Confused- joint pain

[amybelle1990]

Hello all,

I'm jsut a bit confused. I've been to my GP and consultant about joint pain in pregnancy. I've had a group session with the physio but it wasn't anything that helpful tbh- it was just like a manual handling course at work. I've been to my GP again and been signed off work because the joint pain is so severe. It's in my back, hips, knees, wrists, elbows. I feel like an old man! Anyway the GP said that it's normal and that I've just got to rest and not work :S. My midwife says it's not normal and has made another referral to the physio. I don't like not going to work or doing the housework, and I'm getting so fed up of assuming the 'beached whale' position on the sofa. I feel like I'm being one of those 'precious' people who whine all the time.

My question is, should I just rest up and accept it or should I be really pushing the physio input and pursuing treatment with a different GP

God, pregnancy can be awful sometimes! You have my sympathy.
Can I ask, how many weeks are you? If you're near the end I'd be tempted to assume the beached whale position, but if you've got quite a few weeks to go then I'd be following up the physio appt and possibly looking at some private care as well if I could afford it.

i'm 31+4. Definitely can't afford to get private care. Still have yet to sort out SSP/MA because work's being a dick slow

My sessions with my chiropractor are costing £35 a time. Is there any way you could find that sort of £ ??, maybe a loan from family even? The treatment I have been receiving has helped me hugely with my SPD/PGP. I didn't even bother with our local NHS physio service this time around after their dismissive, unhelpful attitude and advice last time I was pg.

I really do sympathise with you, personally I think it's disgraceful that the NHS just shrugs and lets women suffer during pregnancy. What you are experiencing might not be uncommon but it is NOT normal.

I too pay £35 a time for my chiropractic sessions and they are worth every penny I went before I was pg with DD anyway, but those sessions really helped free up any aches/tightness and keep my pelvis in alignment when your centre of gravity is changing. I have been going during this pg too, & these sessions, along with my NCT relax stretch & breathe classes are making me feel flexible & without too much pain when moving, although I expected it to be worse this time around, as it seemed to start much earlier than with my DD (I'm 26+3 & was starting to experience quite considerable pelvic discomfort by about 17wks!!).

However, if you can't go down either of those routes, go with your gut/MW opinion and get that physio sorted!!!