Pregnancy - are any IC medications okay?

[Jessica9379]

Hi everyone,

Can anyone direct me to a website or message link that has fact based information about IC medications and pregnancy?

I was diagnosed with IC about 6 years ago (when I was 21) and have been on Elmiron, Elavil and Hydroxizine - and Diflucan pretty much every month - since then.

I'm getting married in June - and thoughts of babies are crossing my mind - so I wanted to see if I could maybe wean myself off of my meds.

A few months ago - I cut my Hydroxizine from 25mg down to 10mg and a week later I had a major flare, followed by a few small ones. When I went back to 25mg, it stopped.

So - needless to say - I'm freaking out. If I can't be on medications - I'm screwed - but all of the info on my meds say not to take them while pregnanty or breastfeeding....

Thanks again everyone!
~ Jessica

[~*~Christine~*~]

Elmiron is safe to take while pregnant, but first check with your dr to double check

[Emma's Mommy]

Elmiron is OK to take.....

Elivil is NOT ok to take....you should actually STOP taking that when you strat TTC b/c it can have effects on the baby in the first trimester

i don't know about Hydroxizine but if it's a pain medication then most likley NOT ok either.....

[taylorcpa]

Don't worry about it! My IC was really bad when TTC, especially when I first went off BC pills. I was concerned about going off my Elimiron and Hydroxyzine (I went off the Elavil when TTC) after I became pregnant. Amazingly, I am doing very well. I have had few minor flares but nothing I could not handle. We'll see what happens after the baby is born, but so far so good!

[sherry6]

There are a few things you can take during pregnancy that are safe.

Look on the bright side, a lot of us go into remission with our pregnancies. I had my baby 14 months ago and am still in remission. I basically just have to make sure I get enough water.

The worse that can happen is that you will have about nine months of pain. This will most likely not be the case, just worst case scenario. Is nine months of pain worth it to have a child forever? That is what you have to decide.

For some of us it takes a lot of thought, consideration, discussion with our significant other, and our God to make that dicision.

Good Luck!
S

[jen75]

My Gyn had me see a fetal medicine specialist (high risk doctor) for a consultation. I stayed on a few of my IC meds, but did elect to discontinue a few and turn my InterStim off. We reviewed the risks and benefits of each medication. I felt much better after the consultation! It can be so scary worrying about staying on and going off the meds!

Actually Elavil was one of the medications the specialist suggested I stay on.

Best of Luck!

Jen

[stacey79]

I've been curious about meds, too. This helps. We're not exactly to the TTC stage, yet, but we're getting closer. Just wondering if you can use a heating pad when pregnant. I'm thinking no, but was just curious. Along with diet, the heating pad is one of the best self-help treatments I have for my crazy bladder.

[sherry6]

They tell you absolutely no on the heating pad, especially in the first trimester. Some docs will say it is O.K on low during the second and third trimester, and some are more cautious. It is for the same reason that you can't sit in a hot tub. elevated body temp can affect the baby's neurological growth, and nobody wants that.

I found it helpful to sit in a hot bathtub. Any doctor will tell you that is allowed because the water naturally and gradually cools so it won't cause damage. Does that make sense?

Good Luck!

[nss]

One of my closest friends had a baby boy last year and she kept taking Elavil (Endep) for the whole of her pregnancy with not problems to her baby - he is gorgeous.

We both discussed with our doctors and they both agreed that it was safe and ok to take it while pregnant.

But if in any doubt PLEASE check with your doctor.

Good luck

[inlove96]

if you are taking Neurontin stop now. They told me to do that....I am in so much pain now but oh well.

[Meemer]

I agree with Jen. Please see a specialist if your current OB/Gyn is unable to handle your case. The worst thing you could do is stress yourself out about pregnancy when you haven't even gotten through the wedding. One thing at a time. You have enough on your plate!>Tina

[jgandy]

Hi,
I am currently TTC. I was diagnosed with IC about 2 years ago. We have TTC for about 7 months. I was feeling fine at first, but now, I've been having flare ups. I'll have bad low back cramping and sick to my stomach.
Do you think this is from all the sex? We have sex about every other day.
I also had a HSG done and had a flare up a couple of days later. Has anyone had this happen before?

[Meemer]

jgandy:

Again, easy does it. Every other day could certainly trigger your flares and so could the HSG test. Are you on any drugs to control your symptoms?>Meemer

[janelle77362]

Hi Jessica and JGandy,
I was told to stop everything including Elmiron while I was pregnant. I have heard that Elmiron is safe while pregnant but you should always check with your doctor. I took Elavil before my pregnancy to help me sleep. So I got permission to take Tylenol PM from my OB. Fortunately most people go into remission while they are pregnant although I was one of the unlucky ones. Knowing that I was doing the right thing for the baby made it much easier though. I was in remission for about a month after having my son but I made a decision not to breastfeed with him even though I breastfeed my first. It was important for me to start my medications before I came out of remission and I didn't want to take any risks passing anything to the baby. Now on the topic of sex and flares. Sex absolutely can cause flares and it does 50% of the time for me. What has worked for me to reduce the risk of flares is to ensure entry is comfortable. I use a pillow under my backside as my doctor recommended. I also take a warm shower afterwards to make sure no bacteria is introduced and to relax. It is safe to take Tylenol if you are trying to get pregnant so use Tylenol if you are in pain.

[Justalamp]

I am 13 weeks pregnant. When I got pregnant I had already quit taking my Elmiron and Hydroxyzine due to some side effects. But I was still taking pyridium and a suppository for spasms. Which I immediately quit taking. I do still take Prelief with some things, it was making my nausea worse until just last week. So hopefully that will help with some of the flares. I would suggest if you are thinking of TTC, start weaning yourself off your meds now. Good luck!:)

[shvlnose]

My husband and I are TTC and my OB is current allowing me to stay on several of my meds - Elmiron, Ditropan, Prevacid, with Ambien and Tylenol 3 as needed for sleep and pain. Each Dr. is different and many will not allow anything at all. Many will allow some things and not others.

If you want the low down on what pregnancy category your meds are actually in, I suggest looking at www.rxlist.com. You can type in your medication name and it will tell you about the action, uses, normal dose ranges, contraindications, and warnings about the med. On the warnings and precautions tab, it will have what pregnancy category the med is in - A's are generally considered safe. Category D or X are probably not going to be allowed as those usually have some evidence of pregnancy problems.

Category B and C are the ones that really require the most discussion with your doctor. You really need to weigh the risks of taking the med v.s. what effects not taking it will have on you and your health.

Get with your doctor and discuss your concerns. I spoke with all of mine (urologist, primary care, and OB/Gyn) as I was planning on TTC in order to get me off of what I couldn't take, get me switched to better category meds where possible, and develop an action plan before hand. I'm really glad I did, as I feel more in control and like I have options in case I'm not one of the lucky ones who go into remission with pregnancy.

Good luck! I hope it all works out for you! :hi:
Aly

[Curly]

Justalamp - I see that you are in GA. Mind telling me where? I am near Savannah, GA. PM me if you would rather. Thanks!

[traceann]

No not everyone goes into remission when pregnant, some have more troubles, or stay the same, but there are quite a few who DO find that they get respite from their symptoms and some do find themselves in a remission. Both are true - some have a remission or a reduction in symptoms and some do not. I am so sorry to hear you had a rough time!

[poetgirl]

I went off all my meds months before I conceived (I was basically in remission anyway) so I don't have any real suggestions for you about what's safe. Make sure you talk to your doctor so s/he knows you're trying to conceive and can give you advice about what meds are safe to take.

Sometimes pregnancy can cause women to go into remission, which is a plus! I've done really well during my pregnancy. I have some urethral burning from time to time, and obviously I have to pee more than probably the average pregnant woman would, but actually it has been much better than I would have anticipated. I've had a little bit of an increase in my vulvar vestibulitis symptoms but I think that's because of the engorgment and increased pressure in the vulvar area more than anything else. It isn't debilitating - just kind of annoying.

Good luck to you!

[Muffie]

I was diagnosed with IC in January and have had a hard time of it. My husband and I were trying to conceive but now I'm just so scared. I'm afraid that my IC is going to get worse in pregnancy and that my doctor is going to make me go off all my meds. It has been my life-long dream to have a baby and now I'm just so scared. I am crying my eyes out as I sit here writing this. Can anyone offer any help or suggestions? Thanks. Kim

[shvlnose]

Hi Muffie!

All I can suggest is talking to your doctor BEFORE ttc in order to work up an action plan. Or since you were ttc in the first place, start talking to them now. Get with your og/gyn, urologist, and pcp and ask them how you should best handle this. Find out what (if any) meds they are willing to let you stay on.

Also, as depressing as this thought may be for some... I would wait to ttc until you at least have your initial pain/stress levels stabilized. When I was first diagnosed my pain levels were all over the map, with no apparent logic. It took me several months to a year to get a grip on them; not for the pain to go away - for it to be stable enough that I felt more in control of my life. I still have small amounts of pain, pretty much every day, but it's nothing I can't handle.

I know that's probably not what you want to hear if you were already ttc, sorry about that. Also, again, check the pregnancy category of the meds you take... some of them are detrimental enough, that they could be preventing you from getting pregnant - by hindering ovulation, implantation, embroy developement, etc...

Hang in there!
Aly

[Muffie]

Aly,
Thanks for your kind words. I have already decided to wait awhile to get pregnant because of everything that is going on. I think that's why I'm a little down right now because it has been a dream of mine for so long and now it's been put on hold once again. Just having kind of a sad day but I know that I'll get control of this. Thanks for your advice.
Kim

[poetgirl]

Some women find their IC symptoms go into remission when they are pregnant. So, don't despair yet! I do agree that you should take a little while (at least 6 months) to see some sort of stabilization in your symptoms before you ttc. Keep your doctor informed of your plans for the future, so s/he can prescribe medications that are safe for you during conception and pregnancy too. 4 years ago, I didn't think having a child would be possible, and here I am, about to give birth in a few weeks (more or less) and I feel good, so there is always hope.

[Emma's Mommy]

poetgirl.....how do you plan on giving birth? this is my 2nd baby but i didnt have IC when i was pregnant with my first.....i'l LOVE to hear how your birth goes as far as how you feel afterwards!

[poetgirl]

Believe it or not, I plan to have a natural birth, assisted by my husband and a doula. I have been blessed with very few bladder issues during my pregnancy (some days it's hard to believe I've had IC and all the other problems I suffered with for a long time) and I'm hoping I won't undo all the healing I've done, but I really want to give birth naturally if I can. I'm willing to consider drugs if the pain is too much for me to bear, but I'm going to give this my best shot. Keep your fingers crossed!

[Emma's Mommy]

i will keep my fingers crossed for you if you tell me all about your delivery and recovery with the IC and giving birth!

[poetgirl]

Will do! I'm not on these boards as much but I do try to provide any help or advice that I can, because I certainly want everyone to experience the level of healing I've been fortunate enough to have. We'll see how it goes after labor and delivery...

[meme]

Uro told me yesterday that I had to be off all meds at least a month before hand, so we're starting to cut them back slowly. She also gave me a script for a new antibiotic to take while we're TTC and once we get pregnant. See my baby doc May 1st!!!!!!!!

[Emma's Mommy]

good luck! i was lucky i was at a point where i was switching docs and meds and there was a 3 week time frame that i was able to survive by only taking lortab for pain when needed (which was not toooo bad but more than i wanted!)

hubby and i decided to "see what happened" and that we would stop TTC when i put up the red flag and decided i couldnt handle the pain anymore.....we got pregnant the first month activly trying!

and thank god it was the weirdest thing instead of my pain slowly getting worse day after day it slowly got better, to the point where i was wanting for my period to come and i felt totally normal....like i didn't have IC....that's how i knew i was pregnant!