Pregnant,in severe pain with my back and need help and advice please

[Laurapooloo]

Good morning/evening guys,

Sorry for the long post but I’m desperate for some help and advice if at all possible.

I recently found out that I’m experiencing baby no 4.

This was an unplanned pregnancy and I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet.

This pregnancy wasn’t planned due to a few reasons:-

The first being my age, at the ripe young age of 35, I strongly believed that I had 3 beautiful children 8,11,16, and as they were now a little

Bit older and far more independent, now was/is the time to concentrate on me and my health problems.

And secondly, I have suffered with severe back pain since being pregnant with my son in 2011 and having a bad fall when it was icy. The fall resulted in my waters breaking and giving birth 2 hours later.

For months the doctors put my back pain down to having a difficult pregnancy and they assured me free pain would subside in a few months.

I was prescribed co-codamol.

The pain was increasing so after many trips to the doctors they finally agreed to send me for xrays and mri’s etc.

I can’t remember the correct name but basically my spine is crumbling and this results in my nerves being “played with” and causes the severe pain.

I have had numerous scans/physios/injections etc but 3 years ago I got out on numerous medications to control the pain.

The pain management clinic I attend seems to be happy because the pain is relatively managed along with my daily routines etc so they class me as a non emergency as it “doesn’t affect my standard of living”- their words not mine.

This has resulted in them keeping the problem covered up rather than actually treating it.

As mentioned earlier up I received the shocking news of pregnancy no4.

This will I know result in it being a difficult 5 more months.

I have however to start coming off my medication for the baby’s safety. My consultant has assured me that the baby can be treated for addiction when born, but I would rather try and help this and any problems that may occur by weaning of my meds for the baby.

I currently take:-

Morphine (MST) -80mg AM and PM

Gabapentin- 900mg x 3 times daily

Amatriptiline-50mg PM

Fluoxetine-20mg AM

Oramorph- 12.5mg x 4 times daily

I have been on these medications for the last 4 years.

If I go to my go or consultant all they do is increase the dosesge, which results in me currently taking the above dose..,9

After speaking to the doctor and consultant they want me to come off the gabapentin ASAP.

I’m not sure as to why this one needs to be done first etc.

I have agreed with them that I want to reduce my medication and dose as much as possible before baby is due in 4 months.

I know that this is going to be an extremely difficulty task but I am willing to put 100% into trying.

Now you know my background etc my questions really today are,

Has anyone been in a similar situation to me?

What would be any similar “safer” for the baby alternatives to any of the meds that I take.- I have had my medications reduced slightly,and can definitely tell because doing the day to day activities has become extremely difficult and painful.

Has anyone any suggestions on how I can handle/deal with the withdrawal symptoms that I am getting?

I really want to do what’s best for baby but without putting me in extremely difficult and uncomfortable situations

Has anyone any as is or suggestions on any good brands of baby bump bands to help suppprt my stomach but adore importantly my back?

Sorry for the extremely long post,it’s my first time I have so many worries and concerns and questions.

Thanks

[Madlegs1]

I would research, and ask your pain management team, about Buprenorphine.

There has been a recent post by myself on RLS site, on this opiate, which is quite new ,and a lot safer than many other opiates.

It may well be that it isn't suitable for your situation, but sounds as if it's worth a try.

I'll try to get the link for you.

Good luck.

Found it

medscape.com/viewarticle/92...

I know it deals with a different cohort to where you are, but do read the comments by Dr Atkins. Very informative. 🥺😎

[Laurapooloo in reply to Madlegs1]

Thank you for the quick response.

I have seen my pain management team a few times now since becoming pregnant and we have just discussed the process of lowering the amount I currently take and the pros and cons involved for both me and the baby.

She did say that I HAD to come off the gabapentin,and that the other medications aren’t really that bad.

This did reassure me slightly, but I can already tell 7 weeks into the process what medications have been reduced due to a drop in my mobility and pain levels.

I will definitely speak to them regarding that medication.

I would ideally like to be off all meds by the time I’m giving birth so that it gives my baby the best possible start in life, but I also need to learn to be selfish and think about myself and my health a little bit to. If this means being on some less intrusive medication then I’m willing to at least try.

[Madlegs1 in reply to Laurapooloo]

A friend of my daughters was on a fairly high dose of Fentanyl for chronic hip and back pain. I was shocked when she became pregnant and wasn't taken off it. However, she had the baby ,a beautiful healthy girl, with no problems of addiction or withdrawals!😍 ----- so! What do I know about anything??😩

I'm sure you will be ok, and do well ,as will the fantastic new little life that you are about to bring into this world.

All the best.

There is a pharmacy nurse called Wendy Jones, who has a book and website with information on all medications and breastfeeding. And pregnancy( my wife informs me!)

She may answer emails-- I'm not sure, but the website has a fund of information.

Don't have a link, but I'm sure if you Google her, it will come up.

Get back to me if any problems.

Meanwhile, all the best, and don't be worriting.🤔

[Pinky2233]

I’m so sorry you are in pain.

You mentioned “your spine is crumbling”. A proper diagnosis is very important to help your exact problem.

This community is a wealth of knowledge and experience that can perhaps help guide but might need to know the proper diagnoses before weighing in

Such as,

Based on your exact injury,

Putting yourself in water such as a swimming pool could be a temporary relief and take the weight off your body to help manage the pain for a while for a pain break.

Depending on your mobility strengthening the muscles around the disks might be an option to keep from further “crumbling” with some gentle but proper yoga like strengthening poses.

An e stim type implant in the spine might help for both you and the baby.

A Quell unit on your leg could help take pain down some.

Chinese Herbs for sleep ( pharmacy/ md approved for pregnancy)

See an herbalist

Have you had any acupuncture or dry needling for your back or abdomen to release squeezing of muscles creating further nerve pain or nerve pain sensations?

Depending on your exact scans sometimes doctors diagnose nerve pain when it is tissue or muscular pain however you mention “ crumbling” what did the doctors call this for you and if disk related which disks did it affect?

Sending my best!

[Laurapooloo in reply to Pinky2233]

Thank you for you reply.

My L1,2,3,4,5 are practically non existent, they have “crumbled”.

On my xrays and mri’s there are slight fragments of bones but no actual discs.

I fell over when pregnant with my son(now11).

I landed on my bum to protect my bump,this fall put me into labour.

I mentioned my back pain on numerous occasions to my GP who told me it was due to pregnancy and that the slight curve in my spine ( t7-t11) may be the cause.

This went in for years before I ended up getting up for a wee in the night and I ended up “locking” whilst sat on the loo.

Paramedics were called and I spent 7 weeks in hospital being diagnosed and receiving treatment.

I was eventually discharged and kind of “forgotten about”

Fast forward a few years and i started on this long terrible road of medication rather than a cure.

I got a letter yesterday for an appointment for a different pain management consultant and surgeon at the hospital where I’m receiving my midwife treatment. I have googled the consultants I due to see and they have good reviews.

So I have everything crossed that this is going to be the start of a brilliant patient/doctor relationship. X x

[cyberbarn]

Can I just second Wendy Jones, she really is the top expert on drugs and babies. Not all general doctors or pharmacists are.

breastfeeding-and-medicatio...

It will also be worth making contact with a support group such as the BfN or LLL

breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk...

laleche.org.uk/find-lll-sup...

As it is not your first, traditional antenatal classes may not be as useful as a general supportive group.

And speaking of support, I hope you can get as much support as possible to keep you and the baby safe.

[Emma2017]

Crumbling of the spine tends to mean collapse of small sections of the vertebrae. You want to ask them how many vertebrae are involved. If it does not heal by itself which seems to be the case for you then as far as I can gather they can do vertebroplasty. (kind of cement put in to make the vertebrae function proper again) It’s never classed as life threatening or whatever but clearly has a real impact on day to day life. I had a collapsed vertebrae amongst all my other hassle but lucky for me it was just the one and healed itself. Just press them on it as it is such a simple procedure but could mean the end to your daily intolerable pain and the end to all those drugs which would be better for your baby. x

[Laurapooloo in reply to Emma2017]

All The bottom L ones have completely gone. The pain clinic I have been under is piss poor to be honest and seems more interested in doping me up on medication rather than actually fixing the problem.

I also have a slight curve in my spine aswell which hasn’t helped with my posture or mobility at all.

I can walk maybe 20-30 steps unaided and then I simply can’t go on anymore.

I have been like this for the last 8 years and it’s obviously not getting any better.

They tried to fob me off and say it wasn’t impacting my quality of life and due to my age I wasn’t a priority.

I am currently in the process of switching to a different hospital in the hope that the care I get is a lot better.

[Emma2017 in reply to Laurapooloo]

Pain clinics are just there to help you manage your pain. In your case it’s nonsense that that is your last door saloon. Because of your age you should be a priority. I have been under a very good spinal surgeon and you should insist in seeing a spinal surgeon as that is definitely the right way to go. Keep us updated x

[Laurapooloo in reply to Emma2017]

I do see a spinal surgeon,every 3-4 months now.

I have injections in my back every 6 weeks to try and help with the pain.

They have told me time and time again that they need to exhaust every possible thing before they do the surgery,even though he has said I need the surgery???!!!???

I do think that some medical professionals are far more understanding and are willing to treat the problem rather than cover it up.

I think I drew the short straw with mine🤣.

I received an appointment yesterday to see a different consultant at the same hospital I’m under my midwife care with so I’m feeling hopeful that this one is a good one and is willing to listen to my concerns and understand what is happening and actually be willing to help me x

[Emma2017 in reply to Laurapooloo]

Keeping on with the injections is rather weird. They clearly have more than exhausted all reasonable steps before a surgery. However with you being pregnant at the moment they won’t opt for surgery until the baby is born unless there is a sudden emergency. So you prob have to hang in there a bit longer. But at least this new consultant might be able to discuss the best way surgical way forward if that is appropriate.

[SecretlyDisabled7]

I don't think much about gabapentin. I take 1200 mg 4 x day. My dog takes 300 2 x day. But it seems somewhat safe to me. I'd be more concerned about getting off morphine, etc. I can't take it because it increases my pain. I'd worry about the baby. I do worry about pain. I think you need a specialist. I don't know how far along you are, but I would hate to have a baby born addicted. As for Dr. Atkins-he needs to have some serious pain before he gives advice about pain meds. It is really hard for people who aren't suffering to know what to do about pain.

[Laurapooloo in reply to SecretlyDisabled7]

I’m 4 currently 4 months pregnant.

I am classed as a high risk pregnancy so see a pain management consultant and consultant midwife etc on a weekly basis.

They have all white clearly explained that until the baby is born I am the number 1 priority.

We have discussed weaning me off all the medications but it’s proving to be extremely difficult.

I have been on these meds for over 4 years now,they are sadly part of my daily routine.

I, myself made the decision to come off the meds or at least lower them as much as I can. I have been praised for this massively by all the professionals in leith my treatment.

This pregnancy is my 4th and certainly wasn’t planned.

On my first visit to the my Gp I was told quite clearly to book in for an abortion.

This isn’t me or my partner at all so we have obviously decided to continue with the pregnancy.

All of my meds have been lowered by between 5 and 10mg, which doesn’t sound a lot but is certainly feeling a lot to me.

I have gone from having some sort of small amount of independence to struggling doing anything for myself again.

I am myself was a physio before I became ill so I’m always swimming and doing the exercises etc that I know I need to do.

So I am working on getting better,slowly.

Unfortunately without 4 fusions,I am going to be in pain constantly.

The consultant have clearly explained all the ins and outs of being pregnant whilst on medication and they are all saying I need to come off the gabapentin.

This causes far more damage and addiction to a baby than the morphine does. This surprised me quite a bit,however it was all explain great deal to me. So believe it or not they are right in what they are saying.

I even go to an “pregnancy addiction clinic” at my local hospital.

I meet with women every week that are drinking cans of strongbow topped up with vodka before they go in,or that have just been to the toilet and used some cocaine and ketamine😮.

It’s made me open my eyes and see that I am not worse case scenario,this has eased my anxiety about it all a hell of a lot.

I obviously don’t want to give birth to a baby that is addicted to a substance, but I know that if I’m lowered as far as I can manage and my body can manage,even if the baby does have some in its system,there is exceptional doctors and nurses that have the skills to help it once it’s born.

There has got to be some medication out there that is safer to use than what I’m in now,I don’t want to have to take anything else but if it means I come off the “hard” stuff and need to use the weaker stuff to at least be able to live slightly more comfortable these next few months then I’m happy to try.