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Epidurals and Past-Drug Use??

katiefritzlerkatiefritzler member
in 2nd Trimester
Okay this might be a completely ridiculous question, but I'm going to ask it anyways. 

I've heard stories (now, they're stories and don't have any credible sources to back them up) from friends, or random people, in and out of the health care profession, that you should not take an epidural if you have had experience with certain drugs in the past, such as acid/LSD or ecstasy. The thinking behind it is that if you have ever done it before, it feels like the "high" is in your spine, and again, I've been told by these people, that the drug stays in your spinal fluid. And when the doctor administers the epidural, it releases these built up drugs into your body and can do serious damage to your body and/or to your baby. 

This is not something I like to admit since in a few months I'll be a mother, but as a teenager I did my fair share of illegal narcotics and these two are something I dipped into several times… 

So I'm curious. Has anyone heard of this "rumour" before? Am I crazy for being scared of getting an epidural because of this rumour? Does anyone know if it's real or not?? 
~~~My baby girl is due November 4th, 2014~~~
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Re: Epidurals and Past-Drug Use??

  • runningmama22runningmama22 member
    No clue. Interesting though. Ask your doc.
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  • MrsLaLaBugMrsLaLaBug member
    Never heard that. I'd say seek advice from a medical professional instead of "friends and random people".
                                                                                      
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  • whimsy515whimsy515 member
    I would say that it's just a rumor. I had an epidural 2 weeks ago, the anesthesiologist and nurse who explained everything to me never once asked me if I had any sort of past drug use. I would guess they would ask that if these stories are true. They just asked about what I'm allergic to.
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  • Cat&SCat&S member
    I do not see how that could be true, but I would ask your doctor, obviously.


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  • katiefritzlerkatiefritzler member
    Thanks ladies. I figured it wasn't true.. But you never know, right? I wouldn't want to do anything to harm my baby. 
    ~~~My baby girl is due November 4th, 2014~~~
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    I'm going to echo the PP's and say this is a good question for your doctor. Don't worry, he/she's not going to judge you! What's past is past. Hope you get the answer you're looking for!
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  • BlckRosesBlckRoses member
    I would assume if it was a serious concern, they would ask you about it before giving you an epidural and I've never heard of anyone being asked about prior drug use before getting one.  I'm sure your docotor has heard this question before, since the rumor is quite common.
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  • AtalayabrideAtalayabride member
    I put in epidurals....not true, but much credit to the BS attempting to be well said ;) Epidural rumors always crack me up.

    The main goal of an epidural is to numb the nerves feeding the areas of pain during labor. While most hospitals do add a small amount of narcotic into the epidural mixture, the main pain relief will come from something like ropivicaine (think longer lasting lidocaine) which is why it is normal to FEEL numb (sometimes even down your legs/feet)

    Good luck with your decision whichever way you go!
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  • shindylahoeshindylahoe member
    I would be more concerned if you struggled with addiction issues.

    For example:
    You get the feeling of being high from the drugs administered and it causes you to stumble back into a previous addiction.

    From my experience, fentanyl more then the epidural really gives you that high feeling.
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  • NerdyNurseNerdyNurse member
    I'm a L&D nurse and I've had hundreds of pt's with epidurals and I've never heard of this or seen this happen. I'm sure some of my patients have experimented with drugs in their past and nothing bad happened with their epidural. If you want an epidural get one and try to be calm!
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  • tacosandtumstacosandtums member
    Side note: can you imagine if you started tripping your face off during labor?? Omg I cannot imagine. 
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  • katiefritzlerkatiefritzler member
    hahaha yeah no not my idea of a good time… 
    ~~~My baby girl is due November 4th, 2014~~~
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  • katiefritzlerkatiefritzler member
    RC1014: I have nothing to not be honest about here.. and it's not that I'm afraid of asking him, but it's easier to get a second opinion regardless if it's professional or not somewhat anonymously before asking someone in person. 
    ~~~My baby girl is due November 4th, 2014~~~
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  • udenbyjjudenbyjj member
    I've heard this rumor but it's complete BS. Unfortunately, before I met the love of my life and started trying to conceive our first baby, I was a drug addict. 
    My epidural was FANTASTIC! It worked wonderfully and with that, the hospital I delivered at was the hospital I also went to get clean at. They were fully aware of my past drug issues. The rumors are complete crap and if you are THAT worried, ask your OB. 
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  • nevah18nevah18 member
    Past drug addict here and I have had 2 epidurals. No problems and nothing was ever mentioned. Only thing is if you mention previous drug use your file gets flagged and you are watched double time. 

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  • abnelsen22abnelsen22 member
    I'm a substance abuse therapist and the myth that acid/ecstasy/etc "stores" in your joints/spinal cord is VERY popular among users and also VERY false.
    I always have a client who swears he got high by cracking his neck and releasing the drug. It's total BS.
    You are safe.
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  • katiefritzlerkatiefritzler member
    Haha okay thanks. I'm glad it's fine. I wonder why such a rumour is so popular… I guess because when you're high you feel it in your spine?? Well I did anyways…

    I'm just glad I can have an epidural, and that the response was completely unanimous. 
    ~~~My baby girl is due November 4th, 2014~~~
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  • AZMagnini14AZMagnini14 member
    Also I never got a "high" feeling from my epidural.. simply a relief of SOME pain. 

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