ahhh can't cope with this hip pain anymore

[memoo]

I'm so fed up

I have suspected SPD, but it has taken 2 months to get an appointment with the physio. I finally have one but its not until 9th July.

I am in constant pain with my hips. Walking is getting really painful. I wake up in the middle of the night in absolute agony and just can't find a position that is comfortable. I've tried the pillow between knees thing and although it helps its not brilliant.

I'm only 27 weeks! can't carry on like this for another 3 months

Sorry I'm whinging but I'm so fedup

[flier]

I can recommend cranial ostepoathy, it really helped me. I also bought a mattress topper and that helped a bit.

Sorry you're in so much pain

[memoo]

I have seen an osteopath and it did help but I really can't afford to keep going. Money is really tight at the moment

[flier]

there was an spd website with lots of other self help tips - have you been on it? It changed its name from when I first came across it and I can't find it now

[memoo]

I can't finder it either, I've just been googling away but no luck.

[flier]

try here it seems it has a new name - Pelvic Girdle Pain.

Also, have you tried doing a search on MN for SPD?

[flier]

and this

[memoo]

Thanks for that link flier, doing a MN search is a really good idea too. Will go and have a good read

[flier]

also, do you have one of those fitness/pregnancy balls you sit on? I'm sure I was told with my first pg to sit on these and do pelvic tilts and I did do alot of sitting on it. It at least made me feel I was doing something to help ifkwim.

[FayeWP]

Hi, I don't have SPD myself but I have been having acupunture throughout my pregnancy. My acupuncturist has always said that she can really help with SPD if I developed it. I know you said that money is tight - if you have private health insurance you can get acupunture through that or you might be able to get it through the NHS. Hope this helps.

[flier]

how are you getting on memoo?

[cookingcath]

I had SPD v. badly with preg #1 (ended up on crutches and in severe pain) and again it started very early (at 6 weeks) with my current preg (now 18 weeks). However, it is getting a lot better with conservative management this time. I find the more standing, walking I do the worse it is. Here's my top tips:

• try and limit standing, walking etc for long periods.
• do your shopping on line to avoid pushing a trolley.
• don't lift heavy things.
• buy a stool to put in the kitchen so you're not spending long amounts of time standing at surfaces
• buy a mattress topper/ put a duvet underneath your sheet in your bed. the softer the bed the better, I've found.
• buy a long pregnancy pillow to hug and put between legs at night. prop your back up with another pillow under your backside.
• ask your physio about core stability exercises and exercises on gym ball when you get appt. also ask them or your GP for an occupational therapist referral (these are usually just given to old people who need help around the house!). they can lend you perching stools, loo seat raises, equipment to raise your sofa, bed etc. as a pregnant patient you get to queue jump as you're considered urgent
• ask your physio for a belt and crutches if pain v. bad.
• go upstairs one at a time and try to limit journeys up and downstairs. carry everything down in a carrier bag to avoid having to make a second journey.
• keep your legs together when getting in and out of car and bed ie swing them together.
• I've also found a local chiropractor who specialises in pregnancy, she has been brilliant and every time I've seen her the pain has become significantly less. I saw her twice a week initially but am now down to once a month. expensive but i've found very worth it.
• sit on a gym ball if chairs become painful.
• join the Pelvic Partnership www.pelvicpartnership.org.uk/ They send out very useful pain management leaflets and info on how to cope. I think they have also got some to download on their website. They have also got a support line.
• get as much help as you can round the house and let things go rather than push on through pain.
• make sure you put in your birth plan that you do not want to be put in stirrups and that you have SPD, then you are unlikely to get pulled around too much
• if pain persists after the birth, get another physio referral (for me it took about a year of physio afterwards but I know for some others it disappears after the birth)
• don't exercise until all symptoms disappeared after the birth. I made my SPD a lot worse again as started exercise regime 6 months afterwards before strengthening core muscles first
• don't go swimming unless you just intend to be in the water and not swim.
• I also bought a 'comfy coxxyx' cushion from physiosupplies.com which has been brilliant for at home on sofa, desk at work, taking out to restaurants where chairs very hard...
• make sure your midwife reports that you have SPD in your notes and ask her for tips, tell her about the pain every time you see her.

I hope this helps and your symptoms get a bit better. Good luck.

[cookingcath]

also forgot. when you see your physio ask her if she can do some realignment work and manipulation as often other muscles and ligaments are compensating for the SPD.

[cookingcath]

and try and remember to do pelvic floor exercises before and after birth as apparently this can help...

[damnhayfever]

good qualified oestopath could walk for a period near the end of a pregnancy and the oestopath who solved this problem completely was well worth £60
i had hip pain to it was an pelvic imbalance

[damnhayfever]

err meant could nt walk