SPD support/advice needed

[NAR4]

I would have put this on the SPD thread, but can't find it now.

I have been having pain with SPD since 14 weeks pregnant and now at 30 weeks I have been given crutches to use but am still beside myself with pain. I am constantly tired through lack of sleep (caused by the pain), unable to do any housework and finding it almost impossible to care for my 21 month old.

The midwife has told me there is nothing that can be done, the physio won't manipulate my pelvis to try and improve things, due to Placenta Previa and after several visits to the doctor they still insist that I can only take Paracetamol.

Surely there is something else I could take or they could do? I can't manage like this for another 10 weeks!

Hi!

This is an old thread HERE but not sure if it is the one you were trying to find.

I had what you have, two times during the pregnancy (I'm 30 weeks now) What helped me was CO-DYDRAMOL, a gynecologist and my GP gave it to me when i was 18 weeks. You need the prescription, same one is PARAMOL, you can buy it over the counter in boots, but if they see you pregnant they won't give it to you. Ask someone to buy it for you, in case your GP doesn't want you to take that. It is Paracetamol 500 plus 10 of something else. I only took them at night, two together to sleep and believe me, mornings were great with no pain, but i rested completely for 3 or 4 days on a bed. During the day was painful again, but it was not that bad, a routine of Pills+Bed worked for me.

Anyway, I'm using this belt every time i need to walk to town, it helps my back a lot:

MothercareBelt

I have tried a belt (one that the physio advised me to get) but it just leaves me with a horrible pinching type pain in my back. I think this is because my pelvis needs realigning first.

GP just phoned be back and has now agreed to Co-codemol. He said to only take it when I really need to because it affects the baby and slows down their movements. Will try and restrict this to before the school run and for bed. I hope it helps.

Thanks for the reply. Will make a note of Co-Dydramol though in case Co-Codemol doesn't help.

I never even heard of SPD until I had it (mildly) in my last pregnancy. I wish more people knew about it and understood. Most just seem to think I am making a fuss about being pregnant.

Co-codemol has only 8mg of codeine phosphate and Co-dydramol 10mg of dihydrocodeine. No idea which is the difference. Sometimes i think GPs are just reluctant for medicine and consultants!!! my GP was pregnant and she understood perfectly, and also got them through a gynecologist, and they both said to me not to take more than 6 per day, BUT as i knew they were stronger i only took 2 together at night (only one did not work for me and i wanted to sleep!)

Another thing that helped me, it was yoga classes, my teacher told me how to move the pelvis, and which movements not to do. Yes, my husband does a lot in the house but my pelvis goes first than anything. Well, i do not have kids so i can stay at bed as much as i can, that helped!

ooh I forgot, Co-dydramol constipates.. soo, if you take them, plenty of water, cereals, fruits, and prunes!

Good luck, hope you get better!

Can't do any classes unfortunately due to little one during the day and work in the evenings. Not meant to do anything due to Placenta Previa either.

GP did warned that the Co-codemol can make me constipated. Yet another side affect of pregnancy anyway. I will stock up on the prunes ready.

A chiropractor that is trained with pregnant ladies may help to realign your pelvis if physio won't.

It's just horrible isn't it - I had PGP in my last pg but it didn't kick in until after 30 weeks. This time I'm 18 weeks and really struggling already.

Do you have plenty of pillows for support in bed? I have one between my knees, one under bump and another behind my back - there's barely space for DH in bed!!!

I would really advise you to ring the Pelvic Partnership- they are so experienced and knowledgeable and will be able to give you the right information.
You have my greatest sympathy- I've had it twice and its horrible. But there is help and support out there. I'm not sure about placenta previa and manual manipulation but there are really gentle things that can help and many many women have taken stronger Painkillers when necessary.

Hope you get the help you need.

Hi Rayanne. I have spoken to pelvic partnership and they did say there were better painkillers than Paracetamol that I could take. They also didn't feel that Placenta Previa would counterindicate manual manipulation, but physio said it def does and this was backed up by a private physio I saw about it.

I have lots of pillows in bed Ellypoo but the pain is just constant, even when lying still.

Will be able to collect the prescription from GP when I have picked the children up from school and hopefully that will help a lot, otherwise I will prob just come on mumsnet and moan my way through the next 10 weeks, to stop me going bonkers.

Thanks everyone and I hope you all make a full recovery once your babies are born.