Questions and venting about pain medication.?

Question

I am 35 wks preg. I am having severe TMJ pain ( pain in my jaw) It's so bad I can't chew anything, it hurts to talk,, I am barely getting any sleep because the pain keeps me awake, all I do is cry because I am in so much pain. Last week it was ok for me to take Lora-tab for the pain, but I ran out, so I went back to the dr and now this week because I am further along it's no longer safe, as a matter of fact I am being told there is nothing more than tylenol that I can take,, until of course I go into labor then again I will be able to have very strong narcotics. This is what I don't understand, how is taking 1000 mgs of tylenol every 4 hours for the next however many days, any more safe than letting me have a couple pain pills or a muscle relaxer to get over the pain? Or even worse,,, just having to live with the pain? That can't be good for the baby either? I called my OB dr to ask him and the nurse was like there's nothing you can do but deal with the pain. what if I had broken a bone? or been in a car accident? would they just tell me to deal with that pain too? I can't believe in this day and time there is nothing more than tylenol that they can do for me. I have been dx'd with pre term labor and I am scared if I can't get this pain under control I will go back into labor? Or that the stress I am under is going to hurt the baby??

Does anyone understand any of this?? or have any suggestions on what I can do? Ice,, and heat packs aren't working,, massage and relaxation isn't working,, I can't deal with this pain it's been going on for 4 days now.

Answer 1

i know for  a fact you can take panadene fort... its got codeine in it..it will make you drowsy and make baby drowsy but it is category A and safe to take.. i have had to take it as i have a bad back.. you will need a script for it though...but it should help

Answer 2

That's interesting. When I had a tooth pulled two months ago, my doctor gave me a list to give my dentist that said I could have percocet and vicoden. I ended up toughing it out with only tylenol, for personal reasons. But I would ask around, get a 2nd or even 3rd opinion. If the pain is so bad you can't eat or talk, that seems to me like a pretty serious problem, requiring more than just pain meds.  

Answer 3

there are exercises for your mouth that will help but they take time. I am sorry you are in pain and actually cant believe they gave you pain meds in the first place. The amount of the pain meds isn't the issue its the different ingredients in the meds and the effects on the baby each has that is the reason you cant take them. Even a small amount of something that will harm the baby is still harm...You need an appointment with a Dr that specializes in TMJ I too have it and have even had my jaw lock open...no fun at all. But truly the exercises and placement of the tongue helped! Please talk to someone about it immediately.

Answer 4

I know just where you're coming from.  I have costochondritis (inflamed rib cartilage) from the pregnancy, and the pain is indescribable!  My obstetrician is actually happy for me to take codeine for the pain, but the problem is that it isn't working.  I have to wait another two weeks for a c-section (I'm 36 weeks now), and my obstetrician won't perfom one any sooner.  I'm praying I do go into labour, so I can get some relief!  I don't know if this helps you, but I'm going into hospital tomorrow to get a pethidine injection to give me enough pain relief to let me sleep a little.  Would your OB dr consider this for you?  Telling you to deal with the pain seems like a particularly cruel form of torture.  Could you see another OB dr for a second opinion?  Could you go to a regular doctor stage and break down in front of them?  Good luck with whatever happens.