Any teachers with SPD?

[Orchide]

Have been diagnosed with SPD - god it hurts! Am really uncomfortable in most positions...but find movign around especially difficult. As a teacher its impossible for me to avoid lots of movement, weaving around tables, bobbing up and down - i cannot be immobile.

Wondering if any other teachers here who are suffering with SPD - how did you manage at work? Did you work through it? If not when did you stop?


Orchide

[Eva1977]

Hi Orchide!
I was diagnosed with SPD myself a couple of weeks ago. I am also a teacher, but I was quite lucky in the sense that the SPD started in my last week before going on mat leave. If I hadn't planned mat leave that early (at 31 weeks)anyway, I don't think I would have been able to continue work. How many weeks are you now? I really feel for you, as teaching really isn't a profession where you can just take it easy physically, is it?! Have you been referred to a physio?

[Ceolas]

Didn't have spd but excruciating nerve pain down my back and leg. Try getting the children to come to you as much as possible.

Are you primary or secondary?

Also can you scoot about the room on a wheelie chair or stool?

[Orchide]

Hi Eva, am currently 23 weeks and had every intention of working to 36/37 weeks. Over the last few days it has become more and mroe obvious that this will be impossible, however im conscious that EDD still a long time away.
Have been referred to physio- am now waiting for that appoinment with only paracetomol which really doesnt even touch the pain. Have been off work the last coupla days and now wondering how realistic it is to expect/plan to be back there on monday.

Ceolas, am primary wiht a very demanding class in a very small room! The wheelie chair whilst a very good idea - i have one at my desk - but it cant wheel to the kids as there simply isnt the space!

[sazzybee]

Your employers have a legal responsibility to make your working conditions suitable for your pregnancy. Have you talked to your head about this (presume that's who you'd talk to - I don't know much about schools)?

Are there any ideas you have which could make things easier for you that you could put to him/her?

I sympathise entirely - I find standing/walking really painful

[Orchide]

Sazzy, have talked to my headteacher, who whilst being sympathetic couldnt really offer any suggestions. Becasue the job is so physical i cant see any way of altering things which would make it feasible - other than spending sitting with my feet up and i won't get much teaching done that way!!

Orchidex

[Ceolas]

FWIW, you can take certain stronger painkillers during pregnancy. I did, but can't remember what. Ask your GP for advice.

[Orchide]

Ceolas - can you really ? i dont know that. was at the Docs on Tuesday who prescribed some paracetamol which are , frankly rubbish! Maybe worth a second visit?

[MrsJohnCusack]

are you taking the full dose of the paracetemol orchide? My MW said that you should take at least 2 days worth of the absolute full dose as directed on the packet and see what happens - taking the odd 2 as you would for a headache won't do anything at all. mind you, paracetemol WON'T touch really bad SPD, just wondered if you'd tried this.
Did they give you a support belt as well or do you have to wait to see the physio to get this? Many sympathies - I am just over 37 weeks and have SPD and have pretty much ground to a permanent halt now - can't imagine having to teach! Having said that, it did plateau at times - started around 26 weeks but it hasn't got progressively worse IYSWIM - sometimes it's been OK for a week or 2. have a look here for some recovery tips. Whatever exercises the physio tells you to do are bound to include pelvic floor ones, so try doing those now anyway.