Fentanyl patch and pregnancy

[soulmama]

Hi, I just joined and am uncertain of how these posts work exactly, but I hope I can find some help or guidance.  I suffer from chronic pain and I was just prescribed fentanyl patches. My husband and I are trying to conceive and my question is whether it is safe to conceive while on the patch and of the patch effects fertility? I had an ostomy during my first pregnancy and had an extremely healthy pregnancy and daughter thank Gd and I really hope to be blessed with another healthy child and pregnancy....thx so much for advice! Any reco for holistic therapies for chronic pain would be much appreciated also

[Linsey1404]

Hi
I have suffered with chronic pain for 8 years and I recently explained to my pain clinic that I wanted to try for a baby , they took me off my normal tablet form off pain relief and put me on the fentanyl patch, non of the other pain relief medications are safe during pregnancy, I also visited my obstetrician who backed up the pain clinic and although advise medication free is the only way to ensure no possible side effects that the patch is the safest way forward for a pregnancy. I have been on the patch 8 months now and I am coping on 6mcg only , they prescribed 25mcg, but still no baby as of yet !! Hope this helps anyhow and good luck , Linsey

[soulmama]

Yes, I hate being dependent on opiates, I refused to take for years after having been on them in the past. I have exhausted holistic approaches and began to feel like I was losing my mind from the pain. I am on such a low dose now and I am still in pain. Not sure going to stick with it, but needed to try something, hopefully I will find a solution!

[Hajji]

the concern with fentanyl patches is the narcotic is in your bloodstream 24/7. dependency is absolute when there is no break or period of time without opiates in your system. I prefer to control  my intake limiting it to use when only absolutely needed. the patches don't stay on very well, adhesive is a problem. surprising a physician has you on opiates knowing you are trying to conceive. you did inform the doctor of your intent to conceive while using the patch? right? Fentanyl is no joke, is a derivative of morphine. good luck

[Tuckamore]

Hello, Welcome to MedHelp's Pain Management Forum!

I am sorry that I don't have a lot of experience in pain management during pregnancy. We have had expectant mother's on this Forum that have had opiates during pregnancy and delivered healthy babies. However they were managed by PMP that have education and lots of knowledge in this arena.... I am not comfortable giving suggestions to someone in your situation. What I can tell you is that it is possible to be comfortable during pregnancy when you have Chronic Pain.

So please seek out a specialist... Don't guess or take any one's advice from the Internet. Actually your PMP should be able to address your concerns.

I hope you'll share with us what you discover. I'll look forward to hearing from you again.

Best of Luck,
~Tuck  

I wish you well.