Nervous to take Vicodin

blueshamrock7

So I am having surgery on Monday - outpatient and NBR, but it will give me a lot of pain (apparently) and the pain will last probably for the first few days up to a week. The surgeon consulted with my OB  on what kind of pain medication to prescribe and she told him either Vicodin or Percosset (spell). He opted for Vicodin. I looked it up and saw that it is a class C drug, which means that it hasn't been tested on pregnant women so they don't really know if it's dangerous or not. When I called him back to mention that to him, he said the other pain drug (Percosset) was stronger and he thought it would be better to go with the Vicodin because it is Acetominophin (Tylenol) with Hydrocodone. Anyway, I am so nervous to take it and praying that I won't have too much pain so I can stop taking it ASAP. I can move on to Extra Strength Tylenol after the first few days, hopefully, if the pain subsides. :-/

panda10

I understand your worries. I think it's the best option for pain if you need a higher strength option. You could always take it once a day and ES Tylenol after that?

I don't think your doctors wouldn't give you anything that would cause harm to you or your baby. Best of luck with your procedure!

hay1122

Just remember that you will only be taking it for a short amount of time.  Be careful with plain tylenol, it is recommended that you do not take more than 3000mg per day according to most recent studies.  If you can get away with taking one vicodin every 8 hours or so to manage your pain, then that would be better than reaching the upper limits of tylenol.  After a couple of days, you may find that you don't need the vicodin anymore.

kimikins79

I just went through this.  I posted the other day about a wicked ear infection I had that wasn't going away and the insane pain that I Tylenol just didn't help with.  The ER doc and the second trip to me GP resulted in a Vicodin prescrip (along with meds to help cure the ear issue).

I was terrified to take it.  I didn't even fill it.  I went to the ER later that night after the GP prescribed it and the ER doc explained to me that since I was in 2nd tri and all major systems were developed, small amounts of vicodin would be ok and that it was better to be less stressed and pain free for the baby. 

I cut the pill in half and took 1/2 and then took the other half later to manage the pain while not taking too much vicodin.  I have taken a total of 2 full pills over 3 days and it helped immensely (I was able to sleep).

 I would say if you are concerned, do the Tylenol during the day and then take the vicodin so you can get your much needed rest.  Cut the pills in half to reduce the dose and ease your mind.  It will be fine.

Best of luck!

sabrina69barnes

I took Tylenol #3, Vicodin, and Percoset with DS2. I have a bladder disease and sometimes I just don't have a choice. I've taken Tylenol #3 this time and I'm sure by the end of the pregnancy I'll have taken something stronger. See how you do. If you don't need it don't take it but if you find out you do need it don't beat yourself up over it.

mrs+harlow

I feel your worry since they are both opioids .....I don't know if I could do it, but it depends on how much pain you are in. Best wishes on your surgery and a speedy recovery.

FyreFlyeRush

blueshamrock7:

praying that I won't have too much pain so I can stop taking it ASAP. I can move on to Extra Strength Tylenol after the first few days, hopefully, if the pain subsides. :-/

Just something to note with Vicodin, don't wait until the pain is unbearable. It won't work. Take it when it gets to mid-range. My sister took vicodin with her last pregnancy. The only issue I've seen is that his hair is curly...but then, so is my sister's.

blueshamrock7

FyreFlyeRush:

blueshamrock7:

praying that I won't have too much pain so I can stop taking it ASAP. I can move on to Extra Strength Tylenol after the first few days, hopefully, if the pain subsides. :-/

Just something to note with Vicodin, don't wait until the pain is unbearable. It won't work. Take it when it gets to mid-range. My sister took vicodin with her last pregnancy. The only issue I've seen is that his hair is curly...but then, so is my sister's.

LOL I'm sure this will be our issue, too ;-) (the curly-haired thing). Thanks, I will plan to take it as prescribed on the first day and take it from there... I don't remember what kind of pain-killer I was prescribed a few years ago when I had a cyst removed, but it was definitely a narcotic and it made me feel even worse than the pain! I am getting my rear end cut open this time, though, so I'm pretty sure this will be different and painful.