Oxycontin and Pregnancy

[JOutlaw722]

I currently suffer from Fibromyalgia.  I have been on both vicoden and percocet (prescribed by a dr) for about 2 years, but I still have a problem controlling my pain.  So I was sent to see a pain specialist.  They are thinking of putting me on either Oxycotin or Methadone.  The problem is that my husband and I would like to have a baby in the near future.  I was wondering if one was would be considered safer than the other to take while pregnant.  I am also on Klonapin for an anxiety disorder, which I believe I will have to try and come off of before we try to have a baby.  Just so it is clear, all the medications I have been given are prescribed by a medical professional who knows my background.  I would appreciate any suggestions about this topic.  Thank You!

[hotmama1975]

You know I have drunk alot in my life, taking all types of narcotics, lived on anti depressants and pain pillsand tranquillisers BUT, let me tell you, I have had 3 babies and every time I made a decision not to do any of it while I was pregnant, so like mtgoat911 said, you have to suck it up and not do it for that time of your life, or dont have kids, its not fair on the babies

[col444]

Due to my health, I was on oxycontin and percocet for the last 11 years and I was on both while pregnant with my two children who are 8 and three.  With my son, when he was born, he was watched carefullly for withdrawals and same with my daughter but I was also on other meds as well.  The problem is that I had cervical cancer and other issues that made it absolutely impossible for me to not have the medication but I will tell you this about oxycontin, it works for pain and it's great for that but make no mistake, it is dangerous if not used properly or mixed with other meds.  It rots your teeth and changes your attitude from being outgoing to being more reclusive.  Now, both my children have mild autism but that was not because of the meds but due to a genetic issue with their father.  I was on 80 mg 3 times a day during both pregnancies but I took myself down to the lowest dose I could in the last month and half for fear of withdrawals on the children and because I am alergic to morphine, I couldn't switch to something else.  Methadone is dangerous and ABSOLUTELY should not take while pregnant, it stays in your system for 36 hours so taking three pills a day and then adding three pills the next day stays in your system.  It causes heart issues and defects so if you had to be on one of them, I would say oxycontin.  A drug that has been tested for pain while pregnant is called tawin nx and it's good for pain and last four to 6 hours and it's man made without chemicals but again, they will always say that any meds are bad but depending on the pain and your situation, the best you can do is take as little as you can but enough to get through the pain and make sure to cut yourself down so that your tolerance when you give birth is low and won't cause the labor to be twice as painful because you have built up a tolerance.  I can't say that oxycontin is good for anyone, even me but I am in a situaition where it's necessary.  If you can fight it off, please do.  The vicoden has asprin in it which can cause the sac to stretch and weaken so make sure that you go to a place like I did at Women & Infants where they screen everything and take all meds into consideration and can make sure that you and your child will be ok.  I wish you luck...

[nurseaudrea]

I do know the Klonopin will have to be stopped before you get pregnant, it can cause severe deformities, especially in the first trimester. You will have to learn to live without that medicine if you want to have a baby.

[nurseaudrea]

I have been on pain meds for over ten years and have had a child in the meantime. I take my meds as prescribed and am a wonderful mother. I am not absentminded in the least bit because I have gotten used to the side effects. I did feel really guilty about taking the meds while pregnant, but the pregnancy was not planned. If you really need the meds and take them appropriately then there is no reason why you can't take them under a doctors supervision. I am not saying that is the way you should go, but if you function fine on them and do not abuse them, aside from your baby may need some extra tlc after delivery, everything else may be okay. Some people do just fine if they take the appropriate amount of meds. They can and do function just fine as a parent, and it is not to say you won't be a good parent if you do take them. It also does not cause disabilities in the baby either. The only problem is the baby may be born addicted to the meds and will have to be weaned off if the dose is high enough to cause this.

Just because some people can't function okay on these meds does not mean everyone is that way. This is why I suggested the pain management forum because most of them there do take these meds on a daily basis and many had to take them while pregnant. You can't tell me they are all horrible parents just because they have to take these meds.
I would not advise taking these meds if you can get by without them while pregnant, of course. Anyone knows that is a better alternative, especially for the child. Also, just because you deal with pain everyday does not mean you cannot be a good parent. At times it does make it more difficult, of course, but we know the pain has already robbed us of a normal life, should we also be robbed of the chance to have children. Someone said they were not good parents when they took the meds, think about being in pain everyday without any relief. What kind of a parent would you be then? Pain not only causes severe depression, it also takes the life out of you when it is not controlled. With the help of meds, when taken appropriately, many can lead a more productive and fulfilling life.

[mtgoat911]

the point i was trying to make is this
if you are in so much pain that you need heavy narcotics, how are you going to care for that child?
i have tried to parent while taking oxies and methadone, what a joke, i was absent for a long time
thank god recovery has allowed me living amends

[1234betterlife]

please discuss with your physician. it may be perfectly appropriate for you to be in pain management if your pain is bad enough. UNDER PHYSICIAN SUPERVISION. there is NO REASON to dismiss planning a family. there are multiple ways to deal with this with your physicians help. it was unclear in your post whether you are dependent or an addict. huge difference. therefore there is no way of putting a label on you regarding your future parenting skills. if you have a kind physician who is knowledgeable please rely on him. remember this is an addiction forum so the answers you receive will be addiction minded.
good luck to you.

[avisg]

actually instead of asking in either forum this is something you NEED to be discussing with your doctor .

[posteman]

do you know how many people are now junkies because they believe that everything will be fine because ' my doctor prescribed this for me .he knows what he's doing'..do your future child a favour....don't conceive him or her  while on narcotics....you have to get clean first...any respectable doctor would say the same....or did they already and you  didn;t like the answer

[mtgoat911]

yes because we here at the addictions forum know nothing about pain meds or chronic pain

[nurseaudrea]

It is better to ask this question in the pain management forum. They know a lot more about the safety of pain meds and many there have taken it while pregnant. They could give you some good advice and maybe some alternatives.

[mtgoat911]

suck it up and get clean before you get pregnant, using pills during pregnancy brings a life time of regret and developemental problems
all the drugs you mentioned are approved use in pregnant patients
i have found a way to live with hep c, fybro, and back problems without pills, you can do it, if you want it bad enough
on another note, if your pain is so bad you need oxies or methadone, kids may not be a reasonable option for you
these are heavy duty narcotics, same high as herion, if you get on these drugs, parenting will suffer

[avisg]

These are things you need to be discussing with your doctor as you said he knows you and your medical history .The kolopin is known to cause birth defects I am sure your doctor can help you with a taper plan to get off of it before you get pregnant .

[Buggagrace]

No narcotics are safe while pregnant! If you and your husband are serious about having children I suggest talking to your Dr. about other alternatives to pain mgmt. while pregnant.