Pain meds in first tri?

HoolahZinger · October 2012

Anywhere else you mention pain on this site, ladies immediately say, just pop a Tylenol, Tums, Unisom, etc, to help your issue. I have dealt with a 3 day headache that was horrible, really bad insomnia and some really bad heartburn but I just can't bring myself to take any medication. My mind just freaks out even though those medications are usually cleared. Do any of you still have concerns taking those types of medications during first tri? Do you avoid them? Or do you just take them with no worries?

I feel like this shouldn't be as big a deal as I make it but I just can't help but be concerned. I'm just exhausted from PgAL brain...and I have a LONG way to go. I need to get over it.

JuddandJessica · October 2012

Anymore, I have no problem popping a tums or tylenol. However, in the first tri I was the same way. I would try to hold off as long as possible but I would have given in far before where you are! Do what you feel comfortable doing but don't make yourself miserable.

Junebug060609 · October 2012

I take them in moderation and only when I really need them.

For example, I pulled a muscle in my back this week. I need to be able to bend to care for my son, so I took Tylenol. I didn't, however, take it for a little headache that I had today (back is doing better, thankfully). Tums is calcium, so I'm not concerned about that. I've never had to take Unisom.

Chocodoxies · October 2012

I started to have migraines in my 2nd trimester, and I am not kidding when I say that I tried my hardest to handle it without anything stronger than Tylenol for 5 weeks. I finally broke down and my doctor told me she had a few options for medications but the side effects were not anything I was wiling to chance (like low birth weight). She was able to talk me into taking some Vicodin. I cried for an hour after I took it the first time, and that only made my headache worse. I finally just accepted that with a 4 year old I have to take something to function and that is making me a good mother. I have now had a headache or migraine for three months straight, but at least I can remove the guilt when I have to take something for it. I know I am being the best mother I can be for BOTH of my girls.

Talk to your doctor and do what you have to do in order to function, just make sure you have your doctor backing up that decision with some hard facts that will help you remove the guilt that we feel as moms. Best luck to you.

zombiemommy · October 2012

I try to avoid them if I think I can the weather the pain without them, but I'll take tylenol if the pain is really getting me down. I had pretty bad headaches in first trimester, and my doctor assured me that the stress and irritation of being in pain was more detrimental than just taking the occasional tylenol.

mrssoprano · October 2012

I didn't/don't pop them like candy or anything, but I wasn't afraid to take one when I needed it. Definitely take some Tylenol for that 3-day headache!

KacyChicago · October 2012

I'm actually having this conversation with some friends now. I have already developed some pretty gnarly heartburn, and I'm afraid to take anything but Tums. (And even those make me nervous, but I have to remind myself it's just calcium!) But I know that if I don't take something like Zantac or Prilosec, I'm really just going to continue to be miserable. (I have an esophageal ulcer, and was on a prescription medication for it. Going cold-turkey without it is not doing me well, so I know I'm going to have to bite the bullet and do something about it.)

As a friend just told me, don't make yourself suffer. Take some Tylenol for your headache, I promise everything will be OK. Sorry you're in such pain.

angielayne926 · October 2012

I tried not to take Tylenol if I didn't really need it, but I took Tums every night for heartburn. I've since had to upgrade to Pepcid.

FreyaWin2382 · October 2012

Nope. I took Zofran and Unisom all during first trimester with my OB's blessing.

ETA: I just realized you were specifically asking about pain meds I also took Tylenol. To echo what others have said, making yourself miserable and unhappy is not good for you or baby. While I definitely understand the PgAL brain, avoiding OTC pain medication will only make you miserable.

HoolahZinger · October 2012

Thanks for talking some sense into me ladies. Luckily I am now past the extreme pain I mentioned but I will definitely consider taking positive action next time. I have been mulling over this question for a while and it's good to know I'm not the only one who thinks twice about this issue. I meet with my doctor Thursday and will be asking about her advice on Unisom as well.

SandiaPinaMama · October 2012

For me, it's exercise and sex. I haven't been on a run since I got a BFP, even though I'd just done two back-to-back half marathon the month before. DH and I have only DTD like once since then. I'm just too worried.

However, I cannot keep missing work, so I broke down and took the unisom. It changed my life! I can't believe I never tried it with DS. But, other than that, I am avoiding anything and everything. Ya just never know. I'm hoping to relax after my first u/s in a week and a half.

Allycat11 · October 2012

I definitely avoided pain killer during first tri. Instead of popping a pill I would just tough out headaches, back pain and any other pain I might experience. The only time I have taken Tylenol all pregnancy was last week when I was in excruciating pain from a nasty gum infection. It became unbearable so I took 1 dose. Tylenol has been proven safe during pregnancy though so really there is no reason to be concerned.

I did take meds for morning sickness from 6 weeks on because without them I could not function. From 11 or 12 weeks until this weekend I took Unisom every night to take care of nausea. It made me nervous but I know people IRL who have taken it and have perfectly healthy children.

melly918 · October 2012

I was getting headaches early in 2nd Tri. I had weaned myself off caffeinated coffee that I was down to an occasional half-caff and the rare regular among daily cups of decaf. I gave in and drink one half-caff daily unless I treat myself to one cup of regular - which will be 2-3x week. My headaches never came back. I do agree with the others tho, talk to your dr about your fears with meds and you will be able to make a more comfortable decision.

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