methocarbamol/robaxin while pregnant??? HELP/ADVICE

[Allmychildrenhavepaws]

Hi all, I'm 25 weeks and have developed SPD accompanied by such severe night time calf leg cramps that cause me to be virtually unable to walk the next day!

Now I know that anything other than paracetamol should be avoided, but I have done a LOT of research, and have found that methocarbamol is an FDA class C which states that it 'can' be used by pregnant women 'if' needed. There has been no animal or human studies (for obvious reasons) and the evidence they have gathered from the pregnant women that 'did' take this medicine while pregnant, had babies with no abnormalities or problems.....

I've argued my case with the doctor who point blank said "no, take paracetamol"
But they have prescribed me diazepam previously in this pregnancy for severe anxiety which is a FDA class D (which is one class 'higher a risk' than methocarbamol)

So obviously I'm confused as to why I am being told "NO!"

If my pain continues to get worse, then I will end up on crutches in tears at the doctors office begging/demanding they give me the muscle relaxer I've been asking for.....

Now I know some of you will be questioning the drugs safety, as the uterus is a muscle, and that you shouldn't be taking a muscle relaxer in case it causes premature labour,.....BUT methocarbamol is a 'skeletal' muscle relaxer, and only works on muscles that control the skeleton (NOT the uterus)

I've tried co-codamol (low dose) which does nothing, so I've stopped...dont want to take strong co-codamol as I don't want baby to be born addicted or with possible withdrawal symptoms!

Methocsrbamol is non-addictive so seems the safer option to me....???

PLEASE, any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I'm going swimming, propping my bump up with maternity wedge at night along with maternity pillow between my knees/legs, doing pelvic floor exercises with birthing ball....just don't know what else to do...my pain is getting worse by the day, and I've still got 15 weeks to go so can only see things getting worse

Hi,
I've suffered with pgp this pregnancy, off work since 28 weeks. Can't walk somedays but can't have crutches as would be impossible with a one year old. I personally am not happy taking anything other than paracetamol and wouldn't want to try anything that the GP was unhappy about prescribing. If your GP won't prescribe the drugs that you want then you could try another GP, but he/she must have good reason.
Have you had acupuncture? My physio does it and does offer some relief - see if it available in your trust. Probably the best relief I have had is seeing a specialist chiropractor. If you can afford it then go for it. So much more effective than the physio I was having (which was OK initially but DH had to do it more and more). Are you seeing a physio? Swimming wise avoid breaststroke legs as this will make it worse. Warm lavender baths and hot heat packs also offer some relief.

Sorry to hear of your pain lumpy its horrid isn't it x
Doctors simply take one flic through their med book on their desk, and say no. The reason they say no, is because there are no human trials on pregnant women (obviously) and they cannot say for sure or guarantee the safety of the fetus from the effects of the medicine. That's why they constantly parrot the sentence "only paracetamol" they may as well just have a cd on loop when a pregnant lady goes to see them for anything!

I'm due to go physio which I'm hoping will help, plenty of warm bathes, and 4 hourly paracetamol No way we could afford private therapy re chiropractor, perhaps physio may offer acupuncture as you said?!

I am definitely going to get a second doctors opinion... X

Have you been prescribed methocarbamol before you were pregnant? Just curious about why you've specifically asked your GP for this medication.

In my experience, GPs tend to rely more on UK recommendations rather than FDA categories so it may be that the UK recommendations are that this medication is to be avoided in pregnancy.

It sounds like you're doing lots of the right things to reduce your pain. The Pelvic Partnership have lots of other tips on their website which might help.

Have you been referred to a physio? If not then I would recommend asking your GP or midwife for a referral as soon as possible. Physios can give you exercises that may help and they can also see if your joints are out of alignment and 'manipulate' them back in to place if needed. I always feel lots better after seeing my physio so I'd definitely recommend getting a referral if you haven't yet. In the short term, a hot water bottle or warm bath can also help a bit.

Hope you get some more medical help and are feeling better soon. PGP really is miserable!

Sorry! I wrote that post without seeing your latest post. Glad you've got a physio appointment soon. Hope it helps you as much as it's helped me.

Thanks knits...glad you've managed to find some relief! Re methocarbamol, yes I have them in my cupboard...logically been thinking that, as my pain is all in my muscles (skeletal muscles) they would help! Where do I look to find uk guidelines?? X

The main source GPs will tend to look at is the British National Formulary (BNF). That's probably the book that you've seen them looking at during an appointment. Info about methocarbamol is here: www.evidence.nhs.uk/formulary/bnf/current/10-musculoskeletal-and-joint-diseases/102-drugs-used-in-neuromuscular-disorders/1022-skeletal-muscle-relaxants/other-muscle-relaxants/methocarbamol

There's also the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) which is a document that manufacturers have to present to the regulator in order to get approval for a drug to be approved in the UK. This does seem to suggest doctors should be very cautious about using methocarbamol during pregnancy: www.medicines.org.uk/emcmobile/medicine/22599#PREGNANCY

(Disclaimer: I'm definitely not a GP!)

Thanks for the links knits, I'll have a look, obviously not going to risk putting baby at risk, so will wait until I've spoken to 'my' doctor next week
Pain during pregnancy is to be expected, and I guess I should just except that and get on with it really

No problem. Please don't just try to put up with the pain though - especially when it's as severe as you've described. While it's normal to have some aches and discomfort during pregnancy, PGP / SPD is definitely not just a normal part of pregnancy and there are plenty of treatments that can help. See if the physio helps at all and if not do keep going back to your GP or midwife until they find something that helps you. Hope you are feeling better soon.

Thanks for your support and knowledge knits...fingers crossed the physio helps x