Pain mgt and pregnancy

[whitewatertiger9124]

Hello, I am a first time pregnant mom to be at 35 and I have some complex med problems that require maintenance meds.  I'm epileptic with a small brain tumor and taking Lamotrigine, which I know isn't great for the baby.  But I'm low dose (200 mgs a day) and a seizure will most likely cause more injury to the baby than stopping.  I also have an anxiety disorder and chronic pain due to a failed knee surgery a few years ago.  I take Xanax (down to 1 mg a day) and Hydro or Tylenol 3, about 6-8 a day (5/325 or 3/300).  My husband is aware of the Xanax and Lamotrigine, but comes from a family where medication at large is not acceptable and pain medication is vilified so I never told him about the pain medication.  My ob and PCP are aware I'm about 6 weeks pregnant and recommended first, cold turkey for both the anxiety and hydro, but I know that is a HUGE trigger for seizures, so I asked for a medical taper.  Husband's family is kind of uninformed about medication and they don't believe in Epilepsy, so I never told them I was epileptic and they certainly don't know about the pain medication or Xanax.  I'm terrified my ob at my first appointment today will say something about the medications in front of my husband and his bad temper will erupt or he'll even say something worse.  Help on how to broach this topic!?

[Belle313]

Hi There!
I sorry your husband and family don't understand what you go thru on a daily basis with epilepsy and chronic pain. I think the people above have given you some good info. I just wanted to add that I'm a chronic pain patient and have had to go thru my first pregnancy on meds. My daughter is 2 now and we are expecting a little boy in a couple months. They were planned pregnancies (via IVF). My docs changed my meds in advance because the said it was more harmful for me to be off of them then to be on them. If you need to talk please feel free to send me a message. I hope things go well for you at your doctors appointment and thruout your pregnancy.

[Grreatful]

I completely agree with Remar call ahead of time a talk to the office and specifically talk to your doctor and tell them you do not want them to disclose any information that you have talked about previously or that is in your records. HEPA prevents them from saying anything about your specific medical issues that you have asked them not to disclose or have not signed off on.
If you do choose to talk to your husband about it later ask the doctor to help explain what happens when you have a seizure, ie: the risks to you and baby, if any.  You want to make sure when the conversation is over he's both comfortable and educated enough to know that your both safe.  That is if you decide to go that route.  Good luck and congratulations.

[Grreatful]

Oops it's HIPAA not HEPA, sorry wrong acronym.

[remar]

Congratulations on your pregnancy.
Try not to worry about what your husbands family thinks. Epilepsy is real, and so is anxiety and pain.
In my opinion, I think a taper would be best. I know you're thinking of your baby and if you quit most of your medications cold turkey it may effect you and the baby. Of course you'll have to stay on your anti seizure medication.
Maybe you should call your Drs office before your appointment and tell your Dr that you do not want to talk about your other meds in front of your husband. You would rather do this when you see your Dr alone. I do understand why you haven't told your husband about your medications. It's a shame that he doesn't understand. Many people don't unless they become a chronic pain patient themselves.
Are you in therapy, or have you ever been? It might be a good idea to see a counselor or therapist since you will be getting off the Xanax. You will learn coping skills to help you deal with the anxiety.