Monday, May 03, 2010

Adendum

Arrgh. Well, my legs are fine, which is relieving- like Devan, blood clots have always been one of my secret irrational pregnancy fears- right after getting a knot in the umbilical cord!- so it's nice to know that despite sore legs, there appears to be no circulation issues going on.

HOWEVER. My doctor prescribed Diflucan in addition to the antibiotic to deal with the whole, eh, yeast situation. But when I got online and researched it, almost every single site says to avoid this medication when pregnant if there are any alternatives because it has been linked, though inconclusively, with birth defects, some very serious and even fatal. And I know that there are alternatives, they're just messy and annoying, creams and such, because that's what the doctor originally started to prescribe. Then she stopped midsentence and said, "Well, a pill is much easier. And you should be far enough along that it'll be ok." Which is exactly why I took note and looked it up, because, hello! What does that mean... "You're far enough along that it'll be ok" ?! So now I'm kind of mad at her, and thinking she has some secret, Diflucan pushing drug rep or something.

I should probably call and tell her I want something different, huh? And now I'll REALLY be That Patient.

18 comments:

Swistle said...

Yes. Call. My guess is that it IS totally fine, but the fretting won't be worth it. The nice thing here is that you'll probably get to just leave a message with a nurse, and then the doctor can call something in for you (if prescription needed) or the nurse can call you back and tell you what to buy.

Jess said...

I agree with Swistle. Call! I've had one yeast infection ever, and I treated it with Monistat which worked great and wasn't that messy or annoying, and from what I've read Monistat 7 is totally safe during pregnancy, and available OTC. So call. Don't take something you aren't comfortable with.

Fran said...

Just go with the Monistat...no need adding another thing to worry about! Just because it was prescribed to you doesn't mean you have to take it...

Mary O said...

Better to be THAT patient than sorry later on.

Jessica said...

Call!!

There are other natural options. If you're interseted, let me know.

Anonymous said...

I took Diflucan (twice) when I was first pregnant and didn't yet know it and though my kid turned out okay, it freaked me out b/c all I read about it was BAD.

Unknown said...

You know what, BE that patient! You have every right to look out for yourself and your unborn child. No one else will put you first, sweetie. Dr's aren't infallible and I know there's other medication out there that you can take.

Unknown said...

Um, and if it's not too gross to say... I've heard of women using actual real live yogurt to cure their yeast infections. You can't get more natural than that, right?

Jessica said...

Erica - that's exactly what I was going to suggest.

And when doctors prescribe antibiotics for a yeast infection, they are just being irresponsible by not suggesting that a patient eat some yogurt or take a probiotic. Antibiotics kill not just the bad bacteria, but also the healthy bacteria in the vagina. That healthy bacteria helps to keep the environment in the vagina balanced and keep yeast from overgrowing. You need to replenish the good bacteria or the yeast will just keep flourishing (that's why the yogurt in the vagina works so well).

::steps of soapbox::

Sorry ;)

Jen @ Rolling Through Looneyville said...

Oh, please call. My poor SIL has had the most insane pregnancy ever and has had to call over all sorts of stuff. yes, she feels totally like "that patient". But her doc basically said the same as yours... she has every reason to call.

So do you.

Aside from that, if you're going to have hesitancy EVER about taking Diflucan, (which is pretty heavy stuff), I'd probably steer clear.

(On the by and by, and because I'm a big medical loving dork, Diflucan isn't an antibiotic, it's an antifungal. Antibiotics are what can wack out the erm... area... so that yeast infections can happen more readily.)

Jessica said...

Jen - I believe she was prescribed an antibiotic with the Diflucan.

oanababy said...

Some drugs are not safe in the first trimester, but are fine in the second and third. Some are ok in the first, and maybe the second, but never the third. It depends on their mechanism of action and potential side effects. Pretty sure Diflucan is ok beyond first trimester (former pharmacist here, but haven't practised in a couple of years, so don't quote me). Best to call doctor or pharmacist and check.

Marie Green said...

Listen, I work in the child birth biz, and this is your body, your pregnancy, AND your baby. YOU get to call all the shots, and you get to decide what you put into your body. Since you are not comfortable taking something that has a risk, then don't take it.

Really, you are not "that patient". As long as you are behaving in a polite and kind manner, it's 100% A-OKAY to question, second-guess, and change your mind. Really. TRUST ME when I say that your doctor has many (MANY MANY MANY) other patients that are harder to deal with than you are, and that are more frustrating than you are for various and sundry reasons that you can't even imagine.

You are a smart, educated, and concerned mama who wants what's best for her baby and her body. Your doctor respects that and appreciates it. PROMISE! =)

d e v a n said...

PHEW on the legs!!!

And, yes, what they said. Call.

d e v a n said...

PS - I've used plain old white vinegar (wash in the shower) for YI. It works pretty well. I also upped the acidophilus during that time.

Sarah said...

I'd TOTALLY call and be pretty pissed about it. "You should be far enough along.." is not comforting when dealing with birth defects.

As for the leg cramps, one of my friends suggested eating bananas (I forget why), but it helped me.

Hope all is well. :)

Katy said...

I'd want something different. I'm one of those wack jobs who refused to get a flu shot while pregnant because they still contain thermirasol (or, they did back then). I really do believe that mama knows best on these things.

artemisia said...

It will probably be fine, but I still say call. You have every right to take part in your healthcare, and have every right to have opinions and concerns. You are a smart woman. Who cares if that equals That Patient? Wear the title with pride, my dear!