Sacro-iliac pain - it is related Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction?

[morningpaper]

Are these the same thing?

Was moaning about pelvic pain this last week. So far, things have not been too bad and I've not had another DREADFUL day.

I have been to the physio who says it is Sacro-iliac pain (although my hips are also falling out of their sockets a bit and my legs are numb). I have a giant ugly-corset which definitely helps to hold things together (although makes me SWEAT like a monster). Also all their advice about how to walk/sit/move etc. was v. helpful and I'm finding it's really helping to make me more aware of what I'm doing.

I'm using wheelchair-access toilets because all those handles and bars are just MAGIC for allowing pain-free toileting!

Anyway, I wondered whether Sacro-iliac pain is the same as Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction or related to it?

[northender]

Not exactly the same thing. You have the symphysis pubis joint at the front of your pelvis and two sacro iliac joints at the back of your pelvis. All three susceptible to pain/dysfunction during and after pregnancy. The brace you describe would help with both as it supports the whole pelvis. Hope you feel better soon.

[Redhelen]

My freind had Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction it was very painful for her, but she did manage a normal birth and was fine for the second the baby was born!

[Moomin]

sympathies, morningpaper. Just been back to my osteo this week and he's confirmed i've got spd again with this pg. Not exactly the same pain as yours but same trouble walking and lowering myself up and down from sitting position. Got the trusty old crutches out again at the weekend when I knew I'd be doing a bit of walking - was a disaster til I got the hang of it again - looked like a huge tripod from war of the worlds. Have refused to wear the corset thing so far for same sweating reasons as you. Am going to go onto the bumpto3 website - i think they've got a smaller support belt there. Might be better in this heat? But i guess you need to keep your hips together rather than support the bump?

[Moomin]

also, have you thought about an osteo for yourself? I found physio only to be of limited help. The osteo has been helping with massage and exercises.

[Moomin]

sorry no t stalking - really - just found this site . Have ordered one of the super-sexy basic mat belts.

[serah]

sorry morningpaper, and this is with every sympathy, but pmsl at sweating "like a monster".

I cannot imagine what it is like to be pregnant in THIS HEAT!

Bless ya and yer bump and ya wobbly hips n all

[northender]

Personally Moomin, I think the most important thing is to find someone whether physio or osteopath who either specialises in or at least has a special interest in pregnancy related problems. Most areas should have a specialist obstetrics and gynae physio service.

[milge]

my sympathies too mp. I had this too but found it was so much worse post delivery. I had an attractive belt. It isn't spd, but its definitely related.

[Mosschops30]

Message withdrawn

[kate100]

I have SPD during this pregnancy and it started in my sacro-iliac joints and then moved to the front too. the physion said it's all part of the same condition, SPD. I'm nearly 38 weeks and I can't bear the corset thing anymore, it's too hot and I'm too big, at least it will all be over soon. Fell as if this pregnancy has been a bit of a marathon.

[morningpaper]

Moomin: I went to an osteo during last pg when it was much worse. I didn't really find it as helpful as following the physio's instructions and advice. This time it is much more bearable to be honest and I have a lot more movement than with previous pregnancy.

Night-times are a bit grim but that's just adding to the HEAT and the MATING HEDGEHOGS which are keeping my awake all night and sounding like a conference of asthmatic hell's angels outside my bedroom window.

Last time I was FINE the minute I'd given birth. In fact when I was on the ward and on my feet I remember thinking 'bloody hell my back feels GREAT!' even though my vagina was trailing along the floor.

[Moomin]

yes of course - I was just going on my own experiences which won't be revelant to everyone. I was referred to a physio through the hospital (nhs) and she saw me with 4 other women and so was only able to give very general advice which wasn't very useful. I realise some physios can be worth their weight in gold.

[piglit]

I am currently hobbling around with my left leg at 90 degrees because of problems with my sacroilliac joints and I can't walk for more than a couple of minutes. I had spd in my last pg and this time it has manifested itself in the left sacroilliac joint. I am seeing a chiro and have an appointment at the hospital with a physio next week. A friend of mine also recommended shiatsu so I'm going to try that. The immobility is driving me mad and the pain is really getting me down. The brace helps a bit but this pg is going to be one long slog. And I'm only 20 weeks. The sad thing is that as a result of this pain I have decided that I can't bear the thought of being pg again so my wish to have lots of dds is no more and we'll stick at 2.

[mrow]

I would highly recommend a good pilates teacher with a special interest in pre natal exercise. Pilates works to stabilise your inner corset of muscles including your pelvic floor and Transversus abdominis (or your deep abdominals) These muscles when used in the right way and with the right exercises progressed effectively stabilise the joints including sacro illiac and symphis pubis. This is important during pregnancy especially when thanks to hormones all your joints are becoimg incresingly lax anyway! I have seen really good results through this type of core stability exercise both pre and post natal. Would say though look into it before your symptoms get any worse!

[Aero]

Huge sympathies mp - I had this too and it did more or less go after delivery, but has never gone completely. After three births, I still get twinges from time to time, but nothing like the suffering I went through with ds1 - I had to have time off work as it was that painful to do anything which involved the use of my left leg! (Worked in a nursery so a lot of getting up and down off the floor and stairs etc - the day I got stuck on the floor in work and ended up in tears was when I finally realised I needed treatment! I saw an obstetric physio at St Thomas's and she was really helpful with tips for making getting around easier. I also was supplied with a most attractive (not) belt to try to help keep everything together, but in the end, giving birth was the most helpful cure! Have you got long to go?

[Yummymummy24]

hi i'm on baby number three at the moment and at 13wk pg ive already started with sacro illiac dysfunction. I used a belt and had physio with 2nd baby (born june2005)but was in agony by 9mnth. Has anyone got any ideas?

[PennyLess]

For me personally, an osteopath was a godsend. He didn't cure the pain but made it manageable from week to week. I can't believe now that I put myslef through that 3 times. My youngest is 3.5. My first preg I was on crutches and screaming in pain most of the time from about week 9. Preg two it was about wk 13 and preg 3 about week 9 again and I could feel quite early on that it was a bigger baby as could feel the pressure on my pelvis.
There are several crucial things to remember. The main thing is that aggravation/inflamation is what causes pain, so think logically - cold packs, not hot. Lie, don't sit (as you are then applying pressure to precisely the bit that hurts).
Ouch, I wince to think of it. Poor you. I found a great part of the osteopath was the fact that I was seeing someone who I genuinely felt could understand my pain.

[ellenrose]

I'm suffering with SPD and have been with this pg since 14 weeks (had it with two previous pgs but at much later stages).

In a wheelchair now for most activity and whilst I know your condition is specifically SID, the difference I have received in care this time by the physios etc. has been amazing.

Having had all the belts and subsequently some crutches we have also tried Hydrotherapy which enables you to do more exercises to strengthen the muscles around your SI joints whilst being effectively weightless - it feels great being in the water and whilst mine was really too far advanced to have lasting effects it really was worth trying.

It was all set up via my physio who also referred me to a SI specialist but unfortunately there do not appear to be loads of people who are used to treating this type of pain in preggie ladies. Hope you manage to find some relief