PGP? SPD? Ow!

[Mayanbob]

Hi, I was wondering if any sufferers of the above could say if this sounds like it?

I am not really pro-diagnosing myself, but I have been getting the most awful lower back/ hip/ groin pain. It seems to ease when i'm at rest, but gets worse when I do certain activities. Especially, stepping sideways, turning and putting on trousers! It seems to get worse over the working week, and last friday I had such difficulty walking.

Sitting for too long also hurts, and it mostly feels like i've been kicked in the groin. But an ache, the sharper pain occurs when I move.

I have group physio next week, but am a bit concerned in case i'm making anything worse? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[atrcts]

It does sound a bit like SPD if I'm honest. When you say "Sitting for too long also hurts" do you mean it hurts during sitting, or when you get up? I find that if I am sitting down it feels much better than standing/walking, but if I am sitting down for too long (anything over 30 mins) then a change of position finds me "locked" into an awkward and painful posture as I try to get moving. I have to force myself to stand upright as I walk slowly, otherwise am bend over and waddling - not a good look!

In terms of making things worse, my suggestion (based on having had SPD twice now) is to avoid;

1. opening your legs too wide - for any reason!
   
2. using your feet to move objects or push open doors etc
   
3. hoovering and mopping
   
4. standing or walking for too long
   
5. sitting with legs crossed (red-indian style especially)
   
6. Heavy lifting (and that includes shopping trolley pushing - especially painful around corners!)
   

and to try and make sure you do the following;

1. Keep pillow between the knees to align the pelvis (especially at night)
   
2. swivel around (keeping knees together) to get out of the bath or car seat
   
3. When you have to walk use very small steps rather than striding
   
4. Maintain good 'upright' sitting/standing posture
   
5. Continue pelvic floor exercises, they really do help
   
6. I personally get a lot of relief from Chiropractor aligning my pelvis every month or so, but am sure it might depend on the individual practitioner a little bit.
   

If you google SPD there are plenty of support/informative groups and sites and I am sure you'll get a lot more from them than I've given you!
I hope you get it sorted very quickly. I'm told that early intervention makes a huge difference to the overall outcome and especially in terms of speedy recovery, so by seeking physio input you're on the right track ;)

[Ezza1]

Excellent post there from atrcts , the only thing I might add is a bump support can really help too (body tubigrip or support belt)

I'm 17 weeks into my 4th pregnancy and have suffered badly with each one. This time around it started a lot earlier (around 10 weeks) and I am in hideous pain but manage at the moment by avoiding/doing all mentioned in atrcts post.

[AnnaDL]

My spd started at 20 weeks, I was in agony. I started seeing a chiropractor which has been a godsend. I also wear a support belt when walking which has allowed me to keep mobile.

[Catsycat]

I found osteopathy fantastic, having had PGP during my first and second pgs. I started seeing the osteopath at the end of my second pg, and it was amazing the difference it made (I hadn't really expected it to work). I saw her as soon as I had twinges of pain in my third pg, round 20 weeks, and it never really developed.

I had a wedge shaped firm cushion (from Mothercare I think) which I put between my knees in bed, and that really helped at night, as a previous poster has said.

Sit on the edge of the bed to put on trousers and knickers etc., as you could overbalance and jar your pelvis.

If you find it hard to swivel round to get out of the car, you could try sitting on a plastic bag (not great in hot weather!) which will help you slide round.

Asatrcts said, cornering with a shopping trolley is not great. I found this the worst thing actually, along with carrting baskets of washing, and would advise not to do it if at all possible. Order groceries online if you can, or send someone else to do it!

Good luck.

[Catsycat]

carrying, obviously...

[Mayanbob]

Thank you for all your advice! I will definately put into practice.

acrts - If I stay sat in one place for too long, my butt aches. (I work in an environment where sometimes I have to stay sat in the same place for indeterminate amounts of time)- A bit like i've been kicked. like you, i'm kind of locked and it's difficult to stand upright.

I feel like an old woman!

I already get shopping delivered, but work, in addition to require long sat down periods also requires me to go up and down stairs repeatedly when i'm not sat down. That said, at least it's not too much of a physical job where I need to lift or anything, otherwise I think i'd be done for.

am swivelling in the car- DH has leather seats which is a bonus. I will sit to put on clothes - which I haven't been doing.

Thanks again for all of your advice- i feel so new to all this. This would have started at 20 weeks for me too (am 22 now) so it seems this is what it is. ah well, back to lying on my side with a pillow between my legs. Which, I must say feels like bliss.

[poocatcherchampion]

all good advice - the other thing I know is to ice it is it hurts. I was a little reluctant to put ice on my fanny but boy is it good!!