Pain relief during pregnancy - have you been prescribed any?

[MadYoungCatLady]

Have any of you been prescribed any pain killers during pregnancy?

I suffer a lot with back pain, I trapped my sciatic nerve and slipped a disc 4 years ago and since then it frequently 'goes out'. Excrutiating and renders me useless as I am bed-bound until the pain eases.

I also have suspected colitis. Pre-pregnancy, I was with a different GP (moved house when I was 6 weeks pg) who had previously been prescribing me dihydrocodeine and paracetamol, with oramorph prescribed when I was in too much pain to cope to basically enable me to stay at home and not end up in A&E.

My new GP has prescribed codeine and paracetamol, after a bit of a fight and begging on my behalf. I have told him its simply not doing anything, but I'm not sure he believes me as when I saw him he told me I could not have dihydrocodiene as it has 'a street value'.

My mw has told me there are other things that he can prescribe that are stronger than codeine - I ended up in hospital in agony when pg with DS1 on morphine IV. I've read there are no risks of dhc in pregnancy as long as only taken until 36 weeks (I'm 17 weeks).

Does anyone know if there is anything I can take?

Im on cocodamol 30/500 also have ulcerative colitis, although i am concerned it is causing swelling so looking into this. I am 36 weeks and v anxious regarding baby becoming dependent but the consultant pretty much dismissed this and said wasnt an issue.

I am prescribed dihydrocodeine and temgesic (not to be taken at the same time) for migraine. I had seen a specialist just before becomming pregnant about trying something else because I don't like the side effects of these drugs but couldn't start the new meds because they could have been damaging to baby. I had a lengthy and responsible discussion with one GP about being on these painkillers whilst pregnant and we agreed for me to stay on them. I then saw another GP who wanted to stop them. When I told him that I needed them when in extreme pain to get to work,he suggested I be signed off sick for the duration of my pregnancy (I was about 16 weeks at this point). Fortunately he saw sense & continued the prescription. I only use them when in dire need & asong as your not taking them continuously (no more than say twice a week) your baby should not build up a dependency to them.

Damn it - I just binned a whole load of OoD dihydrocodeine. If only I'd known that it had a value...

I'm currently on 30/500mg cocodamol (for spd) and whilst I could do with the other stuff at night I'm not asking for it as dh works away at least 5 nights a week currently and I'm not safe to be drugged to that extent and left in charge of 3dcs! I was on them last time (4ys ago hence being OoD) as well as the cocodamol and was induced at 38wks due to the pain (and will be this time too - roll on Jul 15th!). My consultant said to stop taking any codeine 2/3 days before induction as that is how long it would take to go from baby's system before birth. It wasn't a very pleasant 3 days but worth it so I didn't worry about breathing difficulties.

I would be asking to be referred to an obs consultant. They are well used to seeing women in pain from pg and nonpg related issues so know what the current advice is and will happily px you a month at a time whereas my gp was only happy to px me 7 days at a time.

Pain relief is not something which should be done as and when. In order to gain max benefit, you should be taking them as if they were antibiotics - run them to the clock. That way you get no peaks and troughs.

I am contemplating changing GP again - your second one sounds like he's a few sandwiches short of a picnic serenenfys - seeing a different one today and hoping he can see how much pain I am in

hope you sort the swelling out witches - sure dependacy wont be an issue. good luck!

As with any medication, there are risks and benefits. When it comes to pregnancy there is so little formalised testing and such a small dataset that the risks are unkown - which doesn't mean they're massive, although some Drs seem to treat them like that.

I've a friend who had a long standing degenerative joint condition and so, prior to pregnancy, was on a significantly higher than usual dosage of diclofenac to enable her to live a semblance of a normal life. When she became pregnant she was advised to keep taking it as, for her, the benefits outweighed the risks.

It sounds as though your GP is looking in the book, seeing that's its not advised for pregnant women and not bothering to engage brain to look at the individual in front of him. If your GP is unwilling to listen I'd definitely ask for 2nd opinion - either with a different GP or with an Obs Consultant (possibly arranged through your MW, as she seems to be much more pragmatic!).

I'm seeing a different gp today, and its good to be armed with other peoples experiences to provide. I'm actually a bit anxious as my usual gp had me in tears the last two times I contacted him :(