co-codemol/tramadol in pregnancy?

[pinkdolly]

I am almost 24 weeks pg. Have been in pain for some weeks now.

I have a dodgy back anyway and was taking tramadol for this before I found out I was pg. My problem is that my pains have gone from just annoying to moderatly severe, sometimes it makes me want to cry. I have tried my best to cope just on paracetemol, but they stopped working for me a few weeks back.
Because I was unable to walk down to the doc's (too much pain) I rang them and asked if i could take co-codemol or my tramadol, to which they said no.

Today, after not a very good night, couldnt sleep with the pain. I decided to ring my rheumatologist and ask the same question. They told me I could only take paracetemol or ibrupfen.

The thing is I know some women who are pg (same stage as me) and they have been told they can take both co-codemol and tramadol if they need to.

I am seeing my rheummy next week and was wandering if he was just trying to put me off till then. But I am in so much pain that I am so tempted to take the tablets anyway. I didn't find out I was pg till I was about 7 weeks and up until that time I was on my full dose of tramadol (8 tabs a day), amitryptiline, diazapam and anti-inflammatories. Scans have shown baby is healthy, so if she is ok after all of that, surely a bit of tramadol cant hurt...can it?

[colditz]

You have been told by both your doctor and your rheumatologist not to take the tablets.

\link{http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/500321.html\list of effects on the fetus}

[Chapsmum]

co-codamol is fine to take in pregancy. however if you are using it for ling periods of time you need to speak to your gp.
Tramadol is the choice of pain killer on labour ward for women who are codeine intollerant, but it should be prescribed by your gp. However you are still a few weeks to early to take this.
Phone your obstetritian for re-assurance, but co-codamol every now and again is fine

[trace2]

i took it when having ds i was in very bad pain, they told me it was ok under there supervison, when ds was born he had withdrall symptoms

[pinkdolly]

Thanx for your advice. Am just so fed up, with the pain at the moment.
When I was pg with dd2 i was in a lot of pain and ended up on crutches. My doc's gave me either co-dydramol or dyhydrocodeine for the pain and DD2 was fine when she was born. She is now 2.7 and is still in good health. I was at a different surgery at this time and was seeing the mw more frequently. Am just feeling like am being fobbed off at the moment. Why can some pg women take these pills and others cant?

When I saw mt rheummy couple of months a go she said they could put me on steriods if it gets bad, so how can they prescribe them (which i dont want btw) but not the others.

I know i'm moaning but it hurts. sorry

Am gonna ring my mw in morning and push it bit further, see what she can do.

[spinach]

i do feel for you... I have a spinal prob and know what constant pain is like. I would def see your mw, or gp and explain that you really do need some help. Interestingly, I had to have emergency surgery a few weeks ago, they knew I was pregnant and they gave me tramodol...although they were assuming i had probably lost the baby... hope its not too dangerous as i am still pregnant.

[nulnulcat]

i have back problems due to previously breaking coccyx and was in a lot of pain when pregnant, i kept off all the painkillers and got some of those heat pads you can get for period pains or used a hot water bottle, also had some reflexology treatments which i found really helped

[jofeb04]

Hiya
I was on co-codamol for severe SPD from about 20weeks, dd was born with no problems at all!

[monkeytrousers]

Tramadol - no-no! If you feel you need it, get help.

[HAPPYFACE]

I have rhematoid arthritis and took steroids whilst pregnant with dd and ds, I couldn't have managed without them, but I didn't take any other painkillers other than paracetemol.
It hasn't caused them any problems they are now 4.4 and 1.9.

[spinach]

what do you mean 'no-no'... as in dont take it, or its not a problem?

[monkeytrousers]

Tramadol is an opiate and is addictive (when you hear of all these Hollywood types addicted to painkillers it's more than likely Tramadol) + it shouldn't be taken with co-codamol (also but less addictive). If you've been told not to take them by your health professionals but you're still hedging then maybe you need to ask why. Have you asked about any other painkillers?

[Chapsmum]

manufacturers advise that you avoid in pregnancy. (especially the developmental stage, which you are still in)
Tramadol is used in labour wards for people who are codeine in tollerant. But the baby is fully developed at that point.

Codiene is safe to use throughout pregnancy.
and is just as effective.
However if you are planning to use it for prolonged periods of time you MUST consult your GP and or obsetrition.

[Chapsmum]

(for the record you can take the two together, not in pregnancy, but they can actully be conterproductive)

[Chapsmum]

spinich, if you have just had one dose I would think you will be fine.
I had a whole host of forbidden antibiotics before I found out I was preg and the chap is very healthy with no probs (touch wood)

[spinach]

i did only have one dose, but annoyed the hospital gave it to me knowing i was 4 weeks pregnant

[pinkdolly]

Hiya,

Thanx for your messages. I haven't actually been down to the doc's as yet. But have rang and spoken to a doctor and also my rheummy.
Am waiting to see both the midwife and rheummy next week in the hope that they will help me more.
I just dont understand why they put me on stronger meds when pg with dd2 but they wont at the moment.
I have been in this pain since I was pg with DD2 who is nearly 3. So you would think that knowing my history they might be more willing to help.

The rheummy has already suggested that steroids could help if I need them. But i am worried about the side affects, I have been assured that they are safe for the baby but I dont really want to put on loads of weight etc.

I wouldn't dream of taking tramadol and co-codemol together. It would be an either/or for me. I guess I will just have to wait a few more days. Thanx for your advice.