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Original poster

Postnatal SPD - Support thread.

33 replies

hermionestranger · 27/11/2011 21:48

Posted on the latest SPD sofa thread, but wondered if there were any others out there still suffering? DS2 is coming up 1 and still in daily pain. FINALLY, FINALLY got a referral to the orthopedic triage team, who I saw today. Am being sent for an MRI and referred to the pain management team. consultant I saw today was quite shocked it had taken this long to get a referral.

OP posts:
HarrietJones · 28/11/2011 15:45

I'm in. Dd3 is 13 months & I still struggle. Orthopaedics werent much help. Nothing they could do.

Physio discharged me as I had had 6 sessions.

Osteopath only worked for a few days at a time & couldn't afford to carry on indefinitely.

I've now got limits put on me at work too after they saw me push myself too far on a team day.

I've had a few falls lately which don't help either.

Original poster
hermionestranger · 28/11/2011 19:53

I think because it's pregnancy related it's easily dismissed and treated as a "stop moaning" thing. Angry that's the impression I have received over the last 18 months anyway.

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HarrietJones · 28/11/2011 21:01

When I was pregnant people were ok and helped but no it's not obvious. I don't use crutches now ( could do with them occasionally but nor keen on begging the hospital again).

It's slightly better now work have seen me weak as they are more understanding of my very dodgy parking close to the front door. No onehas got the dodgy bannister fixed though , it wobbles when I lean on it...

Original poster
hermionestranger · 28/11/2011 23:51

I dont use crutches now but there are days I could do with at least a stick to help me along. I took redundancy, glad I did as I'm not sure I could manage my old job which was very active and required a lot if walking. I'm a SAHM and part time student for now.

OP posts:
HarrietJones · 29/11/2011 08:08

I was just so keen to get rid of them! I made loads of progress in the first few days. Then a bit more in the first month & that was about it. :(

My works not massively active but no lifts & need to be in and out of places a lot. My back ups always been TA/care work and I can't do either of those now.

herbietea · 29/11/2011 11:01

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HarrietJones · 29/11/2011 12:18

We've talked before herbie. Can't get over how bad yours is.

mrsdamvan · 29/11/2011 13:16

Count me in. DD 19 months and although things are slightly better, still in a lot of pain. Spent a small fortune on osteopaths and physiotherapists. Every time I went to the physio she'd re-align my pelvis, I'd have a couple of blissful painfree hours only for it to then click out of place again. She gave me some exercises to do which quite frankly did nothing.

Also saw orthopaedic surgeon who gave me a steroid injection in the pelvis, again did nothing.

I'm kind of reconciled to things not getting much better to be honest...

MyHipsHurt · 29/11/2011 15:33

I'm in. Eldest DC is 11 years and am still suffering, probably more than when I was pg but this is more than likely due to a HUGE gap in my symphysis pubis which was finally discovered just last year. My pelvis is now hypermobile and am in chronic pain. Only option I've been given is to have it surgically plated complete with bolts, screws and a bone graft from my hips.

Was never really treated during pg just given crutches and told it would 'go away' after the birth. Well 11 years on and it hasn't!!

Although I got much worse following a vaginal hysterectomy 4 years ago, and I have really suffered since then.

Spent a fortune on osteopaths, chiropractors etc. Had really rubbish NHS physios.

Too many so called professionals seem to think it's all down to pregnancy hormones and they look at me like I'm a freak when I tell them how old my DCs are.

Herbie, I think I remember you from another thread. How did your latest surgery go - do think it was a success this time?

HarrietJones · 29/11/2011 15:38

Ouch at that gap. Did it show on an x ray or did you have scans?

I had x rays but got too panicky over the MRI ( don't cope well with hospitals) especially since they were using it to diagnose rather than it leading to a cure.

MyHipsHurt · 29/11/2011 15:41

The gap, all 40mm of it, clearly showed up on the x-ray. Know what you mean about the mri scans, I hated them, but the last one they agreed to put me in feet first so my head was out of the tunnel, which helped a lot. The gap was clear to see on the mri also, but as you say it didn't really add anything to the diagnoses.

herbietea · 29/11/2011 16:56

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mrsdamvan · 29/11/2011 19:49

herbietea Sad

can I ask all those that have had MRI's, is it actually worth it? Sounds like it's a waste of time. My consultant mentioned it but if it's just to diagnose (again) what I already know (showed up on x-ray) then is there any point having it done?

HarrietJones · 29/11/2011 20:42

That was my thought. I chatted to GP about it & he felt the same( but couldn't actually tell me what to do) The consultant said there was nothing they could do about it either.

herbietea · 29/11/2011 21:17

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mrsdamvan · 29/11/2011 22:17

herbietea, that is truly awful, really really hope things improve. Is there anything else they can do for you?

I've seen consultant orthopaedic surgeon a couple of times (and have a huge invoice to show for it which still needs paying) and wonder what the point was really. There is sod all they can do for spd it seems. When I first saw him he said physio would be the answer to all my prayers. It was not. I still struggle to see how doing a few exercises is going to solve all my problems. Physio went on and on about strengthening my muscles, but they've basically been shot by childbirth...

MyHipsHurt · 29/11/2011 23:50

Herbietea I am so sorry things haven't worked out for you. I really hope that you get some relief from the steriod injections. Can you have them more frequently if they do work?

I have to make the decision on whether or not to go ahead with plating surgery and I really do wonder now whether to leave well alone and just try and manage as I am.

Totally sympathise with how you feel re the DCs and DH; it's so hard on everyone :(

QuintessentialMercury · 29/11/2011 23:56

Hermione, have you seen a chiropractor?

I could not walk for months after ds2 was born, the nhs physio said they could not help me and I would possibly end up in a wheelchair. Saw a chiropractor, and was walking within weeks! It took a few months to be back to almost normal, and a year to be cycling and hill walking. I am now fitter than I have ever been before.

Original poster
hermionestranger · 30/11/2011 11:01

I've not seen a chiropracter and can't afford a private one at the moment.

Herbitea I'm so sorry for what you are going through. I really sympathise.

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QuintessentialMercury · 30/11/2011 11:08

Chiropractors and osteopaths are working on muscles, skeleton, joints and ligaments. My chiropractor manipulated my pelvis back in place in just a few sessions. You are unlikely to find a practioner on the nhs who can do this for you, physiotherapists just work on muscles, and give you exercises to do. But with spd, the problem is that your pelvis will be out of alignment. Ask to get a copy of the MRI results, and try if you can show this to a chirpractor for his advice.
have a read here

Original poster
hermionestranger · 30/11/2011 13:00

Thank you, will see what transpires from my MRI.

OP posts:
HarrietJones · 03/12/2011 18:14

Can I ask everyone how they explain their problems to people?

We have limited parking at my building at work and are encouraged to use the one a bit further away. If I'm having a bad week I can't manage the distance + stairs to my office. I've been using the disabled space ( though im not entitled)but it's often taken. My team know I have problems but no one else does. I'm not sure what to do when I can't get parked , whether I can ask others to move or what?

Dh has just raised the issue of snow. I've grippers & boots and walking pole but I've just realised my visits are all to estates where there won't be clear roads. Previously ive walked but I wouldn't be planning to walk far now but I'm worried about having to pass work onto others or cancel when Im not happy leaving people without the checks.

HarrietJones · 09/12/2011 18:55

Bump

MyHipsHurt · 09/12/2011 22:26

Harriet Perhaps it's time that you applied for a Blue Badge? It's the only way forward really if you need to park close by your place of work or just for going out. After a long time struggling, I have now applied and been granted a Blue Badge and it's been an absolute life saver. I'm just sorry that I put off applying (because I didn't think I'd get one and couldn't face a battle, however it was granted straightaway). I enclosed a letter from my consultant which stated very clearly the difficulties I have with walking so that must have helped I think.

I don't think there is an easy way of explaining this condition to people and it's probably going to cause you more problems by using the disabled space when at the moment you are not 'entitled' to use one, even though you have need for it. Best to get the credentials sorted and then it will make getting out and about so much better.

Best of luck.

HarrietJones · 09/12/2011 22:31

I don't think I'd qualify. This week I'm walking fine ,can take dd2 to school & wander into town (30 mins in total, slow pace) so this week would have no chance. On a bad week I can only walk 5 mins. I'm crap on slopes all the time though ( anyone else have balance problems on slopes?) but I live on a hill.

I would be constantly waiting to be shopped & reassessed! I also don't have a consultant now either.