Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Aching joints - any advice?

4 replies

KarenHL · 17/09/2010 20:53

For 2-3 weeks now I've had bad aching in my lower back & pain in my buttocks and knees. Had lots of pain in my lower abdomen a while back, but kept telling myself not to bother MW/GP as it was probably ligaments stretching.

Anyhoo, pain is making it hard to move around - painful to sleep, painful to get up/walk/bend/bathe, painful to do pretty much anything!

So, I called my MW, who told me to call the GP. I just could not face the bus ride to an appt plus either a walk or v.long wait for bus back (surgery is nearly 2 miles away, with no footpath there & bus is only once an hour). GP told me to pick up a leaflet from reception with back exercises in and that it should help (told him I'm 25wks pg, so he is aware).

DH brought the leaflet home tonight and I could have cried - more than half the exercises involve lying flat on one's tum (no chance!), or doing things like hugging knees to chest - it hurts too much to reach my sodding legs at the moment for shaving/moisturising, there's no way I'm trying to hug my knees. Out of two sheets of double-sided A4, there's actually only two exercises I can do (recommended for arthritis?)!

MW is now on two weeks hols, last advice to me was if the GP's advice did not work, phone hospital. So I can phone them on Monday, but what to do in the meantime - tempted to grab the painkillers, but I've been doing everything I can to avoid that (including staying awake for hours, after pain has woken me up). Am knackered, tetchy and still in pain - any ideas?

OP posts:
Bradyboo · 17/09/2010 22:08

Have you tried reflexlogy or a pregnancy massage? Both work for me.

WalkTheDog · 19/09/2010 16:32

Have a look here at some physio leaflets :
www.acpwh.org.uk/content/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53:leaflets&catid=1:leaflets&Itemid=12

the pelvis girdle one is probably the most appropriate for you.

Sounds like you got a sheet of back exercises that were designed for non pg people.

Worth asking if you can see a physio - even if only for a one off advice session. Some areas do an ealry pg advice session.

Massage can help, warm hot water bottle (not hot)

double up a duvet and put under sheet and uses plenty pillows/cushions to try get comfy and more support when sleeping.

Try to move positions every 20-30 mins during the day - even if only a wiggle/rock in your chair

Watch when you stand that bump isn't pulling you too far forward, gently draw your lower tummy muscles in, as if tucking your tailbone under - makes posture a bit better.

KarenHL · 20/09/2010 22:17

BradyBoo, I would love to try massage/
reflexology, but no money avail'.
Thanks for the website WTD + the v.helpful info/advice.

Spoke to Hospital physio dept today (as midwife recommended if GP exercises did not work) and they say they need a letter from MW or GP. The joys of MW being on hol! GP was off today, so the surgery have arranged for him to call me tomorrow. Not sure what I'll do if he refuses to refer me on, for not doing the exercises on his sheet. Regardless, I shall start some painkillers tomorrow, can't go on like this.

OP posts:
WalkTheDog · 21/09/2010 18:44

Take advice on the painkillers, even from a pharmacist. Paracetamol usually is safe.

If your GP didn't call you back, call your MW team, someone will be covering for her holiday. Also ask if they can phone your referal in to speed things up. Most physio depts take referrals over the phone, a lot now also take self referrals from patients, shame yours doesn't.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page