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Original poster

Symphysis Pubis Disfunction AFTER pregnancy anyone?

24 replies

DumbledoresGirl · 12/07/2006 12:52

I first had SPD when pg with No 4. I ended my pg on crutches although I felt a bit of a charlatan as the pain was not constant and the crutches were more of a hindrance than a help.

That was over 3 years ago. In that time, I have been aware that my pelvis is not what it was before my 4th pg - ie, there has been some twinges and a definite loss of strength: I can no longer push heavy things like boxes, beds etc with the side of my leg without getting pain.

However, it has been totally live-able with. Until this week. This week, I am in a lot of pain. It comes and goes - literally, one minute I can be feeling completely normal, the next I can hardly walk at all and certainly not without pain. Dh has suggested I go to the GP but I am really wondering what he could do for me. There didn't seem to be much help forthcoming when I was suffering with this when I was pg, is there anything that can be done now? Also, the pain is more down my inner right thigh, rather than in the middle of the crotch where it is supposed to be for SPD. Dh is wondering if I am not suffering from that at all, but a form of sciatica.

Has anyone got any experience of having SPD after the birth of a baby? What are the symptoms? Were you able to get any effective treatment? If I leave it, will it just go away as it has done before? Any other points?

Thanks.

OP posts:

Original poster

DumbledoresGirl · 12/07/2006 12:54

I meant to say, whenever I google the condition, it always implies it is a condition of pregnancy. I can't be the only woman to suffer from this after pregnancy can I? Or does that mean I have something else?

OP posts:

Original poster

DumbledoresGirl · 13/07/2006 19:45

And the pains continues. I am giving it until Monday now and then I will be phoning the doctor. No advice or sympathy from any quarter?

OP posts:

pupuce · 13/07/2006 19:51

I would suggest an osteopath.
I have had it twice and have researchd quite a bit because of my doula practice. It can help IN [regnancy and many months/years after pregnancy. If you have private health care you can usually get a referral from your GP.

BettySpaghetti · 13/07/2006 19:54

Hiya DG

I had SPD during my second pregnancy, ended up on crutches but as soon as I had DS ditched the crutches. I certainly felt the after effects of the SPD for upto a year after (when doing the sort of thing you said eg pushing basket of laundry across the floor with my foot, standing on one leg in the shower when shaving my legs!!).

I'm sure that I've read that it can take upto 2 years for everything to return to normal.

One thing that I've found has helped is doing Pilates. I started it about a year after DS was born and made sure the instructor knew I'd had SPD. I think it helps because you're concentrating on your core stability and strengthening the muscles in your pelic/lower back areas.

See if your GP will refer you back to the physio, they would be able to advise on suitability of exercise.

Original poster

DumbledoresGirl · 13/07/2006 20:01

Thanks for responses. My worry is, that although I had SPD during pregnancy and have felt twinges for the subsequent three years, I have never fle the degree of pain I am feeling now. I can hardly walk today.

OP posts:

sallystrawberry · 13/07/2006 20:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BettySpaghetti · 13/07/2006 20:06

If its suddenly really bad maybe you've actually done something /got a trapped nerve or something rather than it being the SPD?

Definately get yourself to the GP and accept nothing less than a referral to a physio. You can't be expected to carry on in this much pain and hardly able to walk.

pupuce · 13/07/2006 20:06

Well I suggested osteopathy.... I don't think Physios in this particular problem are very good if I think of all the feedback I have received.
If it is that painful... go to the GP and get a referral!

rickman · 13/07/2006 20:14

Message withdrawn

motherinferior · 13/07/2006 20:17

Try and get a referral, if not to an osteopath, to a specifically obstetric physiotherapist.

Mine went away after a while (and a course of osteopathy) during which time I wrote an infuriated article on SPD for a baby mag (which you're welcome to, if you CAT me) and ranted about it on Woman's Hour.

nicnack2 · 13/07/2006 20:21

i had it with ds2 who is 4 months. spoke to mw/hv and did smal steps, went up step one at a time tried not to by on floor. it went away after about a month. ate ibruphen like smarties though

jollyfolly · 13/07/2006 20:34

can you get 'mild' spd or does it have to be full on??? i had a lot of hip pain radiating to the front during my 1st pregnancy did not need crutches or anything but i certainly waddled alot even during my 2nd trimester it was quite painful. anyway, i am still having pain from time to time (does seem worse around the time i am meant to be ovulating up until my period)although mostly just in my hip now... feels a bit like a burning pain and is worse when i get up in the mornings and if i have been sitting down to long... does this sound like spd?.....keep meaning to go to the docs as i am also a bit concerned it might be the start of arthritus..... sorry to butt in on your thread!

VeniVidiVickiQV · 13/07/2006 20:37

Actually, i think its a rheumatologist you need to see.

My SPD persisted after my first pg and i was referred to a professor of rheumatology at UCH Hospital in London.

It is quite common for it to persist afterwards - despite what you are told. The only time it will prove a particular problem is if one side of teh pelvis slips down - which may be the case with you.

The worst case scenario is an operation to bolt your symphasis pubis together to stop movement. Obviously if you were planning on expanding your family this cause problems. However, i think its unlikely it will come to that anyway.

Mine was a bit complicated anyway as it turns out i have a malformed sacro-iliac joint which is split in to 3 parts on one side. They have decided its not worth doing anything about so im guessing exercises and support belts until you are better will probably be what they suggest.

Original poster

DumbledoresGirl · 13/07/2006 21:05

Wow amazing posts. Sorry to be completely dim but is an osteopath only available privately? I don't think I could afford to pay for any treatment, although the way the apin is going right now, I suppose the money would have to be found. I am so afraid of ending up in a wheelchair. The idea seems laughable when I type it, but the reason I haven't been on MN in the last hour to respond to your posts is because the pain was so great I just wanted to lie down - even sitting down which is not normally a problem, did not seem possible.

OP posts:

foxinsocks · 14/07/2006 13:44

I agree with VVQ - woman across the road was in a wheelchair because of her SPD (I was lucky enough not to need one) and hers is much better after her birth. However, friend in her antenatal group has just had to go and have her pubis wired together.

It can happen that the pain continues long after birth and you really should have a specialist have a look at it. Mine went away around 2 years post birth (and the de quervains tendonitis in my thumb and carpal tunnel started going at the same time) but over 3 years sounds way way too long.

Nome · 14/07/2006 13:51

I had SPD and sharp pain down the inside of one thigh during my second pg. I was referred to physio, who diagnosed SPD and also a strained adductor which had been aggravated by the weight shift in pregnancy. I was told that adductor (spelling?) strains are usually sports injuries (ha, ha, I said, walking like a penguin). Anyway, with physio it went and knowing what it was was a comfort too.

Original poster

DumbledoresGirl · 14/07/2006 16:06

Seeing a doctor in under an hour...

Foxinsocks and QV: your posts have rather put the fear of God into me! It is the words bolt and wire that get me!

OP posts:

foxinsocks · 14/07/2006 16:08

! sorry, didn't mean to alarm you - just wanted you to know that it should be taken seriously!! I think that poor woman could not walk after birth so was obviously in a terrible state. I imagine you would need a proper assessment done and hopefully, all you would need is some physio!

fingers crossed for the doc

Original poster

DumbledoresGirl · 14/07/2006 17:42

The GP told me she didn't think it was SPD because the pain wasn't in the right place (although it is where it is exactly where it was when I was diagnosed with SPD 3.5 years ago!) I am being sent for an xray and (as she suspects that will show nothing) possibly a scan later.

I know what will happen: xray and scans will show nothing wrong, pain will gradually go (hopefully) and everything will have been a waste of time and resources.

Cynical, me?

OP posts:

foxinsocks · 14/07/2006 17:46

lol - that's the way I feel about these things but one day, a scan or x-ray may just catch you out and find something!

if that's the case, do ask for physio. A good physio can be an absolute god-send - not only can they help you when you see them but also give you exercises you can do yourself. I still do the exercises I was given over 6 years ago! The physios were also the ones who diagnosed de quervain's tendonitis with me (a painful tendon condition around your thumb) when several GPs said they had never seen anything like it so imo, it is definitely worth trying to see a physio anyway.

Mumbojumbo · 14/07/2006 18:00

Hi DDG

I had SPD with both my pregnancies - ds1 is now 4.5years and ds2 is 2.5years. I've had the symptoms on and off since ds2 was born. Had some physio a while back which seemed to do the trick but I find pushing a buggy and walking a lot seems to bring on the symptoms (pain right in the middle and inside thighs). I've literally been in agony when shifting from one foot to the other. I'm now on the minipill and wondered if this had any influence (hormones etc!). Two weeks ago it was dreadful, today - fine! I think (in my opinion) that once you've had it, you've got a "weakness" and it could flare up again. Interested to hear how you get on.

Original poster

DumbledoresGirl · 14/07/2006 19:55

What is so irritating is my pain keeps coming and going. This morning, I woke up fine; going round Tesco this afternoon, I could hardly walk at all (leaning on the trolley or hopping on my good leg was the only way of getting about). Then when I saw the doctor, all i had was a slight ache in m thigh and I must have looked like I was a complete hypochondriac, going to see her about virtually nothing. Now however, having walked too quickly down one stair, I am back in agony again. Of course, dh doesn't understand it and is faffing about in the garden leaving me to chase after 4 children.

OP posts:

Judge · 14/07/2006 20:13

Well i thought that would happen with me too DG (its vvvqv btw).

Thats because from my teens i'd been going back and forth to the docs with mystery leg pains and back pains that despite having x-rays adn arthroscopies x 3, no-one could find anything.

Its only until i went to this specialist 2 years ago that he discovered i had this malformation of my sacro-iliac and lumbar spine which is most likely what has caused the leg and back pain since my teens. Was missed in i think 3 x-rays prior to then.

Dont be frightened to get it dealt with, and dont be frightened to get a second opinion.

QV
x

jofeb04 · 14/07/2006 20:30

Hiya
My dd is almost ten months, and im still suffering pritty badly with it. At times, I am unable to look after the kids. I can't walk to my ds's playgroup, and its only a five minute walk.
I am having acupunture and it does help me, the pain is less for a day or so, and the relief is amazing. Im on all sorts of tablets, at the mo taken co-codamol (its the 30/500's though, which i think have to be perscribed).
Get a referal to a physio, as it is the physoio that does my acupunture. Also try a tens machine (again from physio), and relax whe your in that sort of pain.
BTW, the pain im suffering with is not only the SPD, but also down my legs, around my back, neck etc, as due to the lack of imobility during the pregnancy, i have lost an awful lot of muscle.
HTH.

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