Co-codamol first trimester

[sweetiepie1979]

In severe pain with swollen disc can't move for pain in leg and bum really, can't walk just doing different positions on floor. Had physio today al they could do was rub my knee I was in so much pain. I'm 10 weeks pregnant, doctor has given me co codamol I took 2 earlier and it helped I'm due more and I want to take it but I am worried abouts baby, can someone please advise?

That's terrible! But I presume the Dr knew you were pregnant when it was prescribed so I would trust their - well qualified - advice.

Hope it eases soon.

I had three eye ops at 7, 11 and 14 weeks and had to have done under local as pregnant and only allowed paracetamol after and it was very very painful. After the first op (when not oregnant) i had every pain killer they could give me.

Codiene is safe during pregnancy, although its more risky in the later stages. I'd take it for now til you get over this intense pain. I would say it makes you constipated - I'm on regular codiene for chronic pain and I've really suffered with constipation! Taking a regular probiotic has helped.

This is copied and pasted from the BNF (the book the Drs look up to see which medicine is safe)

"Pregnancy codeine may depress neonatal respiration; withdrawal effects in neonates of dependent mothers; gastric stasis and risk of inhalation pneumonia in mother during labour"

Basically at the stage of pregnancy you are at just now, you're fine as the risks are in late pregnancy and labour.

I've been on codiene since before I got pregnant - I took 30mg four times a day. I'm under a paediatrician because of the risks. When I give birth we'll be in for 48 hours after labour to monitor the baby for withdrawal effects and they will have the rests team available when I have it in case of the breathing problems. Having said all that, my pain has been massively improved by having acupuncture - I've cut right down to two doses of 15mg most days and when I finish work as of Friday I'm hoping to cut it out completely. I would definitely reccomend the acupuncture!

Ok thank you Ive waited 6 hours so im going to take two now and try and make that do to morning.

Hi havingalittlefaith, you sound like you've been through it I hope your pain gets easier after birth. Thanks for the acupuncture advice I'll look in to it when I get myself back on my feet.

I had been TTC for 2 years when the pain started (it's a blockage in my urinaty tract!). I waited 4 months for my op date and finally got pregnant a month before! Oh the irony! They won't operate on me while pregnant so I've had to cope with the pain and looked outside of Western Medicine to reduce the painkillers. I was quite skeptical but it really helped!

Sorry to hear you're in so much pain op

I don't blame you for being wary of taking medication in pregnancy, I was exactly the same but for my last two pregnancies I was taking codeine all the way through as well as far stronger drugs and my babies were fine. I continued with opiates all the way through (and while breastfeeding) so the babies were monitored after birth but they had no effects

Yes in an ideal world it's best not to take anything but sometimes needs must and if the doctors are happy for you to have it then you should take it if you need to

Hope the pain eases off soon

Awh may the odds, thank you that's helped me thank you.
Havingalittlefaith well done trying out the acupuncture so glad you've got some relief. Good luck to you x