Six months on, my symphisis pubis is still dysfunctional

[motherinferior]

OK, so my SPD is nothing like as bad as it was when I was pregnant. But it still hurts if strained, and I can't risk swimming (particularly as I swim breaststroke), and lifting isn't a big joy. I am going to see if my GP can refer me to an osteopath and if not I'll pay for some osteopathy. But it is depressing me, and I wondered how other people were getting on?

I'm breastfeeding, btw. I know there is a survey Pupuce has quoted which says the two aren't necessarily linked, but it does make me wonder (although enough to put the babe on the bottle).

Well I'm 3 months on and its still hurting (but I guess you could probably figure that one out). I have sort of resolved myself to never feeling 100% again, it will always be my week spot iykwim.

Have your periods returned? There is a theory that an increase in progestorone leads to an improvement, and in this sense b/f delays the return of your periods. But from all the research I have seen there is no difference in recovery times for women who are b/f or f/f AND no evidence based study acutally concludes that b/f hinders recovery or maintains your symptoms.

Nobody actually knows what causes SPD, there are just theories so you could drive yourself mad trying to figure it out.

Do get yourself some osteopathy, I'm having mine NHS, but it does help. Also if you have a sympathetic GP get an Xray to check there isn't something else going on.

I am now a London Contact for the Pelvic Partnership if you want me to find out who your local contact is for support and info let me know. You're SE aren't you?

I'm so sorry to hear that you are feeling down, I know exactly where you are coming from. Sorry not to be anymore helpful, but if its any consolation you're not alone

pie xxx

weak spot, I meant, along with my brain!

I don't think I had SPD, but something very similar. The back of pelvis went out of place during pregnancy and was not helped by a ventouse birth, hypermobility and of course all those hormones. Perhaps what happened to me could be classed as SPD, I'm not sure.
I would say breastfeeding made no difference, also while my periods were absent there was no difference. In fact, when DD was seven months and I had stopped breastfeeding and my periods had returned I was still having trouble turning over in bed, negotiating the kurb when I was crossing the road and, at times, walking.
I saw a physiotherapist which helped. She gave me good advice on posture and what I should and shouldn't do. But more than anything I think the biggest healer was time. I would say I was not back to normal until DD was 18 months old - I think the hormone relaxin stays in your body for 18 months so that makes sense.
I thought I'd never be able to skip or swim or sit on the floor and play with DD but I can, it just took time. I agree with Pie's comment about weak spots. I still get the odd twinge and feel very nervous about any subsequent pregnancies I may have, but I guess I'll be prepared for it next time!
BTW, it depressed me too. Pain is exhausting - mentally and physically draining and you start to think there will be no end. But believe me there will be an end, it won't last forever.

Actually the relaxin theory is controversial, I wrote this on another thread:

"I was reading quite recently marsup about theories of what causes SPD. Interestingly (well to me!) there has been a recent study where women with NO SPD symptoms were injected with relaxin to raise their levels...and they still DIDN'T get SPD. There was a study which found that high levels of relaxin caused SPD but it was based on guinea pigs, not women! Its also been found that the degree of separation of the symphisis pubis doesn't correlate to having SPD pain...its a bit of a mystery. It is thought that only a small group of SPD sufferers are affected by hormones alone, and its these women that tend to spontaneously get better after birth, but the majority it will take some time and possibly physio."

That is interesting, Pie. I never thought relaxing caused my problem but because it seemed to clear up at 18 months - the time I had been led to believe relaxin stays in your body - I had assumed that there must be a connection. Thanks.

I think I did get serious amounts of relaxin, as I managed to twist my knee viciously shortly after dd1 - ie I think the stuff was still swirling pointlessly about my system. I'd love a PP contact for SE London; and thank you for suggesting an X-ray. I do think it's quite clearly a structural problem - I can feel different twinges on either side of my pelvis.

I am also going to stress to my GP that SPD is preventing me from exercise, and that exercise is a key anti-depression strategy for me, and that I've had depression in the past so obviously I need it sorted out NOW. Mind you, as the HV has shown buggerall interest in my mental health and as far as she's concerned I could have died of PND by now, don't know how far that one will go!

Ok MI, I'll find out who is nearest to you, they'll be able to tell you about any SPD friendly services in your area. Hope you get some relief soon

pie xx

Meid, it could be the relaxin, it could not be, there doesn't seem to be one cause for everyone, and sometimes its a group of things that cause the SPD...sounds like you could have had it though. Glad to hear that you are better though