In Labor... Urgent Ototoxicity Question

[Natalie Roberts]

I'm in labor.. Wondering if anyone has any information about
fentanyl being ototoxic? This is the drug they want to give me for pain..

 

[AnxiousJon]

Reports of FENTANYL causing OTOTOXICITY: 4
Reports of any side effect of FENTANYL : 22573
Percentage of FENTANYL patients where OTOTOXICITY is a reported side effect: 0.0177%

FDA reports of any drug causing OTOTOXICITY : 325
Average percentage for all medicated patients where OTOTOXICITY is reported as a complication: 0.0020%
http://factmed.com/report-FENTANYL-causing-OTOTOXICITY.php

"Fentanyl should be used during pregnancy only if the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the fetus. If you are or may be pregnant, talk with your doctor before using fentanyl. This drug can pass through your body in breast milk and should not be used if you are breast-feeding."
http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/fentanyl

You should check with your doctor immediately if any of these side effects occur when taking fentanyl:

More common

• Black, tarry stools
• blurred vision
• chest pain
• confusion
• convulsions
• cough
• decreased urine
• difficult or labored breathing
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• fainting
• fever or chills
• increased thirst
• irregular heartbeat
• lightheadedness
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• mood changes
• muscle pain or cramps
• nausea or vomiting
• nervousness
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• pounding in the ears
• rapid breathing
• sneezing
• sore throat
• sunken eyes
• swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
• tightness in the chest
• troubled breathing with exertion
• ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• wrinkled skin

Less common

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• change in walking and balance
• clumsiness or unsteadiness
• decreased awareness or responsiveness
• decreased frequency of urination
• headache
• muscle twitching or jerking
• pounding in the ears
• rhythmic movement of the muscles
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• seizures
• severe constipation
• severe sleepiness
• shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• slow or fast heartbeat
• thinking abnormalities
• trembling or shaking of the hands or feet

If any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking fentanyl, get emergency help immediately:

Symptoms of overdose

• Extremely shallow or slow breathing

Some of the side effects that can occur with fentanyl may not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine during treatment these side effects may go away. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to reduce or prevent some of these side effects. If any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome or if you have any questions about them, check with your health care professional:

More common

• Back pain
• diarrhea
• difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
• difficulty with moving
• discouragement
• feeling sad or empty
• irritability
• lack or loss of strength
• loss of interest or pleasure
• muscle stiffness
• pain in the joints
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• tiredness
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping
• weight loss

Less common

• Changes in vision
• excessive muscle tone
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• feeling of warmth or heat
• flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
• irritation, pain, or sores at the site of application
• itching skin
• muscle tension or tightness
• rash
• sensation of spinning
• sweating

Incidence not known

• Tooth pain
• trouble with gums
• trouble with teeth

After you stop taking this drug, it is possible that you may still experience side effects that need medical attention. If you notice any of the following side effects check with your doctor immediately:

• Restlessness
• speech disorder
• stomach cramps
• weakness

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/fentanyl-side-effects.html

 

[Natalie Roberts]

Thank you. I was able to do natural delivery, no pain medication.. So far all I've had is pitocen to stop bleeding and some ibuprofen .. I don't know if ibuprofen is considered safer then Vicoden.. Anyone know?

 

[seal]

What? They seriously want to give you fentanyl? I think that's crazy! This is such a potent pain killer that usually victims of really awful accidents or terminally ill people get. Mostly as lollipops. I wouldn't take fentanyl if I was you... Wouldn't an epidural be enough?

 

[seal]

Thank you. I was able to do natural delivery, no pain medication.. So far all I've had is pitocen to stop bleeding and some ibuprofen .. I don't know if ibuprofen is considered safer then Vicoden.. Anyone know?

Oh you already delivered. Great! Congrats!
Glad you got along with softer pain medication. I think ibuprofen is pretty safe, especially in lower doses. Paracetamol is apparently even safer. But I am pretty sure you'll be alright with the ibuprofen you took.

 

[Mand b]

Congrats Natalie on the birth of your baby. I hope your both doing well x

 

[Danny Boy]

Thank you. I was able to do natural delivery, no pain medication.. So far all I've had is pitocen to stop bleeding and some ibuprofen .. I don't know if ibuprofen is considered safer then Vicoden.. Anyone know?

Congratulations! Wish you and the baby (What's his or hers name?) all the best ^_^.

 

[dboy]

Congratulations on the birth! I believe you should be fine using Ibuprofen short term.

 

[John G]

Congratulations Natalie

 

[linearb]

If you're in labor, don't take medical advice from the internet.

 

[Natalie Roberts]

Thanks everyone . I was able to labor naturally. The ibuprofen is for pain control now.. They offered me ibuprofen, Tylenol 3 or Vicoden. I'm not sure which is less ototoxic but the doses are small.. Ibuprofen is 800mg once every 6-8 hours or something crazy. I didn't take the fentanol because I labored too quickly and didn't have an epidural either.

 

[eric peterson]

Thanks everyone . I was able to labor naturally. The ibuprofen is for pain control now.. They offered me ibuprofen, Tylenol 3 or Vicoden. I'm not sure which is less ototoxic but the doses are small.. Ibuprofen is 800mg once every 6-8 hours or something crazy. I didn't take the fentanol because I labored too quickly and didn't have an epidural either.

Congratulations. Hope the baby (and mother) are happy and healthy.

 

[Sound Wave]

Congrats on the baby! My T went to all time low for about a month after the birth of my first child 14 months ago. I hope you experience the same!!

 

[linearb]

Congratulations!

 

[LadyDi]

Let me join with others in congratulating you, @Natalie Roberts! Glad you and the baby are doing well.

 

[Aaron123]

Congratulations! If given the choice, I would avoid Ibuprofen.

 

[Markku]

@Natalie Roberts congrats on the new baby! Here's wishing a happy and healthy life.

 

[Richard zurowski]

@Natalie Roberts . Congratulations to you both.

 

[PaulBe]

Congratulations from me too. Very pleased for you, and hope life takes a great new turn for you. Fentanyl would have been fine BTW.

 

[Ecip]

And? Tinnitus relieve? Heh

 

[Onnie]

Congratulations! I hope you are doing well

 

[glynis]

Congratulations Natalie....hope your both doing well..lots of love glynis

 

[Natalie Roberts]

Thank you everyone! The baby was born at 1:33am on the 19th. She is 6lbs 2.5 oz and 19 inches. We named her Mila Rain. As far as my tinnitus goes, it was slightly louder then normal After the delivery but the next day dropped like it normally does and since we've been home it's back to being pretty loud but my hormones have also been crazy. I did take some ibuprofen for pain afterwards but haven't taken anything for pain now in over 13 hours. I am in pain and would like to take more medicine but I'm just so scared it will cause an increase. I suppose we will just wait and see how it goes..

 

[Natalie Roberts]

Congrats on the baby! My T went to all time low for about a month after the birth of my first child 14 months ago. I hope you experience the same!!

I hope so too! So far it's the same.

 

[LadyDi]

What a beautiful girl with a beautiful name, @Natalie Roberts! Blessings. We may have tinnitus, but life still can bring us many joys. My nephew (age 29) became engaged during the holidays. Much happiness. I hope we will have a new baby in the family one day.

 

[Zug]

Thank you everyone! The baby was born at 1:33am on the 19th. She is 6lbs 2.5 oz and 19 inches. We named her Mila Rain. As far as my tinnitus goes, it was slightly louder then normal After the delivery but the next day dropped like it normally does and since we've been home it's back to being pretty loud but my hormones have also been crazy. I did take some ibuprofen for pain afterwards but haven't taken anything for pain now in over 13 hours. I am in pain and would like to take more medicine but I'm just so scared it will cause an increase. I suppose we will just wait and see how it goes..

Yay!! @Natalie Roberts Congrats! Forget about T, you got a new baby!!! All the best for you and your family!

 

[Sound Wave]

There's wide consensus that T is in the brain, not in the ear. I believe this to be the case and that's the reason why my T quieted down after the birth of my first child 14 months ago. It was just an amazing thing, which increases oxytocin and other neurotransmitter chemicals in ones brain, which then calms down T. So... my advice to you is similar to above. LOVE YOUR BABY and forget everything else!

 

[Owen]

...my T quieted down after the birth of my first child 14 months ago.

Interesting, did it stay quieter, or has it become louder again with time?

 

[Natalie Roberts]

Thanks everyone! I'm pretty happy right now just in a lot of pain from cramping. Going to call my dr and ask for a script. Also, I've been eating whatever I want since the birth and not worrying about sugar or sodium since the onset of my T. It's been wonderful to just eat..

 

[glynis]

Aww Natalie,
Shes Beautiful and what a Joy .... love her name too.
You have such a lovely family with your three little girls....lots of love glynis xxx