How did all of you handle pain during pregnancy?

Marie - posted on 04/22/2009

Yes, I was on bed rest alot, you have to deal with that part,it was best for me and the baby and well worth it.

Marie - posted on 04/22/2009

Hi, Jillian, I was pregnant with fibromyalgia 3 years ago and it was not a good experience. At the time I was told that I was pregnant, I was on 13 different meds. My OBGYN told me to go off all meds, I did, 3 days later I was in full withdrawal, it was completely awful, I never knew that meds from the dr. would make you go through withdrawal. I know-- that's stupid. Anyway, a few days later, my husband called my pain management dr. and she had him come to the office right away for some meds. I had to go back on a Fentenyl patch(100 micrograms/72 hours) and we decreased it by 25 micrograms every 3 weeks until finally getting down to the last 25, then I had to go to the 12.5 micrograms. It took me almost 5 months to get off this patch and I was so worried about the baby, it's a Class D drug, finally I went to the biggest and best hospital in this area and got some Genetic testing done to make sure the baby was okay. The first test was 1/2 blood test and 1/2 ultrasound, everything has to be totally pinpointed with this test in order for it to be correct, my information wasn't so they told me that my child would be born with Down's Syndrome and the #18? gene and wouldn't live until it was 1 year old. I was flabbergasted. They told me about the amniocentesis test and reluctantly my husband and I went ahead with it. That day the dr. told me that my baby was ging to be fine that none of the meds had affected the child and that I was having a girl, blue eyes, brown hair..... I couldn't believe it, he also told me that if everyone who was sick didn't have babies the population wouldn't be so high. We then worked with my pain management dr. and made a plan for the rest of the pregnancy. I had to take 40 mg. of Oxycontin every 8 hours, it didn't cover my pain all the way, but I was alot more comfortable than with nothing. My little girl was born 2 days before her due date, and never went through one single moment of withdrawal and is as healthy as my first child who was born before I ever got sick. I hope this helps you.

Robynn - posted on 04/10/2009

Hi Jamie. Your symptons sound very familiar to me. My husband had the same ones after he injured his back. After the injury we found out that he has degenerative disk disease. He was on all of those medications and also on klonopin and oxtcontin. He almost died from side effects of all of that narcotic. Not only were his feet legs involved but also his testicles and penis. He spent two years in bed spread eagle so depressed with pain only his faith kept him from suicide. We were finally referred to a high end pain management clinic at Cleveland clinic. people from all over the world go there. They do procedures for pain, not just medication. Most days his pain is so minimal that he can now participate in normal life. If it starts to act up at all we go back again. Now it took years to get to this point.

   One thing they mentioned right away in cleveland is that he had nerve pain which responds to different medications. they switched him to neurontin. They very gradually incresed the dose. He was on high amounts for years. It has now been ten years since the injury.

Robynn - posted on 04/10/2009

Hi Jamie. Your symptons sound very familiar to me. My husband had the same ones after he injured his back. After the injury we found out that he has degenerative disk disease. He was on all of those medications and also on klonopin and oxtcontin. He almost died from side effects of all of that narcotic. Not only were his feet legs involved but also his testicles and penis. He spent two years in bed spread eagle so depressed with pain only his faith kept him from suicide. We were finally referred to a high end pain management clinic at Cleveland clinic. people from all over the world go there. They do procedures for pain, not just medication. Most days his pain is so minimal that he can now participate in normal life. If it starts to act up at all we go back again. Now it took years to get to this point.

   One thing they mentioned right away in cleveland is that he had nerve pain which responds to different medications. they switched him to neurontin. They very gradually incresed the dose. He was on high amounts for years. It has now been ten years since the injury.

Jamie - posted on 04/09/2009

Hi, I also have degenerative disk disease, and it sucks.  I have a 9 year old daughter, but I had her before I started having problems.  I sm currently on a duragesic pain patch called fentnyl and I take vicodin for breakthrough pain and ibprofin 800 1-2 times a day and at night I take flexiril, a muscle relaxer.  I am only 27 yearlds old and I  desprately want to have another baby, but I'm still in pain and on tons of meds I dont know if I can handle it.  I feel like I am being selfish by saying that and then that makes me feel quily like why can't I just deal with it?Any way Im sorry Im rambling I dont get to talk to people who actually  know what I am going through and feel. I dont know any one else who has degenerative disk disease so if its not to personal, I like to know if your legs and feet hurt too?  Mine hurt so babd all the time, burning pain.  My doctors say its related to my back, just wanted to know if you experience any of this or if im just crazy?  I wish you luck on your pregnancy, let me know if you find anything to help.

Robynn - posted on 03/26/2009

I had to stick it out a lot during my pregnancy. My dr. allowed lidocaine injections. I am 46 and have a 2 y o. I was very ill with my pain problems. My doctor had me on stong doses of anti depressants to help also.

Christine - posted on 03/25/2009

i took darvocet during most of my last pregnancy.  i realize there is some risk there, but i would not have been able to function, otherwise.  i had a friend who told me that she had also taken darvocet during her pregnancy.

Jillian - posted on 03/12/2009

Thanks, I will certainly talk to them about it, I was diagnosed maybe 10 years ago at 13. I had my gymnastics accident that started the whole thing at 9. Almost a year ago I started trying more invasive treatments like steriod injections and such, and was about to go for nerve cauterization when I found out I was pregnant, needless to say that's out of the question now. I was actually trying to fix some of the main problems so that it would be easier when I got pregnant, long behold comes a wonderful suprise, but now I'm just nervous about my later months...Well thanks again

Melinda - posted on 03/12/2009

One question: When were you diagnosised with the degenerative disc disease. I have the same issue except mine started between the pregnancys. During my second, since they coudn't do anything (they called a pinched nerve) I had the Tyenol, but walking alot helped. It helps to find your triggers. This way if you have to do something that will cause pain you can schedule "recovery" time. The best ways I found to ease the pain besides the normal warm bath/shower and walking are: swimming, using lots of pilows to get comfortable (it may take some time to figure out what position helps- back/knees propped up-but keep at it), physical therapy. Talk with your doctors before beginning PT or any exercise- they may know a place that has a program to benefit you.

Jillian - posted on 03/07/2009

Sorry I took so long to get back to you ladies. I really appreciate your input. My pain is in my lower back, I have degenerative disk disease as well as arthritis, the tissue between my disks is basically completely degenerated causing my disks to "grind" on one another. Tylenol has never worked very well for me, but I'm trying it still since it's all I can take. Heat helps to some extent and warm baths are great when someone can help me get in and out. I just wanted to know what I may be up against in the next couple of months. Thank you again ladies!

Kat - posted on 03/04/2009

I just had my fifth child, and i was on bedrest for most of the pregnancy, due to an injury in my third month. Some of my pain was decreased during my pregnancies, and some was increased. All i ever did was take tylenol [in megadoses] and apply heat/ice to sore spots.

What type of pain are you dealing with?

Linda - posted on 03/03/2009

Where are u hurting first off? Have u told your doctor your hurting. Get your hubby to massage u where u are hurting. Take a warm bath and just relax. I almost died with both of my babies. I had the toxic poison. I had sex up till the day I went into induce. My babies were 2 week's late. Try having sex and see if it's better. Son is now 17 and daughter is 12. I'm going on 43.