Need hep re: IC & pregnancy

[nevada718]

I need to chat with someone that has dealt with IC during pregnancy. I am only 11 weeks and already having issues. :hmm:

[Imustpee]

My son will be 20 in 3 weeks but I remember being pregnant with him and having I.C.

[nevada718]

Did you take these meds while pregnent?

[Imustpee]

No, I had 1 D.M.S.O. treament in 1976, and that was the only treatment I had until 1994...my son was born in 1985..I started all these new meds last year...

[Babs RN]

Where are you in Nevada? My in laws live in Las Vegas and I am about 2 1/2 hours from there. I was diagnosed after my daughter, but I think I had IC back then. There are people on the boards that will pop up that were able to continue some of their meds while pregnant.

Hugs,
Barb :grouphug:

[nevada718]

Actually, my name is Nevada. :)
My OB told me yesterday that thwre wasn't a med that I could take to treat the IC while I am pregnant. Is this true?????

[Babs RN]

It depends. There are different categories of meds during pregnancy, A,B,C,X. The A medications are absolutely safe and in studies showed no harm to the fetus, B is pretty much the same. C category meds you need to weigh the pro/con ratio depending on how much the mother needs the med and that the benefits outweigh any potential risk. Plus, the mom needs to be watched closer. Category X meds should not be taken at all in pregnancy.

Hugs,
Barb :grouphug:

[nevada718]

I made and appt with my urologist, but they said the soonest I could get in is the 16th. I cannot go another 2 weeks in pain!!!

[Imustpee]

Try a warm bath or a heating pad...drink lots of water to keep your urine diluted..I notice that if I lay on my side I don;t feel the pressure as bad...

[Imustpee]

Call your dr back and request that you be put on a list to call if they have any cancellations..

[rose_thorn98]

:) Hi Nevada,

I would suggest that you get the book "1000 Questions for Your Pregnancy". It has all the info about which meds are safe during pregnancy. Another good one is "the Mother of all Pregnancy Books." Both of these books list which meds are safe and it explains which category they are in. Generally Categories A and B are fine. Vicodin along with alot of other pain meds are category B. Most Dr's however won't tell us this. In fact alot of them don't know it. If you have a few books that can back you up then you may be able to bring them to your Dr. and convince them to let you take them. My Dr. said I was okay to take Vicodin while pregnant if I really needed it. Luckily I have only had to take two pills so far. I am almost 19 weeks now.

I was having alot of trouble until I got into about week 14 and now I seem to have gone into remission.

Hope that helps. Get the books. Educate yourself before you see the Dr. again.

Chelsea

ps.. I think I wrote to you on the misdiagnosed miscarriage site earlier today. If I;m right I am glad you found the IC Network site. :)

[Imustpee]

I wish I would have known about the safety of those meds while pregnant..I suffered terribly, never even took an asprin...geeze..

[rose_thorn98]

Yes, unfortunately alot of docs won't really research out what drugs are safe. One thing I see alot is docs telling pt's to take psudepherine for a cold when it is category C, which is not nearly as safe as Vicodin which is category B. I really don't think alot of Dr.s even take the time to look up which drugs are in which category.

[anniepie1976]

Hi Nevada. I'm at 39 weeks right now in my pregnancy. It was about 2 months into my pregnancy that my IC symptoms started getting bad. I was in close remission for many years before getting pregnant. I had stopped Elmiron while trying to concieve and I was put back on Elmiron when symptoms were returning and I am also taking Vicodin. Both were encouraged by my ob/gyn. Also they are both category B. The Vicodin I have got to say has really helped take some of the edge off during this pregnancy. The Elmiron it is hard to tell. I really think that I am one of the unlucky ones that IC doesn't seem to agree with pregnancy. You may get a lot better though. It seems that most go into remission during their pregnancies. There are other category B meds you can try also. I have tried ditropan and zyrtec since pregnant with no luck but many others benefit from them. Also I called about Prelief and it is safe. I take that also. Another suggestion is pelvic floor therapy. I just want to give you some hope here that you do have options. I hope it has helped. Congratulations to you and if you have any questions or just want to vent feel free to send me a private message. It's been a really tough pregnancy and I can relate. I'll tell you what though...now that I am getting closer to having this little one in my arms I look at it so differently. In the beginning before I showed or felt the baby inside me I was pretty miserable and scared thinking I'm pointlessly hurting all the time. Now it just seems so much more real. I cannot wait till I meet my son! Ann

[nannyjlove]

Just my experience...I am isserable and cannot wait until it is over. I was in remission for like a year or two before getting pregnant. I am also pregnant with twins. I am on no drugs and no dr will look at me or do any tests while I am pregnant. Good luck..some get better and some get worse. I am the unlucky one.

[lm0630]

I am now 13 weeks pregnant and have been suffering TERRIBLY with ic symptoms like never before. My bladder is constantly feels full. I am so sleep deprived because I cannot stay asleep for more then an hour without having to run to the bathroom. My doctor said it was ok to take ditropan when absolutely needed but i am nervous about taking any medication. I am just praying it will get better at some point. I cannot imagine going through 6 more months of this. On a positive note, feel i will be well prepared for the sleepless nights once the baby comes. If anyone has any suggestions, I would really appreciate it. Thanks

[Imustpee]

I never took anything my whole pregnancy...I peed all the time and I threw up all the time....the dr told me I couldn't even take an asprin...I suffered horribly..this was in the mid 80's...I.C wasn't even a "Real disease" then...this is the main reason I had only one child...I do have 3 stepchildren that would spend the summers with us..

[Sherry5]

My doctor swears that Elmiron is safe to take while pregnant, and many on these boards have taken it. I also have a prescription of Vicodin. It is a life saver when I really need it, which is not often.It is not good for you or your baby to live in hell your whole pregnancy. You may want to let your OB know that most category B drugs are O.K during pregnancy. I think Tylenol is category B. It won't hurt him to do a little research.

On a positive note, I went into remission at about 14 weeks as well. It seems like I read that more than half of us go into remission during our pregnancies. When I was at 11 weeks, I assumed I was one of the unlucky ones, but I have had no bladder problems at all from 14 weeks on. Hopefully yours will at least let up a little.

Good luck! :grouphug:

[nevada718]

Sherry, to know you went is emission is great news. I am 11 weeks and waiting on some relief. I have not taken any meds yet. My ob says I shouldn't take anything, but if I cannot handle the pain that I can take Tylenol 3. I am a little afraid, but I need some reief soon. I am miserable and unable to function.

[ICNJess]

Just wanted to say hi to the pregnant mommies :) Hope you all feel better soon, I know I'm looking into a DIY bladder removal kit LOL

[Sherry5]

Nevada- I hope the Tylenol 3 works for you. I know it works for a lot of people. (it doesn't work for me) Your doc may give you vicodin if it doesn't. That is what I use, but not often.

That first trimester is so darn miserable anyway. nausea and IC pain and you are not even showing yet! It seems to last forever. Luckily it doesn't, and I hope your second trimester brings you some relief! :grouphug: