Is anyone else in pain every single day? (moaning minnie alert)

[Moomin]

Since I had dd2 i've had almost constant pain very deep in my buttock under one hip which i've been told is a pulled ligament from 6 weeks of bed rest before and after having her (i was in hosp before and then bad recovery from c-sect after). I've been having physio on the nhs for the last 8 weeks but today they told me they can't do any more for me as it's such a difficult problem to sort out. I went to see an osteopath who has helped me with back problems in the past and i'm pretty sure with weekly sessions he might sort me out but i can't afford him at the moment (£30 a go). The nhs physio told me to go back to my gp this week and ask to be referred. I feel low about this today as I know what it's like being referred and the thought of the long drawn-out process of going through the system is getting me down.

i take 4 -6 nurofen a day and that's the only thing that helps me function normally. when i take them i can do all the normal things. i've been trying not to take them as much so that i can focus on the pain for my physio sessions but i have to admit the pain is too much not to take anything. part of me thinks i'll just stay on painkillers until i can afford the osteo but i know that's not good for me.

i know no-one can help, and i know there are people much worse off than me with very serious illnesses and conditions - i'm just having a moan. i'm not the only one am i? (btw i'm usually very cheerful!)

Why not ask for a referral to a pain management clinic. The are able to treat the whole problem and would have a look to see if the problem was coming from your faciet joints (where your hip/pelvis meets your spine) if i is this joint that is causing you problems it can bee injected with steroids and local anathetic to ease the problem.
They also are very clued up on useing different medication for different types of pain. IE paracetamol is actually great for bone pain. some medications which were origionally developed for epilepsy (Gabapentin) are fabulous for nurogenic type pain adn Non Stroidal Anti Inflammitories like brufen are great fro muscular pain.
They also offer psychological support as the tool fo chronic pain is very sever especially to your mental health.

A pain consultant once expained they cycle of pain to me. He said you get an injury or a swelling that will cause a nerve to fire. That nerve sontinues to fire. If the stimulus is not removed the nerve will fire harder and harder IE the pain will get worse even if the injury doesnt which is why it is important to break the cycle of pain.
sorry if this is confusing...
HTH

what fantastic advice chapsmum. thank you so much. i didn't even know such places existed! do i get referral from gp? does every NHS trust have one?

they are avaliable in every NHS trust and your GP can refere you witha letter.

hope you are able to get some help Moomin. Good luck

ta very very much. will let you know

hi moomin, re pain relief, i am currently taking paramol (paracetamol and dihydracodeine) for bone pain (broken) and is v effective. Also, as soon as stop taking them can feel where pain is so would be ok for physio,

i have suffered with joint condition previously. Have you tried acupuncure? It can be v good. I got it very quickly through nhs (vis physio dept).

that's interesting, gb. i have had acupuncture but that was early in pregnancy to help with terrible sickness and it did help a bit to begin with. i didn't realise you could get it on the nhs. i wonder if i could get an osteopath through the nhs too? I've got an appt with my gp next weds to talk through my options. i will be asking about the pain clinic but now i'll also ask about some alternatives, like the acupuncture. they're pretty hot on alternative thearpies at my gp surgery so you never know...

btw i've had this pain for 7 months now.

You can get osteopathy on the NHS but I think there can be a long wait.

\link{http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/casenotes_20060124.shtml\here's a link to a programme on back pain, but the principles are the same for any kind of chronic pain}

the guy who's the expert patient was totally inspirational for me, he went on the Guy's/St Thomas's pain management course in London and then helped to set up his own - now the NHS pay him to pass on his expertise to health professionals and patients.

moomin, the british school of osteopathy in london has reasonable prices - £19 for initial visit, £16 subsequently. their website is bso.ac.uk if you can get into london

that's brilliant bundle. thanks so much. i feel better already knowing that this situation is likely not to end in hospital or surgery which is what i was scared of.

thanks a .....bundle...
great advice from everyone all round

Hiya moomin
Ive been in constant pain with severe SPD since 16weeks gestation, my dd is now almost 9months.
Im on all sorts of tablets, as the pain radiates outwards, and i have lost much of my muscle tone in my bag, legs, neck areas from not being able to walk for such a long time.
Ive been having physio, and like you its a long period. They are given me acupunture which does help, sometimes it can help me for a full day, which is amazing.
Might be worth having a go with it, i know it doesnt work with everyone though.
Also, a tens machine helps me while its on, but i dont get much relief after it.
HTH

poor you. i do sympathise - i had spd with both my pregnancies but much worse with 1st as i didn't know what it was for ages and carried on thinking it was 'normal'. i saw an osteopath throughout my second and the symptoms were drastically reduced. luckily the spd cleared up well before the deliveries as i was on bedrest for the latter part. but it's because of the bedrest that i've got this problem now!!

i will speak to my gp about the acupuncture. hope you're feeling better soon. it's a long hard slog though isn't it?

jofeb have you had an xray yet????
The reason I ask is, I have suffered with severe SPD throughout pregnancy and DS is now 10 months old - went to physio tried the exercises but was in too much pain, I have harrassed my doctors and the medical world to ask for a scan for ages. Only recently I have had an xray to dsicover my pelvis had actually split and now has wear and tear!!!! I am having pain injections to help, and take pain killers regularly.
Please ask to be checked out just to make sure you are not doing any more damage!