Prescription Oxycodone

heathrenee

I'm prescribed plain oxycodone (not perks or anything with APAP; just plain Oxycodone) and have been taking it for several years for a variety of chronic pain reasons.

Because of the length of time, and thus, tolerance I've built, I have to take 2 15mg pills every 3-4 hours for pain.

I've been told over and over my medical professionals that this is completely SAFE, and that Oxycodone alone is a Catagory B.

I just would like to hear from other mothers who were in my shoes and have results (have had their babies), who can share some insight with me (and perhaps, ease my mind!) I trust the doctors, but as a first time mommy to be, I still worry - I don't wanna lose my baby due to ANYTHING I could've prevented.

Having taken them for so many years, my Dr's insist, stopping them would be FAR more harmful. I am currently 6 weeks. And besides the meds, I do not and have not drank or smoked in many years (since I was 22ish, im now 30.)

Thank you!!

tripledaggerWed95976

From what I have heard- it is safer to stay on it during pregnancy than to withdraw during your pregnancy. The research doesn't show any in utero harm, however your baby will need to withdraw from it and be monitored in the NICU after you give birth. Good luck!

jonesl12

That's a lot.... I'd ask if they can taper you down and on to something else so baby doesn't have to go through withdraw because a few a week vs every 3-4 hours is very different. It's category B ( If I remember correctly ) and id honestly do everything I could to chill out on the amount. The dr I work for will typically have women off of meds like this by the end of the second trimester.

WinchestertoPittsburgh

I work with women who are addicted to various medications and/or substances. Not that I'm calling you an addict, however you will have to experience many of the same things... as others have said, your baby will definitely be going through withdrawal once born, so expect an average of about a week in the NICU post birth. 

Also, NO medication is completely safe during pregnancy. That's false. If this were me, I'd be having a second opinion and making sure to cover ALL of my bases. 

AdorkablePixie

I wouldn't keep taking it. My doctor told me that those are "safe" in small amounts and not frequently when you start your second trimester, but not in your first. I also have pain issues (though they don't seem nearly at bad as yours) for which I am prescribed tramadol. I haven't taken it since before I found out I was pregnant and I'll try not to my whole pregnancy, but was relieved to see that after my first trimester if I HAVE to have it, I can.

Sorry, I went off on my own thing there... I agree with the above poster and I'd definitely get a second opinion.

WinchestertoPittsburgh

AdorkablePixie said:

I wouldn't keep taking it. My doctor told me that those are "safe" in small amounts and not frequently when you start your second trimester, but not in your first. I also have pain issues (though they don't seem nearly at bad as yours) for which I am prescribed tramadol. I haven't taken it since before I found out I was pregnant and I'll try not to my whole pregnancy, but was relieved to see that after my first trimester if I HAVE to have it, I can.

Sorry, I went off on my own thing there... I agree with the above poster and I'd definitely get a second opinion.

This isn't safe at all. If someone is taking a medication such as this, and then stop taking it, they will 100% go into withdrawal, which can harm the child and cause miscarriage. This is exactly why pregnant women who are addicted to heroin are given methadone. The withdrawal is deadly to the fetus. 

PrimRoseMama

heathrenee said:

I'm prescribed plain oxycodone (not perks or anything with APAP; just plain Oxycodone) and have been taking it for several years for a variety of chronic pain reasons. Because of the length of time, and thus, tolerance I've built, I have to take 2 15mg pills every 3-4 hours for pain. I've been told over and over my medical professionals that this is completely SAFE, and that Oxycodone alone is a Catagory B. I just would like to hear from other mothers who were in my shoes and have results (have had their babies), who can share some insight with me (and perhaps, ease my mind!) I trust the doctors, but as a first time mommy to be, I still worry - I don't wanna lose my baby due to ANYTHING I could've prevented. Having taken them for so many years, my Dr's insist, stopping them would be FAR more harmful. I am currently 6 weeks. And besides the meds, I do not and have not drank or smoked in many years (since I was 22ish, im now 30.) Thank you!!

I agree with your doctor. Withdrawal from opiates could be more dangerous for you physically. I've avoided opiates due to previous health issues with them, but your doctor will be able to monitor your pregnancy.

PrimRoseMama

WinchestertoPittsburgh said:

AdorkablePixie said:

I wouldn't keep taking it. My doctor told me that those are "safe" in small amounts and not frequently when you start your second trimester, but not in your first. I also have pain issues (though they don't seem nearly at bad as yours) for which I am prescribed tramadol. I haven't taken it since before I found out I was pregnant and I'll try not to my whole pregnancy, but was relieved to see that after my first trimester if I HAVE to have it, I can.

Sorry, I went off on my own thing there... I agree with the above poster and I'd definitely get a second opinion.

This isn't safe at all. If someone is taking a medication such as this, and then stop taking it, they will 100% go into withdrawal, which can harm the child and cause miscarriage. This is exactly why pregnant women who are addicted to heroin are given methadone. The withdrawal is deadly to the fetus. 

yes. Do NOT stop taking medication without supervised medical advice to do so. Opiate withdrawal is really really really bad.

CosmoAnne1

Lurking I know it's long but I just want to give so Info:

I agree with talking to your dr about slowly going down. Even though you have taken it for many years that's high amount for anyone pregnant or not.

I my self deal with migraines and a panic/ anxiety/ OCD disorder. I was on Percocet for a year before stopping it and finding things to help my migraine. ( I did try SSRS but cannot take any of them horrible side effects) After that I was put on xanex for a few years 3 times a day for my anxiety disorder and to me that was crazy. Yes it helped no. I was not high but I knew it was addicting (even when your not abusing it) so I slower tapered off of it) now I only take it as needed. And I have only taken it 4 times in 2 years. (I didn't not take these medication with any of my pregnancies)

I do not know you medical history/condition and I am sure you have gone through a lot of medication trying to find what works for your pain. But as we get older our bodies change. Something that may not have worked before may work now.
I am a big believer in things like yoga, vitamins, natural ways, chiropractic, acupuncture, pain managment therapy, meditation. ( I used to think this stuff was dumb but once I tried them and didn't care what other thought somethings helped me) I'm not saying jump on all of these at once. Talk with your dr because being pregnant changes things. I'm sure you have your prenatles & dha.
My cousin has MS and she has completely changed her diet, has. A regimen of medication, yoga. (She will not take the medications for ms do to the dibilitating factors) she gets MRI ever 3-6 months. Since she has started these things the spots on her brain have not grown and she feels amazing. Yes she still had her flair ups but if she sticks to her regimens it's very few. And no everyday won't be rainbows and butterfly's but I'm sure you have this now so why not try these things.
I hope you can find a way to manage your pain and have a happy healthy pregnancy.

nlwz123

PrimRoseMama said:

WinchestertoPittsburgh said:

AdorkablePixie said:

I wouldn't keep taking it. My doctor told me that those are "safe" in small amounts and not frequently when you start your second trimester, but not in your first. I also have pain issues (though they don't seem nearly at bad as yours) for which I am prescribed tramadol. I haven't taken it since before I found out I was pregnant and I'll try not to my whole pregnancy, but was relieved to see that after my first trimester if I HAVE to have it, I can.

Sorry, I went off on my own thing there... I agree with the above poster and I'd definitely get a second opinion.

This isn't safe at all. If someone is taking a medication such as this, and then stop taking it, they will 100% go into withdrawal, which can harm the child and cause miscarriage. This is exactly why pregnant women who are addicted to heroin are given methadone. The withdrawal is deadly to the fetus. 

yes. Do NOT stop taking medication without supervised medical advice to do so. Opiate withdrawal is really really really bad.

I agree.  Going cold turkey is awful advice.

WinchestertoPittsburgh

Ok. I'm going to say this one last time, but it's extremely important and in my opinion, this topic shouldn't be something that people can just 'put their input in' at all because it's a MEDICAL question and we are not doctors. I know for a fact that stopping or tapering pain medications while pregnant is completely out of the question. 

A little research will show you this... 

https://www.acog.org/Resources-And-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Health-Care-for-Underserved-Women/Opioid-Abuse-Dependence-and-Addiction-in-Pregnancy

CosmoAnne1

WinchestertoPittsburgh said:

Ok. I'm going to say this one last time, but it's extremely important and in my opinion, this topic shouldn't be something that people can just 'put their input in' at all because it's a MEDICAL question and we are not doctors. I know for a fact that stopping or tapering pain medications while pregnant is completely out of the question. 

A little research will show you this... 

I gave my opinion BUT I did say to talk to your Dr. I did not research stopping or tapering while pregnant. I agree completely with winchestertoPittsburgh. I'm sorry if it didn't seem that way. I would NEVER start or stop a medication with out talking to my DR. With that being said OP please talk more with your about your concerns. Dr. My experience is diffrent than yours and I have not come off of any medication while pregnant.

Chichigo

You have the option to get a second opinion if you aren't sure of the advice the first doctor gave you.I'm of the "no unnecessary drugs during pregnancy" school of thought, but it sounds necessary for you. Talk with your doctor(s) about benefits and risks of all options if you're uncomfortable with the current plan of treatment.