SPD/aching/pain post pregnancy. I've had enough!

[HarrietJones]

dd3 is 10 months old. This was the first pregnancy to get SPD/PGP and I was on crutches/pretty immobile by the end.
I had a ELCS and managed to walk out of hospital on day three with minimal support from my crutches. I've had NHS physio and by about 10 weeks I could walk 2 miles (slightly more than the school run) but I've not increased this without suffering for a week( v limited movement)
In the past couple of weeks I've gone backward big time. I am in pain by the end of my street , I can't carry anything upstairs as I need my hands to support me. I'm waking in the night in pain, legs are collapsing when I walk.
I have an orthopaedic appt in September, I'm waiting to see what they say but if they don't/can't/won't do anything we are going to plunder the savings and go back to the osteopath/private Physio.
My biggest concern now is I'm back at work this week. I'm going to have to avoid certain tasks which isn't going to look good ( new boss etc).
I'm also worried I'll need to get dd3/pram in & out of the house on my own for the school run. I've had dd1/dh to help the last few weeks.
What else can I do?

Sorry got a bit moany

Any advice though?

I went to an osteopath when I was suffering post-partum spd after the birth of DS2 and it was magic. I could walk alright but getting upstairs/on and off the floor was excruciating and I couldn't lay flat as it was agony and my legs would go dead. She sorted it out in a couple of appointments and it never returned when I was pregnant with DS3 (I had previously no idea how enjoyable and easy late pregnancy could be).

Have you thought about an osteopath?

Poor you OP, sounds wretched.
I'd say, plunder those savings right away to see an osteo! You are in pain- why wait? What could be more important than your health?
Are you doing any exercises or stretches, maybe previously recommended by a physio?

Sympathies OP - PGP/SPD is the absolute pits

I had lots of NhS physio and it had limited results. Someone recommend a private physio to me as she specialises only in PGP/SPD (she writes lots of articles for medical journals/pregnancy magazines etc.). The recommendation came for someone who had suffered terribly for 3 pregnancies and had only found this physio in the last one. She pretty much "cured" her, so I gave it a go. I had 3 sessions with her and was amazed at the difference. She's in the Gloucs area if that's any good for you ? PM me if you want details

I'm in Cumbria. I've been to an Osteo which had some success but then had three falls in quick succession and couldn't go. As she only does 2 mornings a week its difficult to get in( and get childcare!)

I'm still doing my Physio but had to go back to easy exercises. I've also done some pilates core exercises as recommended by both the Physio/Osteo.

I've also been reluctant to spend £45 a week on Osteo (&similar on Physio) while I was on unpaid leave.

And tips for managing work? I drive 45 mins each way+ 40-50 miles a day. Sit at a desk & do visits. I'm on the first floor ( no lift- last time I was on the third so slight improvement!) and we park about 1/2 mile away.

Bump

A referral to a podatrist might also help?

I have always pronated a bit and SPD made it worse. The podiatrist gave me exercises and I now wear inserts in all my shoes and it has helped a lot.

But I also had NHS and private physio and I wore a support belt for more than a year post partum.

And I'm not having another baby!

That's an interesting idea. Where do you find one of those?

Are you still seeing the NHS obstetric physio? If not is that because they say they can't do anything or just you came to the end of their default number of sessions? Going back to them would be a good place to start especially if they can explain why attempting to increase your walking caused more pain.

IME an osteopath can do wonders in one or two sessions if the problem is something they can treat, ie imbalanced joints. So worth trying that at the same time - and building up the physio exercises you can do (I know, easier said than done - I'm supposed to be doing nearly 2 hours a day of different exercises, while pregnant with a near-3yo. Yeah, right...)

When you go back to work could be worth getting an occupational therapist assessment - you'll find out quickly what the worst bits are. Could you chat nicely to security or similar to get assigned a parking place near the door, citing the DDA (you may not be disabled enough for a blue badge, but you sure are disabled under the Act!)
Hope some of that is useful.

Harriet, in my area you can self refer to the podiatry service, or your GP can refer you. I have the feeling that you get seen sooner if you are referred by the GP.

There are private podiatrists too they would probably charge about the same as private physio.

But you would have to pay for your inserts as well as the consultation.

My sympathies. Experienced similar here.

First pregnancy - and only after this! I'm hyper mobile anyway so I guess it was to be expected. I had NHS physio, which tbh didn't help much. In fact I found some of the exercises quite difficult and painful to do and sometimes it seemed to be making it worse.

Not remotely a diss against the nhs, but I think my physio wasn't v experienced with PGP/SPD. I went to a chiropractor who did seem to help and got a pilates DVD and did a few of the exercises that didn't result in odd sensations down my legs. Still not quite right (DS 21mo), but better enough to shrug and get on with it.

Hope you find something that works for you.

Hi there, sorry to hear you are still suffering from SPD. I have had a similar experience but thanks to appropriate treatment and Pilates am now 90 % recovered. The thing that made the difference for me was when I rang the Pelvic Partnership and they gave me details of what treatment I should expect (which I was not getting on the NHS). They have a list of recommended practitioners throughout the UK. PINS network Scotland is a similar organisation and also has an extensive list of recommended practitioners. You will find both organisations on the internet. The important thing is to see someone (either osteopath, physio or chiro) who is experienced and properly trained in treating the condition. Pelvic floor treatment (which I'm currently having) also helps. You might also be able to get help with looking after children at home through Direct Payment (which I got after an occupational health referral) and through Homestart (talk to your health visitor about it or I think you can self refer) or even through your local Sure Start Children's Centre. Good luck, don't be afraid to spend the money, it is really worth it.

There's no obstetric Physio here just general one. I improved so they stopped it.

Re work theres not even a receptionist on the building anymore so I'd just get ticketed using the disabled space.

Sore day today :(

As you've had falls, there is a chance there could be a fracture which may explain the regression. I know someone who had a spiral frature at the top pf their fibia. Perhaps a scan/x-ray would be an idea to rule out any boney issues?

They were a while ago now though. Not co inciting with this replapse anyway . Wondering the orthopaedic people may x ray anyway

Hey Harriet, it's total pants isn't is? I won't give you a huge history of me (I tend to overwrite in posts) but I am 18 months on from my first child and I was a severe case of SPD. In the last few months I have seen a 'structural integrationist/rolfing' therapist, and it has changed my life. I am still a bit twingy but no-where near how I was. At even 13/14 months pp I was still a huge stiff mess,and could hardly lie down in bed, watching my every move.
It took a long time (IMO) for my hormones to settle. I couldn't even walk 2 miles in February this year, but after seeing the structural integrational practitioner I walked a 10miler after my 4th session with her. Amazing.
I hope you find relief, and I have to just say - I went back to work after 12 months and I really really struggled too. I had to just be 'slow' at walking, take the lift etc etc. The more I did/do the worse the pain got and didn't settle. Lots of hugs and love xx

coming from a slightly different angle, what is your mattress like?

I had a support belt, crutches and weekly physio when i was pregant with DD1. After I had her, I went to physio and i had quite a few sessions of accupuncture on the NHS. I was always sceptical about accupuncture but it worked. 10 years later, i still get the occasional niggle in my pelvis but usually okay after a sit-down and it doesn't stop me doing day-to-day stuff or my zumba class.

Quite a decent mattress but co-sleeping/feeding all night doesn't help much.

The Osteo did acupuncture but it scared me a little