Busted lower back, can't really walk, crutches?

[Marabou]

Hi everyone!

I've been suffering with SPD since about 20 weeks pregnant and I'm now 35 weeks. Two days ago I woke up barely able to walk and the pain did not get much better yesterday. Neither me nor DH drives, so I was not able to go see a doctor yesterday, but I managed to speak to one on the phone and she basically told me not to take the co-codamol I have at home, because she said it might cause respiratory difficulties with the baby (although my MW hadn't been too concerned about this..).

So I've been taking paracetamol and using a heat pad with some success, but I'm still limping pretty badly and called in sick today, because I'm sure I couldn't make it to the office and sitting at my desk the whole day would only make it much worse.. I was referred to physio a few weeks back, but the appointment turned out to be an antenatal physiotherapy class for several mums to be, so no support belt was given, just general information and advice on the postures and different exercises.

I'm just concerned that this pain might actually not go away and I won't be able to leave the house at all :(.. So I was wondering if anyone had been in a similar situation and if they were given crutches and if so, did you get them from your physio, or can a GP issue them (I don't think my small surgery would have any "lying around"..)? I'm just worried about how to even get to the physio on public transport, as my hospital is quite far away and it would cost me probably at least £50 to get there and back..

You can get crutches from a physio. Explain to your gp/hospital that you cannot afford transport and that you will need some help at home. See what they say. Tell your physio that the class was very helpful but that you must now have some individual care. In these classes they isolate those who would benefit from general advice and those who need extra help. It may be that at the time you were ok with general advice, but not any more.

You can take co-codamol (and more). I did for the last 12 weeks of pg last time for the same reasons as you. I was induced at 38 weeks due to the pain and my concultant told me to stop taking the pills 48 hours before induction to ensure they were out of my system for DS not to be affected.

Seriously though, you won't get anyone doing this for you, you have to be stroppy and insistent to get the help you need.

It's not nice to have to do that but, I promise you, it will be worth it.

I wonder if it's worth seeing if you have a local disability aid shop? They would probably sell them.If you have to get them this way (and I would seriously recommend seeing your physio again as they'll do more than just this) post again as it's really important that you use them correctly.

Yes I use crutches and they do help, my physio leant me mine. I'm taking co codamol too, yes it can cause problems but they advise you to stop 2 days before delivery to eliminate this.

Hello ladies and thanks so much for your help! I've now got an appointment with physio and MW (for next week though..) so hopefully I will get somewhere with this.. I just surprised myself by managing to get to Boots outside my house to get some more heat pads! It did take me forever though and lots of stopping and starting and just I'm hoping I won't be paralysed tomorrow ..

I also spoke to a MW at my hospital, but she did not agree with me taking codeine, so I suppose I could only really take them at the advice of a doctor.. For now, I'll have to stick to the paracetamol.

buttonmoon78 Did your symptoms disappear after pregnancy? They did say at the physiotherapy class that the problems tend to disappear in the majority of the cases after the baby is born and the pelvis returns to its normal position. I was just wondering, whether this was entirely accurate, as I've heard that sometimes the pelvis might remain slightly tilted even after childbirth. My mom, who gave birth to me in the 70s is still at times suffering from lower back pain, which started when she was pregnant with me. Of course, those days the condition was not really recognised, at least she doesn't recall anyone ever taking her seriously when she complained and no one really advised her on postures etc.

I continued to have back pain as I have scoliosis and hypermobile joints. However, my pelvis was back to normal within 4-5 weeks. It was hugely better within mintues - managed to walk (not shuffle) down the corridor to have a bath within 2hrs. Prior to birth, I'd not even had a bath for 3 months as getting in or out was simply too painful.

If it helps, I'm now 24wks pg with #4 (first happened in #3) and although I can feel movement in my pelvis, I've been wearing my belt for 6-8wks and following physio advice since about 12 wks and I'm not in pelvic pain yet. My back hurts but then I knew it would! At this stage with #3 I was on crutches and taking 30/500 (2 tablets three times a day) cocodamols by day and dihydrocodeine at night. If I were you I'd ask to see a consultant. MWs and pharmacists will have a dicky fit if you suggest taking heavy drugs but consultants will see that a healthy, rested, pain-free (as far as is possible) mother is of more benefit to the baby. My ds was born fine, NO breathing concerns, very chilled out. Def no withdrawal symptoms or other such rubbish.

You need to conserve your energy now otherwise you're going to be knackered for the birth.

Make sure your physio gives you advice on the best way to give birth and puts a letter into your notes. Ensure your DH or birth partner tells everyone who enters the room that you have SPD. DH even told the cleaner, but I'm sure his protectiveness of me is what helped me suffer so little!

And check out www.pelvicpartnership.org.uk website. It has some really useful stuff on it.

It's pretty standard to not have actual physio in pregnancy because there's not a lot they can do, if they do help it comes back a few days later and often worse.

Most women notice a difference before they go home, of the others it's usually gone within 10 days, it's rare to suffer beyond that or long term.

I am a long termer and manage with crutches and co-dydramol so it's ridiculous to say no to co-codamol! Speak to your obstetrician about painrelief as they may be more willing to increase it. One thing to bear in mind is that it won't work if taken when you're in pain. As my doctor keeps saying "it's not painrelief, it's medication for your back"

How are you doing confuddled? There's a lot of people asking after you on the July thread.

It depends on the underlying cause IME with physio during pg. It can help a lot (it did with me) but for others it won't. The major thing is that they will give you physical aids (crutches) and practical help ideas.

Marabou I really hope you don't mind me hijacking this thread but I was reading with interest what everyone was saying about the pain.

I have terrific coccyx and lumbar pain, so much so that I spent all day Saturday in tears as no matter what I did, I couldn't get comfortable. I have tried warm baths and hot water bottles but nothing works.

I am 35 weeks now, I am due to be induced at 40 weeks if nothing has happened by then as I am classed as high risk due to age.

Do you think it's worth mentioning the pain to my m/w? I have put up with it so far as I just thought it was something I had to live with but your posts make me think maybe it's something I need to discuss....

I am 37 weeks tomorrow and have SPD. It's taken me a lot of pushing (and money) to get treated, and I am on crutches and can't walk more than a few metres, or stand for long without getting dizzy. BUT it's only been this bad in the last couple of weeks and I guess I'm nearly there. My suggestions would be:

work-should you still be going? I battled on to 35 weeks, my agreed date, but should really have been signed off. This is a legitimate medical reason to stop work.

crutches-definitely worth having, if only for those first few moments when you get 'stuck' moving off. I put it off because my midwife warned they could cause carpal tunnel but got past the point of caring.

ice pads-my chiropractor advises using them on the affected part of the pelvis, which is the sacro-ileac in my case. It brings down swelling.

I've been seeing a chiropractor who I think is keeping the pelvic problems sort of at bay. My range of movement has remained OK other than walking, and is a bit better in some cases. My pain now is mostly muscular, from walking so oddly for so long. I've had a sports massage in the last few days and it gave me three days of blessed relief before the muscles seized up again. I'm having another one from
the physio (first was from a local therapist) on Wednesday. Knowing it's the muscles and not the pelvis worsening has made me feel
mentally reassured.

I was prescribed codeine by a hospital registrar after my GP refused. I'm almost out now but am taking over the counter co-codamol (bought by my husband!) which is a far lower dose of codeine than prescribed and therefore I assume OK. I'm going to talk that over with my midwife next week but the midwives suggested talking cocodamol in the first place so I hope they won't freak out.

I hope some of that mega post is a bit helpful. You have my greatest sympathy. At least I'm on maternity leave now and can just rest, and wait...

Ng, please tell your midwife. It's absolutely something she should know about, not least because if you have SPD, it's important the midwives know during labour. Good luck.

Thanks again for sharing your experiences and info: buttonmoon78 thanks for the link, it really has some great info! I'll try to get an appointment with a consultant. I'm really glad I'll be on maternity leave starting next week; having now rested for 3 days, I see that despite the pain, I feel better than after a working week. I'm also considering bringing my birthing ball to the office to sit on, as I feel it takes some of the pressure off the back..

Good to hear the symptoms do seem to go away after giving birth. I just couldn't face not being able to get back to my spinning classes!

ng1412 Sorry to hear about your pain. I would definitely bring it up at your next appointment and get a referral asap. I also thought it was something you would just have to bear as part of being pregnant, as everyone seemed to keep saying it was normal. But I really think at these final stages of pregnancy you're already tired and uncomfortable as it is and I'm already dreading having to give birth when your body is a wreck!

NG do see your MW as soon as possible. I think mine was worse last time as I spent 12-20 weeks being fobbed off, being told 'you're pg, what do you expect' And check out the website I mentioned earlier - it will almost certainly help you whether or not it's SPD to be honest.

Marabou do use your birthing ball. They're great, but be aware that if you have a hyper H&S bod at work they're likely to flip as they're so 'unsafe'.

In pregnancy 1, it came on dramatically after I fell out the back door over mums dog!! I was signed straight off work at 28 weeks, had a c-sec as consultant said no way I could give birth naturally but I was up walking around after the numbness wore off which was blissful :)

2nd pregnancy was twins, on crutches from 12 weeks, had them at 33 weeks and used crutches for a couple of weeks after as my balance was totally out, still couldnt do somethings like crouch down until the girls were 10 months!!

3rd pregnancy - twins again, probably been the best SPD pregnancy ever!! in pain but on co codamol, I use icepacks underneath too which takes the swelling down on crutches from about 26 weeks this time but Ive had heck of alot of bed rest this time due to other problems - I also got a memory foam topper for my bed which helped my hips at night and dead leg syndrome!

I've not got a topper but I do use a duvet under the sheet. It helps with the hips as you say but also with the pressure on my shoulders. I'm not a natural side sleeper so it gets quite uncomfy for me.