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Relief from chronic pain while pregnant?

A

Aporia

Bluelighter
Joined
Aug 8, 2011
Messages
164
Hi everyone! I wasn't sure where this should go so I though I'd let a mod place it where appropriate.

I've been around the boards for a little while now. Some months I'm more active than others but anytime I need information on sensitive subjects I ususally come here. Some of you may recognize me, others not. Anyway, on to the main topic. I just recently found out that I am pregnant...yay?!? I've been dealing with chronic pain in my left wrist due to carpal tunnel and ganglion cysts but in Feb decided to come off my pain meds for various reasons. Kratom had helped tremendously with this, both for the detox and the pain managment. I have been using Kratom on and off since Feb, up until I found out I was pregnant with my second child. I immediately stopped using Kratom and gave the rest of it to my significant and experienced mild w/d symptoms for a few days. So now I'm not using anything to control my pain level and it's through the freaking roof! On top of my wrist problem (which I've been dealing with for a few years...I wait tables and have for the past 17 years!) I am now having severe pain in my hips and my knees. Probably from the combination of being pregnant (the chemical relaxin is relased in the first trimester which loosens joints) and the 8 mile bike ride home from work 5 nights a week. The pain is getting so bad that I am having a REAL HARD time sleeping, working is getting more difficult (lifting trays and bending at the hips to put the trays on a tray stand) and I can barely move on my days off and play with my child. I also don't have a car so any travel I do is by walking or biking. I am in really good shape and overall healthy which is why I"m so confused as to why I'm having such a hard time dealing with all this pain when I'm only two months pregnant. I'm real worried that it's just going to get worse as I continue to grow with this pregnancy. Tylenol doesn't help..a hot shower relieves pain momentarily but I can't stay in a shower all day long and night. Ugh. I'm just at a standstill with knowing what to do with this. I am in the process of looking for a obgyn or midwife for this pregnancy and I don't have a PCP here (I moved outta state a few months back, so I"m in a new state). I've gone back and forth on whether I want to ask my ob if it would be wise to go back on pain management or if I just gotta tough it out. My last pregnancy didn't hurt this much at all! And I was also very active with here. Went through all 12 hours of labor and delivery without any interventions or pain killers and had a wonderful pregnancy. This one is completely different and deep down I feel horrible for even considereing going back on pain management.

Does anyone on the boards have any suggestions for combating pain while in this sensitive state?
Thank you all so much for taking the time to read this. And even if no one has any recommendations I feel a bit better just getting this all off my chest. Since I moved I haven't made any close friends I can confide in.

Much Love
~Aporia~
 
I wouldn't start back up on any opioid pain meds during your pregnancy. If you were taking them leading up to your pregnancy then doctors recommend you stay on them, but stopping and starting during the pregnancy is no good.

I would look into some topical ointments to help with the pain, such as bengay or maybe a numbing agent like lidocaine.
 
^Excellent advice! I'm so sorry to read of your struggles with chronic pain, Aporia. But CONGRATULATIONS on the pregnancy, and hats off to you for doing the right thing and stopping drug use during pregnancy :) :)

I am going to move this to the Second Opinion forum.

Take care!!
 
Sorry you're having all this pain. If you have insurance, get an OB appointment before you use anything besides Tylenol. If not, get on the phone tomorrow with your county's health services. There are many assistance programs for pregnant women that are completely free or sliding scale. I have chronic pain also, you mentioned the hip and knee pain. Were you ever diagnosed for that?

I don't think they will let you start pain management while pregnant but ask when you see the doctor. It's probably something you're going to have to manage without medication. It might go away on it's own too. Every baby is different and every pregnancy is different too, keep that in mind. Do you live in a city that has bus system? I would rather see you ride the bus home than that long bike ride. That also could be contributing to your pain.

Your baby's safety is #1 and I doubt any doctor will give you meds beyond Tylenol 3, even then they would be strict with it. Percocet, Hydrocodone or Tramadol are not recommended because of the addiction possibility for the baby. You may have to cut your work hours if the pain continues. But please get yourself to a doctor asap and discuss your options. Take it easy for now! PM me if you want to talk <3
 
Thank you for all for your responses. I am definitely going to try bengay. I remember using that when I use to play sports.

There is a bus on the way out to work most days but by the time I get off it no longer runs, which is why I ride my bike. I'm looking for something closer but with the pregnancy I'm hesitant to start a new job somewhere and miss out on maternity leave.

I haven't been diagnosed for my hip or knee pain. I actually had an appointment for that problem the day I found out I was pregnant. I called and cancelled my appointment because I wanted to check with an ob. I felt a bit irresponsible starting pain management when I JUST found out I was pregnant. Funny how things go lol.

Thanks again for the advice <3 and the well wishes <3
~Aporia~
 
Hi there and congrats to you! You sound like a very well put together person and I think you know the answer to your own question but like you said you wanted to vent. I say ell your ob about your past medicine and pain and let her know what happening now and your desire to minimize pain and keeping your pregnancy safe. You never know what your dr may say and there may be a way to get treatment.

Good luck and all the very best!
 
scoliosis since i was 16, chronic pain from it\

nothing they gives help

soma might help but good luck for me getting on that w/benzos on medicaid.

it sucks. pain fucks up your natural thought process and personality.

no experience being pregnant with it but i can imagine the horror. pregnancy the idea alone fills me with horror so i can't imagine actually living with my ailments pregnant.
 
Op, I feel your pain I had my daughter on methadone. I really dont think you should try to start new meds/ detox when youre pregnant. Withdrawal can make you miscarry. Topical creams are usually ok I think, try to check with a doctor/even a pharmacist/google before you use it and if I remember correctly eucalyptus isnt good for pregnant women so make sure that isnt in it. Best of luck!
 
Thanks again everyone! I've been trying to take it easy while at home. Laying in bed and reading for the most part. It's so nice that I would love to be out and about with my youngin and her dad but I'm just so beat! I'm still only sleeping an hour or less at a time and my hips and knees are just...ugh. My legs too: RLS sucks. I'm thinking that I may be dealing with PAWS from the Kratom w/d as I was using for a few months before I found out I was pregnant and then stoped cold turkey. I couldn't find anything conclusive on the effects of Kratom on the fetus so I just stopped. I'm hoping in a few more days to a week I'll be more energetic and whatnot. I'm just now about to turn the 8 wk mark so I'll be able to see an OB or Midwife here soon but along with all of you I also don't think it's wise to start PM while pregnant. I'm sure I'll be able to find some relief and I am blessed with a VERY caring, loving and empathetic SO and daughter. My SO will rub my back and legs at night which helps. It just sucks sometimes though. Knowing that there is something out there that will take my pain away but not wanting to use it for various reasons. But in all reality I am planning another natural birth so I will have to focus on meditation, breath work, and other alternative ways to deal with pain. Thank you all again for your kind, non judgemental words.

<3 Aporia <3
 
^Would it be possible to get disability and take the rest of the pregnancy off from work? It seems that continuing to wait tables is going to seriously impact your ability to withstand the pain naturally. Can you talk to your OB about helping you with that? (I know it is possible because I did that many years ago when I was a waitress and pregnant with my first child. I also had joint pain. I worked the first twenty weeks but then got temporary disability for the last half).

Good luck and congratulations.<3
 
wow you are riding a bike home from work 8 miles , 5 x a week ?
That's awesome, but it looks like you will need to start planning alternative transportation.

wrist = Have you started a weight training programming using wrist-rollers?
here's a good demonstration - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yc1ZwMmUC8I

my ex did those religiously for 2 weeks and it cured her carpal tunnel issues. Good luck.
 
I have my first appointment this Friday for a pregnancy confirmation ultrasound, but the receptionist told me they don't start prenatal care until 11 weeks. I'm really hoping to talk with someone Friday-this weekend was very busy and last night my wrist got so bad that I had to have others run food for me. I can't bend it and had a horrible time sleeping last night because of it. It's a mix between shooting pain from my shoulder to my fingers, pain associated with the small bones in my hand and numbness in half of my entire arm/hand.

I'll look into temp disability Herbavore...I'm waiting on old bosses from my home restaurant to send me information regarding my benefits and maternity leave. My SO doesn't work so it is very important that I keep bringing in the income to pay the bills/support my family.

I read somewhere that Carpal Tunnel can get worse during pregnancy so I am definitely not looking forward to that.
As for biking home everynight of the week: lately I've trying a mix of walking, bus and occasionally a ride from a fellow coworker. Gonna keep this short so I can let my wrist just take it easy. Thank you everyone for your support and well wishes!

~Aporia~
 
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Have you tried physical therapy or massage therapy maybe? They have pregnancy designed programs for both. If you have insurance I'd certainly ask your OBGYN to give you a referral there. (I apologize if you mentioned insurance or not already).
 
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