SPD - anyone else joining me on the birthing ball?

[elgoldenflower]

Hello out there, was looking for a support thread for those of us unlucky enough to have developed SPD and couldn't find a current one.

I'm 19 weeks (EDD 26.10.11) and have been aware of pelvic pain since conception (v mild at first) but it's steadily getting worse. I now can't walk more than about 30 yds without being sofa/birthing ball - bound for the evening.

My physio is fitting me with crutches on Monday as I can't avoid a bit of walking for my work (I run drama workshops all over the place so have to travel to them and I don't drive).

So far cycling's wonderful but I'm not aloud to use my bike like a mobility scooter as far as I know so cycling usually involves a bit of walking too.

Grr just wanted to be able to rant without annoying my v supportive antenatal thread.

Do the crutches really help? I only had the support belt last time but the pain was only in my hips. I wore the belt today to tesco and whilst it was an improvement I still struggled to walk. I feel like if there was a rail to hold I could get round. I feel like I can't stand up straight. Does that make sense?

How do people find driving? Does it aggravate the SPD? I couldn drive during my last pregnancy.

I'll nag work to get an assessment done. They are so tight though!!

I've really had enough. I'm off work again because it's so bad. Took matters in my own hands. Phone hospital physio department. You can't self refer anymore so I need a midwife referral. So I phoned midwife and she said no problem. Took all my details but once I said I was 17 weeks she started saying it's too early and that physio probably won't see me yet. She said they don't give out supports if that's what I'm after, I explained I have one already but it's a lot worse than last pregnancy. She said just keep wearing support and taking paracetamol. What am I supposed to do about the fact that I just can't cope with it?

I spoke to a midwife at the hospital and she was lovely but referral needs to come from community midwife. Hospital midwife didn't dismiss me for being too early but said they are limited with what they can do. Either send me to ob/gyn ward at hospital or go to consultant clinic but it's not something consultants should really be dealing with at this point.

Oh lilBB, you are not having a good time!!!

crutches don't stop walking from hurting but I can get much further on them than without (about 10m max without). Driving really aggravates my SPD/PGD, when it's bad I can't drive, when it's more settled I can manage about 20 mins drive.

I'm not sure what to avise re your midwife - what comes to mind is to write down all the ways this is affecting you, inc that paracetamol isn't helping. Make an urgent appointment to see her and make it clear that she needs to make that physio referral. It's up to them if they decide not to see you, not her.

If she continues to be unhelpful, tell her that you are finding her unhelpful and that you are already struggling enough without an unsupportive midwife. She will have a supervisor whom you can speak to and you could pre-emptively ring and speak to her about your treatment / ask for a different one, or you could amke it clear to your midwife that this is the next step you will be taking if she doesn't help.

It may be worth ringing the physio again and checking with them that they will see you once referred by midwife, rather than her idea that they won't see you at 17 weeks. I was seen at 14 weeks and when physio heard I'd been suffereing since week 8, she was not impressed and said she needed to have seen me then!!!

Involve your GP too - go back and tell him her how bad things are and that paracetamol not helping. And if you need to see a consultant obstetrician, so what, they may kick some butt on your behalf!!

HTH. I had to take a month off when things were at their worst and am managing by mainly working from home where possible.

And do your shopping by internet!!! At least til things are easier...

I only went to tesco for 3 things!! I thought I'd be ok but I forgot how big the store is and the 3 things seemed to be as far away from each other as possible. I was shuffling around and kept getting shooting pains at the front. I feel like I'm 40 weeks!! I get my urine results tomorrow so I will make another appointment to see GP. I may phone physio department too and ask how long it's likely to take to get an appointment. I hope I'm not waiting weeks.

I second online shopping and then I have a serious M&S habit at the moment as I can't handle big shops. May cost more but also cuts down on the food prep time at home too. As well as the SPD I went through a phase of fainting at the supermarket.

Hi ladies just wanted to pass on that i gave birth a week and a half ago and the spd has now all but gone! I did expect it to disapper the next day as everyone seems to say, it didnt but a big blood loss left me very weak as well. Jut wanted to share as i was very worried it would cause long term damage and it does go. Good luck to you all!

Congratulations witches!! Good to hear it's gone.

I've phoned the physio today and they said I will be seen in outpatients as soon as possible. It doesn't matter how far along I am. Silly midwife!!

Congratulations witches! Build up all your disused muscles carefully!

Had physio again today - luckily she didn't feel the need this time to poke lots of bits that only hurt when poked, but I've got so many exercises to do!
No idea how I might find time to put ice on my crotch and hot water bottles on each side...

congratulaiotns, witches! and glad to hear the spd is on it's way out too!

lilBB - that's good, hope the silly midwife takes notice now...

citrus - lol, I was v hot the day before yesterday and got one of those pushy-uppie ice lollies (brain refusing to come up with name) from the freezer and while waiting for it to thaw a bit, realized could use it on the SP... Glad no one came in and saw me with it clamped in my crotch

hello everyone. I'm sorry I've had to come to this thread, but c'est la vie and all that. :(

I got PGP with my previous pregnancy but I didn't realise what it was, I thought it was sciatica. It was the name SPD which put me off, my pain is in the back of my pelvis and down my bum and I thought SPD was "at the front" iykwim.

I'm now 13 weeks and I've been suffering now for 3 weeks already. I rode my horse on Saturday for an hour and although it didn't hurt at all at the time by sunday morning I was crippled.

I am really upset by all of this. I'm scared that I've got another 23+ weeks of pregnancy in what is only going to be increasing pain and I hate people who whine about their medical ailments.

I slept really well last night and woke up pain free. Did the stairs one at a time. Swung my legs together over the bath for a shower. Then... had to carry the baby downstairs (13 month lump) and then take him to creche. You have to put plastic shoe protectors on over your shoes and of course that's a "stand on 1 leg" job. By the time I left I was hobbling and close to tears.

I've got a doctor's appointment on Thursday so I shall see what they can refer me for.

Right now I feel pathetically close to tears because my last pregnancy was very difficult (for other issues) - this time I've not got those problems but really? PGP at 10 weeks? :(

Hi everyone, Hope you don't mind me posting on this thread.
I am not sure if I have SPD or PGP - I haven't been to doctor yet. I am seeing midwife tomorrow so definitely asking her about it.

I am in agony most of the time. The pain feels like it's in my butt, which suggests PGP, from what I've read online? It's worse at night time, and I am literally screaming in pain when turning over in bed or getting out of bed, and sometimes in tears with the sharp pain.

I am desk bound at work, meaning after a few minutes in one position I am in great pain again, and shifting. I am trying to exercise my pelvic floor muscles as much as possible whilst sitting.

Does this sounds like PGP/SPD? Is there a huge difference between the two?
Also, does a gym exercise ball do the same job as a birthing ball?

I will see what the MW says tomorrow, I cannot afford to take any time off work, but I need to get this sorted. I wish I could see an osteopath regularly, but won't be entitled to paid time off for this, or would I since it is pregnancy related??

Hope everyone is feeling much better with crutches and what not. Any advice greatly appreciated!

Hi alpinepony and miamama - sorry to hear we have two new bums on the birthing ball, and welcome!

SPD = PGD, PGD has replaced SPD to recognise that the whole pelvis can be affected but most health professionals seem to be more familiar with SPD, so the two can be used interchangeably, or you may have to try both terms before a light comes on...

I've mainly been affected in my sacro-illiac joints - so in me bum / down over buttock into legs, but whole pelvis is affected now . I've had this since week 8, so unfortunatlely yes it can happen [alpine], sorry! As have lots of the other lovely ladies on here... It is v wearing - I'm now week 30, so slowly getting there.

Things that help (for me):

• pillow between legs at night, I find a specific pregnancy pillow is better than an ordinary one, seems to have helped keep pelvis aligned
• physio referral to assess pelvic alignment and to get aids such as a belt and crutches
• acupuncture from pregnancy trained acupuncturist (I pay for it)
• OH assessment at work (where the physio comes and looks at desk)
• cocodamol 30/500 1-2 tablets 4-6 hourly as needed - only started helping once things had settled a bit ironically
• resting as much as possible (on a chair that doesn't wreck me to stay sat on)
• avoiding or keeping to a miminim things that hurt (walking, driving, crouhing or squatting, lifting things, etc, most of normal life really)
• hot baths help sometimes.
• a month off sick when things were really bad helped things settle a good bit

Other ladies on here recommend osteo and a serola belt (which you can buy off amazon and other sites). My physio just recommended pelvic floors and some tummy tightening exercises. Read back throught this thread too,lots of good advice and people sharing experiences.

Your midwife should refer you to physio, generally the sooner the better. GP can prescribe the strong cocodamol, which are safe enough in pregnancy(see the discussions up thread).

pelvic partnership has good advice on its website (.org I think), I posted some info leaflets from assoc of chartered womens phyios upthread too.

And coming on here and posting (aka having a good whinge) is really helpful, it has really stopped me feeling so alone throughout this, cos there is usually someone who understands on here to give support, which can be really lacking elsewhere. Hope that helps!

I'm having a crappy week so far, not the worst but a little reminder of worse times. Just counting down the weeks...

hope everyone else doing okay x

missustulip thank you for your advice and wisdom!
I am hoping for a referral to physio as soon as possible then, as by the sounds of it, it only gets worse as pregnancy gets further along.

Also, seeing Company Doctor in work as policy on Thurs, so will ask all about it, and see if can get my chair/desk situation looked at. They're not very child/maternity friendly in my dept, so will feel a bit of a numpty bringing in bouncy ball to sit on!

Will read back through the thread for other tips and the links you mentioned.
Hopefully if I get some help with it now, it might not be as bad in later stages... here's hoping!

Thanks again, and hope everyone feeling ok!

no probs miamama, don't feel v wise, all bitter experience I'm afraid. Think your work is legally obliged to assess your work station and make any adjustments needed, so stamp your feet! Even if your boss is Alan Sugar...

You might be able to swing osteo appointments as pregnanacy related appointments, some people have chanced their arm and no probs, others have ended up being told no. But if it helps you stay at work by reducing your pain, it will increase your productivity and cost them less overall... Worth a shot . Just out of nosiness, are you free-lance or is there another reason you wouldn't be entitled to paid sick leave? If I hadn't taken some proper sick eave, I think I would have ended up on long term sick until maternity leave started, cos I wasn't doing myself any favours trying to struggle on...

oh sorry, no I'm not free lance, I just meant that I would have to take SSP, and lose out on earnings that way. Not like with ante-natal appointments, where we get paid time off.

I will investigate and find out. Got an OH contact within work that I can email for more info.
They are so tight here though, 5 absences in 12 months and your employment is terminated. I have already had 2, one stomach bug and one with severe migraine (pregnancy related). Doesn't help that NO-ONE in my entire department has children. Not the most sympathetic bunch, so am glad I have MN and this thread to vent to!

Will let you know how I get on with my appointments, and hopefully will get physio referral and take it from there.

Hey!

Im 31 weeks pregnant (today!) and just found out today that i have SPD, its sooooooooooooooo painful, i cant get up and down stairs, in and out of the car, in and out of bed or turning over is horrible and i struggle to put pants on most days :(

On the plus side... NHS advise not to hoover or iron so that's a bonus! other half can do it instead!!!

Hi everyone - and welcome to the newbies! I've had a really crappy past couple of days - hardly any sleep whatsoever - pubic bone really AGONISING at the moment - I swear it feels like it's going to snap or something! The osteo has been helping a bit (more with the back pain) but the bloody pubic bone persists in crippling me The osteo has advised putting frozen peas in a tea towel and holding this near the pubic area and inner thighs and alternating with warm and cold so I am gonna give this a go - has anyone else had any joy with this technique?

Sorry to moan - but at least you all know what I am going through and understand (unfortunately!)

Well the midwife this morning seems to think I have Sciatica... anyway she has done Physio Referral so fingers crossed that will happen soon and we can investigate the problem and get treatment!

Had to take pain killers to get to sleep last night, am 17wk+4. Top of my legs were really sore as well, for first time, but I was over doing it a bit with loads of washing, up and down stairs, emptying dishwasher blah blah life in general!

Hope everyone ok and this is a great place to vent and get support!

Hi - can I join in too?!
I was wondering whether it was possible to have both SPD AND PGP in the sciatic area?
Only, I feel the hot burning pain in my front pelvis as well as the agony of trying to sit with pain in the Sciatic nerve area.
I'm a bit confused - I saw a physio and told him my symptoms and his treatment seems to be focused on the sciatic pain rather than the SPD in that the exercises he has given me get me to open my legs (which hurts, of course!) and goes counter to other advice about SPD. Also, I have a belt that turns out to be for Sciatic pain but does so buy opening up the front of the pelvis even more - which can't be good.
So I guess my question is - am I doing more harm than good by focusing on the wrong problem?!

hello everyone and welcome to the newcomers.
I'm having a really bad week. Had UTI last week and don't think it is any better and crippled with PGP now too to make things worse. Mostly like you, mattsmama with the pubic bone, gonna try the cold peas alternated with heat pad there.... use hot water bottle on lower back but that doesn't suit the front, so thanks for that tip. Also started using crutches this week, but not all the time, only if I have to walk a bit of a distance eg can't get parked near enough to shop/cafe.
isabelladeste sounds like you need another chat with your physio and explain what effect the exercises are haivng on you....is he a specialised obstetric physio?? Doesn't sounds like he knows what he's talking about!

hi everyone and thank you for the awesome welcome. :)

I'd already been using a pregnancy pillow/jamming the duvet between my legs so that my poor boyfriend lies there shivering. He can complain when he's carrying the next one of course!

Just back from my lovely doctor who made me pull my pants down to show him where it hurt - it does help when they're handsome doesn't it? Anyway, he's pretty sure this is SPD/PGP given my symptoms and area of pain so he gave me a referral to a physio and I've made an appointment for next wednesday hurrah! I will discuss with the physio getting one of those belts, in fact if they'll prescribe one for me all the better obviously!

The pain has diminished greatly since earlier in the week - so I think that's pretty much confirmed - no more riding the horse until after.

I'm finding it very strange to sit with both feet planted on the ground, I'm usually quite a "twister" when I'm sat down.

I hope everyone else is having a reasonable day.

Hi joyfulpuddlejumper , isabelladeste and nikkilouise! Yes, please 'whinge' on here - no one else ever sees it that way as we're all on the same birthing ball...

joyful - I know what you mean, walked to post office a couple of weeks ago, normally 5 mins walk if that but it turned into an epic journey, like Frodo walking to fecking Mordor... Poor you having a pre-existing back condition on top!

isabelle - at physio's exercises, I'm with iwill on this, he doesn't sound all that specialised in SPD/PGD... Don't worry about disregarding any exercises that hurt, all advice I've been given has been not to push on with such things! And opening your legs is usually on the banned list for SPD... Both you and miamama - sciatica can be difficult to distinguish from PGD, esp round the back. I could tell the difference cos i've had sciatica on and off for a while, so could tell how it was different but if I hadn't had it, I could have gone with that, as the pain was coming down from my lower back, thru buttock and down leg a bit predominantly on one side, so v like a description of sciatica. But they are treated differently!!! Hope your physio helps miamama!

*nikkilouise8 - ckeck out pelvic partnership.org for advice on all those bloody bothersome daily activities wot you used to take for granted, there are some good tips on there if you haven't already been.

mattsmama and iwill - my front bum bone also v sore recently, have been feeling under weather apart from that so haven't yet tried this but was thinkng that one of those ice packs you put in with chilled food might be superior to frozen food stuffs inc ice, as it won't melt and give the attractive just wet yourself look? I used one on face after a wisdom tooth removal, v soothing at time. Will let you know how it works once my get up and go returns... Hope you're feeling better soon, iwill, tis sucky to have UTI too

alpinepony, glad to hear things are a bit better! I hate heaving to sit up straight too, but the pain that resulting from fidgeting about is a big encouragement to good posture! LOL at having to pull pants down for hunky GP, funny how used to this you get while pregnant (pulling pants down for random reasons, not hunky GPs...)

some day I will write a short post, I will honestly! Going to blame it on baby brain... and return to sitting on sofa in PJs staring blankly out window at rain.

Some good news here - I'm 13+5, went back to physio today, and it seems all the exercises are at least holding things at bay. She also stretched out some bits round my sacrum again and it turns out the parts all round there that are sore when poked and have been for 20 years are just tense muscles that can be fixed! Now why didn't the last 8 physios spot that? (ok, last one just did my arms - and IDd issues that hadn't been diagnosed in 20 years either. Clearly physio becoming a profession requiring 3 As at A-level is paying off...)

So I'm slightly better rather than worse, and have been signed up to ante-natal exercise classes in Sept, which is more of the exercises I'm doing already. With a bit of luck, we might be able to hold the SPD at bay this time and at least keep me walking.

Ds's scooter has just arrived so hope to get him using that rather than the pushchair soon...