Pregnancy and Oxycodone HELP

[ashleysavage]

Im new here and im not sure were i should be posting about my situation. I am currently 31 weeks pregnant with my second boy. I'm thrilled to be expecting again but this entire pregnancy has been an emotional roller coaster ride i tell u. Im only 22 years old and i suffer from extreme back pain. I have 4 herniated disks in my lower L2/3/4/5S1 disks, as well as a list of other issues in my spine. I have been in pain management for years now and slowly moved up an up on the narcotics pain meds list. For the last year i have been on a Large dose of oxycodone. I get 220 (30 Mg)s a month. I take about 45 mgs every 4 hours as needed. ( I take 1 and a 1/2 at a time) I feel like this is a HUGE dose. When i found out i was pregnant this was my first thought i was SOO scared, my family doctor reassured me they should be fine to take during my pregnancy because the benefits outweigh the risks, but she told me to start seeing an O.B who would take over my prescriptions etc. So i did that and my OB is a great guy who agrees with everything my fam doc originally told me. I'm still on this amount of oxycodone and nearing my 31st week of pregnancy. Of course my doc would like me to slowly ween down as i would i MORE THEN ANYTHING, but its been so hard trying, the further along i get the worst my back gets, so trying to take less of my meds is causing extreme pain. I'm so worried about my baby having withdrawals and i just cant help but to think with the amount I'm on (my dosage) that its a guarantee my baby is going to. I'm getting so depressed over this and i was just wondering if anyone out there has any stories similar to mine, or known anyone here who has gone threw this? Has anyone gone threw there baby having to withdrawal or better yet taken these meds and NOT had it happen? Does anyone have an idea how i should go about tapering off them, my doc just doesn't seem to have an answer to how much i should start with a taper he just "kinda wants me too"  I'm running out of time I'm soo worried :(

[BluCrystal]

I found the following on  the web.  I hope it helps - Blu

Oxycodone has been assigned to pregnancy category B by the FDA. Some combination products that contain oxycodone [such as Percocet (R) and Tylox(R)] are assigned to pregnancy category C. Use of narcotic analgesics in late pregnancy is associated with the risk of neonatal withdrawal. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Oxycodone should only be given during pregnancy when there are no alternatives and benefit outweighs risk.

[nursegirl6572]

Hello and congrats on your pregnancy!!!

Honey, be proud, because you've handled this situation exactly as you should...your doctors have guided you along, and you've followed their lead.

I would follow your doctor's advice.  You will be a big part of this taper, so just keep the lines of communication open with the doc.  Most likely, your taper won't allow for too much w/d symptoms, as that's usually not advised during pregnancy...what mom feels, baby feels.  Just verbalize your concerns to the doc, and reiterate that you want the taper to be very slow and deliberate.  Obviously, the plan isn't to come off all together, with your pain issues, so the taper down can be doable.  

You will remain on the drug, again, due to your pain, therefore, MOST likely your baby will have some level of w/d.  It's hard to avoid.  But, rest assured that the medical team will be prepared and will keep the baby comfy as they taper him/her off (usually with a titrated dose of morphine).  The baby will be in good hands, but obviously, the lower your dose, the easier it will be on the baby, w/d wise.  It will make baby's taper a little easier too.

Just follow your doc's instructions, and obviously, if you start experiencing uncomfy w/d symptoms, you need to let him know that ASAP.  Like I said, just keep the lines of communication open.  A slow and gradual taper won't be like you're imagining it will be.  You MAY experience some very very mild w/d wymptoms, but not much more I imagine, as docs understand the importance of not allowing an expectant Mom to go through serious w/ds.

Best to you...update us when you can, okay?  It will be okay!