34 weeks with really sore back - drugs??!

[sillymillyb]

Im 34 weeks pregnant and for the last few days I have been in agony (to the point of tears) with a bad back. I have had a urine infection for last 3 weeks despite 3 lots of antibiotics, and am wondering if its to do with this, or is just general back back-ness from being so huge. I am seeing the midwife again on tues to discuss what to do next with UTI but in mean time..... what the hell can I do?!

I rarely take paracetamol but have had to take max dose for last 3 days. Is this quantity / duration of dosing ok when Im pregnant? Can I do anything else? I live alone and am scared to have a bath in case I get stuck. The only thing that remotely offers any relief is to be on all 4's with my bum in the air (I am soooo attractive right now!!) but even that is just temporary.

Am just so fed up..... any advice? Thanks for reading this mammoth message :)

Hi sillymilly I'm also 34wks and struggling with back ache. not pleasant, I know.

I can't offer any advice on paracetamol dosage, but I find sitting on my maternity ball helps my back. Also kneeling with head & arms resting in the ball while on my knees and rocking helps.

A nice warm shower on your back could help (temporarily). Hope you feel better soon. X

Ah I think I recognise you from the March thread knitterati thanks for replying - bad backs suck huh?

I hadn't thought of my maternity ball, will go get that now. I'm truly at my wits end now. It doesn't bode well for labour if my pain threshold is this low with a bad back!

Hope you feel better too :)

How about a hot water bottle?

Not sure about paracetamol dose, are you in the UK maybe give NHS direct a call?

I suffer with SPD and at 32 weeks now looking after 3 other DC I am now considering what pain relief may be available, I have always just tried to ignore it but it is getting to the point that I can't function, and with 3 kids I NEED to function!

Hope you get some relief and they sort out the UTI soon x

Ahhh I hope they invent a wonder drug for you merrier I am just about able to look after myself with out crying, if I had 3 kids too I would have taken to my bed! I hope your DH is helping lots!

I have just called NHS direct but they are only taking urgent calls so I have hung up. To be honest, the paracetamol isn't even really helping with the pain at the mo, which is making me worry what it would be like without iyswim?

Oh and I have a hot water bottle tucked down the back of my leggings now. I look like I am some sort of hunchback so must remember to take it out before I leave the house

Thank you for all the help ladies, Im beginning to annoy myself as I cant settle and am so miserable, so I really appreciate the support x

Ah yep, that's me from the March thread. Only tend to drop in and out though.

Hope you manage to get some rest tonight...the worst thing is not being able to settle then the tiredness on top of tiredness. That way lies madness!

Ack, sorry to hear you're feeling so bad sillymillyb. AFAIK you can keep taking the max dose of paracetamol for as long as you need -- I've got SPD and the Drs keep suggesting I keep it topped up all the time (though I don't...)

Where is your back pain? I worry as you mentioned UTI's, which can move up into the kidneys and hurt lots basically, right at the kidneys. If that is where your pain is, especially if it is one-sided, don't wait until Tues call someone today!

Ditto last poster. You need to rule out uti. Codeine is ok in pregnancy, I had it for my back.

I'm also on codeine and paracetamol for my back, doc said codeine was fine, a life saver for me. Disc issues etc. I'm on half of my regular tabs; normal dose: 30/500, half dose: 15/250, seems to do the trick most of the time.

Hi all,

sorry for disappearing - I have had my head in the sand (and my back firmly in the air!)

I went to the midwife today who has discovered baby is back to back and therefore possibly the cause of my back pain. I have been referred to a physio and Im hoping so much they can help. I cried at my appointment as Im just in so much sodding pain, and if nothing else, its draining me at a time when I want to be sorting clothes and finishing the nursery.

She hasn't ruled out the uti being a cause but they have "lost" my test results, so have sent some more off and will hopefully call me by friday. There are those thingy beginning with L in my urine still.... cant for life of me remember what they are called. Not Lucozades but similar!! So it's still not cleared up despite all the antibiotics I've taken so far.

Oh, and apparently she doesn't want to give me codeine until we know what the cause of my pain is, which while I understand, is so demoralising. I would love just 24 hours off so I can get my morale back up!

Anyway, thank you again for all the support.... here's hoping baby turns, physio gives me a lovely massage(!) and UTI buggers off :)

Ah well, it sounds like your MW is being proactive about your back pain rather than putting it down to 'a pregnancy thing' as most MWs seem to do. That's good news.

The maternity ball stuff still might help get baby in the right position.

Hope the source of the pain is got to soon and you can start to enjoy your 3rd trimester