Agonising back pain at 20wks - confused if pg related or not?? :S

[KatieWatie]

It seems too early for this to be pregnancy related, I'm not that big yet.

About 8 weeks ago my 8 stone German Shepherd pulled on the lead and jarred my back, but it was sort of the other side to where I've now got the pain. It's happened before and normally sets itself right on its own.

This isn't getting any better, if anything it's getting worse. I'm in agonising pain especially on a morning when I've just got up, I can barely walk as putting my left foot down is total torture, bent double and having to cling onto things. It eases off as the day goes on. DH suggested it might be because I normally would sleep on my stomach and now I'm not doing.

If I wasn't pg I'd go to the doctors, but as it is I feel like he'll just dismiss it as normal pregnancy pain. Is this normal at this stage of pregnancy?

Sounds more like the dog caused it. I would ring a chiro that can
see you while pregnant and go from there.

Probably caused by dog but bad because if pregnancy. I managed to strain joints in my lower back v badly by...getting out the car!!!

Agree that a (good, reputable, licensed) chiro would help.

I would go to the doctor - definately sounds like the dog (perhaps this was just one jar too many?) even if pregnancy has made it worse, it sounds like it aint going to get better without help! (especially since you can't take ibuprophen etc.)
x

Your back will be far more vulnerable now you are pregnant, the doc should want to refer you to a physio even more if you are pregnant (perhaps to give you some strengthening exerises too). It might be worth taking precautions when you take the dog out - could DP/DH hold the dog when you walk?. I had really nasty back pain from 6 weeks (desk job and a poor chair) and spent many hours staring at the ceiling off sick because every other position hurt, so it really is possible for it to kick in that early. The doc was only able to suggest deep heat cream and parasetamol as pain relief though.

Hope you feel better soon

PS - back pain isn't always bump size related - you get a huge surge of hormones in the first trimester that include relaxin, the one that softens up the ligaments etc that hold your back and pelvis in place so make sure you take care of yourself early on too.

NeedMen hits it on the head - it need not be pg size related to be pg related.

I would go to the gp to ask about physio and then go to a chiropractor if you don't get anywhere with the gp.

Re the dog, if it's not practical to get your dh to do the lead holding, get a Haltie. It looks like a horses head collar and you attach the lead to that. When the dog pulls it will tighten around his muzzle. It doesn't hurt but they really don't like it!

We have a border collie and he used to pull like a steam train. Not anymore, and not within 2 days of using the haltie. Best £10 I ever spent! We don't use it anymore, only if he forgets himself, but one walk with it and he soon remembers!

Agree with the comments about seeing a physio. Also, what is your mattress like? I used to have mild backache quite regularly until we got a new memory foam mattress this year. It really is a godsend. Just thinking if it's bad when you get up, maybe a new one would help?

Hi all, thanks for your messages, I'm going to take your advice and book in with the GP tomorrow as I can ask about some other non-pg related things at the same time. I hardly ever go to the docs and when I do I usually find I play things down so walk away feeling a bit like they think I'm a time-waster .
I'll be sure to not underplay the pain I've been in, I was sobbing in agony this morning and I usually have a very high pain threshold.

Re the dog, DH usually walks him, but I was picking him up from the kennels, he was keen to leave and made a bolt for my car. I didn't know about the Relaxin thing, I wish I had.

I think our mattress is fine, or at least I haven't been in this much pain before and have recovered quickly from any jars.

Is Deep Heat ok in pregnancy? We have a Canadian version called Mineral Ice which has been excellent in the past but says on the tub not to use if pg or nursing