20 weeks GP no use so turning to the experts...

[tiggy2610]

…by experts I mean the ladies of MN!

I've just pulled myself together after spending 15 minutes crying in the car outside the GPs and I don't know if its me and my pregnancy hormones but I feel like I'm hitting my head against a brick wall.

Since 12 weeks I've had pain on and off in my back, mostly when I'm up and walking about. For the past 2 weeks this has just got worse and worse to the point where I'm not sleeping because I can't lay on my hips for longer than 60mins at a time without having to ask DH to push/rub them to help ease the pain. I can't get off the toilet without help from DH and have spent the last few lunchtimes at work in tears because every step feels like a hammer to the pelvis. I've been taken paracetamol but they are no use what so ever. I don't often see the GP but decided yesterday after another night of 2 hours sleep that enough was enough.

I saw the GP registrar this morning and explained that I was struggling getting up and down stairs, couldn't sleep, couldn't get dressed without DH helping me and just burst into tears when he asked about work. After checking my hips and range of movement he said "Oh yes I can see you're in a lot of pain" then we went back into his office. He looked at me and said "What do you want me to do?" and I just stared at him confused. He suggested low dose codeine to help keep the pain at bay at night time but then changed his mind when a warning came up saying "caution in pregnancy". He then said he was going to sign me off work for a week so I could get some rest, but then when writing the note he changed his mind and put me on amended duties for a month?! I work for a university which is 50/50 office based and teaching based. My problem at work is that I can't sit at my desk for more than 30 mins without being in pain and I can't walk without being in pain, I can't get up and down stairs, never mind back and forwards to the printer, so I'm not sure what amended duties will do to help my back pain.

I then went to speak to the pharmacist to see if there is anything they could suggest and was told Ibuprofen!? Then when I told him Ibuprofen wasn't suitable for pregnant woman he said "Well theres nothing we can do without a prescription"

Which leaves me back at square one. Am I being just overly emotional to think this is just ridiculous? I know back ache is common in pregnancy and to expect it, but is this normal pain?

[Inkblinkandmustard]

Hello
I think you need physio, can the midwife refer you directly? Time off is probably a good idea too, self cert for a week.
Codeine in low dose is ok but try to reduce in third trimester
Go back and see another GP!

[StarFox21]

Oh poor you! gentle hugs
In my opinion gp's don't have a clue about a lot of things, I've got pgp too and am seeing physio on thurs, but I think I'll have to spend money to get where I want to. I'vebeen rrecommended on here to private physio or osteopath. I've got a birthing ball and it's soo good for taking pressure off my hips and tailbone, good for posture too as you have to sit up straight or you'll roll off :P only a tenner from ebay and borrowed a pump, gives me some relief as you can easily position yourself where is comfy for you.
Maybe also voice your concerns to your midwife she should be more sympathetic!
Hope you can sort something out! Xx

[squizita]

Call your midwife. She will be familiar with spd etc.
If it turns out to be the case, complain to your local nhs trust about your GPS lack of knowledge about a common condition.

[mampam]

Can you afford to go and see a chiropractor?

In my last pregnancy I was on crutches due to spd and was told by the physio's that it would only get worse in subsequent pregnancies.

I've been seeing a chiropractor since I found out I was pg and she has worked wonders in keeping me mobile. I'm not 100% pain free but compared to last time it is definitely manageable and I only see the chiropractor once every 3 weeks.

[skitter]

My midwife referred me to the hospital physiotherapy unit and they were somewhat helpful (including adding a report to my notes for delivery asking that I not have my legs extended beyond a certain range during second stage unless essential in an emergency, as that was excruciating). I'd definitely ask your midwife, as they will probably be more sympathetic.

[AuntieStella]

You also need to see the occupational health people at your uni for a work station check.

You might need a new office chair, properly adjusted, and/or additional lumbar support thingies can really help, as can altering the height of keyboard/monitor. If they have someone with the right skills to assess posture at your desk, that can really help.

Physio helps enormously, and I took Alexander Technique too.

Finally, you need to be absolutely ruthless in examining all activity and finding ways to reduce anything that is contributing to overall tiredness. Yes, I know that flies a bit in the face of standard advice about exercise, but you are now in a non-standard situation IYSWIM.

[tiggy2610]

Thank you for all the replies ladies I thought I was just being consumed by my raging hormones! I do feel a little better to know it isn't all in my head.

Starfox the birthing ball sounds like a good idea, I'll have to have a browse on Ebay to see what I can find! I have heard that they work wonders but always thought they were for ladies who were a little further along then me

I think Im going to follow advice and give the midwife a call tomorrow (she doesn't work Tuesdays) and see what she suggests. She did mention physio at my 16 weeks app but we were going to follow it up at our 24wk meeting. I think this might need to be raised earlier.

Mampam I'm toying with the idea of seeing the local chiropractor but want to see how physio goes first. We're cutting down all 'non essential' spending to put in savings for mat leave, but if it turns out to be essential an appointment might be made!

Thanks again ladies hugs I feel a little better now (emotionally at least!)

I forgot to add that I work in the medical school of the university and my manager is the consultant obstetrician, he was the one who suggested it was a little more than 'normal' pregnancy pains in the first place. It's a shame I'm under a different hospital than the one he works at.

[StarFox21]

Ebay is good argos do some if you want it ASAP, I've got a 75cm one as I'm tall xx and I'm only 19 weeks already had it for two! Boing!

[ToniWol]

Just look for a Gym Ball as opposed to a Birthing Ball Tiggy - they're exactly the same thing. I got DH to blow mine up last week when I had some hip ache and it has helped.

[tiggy2610]

Well in that case I better get bouncing star!

Top tip Toni, I should imagine they're a little cheaper too

[LittlePeasMummy1]

Hello, here is a patient info leaflet about use of codeine in pregnancy. Hope that this is helpful. If you decide to take some, maybe ring your GP surgery and request a call back from a different doctor. I'm sure if you describe your symptoms and say you've already been in, someone with a bit more experience would be happy to prescribe over the phone

www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/Medicine--pregnancy/Codeine/

[Lozmatoz]

Think you should request a physio referral.

[tiredvommachine]

I haven't got any other suggestions than what's been written here my lovely but hope you get some relief soon

[TinyMonkey]

He's a twat, get a physio referral asap. My spd kicked in around 20 weeks, but seems to have plateaued at the moment (28 weeks). I went to a group session with the physio, with the option of 1-1 follow up appointments, and some of the women there were much further along and had waited far too long before seeking help for their pgp/spd. Early treatment can make a huge difference. Good luck.

[haventgotaclue1]

Hi tiggy I got a gym ball from Argos - £7.99 I think and came with the pump. They come in 3 sizes (you pick the one relevant for your height). DH got it sorted for me and it's brill

[Cookie1831]

Star fox that is a pretty sweeping statement I know several lovely GPs who are very knowledgable! A registrar is actually a gp in training would be best to book into another gp and feed back about your experience if is the only way he will learn for the future so can give better advice to any other pregnant ladie, hope you feel better soon x

[tiggy2610]

Thanks Cookie, I knew registrars were 'in training' as I work with medics in training for a living. I almost asked for a different GP when the receptionist asked of I minded the registrar but knew he still had quite a bit of medical work under his belt so decided it would be fine. I will bring it up with my midwife when I next see her at the surgery

[tiggy2610]

Oh thank you havent I didn't spot your post before! I looked on eBay and the cheapest I found was £6.45 but since Argos is close by work that might be a much better bet!

[daholster]

Poor you! I was going to second that too about registrars - they can have lots of medical experience but might be still learning about some specialties eg obstetrics cos of course GPs have to try to know a bit about everything. I would definitely feed back (constructively!) about the faffing and run around he gave you and how upsetting it was - not much confidence. It can only help him and without feedback he won't know how to improve - that is what his training time is for, after all. It does sound like he was quite junior if he didn't know about how to give codeine to a pregnant person?! Shame on the pharmacist though, OMG!

I agree with the physio referral. I had very mild spd starting at about 18 weeks last time and I went to a Pilates class. It strengthened the correct things, she changed the exercises to suit the problems I was having and I was able to turn over in bed again in a couple of weeks!

I hope you find some relief soon