[MommyDee]

As usual, my sinuses have been acting up this summer and I'm now on my second sinus infection. My GP knows that I am pregnant; on the first infection, he opted to prescribe a nasal spray, Flonase, indicating this would be safer than a round of antibiotics. I used the spray as directed, and although it took longer to get rid of the infection than it normally would with antibiotics, it did eventually settle down.

So yesterday I had to go in again for the same problem, and again he prescribed the Flonase. This time, for whatever reason, something quirked in me and I decided to look up the drug pregnancy category.

Flonase is a category C -- known teratogenic effects in animals. The antibiotic I would have taken otherwise? -- Category B, unproven in human trials but proven safe in animals.

That is to say, I was taking a non-recommended drug for an extended period during my first trimester when there could have been the alternative of a safer drug for a shorter course.

I am unbelievably ticked with my doctor at the moment -- I'm seriously considering asking to be referred over to the Ob/Gyn for my care from here on in. The problem is, here I don't know if they will refer you unless you are either getting close to term or having problems. My SIL said she was referred at 12wks, but she is also over 40 and had a 12wk miscarriage on her last pregnancy.

Am I overreacting? How would you feel about something like this? And if anyone has any reassuring info about this particular drug, please let me know!

[MissyChrissy]

I'm so sorry. I don't have any helpful answer for you, but I'd certainly be on the phone discussing this with the prescribing dr.

I'd be livid.

[QueenAngie]

I'd be annoyed and very upset also.

Hoping and praying that your little one is healthy and happy.

Talk to the pharmacist.
Talk to the doctor.

Getting a 2nd opinion from another doctor may ease your mind.

With DS#1, before I knew I was pregnant, I was picking lots of strawberries
for the freezer and taking Motrin for it.
Back then, Motrin was a big no-no for pg women.
To top it off, I couldn't even look at one of those strawberries from the freezer.
Made me want to have morning sickness each time I looked at them.
DS#1 was just fine.

Let us know how things progress.

(((Hugs)))

[slygirrl]

I would be mad too, but I'm surprised your GP is handling you as a patient at all since you are pg. My GP won't see me for any problems I have with sinuses or otherwise because I guess at that point she sees me as strictly under my OB's care because I'm pg. I would definetly see your OB for all future visits no matter whether they are baby related or not during your pregnancy. But also because that happened- I know I would be angry enough to do this- I would probably switch doctors altogether because your doctor should have known not to prescribe something that was unsafe for you while you were pregnant. There's no way he couldn't have at least known something unsafe about the drug if you found all that out simply by looking it up in the internet. Good luck!!

[MissyChrissy]

I find it odd too that the pharmacy didn't catch it. There's 2 professionals that dropped the ball.

[wanttobemommy]

I would be angry the dr should be perscribing the SAFEST medicines possible. My dr wouldnt let me take allergy meds unless it was only an antihistamine it could not contain a decongestant or anything. Just some plain benedryl.

[MommyDee]

My GP handled my care up until I think six or seven months on DS, and then referred me to the OB. I think it's pretty standard here to go that route if there are no problems (public health care in Newfoundland, yay ). Also, my GP has been my doctor since I was eight years old and I otherwise trust him completely; I honestly don't understand how he could have made such a mistake.

I'll definitely be calling both the pharmacy and my GP's office tomorrow, plus requesting that my GP call in a different prescription. I have to get something, if I bend over I feel like my head's going to explode and I've been running a low-grade fever off and on. I will probably wait until my next checkup (in two weeks) before I ask for the referral; I'll just be a lot more careful of prescriptions between now and then...

BTW, I think I've mentioned on a couple of other threads that I didn't know I was pg with DS until over 15wks; I was a weekend partier, took ibuprofen for headaches and whatnot, and was even taking the dreaded Paxil, all that time. DS turned out fine, so fingers crossed this one will too!

[MommyDee]

Originally Posted by MissyChrissy

I find it odd too that the pharmacy didn't catch it. There's 2 professionals that dropped the ball.

I agree, and DH said the same thing. Not a great comment on our medical professionals, hey?

[slygirrl]

Originally Posted by MommyDee

My GP handled my care up until I think six or seven months on DS, and then referred me to the OB. I think it's pretty standard here to go that route if there are no problems (public health care in Newfoundland, yay ). Also, my GP has been my doctor since I was eight years old and I otherwise trust him completely; I honestly don't understand how he could have made such a mistake.

Yeah it is probably different everywhere.... When I was pregnant with my first ds my GP said he would not treat me because I was under someone else's care. I wasn't high risk either, but maybe this was just my GP's personal preference too (I too had been seeing him since I was a small child)

I would be angry like I said in pp's but I also wouldn't worry too much. I mean at least you caught it now and didn't continue it's use further in right? I know the first tri is the most critical period, but even with that at least you know now and have stopped it's use. Everything will be fine I'm sure

[Alejandros Mommy]

It could be that your GP has prescibed this to many of his PG pt's and none have had any side effects...From my opinion...being a health professional....I think he was just trying to see what would make you feel best....Have a talk with him...see what he says.