SPD pain at 18 weeks.

[TitaniaP]

Hello - not posted much on here so far, but today (after a week of being in pain) I've been to see my midwife and she's confirmed that I'm suffering from SPD.

The pain comes and goes - sometime I can hardly move and other times it's quite manageable. The pain is in my groin, and down my left thigh (as well as in my left butt cheek!). It's worse at night and when I climb stairs and getting in and out of the car.

The MW has booked me an appointment with the doctors so that they can get me a referral to a physio and has also recommended hydrotherapy.

It's my first pregnancy and I'm hoping for a home birth (and the MWs in our area are really really pro home birth) and she doesn't see a problem with this at all.

She also recommended a pelvic girdle (sounds delightful) but says that the NHS in our area don't provide them anymore.

Has anyone else had a similar experience - how did you get on with work and what helped relieve the pain? Thanks in advance for any help and advice.

[cowboylover]

I feel your pain!

Sounds very similar to my symptoms.

Its hard in work as cant get comfortable and I fidget all the time so really bugging my team. The MW said I was ok to take Parecetomal but I dont like taking to many so I have some before bed and thats it but it does help me sleep.

I am 23 weeks now and I think I was about 19 weeks when it started.

I am having physio for the first time tomorrow so I will let you know how I get on.

[TitaniaP]

Thanks cowboylover - it would be good to know how effective the physio is. My boss has been great - but then I travel and work away a lot with work and the driving long distances just isn't an option for me at the moment.

I hope I can find something to ease this (like you with the paracetamol, don't want to take it all the time) - as it'll be a very long pregnancy otherwise!!

[snowmummy]

Hi. I've had spd during all three of my pregancies and its got progressively worse in each one. I am currently 36w and its really painful to the extent that I'm not doing much at all. I am a SAHM and keeping up with my other 2 is a problem.

I've been having physio since I was about 24w and initally it made things better, but after my last appointment, its been worse. I don't know why.

[CrapBag]

I'm 37 weeks and been suffering for a few weeks now.

I have a support belt that I got from physio last time, I'm using a stick and using wheelchairs when I'm out too much as I find too much walking sets it off. Paracetamol every 4-5 hours and codeine at night. I hate taking things when pregnant but it has become necessary due to absolute agony and getting no sleep. Keeps knees together when getting in and out of the car, take small steps and roll on your side before getting out of bed.

[Sparklies]

In my first pregnancy it kicked in (as in finding it hard to walk a few hundred yards) around 24 weeks. Second pregnancy around 22 weeks (I was in a wheelchair from about 28 weeks)

This pregnancy it kicked in at 16 weeks or so. It had been painful since about 4 weeks but I've been unable to be particularly active since then. I use the mobility scooters/wheelchairs when I go shopping which helps a lot. I also carry a walking stick - not so much for support but as a visual aid when asking for seats from people.

I found the NHS not much use with my SPD the last two times (the belt did not help and crutches are too unwieldy, especially as I need to push a pushchair) and I never actually had any treatments besides that. So this time I am seeing an osteopath. She says there isn't a lot she can do for me as I'm in a very bad way already, but lots of people swear by osteopaths or chiropractors so that could be something to look into if you can afford it.

There's all sorts of tips like pillow between your knees when sleeping, silk pyjamas to help you turn in bed, sitting on a carrier bag in the car to help you spin on the seat to get out better and generally not overdoing it.. which is easier said than done! Have a look at the Pelvic Partnership website for information too.

As you've seen there are good days and bad days, and the temptation to overdo it on the good days is overwhelming.

It's a nightmare basically. Sorry to hear you're having problems so early especially in your first pregnancy.

[jellyhead188]

hi - I feel for you, I got it in my second pg at 20 weeks, and this time 20 weeks on the dot it kicked in (about the time my sickness wore off .

I saw an osteopath last time only needed to see him twice and it helped so much I cancelled the further sessions as was relatively fine. I've seen him twice this time and its so much better - still bad if I walk too much etc but def on the mend. Also co-codimal helps.

xx

[TitaniaP]

Thanks so much for all your messages. Hopefully the physio can help me! At the moment it's very painful, but not so much that I can't walk (just need to take it slowly). I'm really hoping that it doesn't get much worse.

I know it may sound daft but I'm worried about work. So far my boss has been really supportive and I'm working from home for the rest of this week and then we can review it. How do other people cope with work - 5 months is a long time off sick!!

[Applemuncher]

Hi! I'm in the same boat as you - I'm 31 weeks and OMG - the agony!!

I saw a NHS physio this morning, she was really helpful (although there is only so much they can do) - I was fitted with a support belt and given some recommendations on posture etc.

I have another appointment in 2 weeks, am in a fair amount of pain at the moment but it's mainly when I walk. The Physio recommended putting a bag of frozen peas on the area of discomfort to get a bit of relief. If your pain is down one side of your leg then it might be that your pelvis is out of alignment so the physio will be able to help with that.

In the meantime - my physio gave me a really useful web link, lots of doo's and dont's:

www.acpwh.org.uk/docs/ACPWH-PGP_Pat.pdf

[TitaniaP]

Thanks so much everyone for all your help and advice. As much as I wouldn't wish this on anyone, it's reassuring to know that I'm not the only one going through this!

Thanks sparklies and applemuncher for the web links - both really helpful. I'll make DH read them too as I think he's as frustrated by this as I am!

[BelieveInLife]

I got this at 20 weeks in my last pregnancy. TBH the NHS physio although helpful is not really that effective.

Going to an osteopath was the best thing I did. After just one session the pain was gone and I went back every fortnight for the rest of my pregnancy to keep it away!

I know people always complain it's expensive but seriously if you're in that much pain it's worth it!

I'm sure it helped my baby get into a good position too and as a result I had a four hour labour.

[Bunnyjo]

Oh TitianaP, I could have written your post myself. My mw comfirmed PGP/SPD at my 16wk appointment (I had SPD with my DD so knew the signs and symptoms very well). I am 22wks and mornings/ evenings are agony - getting in and out of the car feels like a military operation, my sleep is badly affected now and I am in a lot of pain most of the day.

BelieveInLife - I am going to see if we have a local osteopath who works with pregnant women as I didn't find physio really effective last time. Thank you.

[BelieveInLife]

Bunny yes do, I was quite lucky as the area we live in has a very good osteopath who actually teaches it and specialises in pre-natal treatment. He said he's had people in on crutches before and they've comfortably walked out of his door on their own.

It really is money well spent. As with many things, I think the NHS don't really have the money or knowledge yet to treat it effectively.

[TitaniaP]

I've not quite managed it into work today so am working from home (only left my laptop power cable at work - d'oh).

Does any one elses pain move? Yesterday it was mainly in my left butt cheek (sorry tmi) and down thigh. This morning it's mainly in the front of my groin and on the outside of my thigh.

I'll see what the physio can do and if it doesn't get better will see if I can find an osteopath who specialises in pregnancy. I do have private health care through work, but I'm fairly convinced they don't cover pregnancy and pregnancy related symptoms.

What amazes me is that from reading up SPD seems fairly common (1 in 5 pregnancy women) but I've never heard of it before and it does seems like all my friends have been pregnant in the last 18 months.

[snowmummy]

My pain varies. Sometimes in pubic bone, sometimes in groin area and sometimes in left butt. Also get "weakness" (don't know how else to describe it) right at the top of my legs and in the small of my back.

[Bunnyjo]

I completely agree BelieveInLife - they physiotherapist I had was lovely, but the pain relief I felt after the sessions only lasted an hour or two then I was in agony again. Have found 3 local osteopaths and am going to ring them when DD is at nursery this afternoon.

TitaniaP My pain began at about 15wk and was confined to my left bum cheek and down the back of my leg - I would have described it as having sciatica at that point. By the time I had my 16wk mw appointment the pain was very much on my pubic bone and would feel like the bones were grinding/ grating together, coupled with the sciatica pains.

The strange thing I've found is I'm not in pain all of the time - sometimes I am actually able to move quite well and almost 'forget' I have SPD. Then I do a move which separates my legs too far (something as simple as getting up from a chair and starting to walk) and I am in agony with the pain. I have noticed over the last day or so that, even when I'm not in pain, I am feeling a constant throbbing ache in my pubic bone area and it feels like it is bruised now.

[OompaLumpa]

Would someone mind explaining to me what SPD is? x

[TitaniaP]

Oompa Lumpa - SPD is symphysis pubis disorder also known as PGP or Pelvic Girdle Pain. I'm by no means an expert as I've only been suffering for a couple of weeks! Basically when you're pregnant your body produces a hormone called relaxin that relaxes the ligaments in your pelvis to allow the baby to pass through more easily. Sometimes (and no-one seems to know why) the ligaments relax too much and too early and the pelvis which is normally very stable and held in place by said ligaments moves about and becomes unstable.

The above is the science bit - the upshot is that walking, putting weight on one leg, getting in and out of the car and rolling over in bed all become very very painful. The pain occurs in the groin (at the front mainly) on the inside and outside of the thighs, lower back and can lead to clicking in the hips when you walk. It ranges from mildly uncomfortable to agonisingly painful and people can end up in wheelchairs because of it. Hope that explains it. There's loads and loads of info on the net if you're interested.

Bunnyjo - I've spent all day sat down today and doing very little so the actual pain is lessened - but the throbbing/bruised feeling is reminding me that the SPD is still there!!

[cowboylover]

Hiya, sorry it took a while to come back to you as I couldnt find the thread!

Physio for me was fantastic and made me feel so much better and I really enjoyed her proactive approach. She said that it can effect 2 areas the bones itself which there is not much you can do or the shift in the bones can cause pain to be lead from the muscle groups like mine so she can help.

I have been given very light excercises and streches to do and planning on sheing her weekly as she also gives me a deep tissue massage to release the muscle which is strange having an elbow in my butt but does the trick.

I hope you can call find a treatment suitable for you as its horrible x

[cowboylover]

Sorry deadful spelling and the wrong words: Its been a long day!

[TitaniaP]

Cowboylover - thanks for coming back to me. Went to see a local osteopath yesterday morning which really helped. Slept lots better and was suffering much less pain. indeed I felt much so better decided to go shopping ( I did get a new maternity top and some bits for the nursery) but the walking round the shops has left me in pain all evening! That'll teach me!!
Sparklies is right about it being easier to overdo it on the bad days.

I'm seeing the doctor again tomorrow and hopefully get a physio referral. . My local osteo sees a lot of pregnant women and suggested applying ice packs to the painful areas. I must admit it has helped with the pain a bit this evening - although sitting with a ice pack on your groin (5 mins max she said) isn't very attractive!!

Cowboylover- hope your physio continues to help and hope the rest of you stay as pain free as possible.

[Aniyan]

I can also recommend the osteopath route - I saw one throughout my pg with DD and he was fantastic - I was hoping he'd maybe stop the pain getting worse but it actually went away completely after a few visits.

Agree it's expensive but well worth it if you can possibly afford it.