for you to see about moving the appointment up. He/she could well speed things along for you. If this does not work, call the OB back and ask if they have a cancellation list that you can get on. That way, if anyone cancels an appointment you might be moved up. If you can go in any day any time without much notice - tell them that. Might help move you up the cancellation list.

Good luck to you!

I Have Tried
 

Thanks for your advice.
My Pain Clinic is so unorganized. I go to a sister location to the mother location, where are the calls are placed, surgeries are scheduled, etc. I am only 3 days away from my ultrasound and I see my OB on MON for the consultation and results of the US. By the time that they get all my info squared away at the Pain office, I will be on having my second child. :D

I just see and read all these horror stories about the first trimester. So, I am scared. It's my 1st child and having RSD is stressful enough. Man, WE are strong aren't WE?

I will let you all know what the dr's advice was..

Thanks,
Heather

Hi Heather

Vic, you were right, I found my way in here! :p

I've had two pregnancies since my rsd started, but also had two children before then. When my rsd started Bailey was 2 and Olivia was only 7 months, so in a way I've dealt with three babies since rsd.

For my pregnancy with Dayne (3rd baby, 1st rsd baby) we planned that and I was off all meds. We knew that while I was fairly stable it was the best time to try for the 3rd child we really wanted, as we knew the future was uncertain. I had a remission of pain from about ten weeks onwards, it was great! The first few weeks were really hard and many times I found myself crying from pain, desperately wanting pain relief but knowing it would be risky to have some. Somehow I made it through that (thinking about my little baby did the trick!) and the pain went down to basically nothing for the rest of the pregnancy. The only time I had trouble was in the last few weeks, when the fluid build up caused swelling in my rsd arm and hand. Within hours of Dayne's birth though, my rsd was back. I started back on tramal within a week (just took shortacting pain meds until then) but had an allergic reaction to it so had to start on other meds.

With Hannah, I was already in a type of remission following a ketamine infusion, so we planned that one too- trying to push our luck and get one more bub! lol I had some small flareups but was otherwise ok, until the five month mark when I was bitten on the leg by a nasty spider and my rsd travelled to there. That flared up my arm and started it all over again. It was VERY difficult being pregnant with high rsd pain, as paracetemol just didn't hit it. I eventually relented and my dr prescribed panadeine forte for the really bad times. It's ok to take every now and then, but I made sure I didn't take it after the 34 week mark, so that by the time she was born she didn't have any drugs in her system.

I know that some dr's say some meds are ok in the last trimester (including some antidepressants), though you may have to wean off them before birth, or if you are able to stay on them the baby will have it in their system for the first few weeks, so might be extra sleepy etc. I really thought my pregnancy with Hannah would be the same as the one with Dayne, but it just wasnt, and that was hard.

Hannah is now ten months old and just gorgeous! Dayne is almost five. As difficult as it was, they were both SO worth it! :p

You're right though, its best to limit the medications you take in the first trimester as thats when all the important development takes place and some medications may impact on that.

Be aware that you'll need a lot of physical support after the birth too. I couldn't breastfeed either baby as I couldn't have anything touch my right arm or hand so could only hold her on my left side, so I bottlefed them from day one. Bottlefeeding also meant that I could take medications again without affecting the baby. One drama after the birth is balancing your medications with the needs of your baby. Some meds make you sleepy all night, but thats no use if you have to wake up every 3-4 hours, for an hour, to feed your baby. Changing nappies one handed is a struggle, so is bathing, so is getting the stroller out of the car one handed, or dressing a baby thats trying to crawl away from you... but its all doable! Everything's doable if you want it enough, regardless of rsd! And as I said, its SO worth it!

Anyway, I wish you all the best with your pregnancy! I sincerly hope that you are one of the lucky ones who doesn't have rsd pain during your pregnancy. :D

There's nothing better than to be able to look at your newborn baby and be proud of yourself for what you've done, and to laugh in the face of RSD! lol

Be careful coming down off your meds, as much as you want it out of your system, don't rush it more than you should. There's a great website I found at www.safefetus.com - on there you can search different drugs and it tells you the known risks during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Its really easy to follow and very informative, so that might be worth checking out too!

I hope my story helps somewhat.

x Kate

WOW!!! What an Inspirational Story...
 

Kate,

Thanks for taking the time to write to me. I am definetly going to check that website out. What kind of damage are we talking about here? I feel so bad that I am taking my meds, a lot less now, and you weren't taking anything. My RSD is so bad that I cannot shower without a flare-up. I have it in both feet and legs, to about 5 inches above my knee. I am miserable!

I just want to cry! I am so stressed out right now. I don't want my baby to be deformed or be born with a dependency. I am going to check out your website that you gave me and see what to do.

Thanks so much! I am so proud of you for being so strong and doing it an your own. You are my inspiration!

Thanks Kate,
Heather:hug:

Heather,


You will be in my thoughts and prayers!!!!! You can do it!!!!!!:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

Thoughts
 

nopain
My first thoughts would be to have the pain doc take on a detox to lower what he can of medications and then start from scratch with consult with OB GYN.
Likely OB is going to detox anyway, There is a point where the patient care outweighs the risk to the child....for example if psych meds are needed.

My DIL took Effexor with no problems during her pregnancy, but we often wonder if that is the reason for the stomach protuding the diaphrahm, He had reflux real bad as a baby. He will have surgery to repair in a few months.

I had foot surgery and xrays of the foot after surgery when I was several days to ten days pregnant, with opiats and anesthsia but my baby was fine.

When my friend had chronic pain syndrome she experianced as most expecting mothers do the effect of the bodies natural pain release of endorphins, the relaxing of muscles form chemical release in the body to lossen joints all played a part in becoming natural pain reduced to no medications.

If you had a pain pump istead of SCS that helps too. is the scs in the belly or back?

Congrad's and enjoy the experiance.
Dianne

Hi Their,

If I was you I would find a OB-GYN that specalizes in High Risk pregnancies right away. They usually are more knowledgeable.

Let's hope your pain levels go down like Kate's. Hugs, Roz xxx

Thanks Dianne!
 

This is very helpful information. I will just have to wait and see what will happen on Monday woth the OB and then consult with my Pain Dr.

I am only 26 years old and didn't want the SCS or pump. But, my dr. was making me feel like I was running out of options. So after a couple months I decided to go for the trial, and after having the SCS trial my RSD spread. I didn't want to risk the surgical procedure of the pump to risk it spreading anymore. The SCS is placed in your back on the left side (control devive), then the wires run from there up into your sympathetic area next to your spine. I hated it! The feeling drove me insane and aggravated my RSD.I don't know how anyone with RSD says that more tingling, pins and needles, and vibrations "feels good". A lot of people like it. I posted some pics for you.


Thanks again!
Blessings!
Heather;) :winky:

High Risk!
 

Do you think that RSD is considered a High-Risk pregnancy if my pain stays horrible. It has gotten worse since I found out that I was pregnant.

Thanks so much for your suggestion!

Blessings!
Heather

Dear Heather,

A high risk OB-GYN will know exactly what effects any med. would have on a child. I had a high risk pregancy with my youngest child. I did not have RSD at the time, but a rough pregancy.

The high risk MD OB was so very kind and caring. They deal alot with a mom with medical problems as well.:wink:

I hope your pain levels go down soon, try to relax hon. Were here for you. Love, Roz xxx

chiming in
 

Hi Heather!

Congrats on the pregnancy!!!
I should be a grandpa again either tonight or tomorrow, cant hardly wait lol.

First I want to say everyone has given you some very good advice, and I proudly vouch for them :D

Now, on Jan 1st of this year I lost my doctor, and that meant no more pain meds. I went cold turkey off of all my meds, the very same ones your talking about except the patch. Well during the withdrawals I read everything I could find, joined 4 forums on addiction, and emailed my old doctor friend about 40 11 times.

Dont just stop the meds, it can stress the baby worse than staying on the meds full term, and that is not good. It is better to taper down on the meds. Dont worry about the bad scenarios. Vic is dead on in his advice there, we were made, even in the first stages of life to be able to handle some diversity. Dont panic, just start tapering down a little bit every 3 days or so, and go to any doctor soon as you can get in.

I know everything will be fine, really. :hug:

Thanks Allen,

I have been resting a lot of reading these blogs in these forums. I am o lucky to have found you guys. Thanks for the advice! One question, why did you detox?

Heather

in reply to your question, yes all my girls turned out perfect (well spoiled rotten, full of energy and getting on your last nerve perfect). My pain doc and GYN work well together with tapering off meds, the narcotics and Neurontin were a rapid taper, so I did have pain for approx. 3 weeks, but when you have a baby to look forward too, it doesn't seem so bad. Right after each the delivery (within 12 hrs) I was back on Duragesic 75mcg, Methadone 40mg 2 times a day, Neurontin 800mg 5 x a day, Skelaxin 800mg 4 x a day, Procardia XL 30mg 2 times a day and Clonidine 0.1mg. As stated by Vicc, I noticed a major decrease in pain during my pregnacy (yeah hormones). But my husband and I feel it is not really a good idea to keep having babies. One last thing...and i'm sure the parents and grandparents here will agree, children are the best distraction you can have. Let me now if I can answer anything else for you. Good luck

Hi Dolphin,

As a parent and grandparent, I agree. But grandkids are definitely better. It's so much fun to give em all the coke, candy and ice cream they want, then let their parents take them home and deal with it.

I always told my kids that they weren't gonna get away with it; whatever "it" was at that particular moment. Revenge is so sweet.

Those pics of you and Kate with your babies never fail to brighten my day. I honest-to-God do have most the baby scenes from America's Funniest Home Videos recorded on my TIVO. I don't there's anyone in this country with breath still in her/his body who could NOT laugh along with those Quads who won the Grand Prize.

Sometimes when the depression really starts hurting, and when I'm sane enough to remember I have them, I play those scenes. I always laugh just as hard as the last time. I'm still depressed, but for a few minutes I can laugh anyway...Vic

I need to converse....
 

with people that have RSD and have already had children or are pregnant. Vic is right! I am so lucky that I found you guys when I did. I am addicted already. My fiance is great. He came home from work last night and was so interested in everything that all of you had to say to me and others. It gave him hope too. TRust me, I am not going anywhere. I already feel like I have a family. It's wonderful!

So, were you on ALL those meds throughout your 2nd and 3rd Trimester and tapered towards the end? I so need my meds to sleep and I am not taking anything right now except for minimal morphine sulfate and Duragesic Patches. I just hope I am doing okay.

I am so excited! I really can't wait to make it to the OB and find out that everything is okay. I do have to wait till Mon, but the plan is for my OB and PM dr's to work together. So, I will just wait and see what they say.

Thanks again,
Heather

It's important to note that my pain doctor worked very closely with my OB. With every visit the 2 of them talked regarding how to cont my care. My biggest problem (still is), I can not walk without the use of 1/2 canes, and when you gain 27 lbs, the RSDS limbs really feel the difference. I fall alot normally so it was funny to my family to watch the pregnant lady stubble like a drunk (but they never let me fall). You just need to have your OB work with your pain doctor. Keep in mind, If you have spinal blocks done the medication does not pass to the baby, but if it causes side-effects, those can effect your baby (rare, but if your blood pressure drops it can effect the baby). I would stay pregant if I could, but as I said before, my husband would leave me (ok maybe not, but 3 is enough for us)

Hi again,

I promised you I would view that lecture on pain and women and get back to you with what I'd learned. I did view it, but didn't get back to you the way I should have.

If I had learned anything useful, I would have posted that very night; unfortunately, all the lecturer said about pain relief during pregnancy is that some women suffering from some types of chronic pain, sometimes report a dramatic reduction in that pain during pregnancy. That's it. Period.

Still, I still should have gotten back to you sooner than this. My bad.

I gotta tell you that your reply to me made my day. By now you know that our emotions cycle a lot; your stress level has probably been back up to 8 several times.

Still, you got to breathe better for a little while. Time enough for Kate and Dolphin to arrive and give you some real and useful information. I knew they would.

You don't owe me anything for a few moments of emotional relief, but if you feel that you do, you can repay me for my invaluable help by loaning me your baby for a year or two.

We raised our first grandson for the first two years of his life, and those two years were among the best that either my wife or I can remember. Our own children had every right to be jealous. We loved them; even lived for them, but we weren't able to devote as much time to them as we could to Brennen.

I was disabled when he was born. Life was pretty boring, daytime TV being what it is, so he got 100% of us 100% of the time. .

If you decide to loan us your baby, I promise to return you a happy, healthy child...Vic

Hey Vicc, I'm just down the road from you, I'm in joplin....I'll give you the baby anytime you want....BUT you have to take the 12 going on 21 year old also.

Hi Dolphin,

When I first read your offer I thought "Is she crazy?" It took only a moment to realize that you aren't, of course, you just hope we're crazy.

We raised 4 kids, from the 12 going on 21 stage all the way through, and past, the 21 going on 12 stage. Your offer sucks. Then I went back and looked at that beautiful pic.

I can always go back on Paxil...My wife TIVOs all the birthing shows on Discovery Health...The baby is only three months old...we could do it. I went in and talked to my wife.

After three hours of intense negotiation she finally put the gun down. She's in the bedroom now, crying. I know I'll have to go to sleep sometime.

I guess it's thanks, but no thanks...Vic

Thanks
 

I do feel so much better since I joined this site. I had my dad over today that lives about 4 hours away by car and 6 hours by Harley/Indian (that's what he rides). He rode out here and we spent about three hours of time together. I haven't done that with my father in I don't know how long!

After he heard that he would be having his first grandchild, he has been very different. When he arrived I showed him my pictures of my RSD and showed him this site. He read all the way through these posts. He is an alcoholic and has been sober for almost 7 years. He has been attending 6 AA meetings a week for those 7 years and reaches out to people and sponsers them daily. It has changed his life.

Long story short, he read ALL of your posts (relating very much to VIC) and thanks GOD that I have found support. He saw where I lived for the 1st time and saw what I was going through. I think it broke his heart reading all of this because he doesn't have an attention span, and he was glued to the screen.

For the 1st time he sees that his first born is not a Party-Hardy, Crazy, In-Trouble, drinking/drugs, kid anymore. He knows the seriousness of RSD now that he sees IT. I felt so good when he was here and so loved. Like I said, for the 1st time in a long-time, and it felt good.

Thanks to all of the support. I feel understood and loved by all of you and now by my dad. I feel GREAT! Now I need a good ultrasound on Friday and we are rockin!

Thanks!

BTW, VIC there is a good possibility that I could have twins! LOL

Ok Vicc you asked for it...the kids are coming your way...lol. My husband loved your post about your wife and the gun...But truth is I could never part with any of them, the 12 year old is already thinking she is grown up (haven't figured out how to stop them from growing). I am nowhere ready for the teenage years. (maybe Vicc can take them then). I remember all the evil things I put my parents thru...I have a feeling it's finally going to come back and bit me in the ______.

Found out I'm PG 2 wks ago, and I'm on fentanyl (or was...)
 

I hope it is not offensive for me to have joined your group...I was doing a search for "pregnant on fentanyl" and it brought me here. I don't have RSD...I have a bladder disease called interstitial cystitis (IC), fibromyalgia, arthritis, and a host of other physical problems, but those are the ones that cause the most pain.

Anyway, I've been on 150 mcg fentanyl w/ lortab for breakthrough pain forever (it seems). My husband and I checked w/ my OBGYN and my pain doc about a year or so ago, and both said all my meds (I take a bunch of other junk, too) would be okay during a pregnancy. Imagine my shock when I notified them I was PG, the pain doc deferred to the OB re: what would be okay to take, and the OB says the lortab is okay but the patches (that I depend on to FUNCTION) are out. They didn't even ease me off of them...I got the old cold turkey treatment. I went cold off of Oxycontin before, and it was bad, but nowhere NEAR as bad as this. I am in agony, and haven't slept in several days, and have been searching high and low for info b/c we are so worried that the meds may have hurt the baby.

To add insult to injury, I started bleeding a bit after a few hours of withdrawal...we are sure it is from the stress my body was under. It wasn't much, and it stopped after about 16 hours, but it still freaked us out. My progesterone levels have been low (progesterone is like the glue that holds your PG together) and I'm on a supplemental cream, but they had told us if the cream didn't help, it was likely I would miscarry (and they can't do anything about it at this point).

Anyway...I don't want to scare you, I just wanted you to know you are not alone, b/c I have felt very alone (except for my husband, but it's not the same since it's not his body...all the guilt I feel, that he tells me not to have...he is really awesome). My advice would be that if they make you go off of your patches, BEG to be weaned off instead of just stopping suddenly, b/c the tremendous stress on your body cannot be good (as I've demonstrated).

Also, I agree w/ the people who say it probably hasn't hurt the baby...I can't find anything anywhere about anyone having a child w/a birth defect due to fentanyl, and I think one of us would find it if it was out there, b/c I have found info on BD for several other meds. As my friend said, the doc just wants to CHA. I really like & trust my ob, but I am still very frustrated. I did find that some studies were just released 4/2007 on this topic, but I can't find the full text of the studies. The gist of those seems to aim more towards women using fentanyl at the end of their PG for back pain, labor pain, etc. and the effects on the newborn (not good...not defects, but their breathing is not good & strong, and the poor little things go through WD). I wish I'd known more before I got PG, so we could have formulated a better plan. They did say the lortab is okay, but it doesn't do near as much as the patches.

I hope all is well with you...our thoughts and prayers will be with you & your family.

I'm Back!!
 

Hi everyone...

I am back. I am sorry that I have been MIA for a few weeks. I am 7 weeks prego and had to be put on Progesturone till 15 weeks. My levels were low also.

My OB is happy that I stopped all meds except for my Morphine Sulphate and 75mg patches of Fentanyl. He seems to think that it's okay. I am seeing my pain doctor on Monday and he and my OB will be working together on this. I tried to take off my patch last night and couldn't do it. I woke up this morning already detoxing and in pain. I have been through so much stress lately and I can't do that to my body.

I am still concerned that the meds will affect my baby, but I am happy that the person above me gave some good advice. Thanks so much!

Love you all,

Thanks!!
 

Thanks so much for your advice. I am sad that my baby will probably go through Detox, but Naloxone is said to be safe and harmless for the baby, when he/she comes out. I am hoping this 411 is correct.

So, I am still on the patches and Morphine, but I am going to just use the patches 75mg from here on out. Then, that is all I will be on...

Thanks again,

The withdrawals of the mother are a lot more dangerous to a baby then the drugs are. That said, the drugs really arent that healthy for the kid either :(

That was a stupid thing those doctors did making you go cold turkey, I would say they should be responsible if you miss carry that child. There was no reason why they couldnt take you off your meds in a safe manner. The stress of cold turkey is just to much for a small little fetus to go through.

I have you in my prayers that the little one comes through with flying colors. :winky:

Since we are on the topic of babies.............I am a grandpa again!!
My daughter gave birth to Brooklynn today! 6bs, 20 inches, dark hair with streaks of blonde. Mom and baby are doing well! :D

Hi Heather,
Have you tried Bach rescue remedy?? (it is all natural)it comes in a spray or drops? you can get it on line or in most health food stores.(GNC) puts me out like a light!! I am praying for you and your baby Heather!! demand to see a doctor ASP Love, Desi :)

Thanks so much!
 

I have never heard of this before. But, I will look into it. Thanks so much. I see my Pain dr on Mon. So, I will let you know what happened.:hug:

Thanks

Congrats grandpa!!!:p

That is so cool, and I am so happy for you.

I am not going to go off my meds. My dr's haven't said that yet. My OB said that you have to remember yourself right now also. So, that is what I am doing. Of course, no meds is better, but then I suffer also.

There is a drug called Naloxone that helps the baby when they are born. It is an iv and it only takes minutes. It is harmless also. So, I am counting on that right now. I know is sucks, but I cannot risk myself either.

Thanks and Congrats again!