welcome to the new SPD sofa, have a [biscuit] and a [brew]!

[sillywmama]

Hello all... just thought I'd start a new SPD support thread for anyone dealing with the whole achy fanjo/painful back/ridiculous inner thigh pain. I'm 9weeks pregnant and am settling in for the long haul.

I have to confess I'm feeling a tad emotional that the pain is ALREADY here again but at least I'm better prepared this time! Last preg was spent flipping between teeth-gritted stoicism and hysterical wailing tears. No fun for anyone!

Taking enormous doses of codeine and hobbling around on crutches is something I'd like to avoid this time round so I'm going in all guns blazing for a consultant led care plan, pain clinic appointments and physio ASAP.

Anyone is welcome to join me!

Hi everyone!

Having a rubbish day, really sore & fed up! Still waiting on my new support belt ( you're intitled to 1 om the nhs, you can demand they provide it!) any one got any tips for getting around on crutches with a toddler? Have tried using a rucksack to carry stuff but I keep getting tangled up trying to get things in & out. It would be funny if it wasn't so damn painful!
Think it might be time for pain killers, although codine makes me itch like mad grumble grumble!

Hope the rest of you are hanging on in there (14 more weeks to go) will be asking my physio about the Rost thing, mind you you could recommend sleeping with fish heads & I'd give it a go. Desperate moi???

Just looked at the Rost webpage. I think this is crucial: ". It also doesn't give much advice or attention to Symphysis Pubis joint (the front of the pelvis) complaints, focusing on the Sacroilic joints (where the pelvis meets the spine). As I have both, some of the suggestions and advice are the complete opposite of things that helped me with the Symphysis Pubis pain. "

SPD means problems with only the symphysis pubis, ie your pubic bone and the joint up the middle of it. This tends to be a hormonal problem that physios can't do much about. On the plus side it tends to go away after birth.
Most women have 'pelvic girdle pain' which usually means problems with the rest of the pelvis and not much SPD, which generally is treatable to some extent - but the exercises and postures needed are different to SPD. And it's more likely to persist after birth.

If you've got both, you're a bit screwed (guess what I've got now...)
My current coping mech is to invite friends to stay over and get ds dressed in the morning as I can't chase him or hold him between my thighs and he manages to strip trousers and socks off faster than I can get them on him, but if MrNC or someone else do that bit, I can then slowly toddle him off to nursery. And I've mastered lots of ways to entertain him that involve me staying in bed - reading stories, drawing on him as ordered, letting him type in MS Word on my desktop...

Thanks notcitrus, that makes sense about the Rost site. I looked at some of their videos and thought there was absolutely no way I could possibly do some of those things! And all their tests were about one side hurting worse than the other, and that's not the case for me (plus, move something on the floor with my foot? Definitely impossible!). I think I have mostly SPD, which is encouraging if that is more likely to go away :)

I went to the nhs physio today. She was nice and gave me some excercises to do I guess time will tell if they do any good. I go back next week. I also got braces for my recently developed carpal tunnel like I needed something else to deal with...

That's a really good summary notcitrus; definitely SPD here, and agree it did pretty much vanish after I gave birth last time.

Does anyone know whether hot or cold compresses might help? DH suggested I 'stuff a hot water bottle down my knickers'! Not sure he really gets it, but I wondered whether there might be some good in it...?

The argument with the Rost Therapy is that SPd and sacroiliac pain are related and should be treated holistically. I definitely have both and it's helped me enormously. I balked when I saw some of the suggestions as they were so opposite of what I'd heard before, but they have worked for me. Anyway, just more info I guess.

LaTristesse - my physios have told me that ice is best on the pubis, and hot water bottles/warmth on all the other joints.
Warmth seems to help; ice feels good while I'm not moving but not sure if it helps after that - but then if I sit still for more than 10 min I seize up anyway. Hot baths are certainly nice!

rednellie - all the text on the site focuses on 'alignment' of the pelvis and doesn't seem to have regard for SPD - certainly the first suggested position for giving birth, on back with knees turned outward, is the worst possible position I could think of for my SPD! Correcting imbalances in the pelvis is crucial, and will reduce strain on the symphysis pubis, but won't cure over-lax ligaments.

Still, worth considering their exercises if others haven't worked.
(FWIW I'm not a physio or medic, but do have qualifications in medical science and anatomy/physiology and spent my last pregnancy mostly housebound and reading obsessively on SPD, which included a lot on Roest and other techniques...)

How is everyone this week?

Been having Braxton Hicks, came as a bit of a shock as I'd not had them last time!
Back on the codine, held out as long as I could but as MrN is away I've been doing more lifting. At least the codine doesn't seem to be making me itch which it did last time.

Off for more physio tomorrow which always cheers me up. Hope you're all well.

Hi ladies! More of me is failing -- it'd be funny if it wasn't so painful

I developed carpal tunnel in both arms last week, unable to move my hands in AM and aching throughout the the day. Then this weekend I pulled a muscle horribly in my arm (as far as I can tell, it was when waking up with a coughing fit in the middle of the night and struggling to sit up). It got progressively worse over the week, and I finally went to GP today just in case it was something else. But no, she agreed it was muscular and probably made worse because of the pregnancy loose ligaments and such. I had no idea a muscle could hurt that much -- I've pulled a lot of muscles in 9 years of gymnastics and more recently in taking up capoeira, and this is well beyond anything I'd experienced, more like when I cracked my sternum!

But she said using the crutches is keeping it from healing, and is also making the carpal tunnel worse. But not using the crutches aggravates the SPD, and using one crutch with just my "good" arm (the one with only carpal tunnel) would be even worse as it would put asymmetric stress on the SPD (and, um, what I've been doing a lot at work...). She had no good solution, however. I'm trying to use both crutches and hope the arm eventually heals.

On the positive side, DH has been an absolute dear -- helping me dress and shower, cooking meals, carrying things to and do from work, in addition to all the help and rides he's already been giving me.

I hope others have had better weeks :)

Good morning ladies,
I haven't posted since the earlier posts but now need some support (quite literally). My referral has not yet come through for physio at hospital so I've called to speak to the m/w who is on holiday but promised at GP would call me at some point about the referral -- not sure what that will solve though.
At 22 weeks I'm in pain again, did not start till later in other pregnancies, but I cannot sit comfortably, sleep or walk too well and even the co-codamol doesn't seem to be having much effect.
I've spoken to private physio, pricey but willing to fork out as the pain is so bad, she is only at the clinic once a week though.
Any ideas on pain relief ladies?
Or a shoulder to cry on even :)

ecstatica you poor thing! I know what you mean about the referral taking ages, mine certainly did.

I don't know what to suggest apart from the obvious, do as little as you can get away with! The big tubigrip bandage that they gave me at physio to wear over the bump seems to be helping a bit, presumably they can't be expensive to buy yourself?

Sorry to hear things are taking long for you, ecstatica. My referral took ages, too 2 weeks to get the call, and the appointment wasn't for another 8 weeks! But I now know they were having staffing problems antenatal physio quit and they've only recently hired a temp replacement part time, still looking to get a full timer.

I bought a "maternity band" at Mothercare, which helped a lot. Every physio who has seen it has said it was really good support. Most recently after finally seeing the antenatal physio she only recommend that I wear it a bit lower -- to make sure the front went over my hip bones.

Also, if you feel the need for a walking stick or crutches, go ahead and get them. I resisted each time, but was grateful DH pressured me into them (and wished I'd gotten the crutches way sooner) -- as it was, it was still 3 weeks from crutches to physio and I couldn't have it made it without them. A walking stick can be got at Boots for around £10, and there are online places for mobility aids that sell crutches for around £20, plus I hear you can get loaners from Red Cross.

Something else about the referral -- it might be worth checking with the hospital? I actually got to talk to one of the hospital's antenatal physios for 10 minutes or so when I crept my way into my consultant appointment and the midwives were horrified I didn't have a physio appt for 6 more weeks still. Not as thorough as the 1 hour assessment I eventually got, but she provided a little bit of advice, exercises, and a few flyers.

Thank you for the replies :)

Surprisingly enough GP called back a little later and was apologetic as to why referral was taking so long. She called again to say that someone from the hospital would call before tomorrow and she was confident of that and to call her if they didn't. Very professional and caring med prof :) We shall see!

Thank you for the information, I wasn't sure where to get a good band from so I think I'll call Mothercare now and see if they have any in stock -- could really do with one.

Sat here now trying my best to entertain DC and waiting for back up. I feel so helpless it's pathetic.

Hello everyone, I've not been on here for ages, but I've enjoyed a good catch up, although sorry to have yet more sufferers and hear of the SPD getting worse for lots of you.

As the end is in sight fir me (Im 39 weeks today), I really enjoyed the birth stories, so thanks all for sharing. I've posted this question in childbirth, but thought some of you wise ladies would also be able to offer some advice

I'm 39 weeks with DC2 and have had PGP/SPD for most of the second and third trimesters. Fortunately it's not been too painful, more uncomfortable, but it has affected my mobility. As the midwives didn't seem to have many ideas on what it might be I took myself to a private physio, who diagnosed it and gave me exercises to do and a list of dos and don'ts. I think overall I'm doing quite well, it's not got worse and, with care, I'm managing my daily routine. My midwives continued to pretty much dismiss it so I pinned one down at my last appointment and was told they didn't want to put it in my notes as a formality, as then I'd have to be referred to a consultant, which wouldn't achieve much as I was managing on my own anyway and would mean I wouldn't be able to give birth in the MLU, and would end up with lots of monitoring, intervention etc. She basically has trusted me to know my own body and its limits, which is flattering but also worrying me at the same time.

That was a bit of a ramble, sorry, just wanted to set the scene. Thanks for bearing with me

So my question is: should I put that I have SPD in my birth plan, so when I arrive at hospital it is clear and the midwife is considerate of positions I should use? Or will this flag up an issue and maybe not allow me to use the pool or have drs/consultants invited in, or whatever? Should I go with the alternative and not mention it in my plan and just hope I and DH stay with it enough to say no if something isn't good for me? What would you do, if you were me?

Thanks, and all the best to all of you

ZuleikaJambiere I would put it on your notes if I were you. Hopefully the midwives at the hospital will be better informed & understand the condition.
There have been a number of posters on this thread who've had water births (the issue I had was the consultant, he felt I wouldn't be able to get out in an emergancy) so that should be fine. It just means that they know not to go pulling your legs to far apart etc. It's best to make things really clear before you're well into labour, when things are calm & you can make them listen.

As for your MW its scary that they have no understanding of SPD, given 1 in 4 women suffer with it during pregnancy. Can anyone think of an affective way to raise awareness? It makes me so angry that women are suffering due to ignorance about SPD. Have any 'celebrity mums' suffered with it?? Would be a good way to get it out there.
Sorry about the rant but it does make me cross

ZuleikaJambiere: I'm no expert, but I'm not sure your MWs know what they're talking about. I'm in "shared care" with a consultant, and have been told specifically I can give birth in the MLU -- they'll just whisk me away if my heart goes bonkers during labour. No one ever mentioned anything about SPD requiring consultant care, or limiting use of MLU. In fact, it seems that MLU is preferred because the ability to use water/birthing balls/etc.

Because SPD can make a difference for your positions and how they approach interventions, it really ought to be in your notes. You don't want to end up with a separated pelvis and/or dislocated hips (like a friend of my friend from the States, where SPD is barely known) because no one knew to take care.

And nannyn, yes, I'm finding it stunning the low level of SPD-awareness! I now know that I'm incredibly lucky that my very first twinges of it were correctly identified by my GP. I have a friend who was told it was sciatica and given stretches to do that stressed her pelvis is bad ways, but luckily she recovered and in her second pregnancy the SPD was correctly diagnosed and she had a much better time (and a realisation of what had gone on the first time, and why the stretches made things worse, not better). I have another friend who was dismissed as it being "typical pregnancy pains" until she actually dislocated her hip and they had to acknowledge that was not normal. And then there is the horror story from my friend in the States... The thing I find most worrying is the advice given that can actually make things worse, although being told it's just "normal" is pretty bad, too. I'd probably be a complete nutcase by now if someone was telling me the pain I'm experiencing is typical for pregnancy, and assuming that all the pregnant women I see walking around are experiencing the same pain that would have me screaming if I tried to stride normally, and so I must be an absolute wimp.

zuleika - everything that's vital, eg SPD and that your knees can only move x cm apart, even if you have an epidural - put on a big post-it and stick to the front of your notes! And in any birth plan you do. Basically the more obvious the better - and the MWs etc will love you for making their lives easier!

Update from me: baby dd born Wednesday night, after I spent Tuesday fretting that SPD had got worse (week 38) and arranging for ds to be taken to nursery by other people, then it finally dawned on me about 3am Weds that the really nasty pubis pains were coming every 20 min, then every 15...
Went to hospital around 10am, and like previous time the SPD suddenly got worse (again, this seems very rare even for people with SPD) so we skipped most of my birth plan and got an epidural immediately.
OK after that, despite one MW not realising that it wasn't just pain from SPD that could be a problem until we told her. We didn't manage to get me onto all-fours at all this time, so ended up with another ventouse delivery in theatre (just in case we needed a cs, but as they put it, I didn't want a cs and they didn't want to do one at 10pm if they didn't have to either!). Dd totally fine; I stayed overnight until the drugs etc wore off, but was pleasantly surprised by the pn care this time.

The night staff were excellent at picking dd up for me and giving her to me and putting her back, even with all the times she sounded like she wanted feeding then didn't. Was a bit worried pelvis was getting worse, but after spending lots of today in bed, it's certainly better than it was.

Fingers crossed my hormones all sort themselves out soon and all the rest of you get the help you need - keep nagging every phone line you need to!

notcitrus congratulations so pleased you're both well. 38 wks is a good time to go, & no induction!
Hope everything goes back in place quickly & you can get on with enjoying your new baby.
Is it slightly mental that even though I'm pregnant & in a stupid amount of pain the mere mention of a new baby makes me feel broody??

Congratulations NotCitrus :) Hope you and DD are doing just fine.

nannyn - Snap!

How is everyone else?
Got a call from the hospital to attend ante-natal physio class week after next and to get fitted for crutches. Have private physio on Monday, he insisted that I return asap -- was quite painful but felt better next day. He said it'd shrunk due to pressure from hobbling around...

Hope everyone is doing ok on the spd front.

A quite cry for help on a slightly TMI subject!

Co-codamol - I'm taking them on and off but I've found they make my poo really hard and rock-like! :( It's making life a bit uncomfortable as I don't really feel like I can spread my legs much while sat on the loo either.

Anyone here any words of advice? I'm eating dried apricots at work and taking Fybogel before bed but neither of those seem to be doing much. Doing my best to keep the liquid levels up too.

miko - lactulose. Couple quid over the counter. it's a 'stool softener' not a laxative or anything.
And lots of veg, prunes, and drinking more water.
Also take the lowest dose you need of cocodamol, maybe get the codeine prescribed separate to paracetamol so can take para and 15 or 30 codeine and then another 15 or 30 codeine if necessary.

Congratulations notcitrus! Glad DD is well, and hope your recovery is fast.

My week is better than last -- my arm is healing, slowly, and I got dressed all by myself this morning! Still need DH's help to bathe, though. I also had a visit from the Health and Safety people at work, but it went fine. They decided I could get out of the building in 3 minutes if needed, so don't need to do anything drastic.

LO is still turning somersaults -- she was sideways at checkup today and I'm sure spent yesterday sitting up from where he kicks were. I'm glad she seems to be doing well. DH said today how we weren't really celebrating Valentines day, but hearing her heartbeat was the best valentines hear ever :)

Q for those of you seeing pysio/chiro etc. Has anyone been told the bit of cartilige(I think) between the pubic bones has dislodged/come away?
I am at that stage where no position is comfy & laying on my right is agony, not much better on left. The lady I see said there is a possibility that it has so my bones are now over lapping & grinding. One side of my pelvis is much higher, she keeps aligning them but nothing is staying in place.
It makes sense of the pain I'm in but wasn't something I'd heard of.

Also what dose of codine were you on at 26wks?

Thanks xx

Hi ladies, thought I'd come and join you, will read back up your thread in a mo I promise!

Have just found out that I'm pregnant with number 2, thrilled of course, but totally dreading the return of the nightmare SPD. If I had it with the first, will I definitely have it with the second? And will it start sooner? I think it only really kicked in at about 20 weeks with DD, but I was totally miserable with it after that.

Sympathy to you all going through it at the moment, am keeping my knees together in solidarity

More NHS physio today! For about a week after the last session I thought perhaps the bandage was doing the trick, but as I get bigger it seems to be less helpful.

I am fed up with how constipated the Co-codamol are making me, but I don't think I'd survive long without them.

Starting to get nervous about birth now, having discovered this week that I can't/don't dare get my legs wide enough open to have sex (first attempt in months) I'm worried about how I'm going to get a baby through that gap!

Hello?? Where's everyone gone? Either you've all had your lovely babies or found a cure & you're out having a life.
I'm on more codine and counting down the weeks, on the up side I can still manage the stairs & get dressed myself (it's the little things)

Anyway pop in & update soon.