Calling in sick with possible spd?

[Doodlekitty]

I've been in agony all weekend. Last night I could barely walk, today slightly better. Midwife told me a few weeks ago there is nothing they can do yet (23 weeks) and just to take paracetamol, but it's so much worse. I have an office job but a fair amount of walking between meetings Tec but essentially a desk job. Will I look pathetic if I call in sick and call my midwife again?

Nope. I did it.

You should be able to refer to physio who can give you support belt.
Also work should do a risk assessment and make reasonable adjustments. I got a parking permit which meant I didn't have a 20 minute walk from car to office and spd improved enormously. I also managed to persuade manager to let me work from home one day a week when staffing permitted. I was less tired, achieved more and had less time off as a result.

Call in sick.

Have you been referred to physio yet?

go through your gp if no luck with midwife referring you? Or find out if can self refer?

It's awful isn't it?! I'm on count down to when I can finish work as I'm on feet all day and it just gets worse to the point I want to cry.

I find a hot water bottle at my lower back helps. Can't get in Bath though (well I can, just struggle to get back out again!!)

Thank you. That's a huge relief. My boss is very good but a by the rules guy. I think I overdid it on Friday and that's why it's been so bad. I'll ring midwife and try for a referral. I don't have a huge bump yet which is why she said they would not do anything.

Definitely don't go in.

My physio said there are surges in relaxin around 13, 16 and 24-26 weeks which was when my SPD flared up. I felt so much better knowing that I wasn't going mad and there was a reason I suddenly was in a lot more pain. I found not using stairs, walking less generally (so I take the escalator or lift in the tube stations and only get my lunch from the on site canteen not sainsburys opposite), and not staying sat at my desk for prolonged periods made the most difference. Like a pp is also found a hot water bottle in my lower back helped particularly before bed and when desperate a pack of peas between my legs to ease the inflammation.

GooD luck

I visited an osteopath and in one session went from not being able to walk without crying, to still feeling it, but not much (it took five days for that change and I was extremely doubtful that it's happen, but it did, exactly as she's predicted!). Call off work and look at your options.

I found an ice pack wrapped I a tea towel down the front of my pants helped.... Was signed off at 34weeks as needed crutches and every time I moved the kids I teach thought I was I labour.

I appreciate that this isn't an option for everybody but if you are covered by health insurance or have the means to pay, you will be able to see a private physio almost straightaway.

Physio, gp reduced hrs or signing off and rest!
Also I got my risk assessment done at work which said reduced hrs, no stairs, and other adjustments to assist me. Def helped but urgent physio referral helped me immensely.

I got it with my first and left it too long before seeking help. This pregnancy it flarred up at 8 weeks. I got a referral and I've had regular apps. I'm now 37 weeks and doing ok and much better than my first despite this m having started earlier.
Def get help and don't do what you know aggravates it- stairs, sitting too long, walking , standing too long etc. Good luck!

Have called in. Going to ring docs at 8.30. Its actually not quite so bad today but i dont see why I should martyr myself any longer. Had hardly any sleep as any position was painful and shifting between them agony so Im shattered. Thanks for the advice guys

Well done. I've learned the hard way that waking up thinking it is ok is no guarantee it will still be ok either by the time I commute to work or by the end of the day. I've had to learn to pace myself right from when I get up and that starts with a pillow between your legs all night and turning over with your knees together-I've not slept through completely in months as like you I wake myself upturning over but if it means I don't start the day too sore that's a bonus.
Good luck

you need to see a physio. I stupidly held off when mine flared up again (had it with DD, got worse at 13 weeks with bump) thinking it would be ok. im now on crutches for the rest of my pregnancy. I have to use crutches, push a pram and deal with a six year old all at the same time, aswell as lugging my huge bump around with me! trust me its not fun!

I used health insurance for a physio. My health insurance didn't cover maternity related things so my dr just referred me for back pain.

I saw the physio every week and he made the pain bearable (in fact I used to leave appointments practically dancing with the sheer relief and would gradually get worse during the week before seeing him again).

ps im only 20+5 weeks so a while to go yet.

Get physio referral now, best thing I ever did. But go to GP for it, not midwife. And make sure they know its taken you out of work and get them to fast track you. It takes about 2 weeks from referral to get an appointment. In the mean time ice pack between your legs sounds horrible but it definitely helps. No lifting twisting or bending and try to keep your knees together and tense your bum when you roll over on bed, I found that helped.

I have a physio referal and telephone consultation on thursday, which is a bit odd but apparently how they do it. Also have prescription for codine. Doc has advised i stay off until ive seen physio.

That's a good start. It'll be a way of triaging the referral-so deciding how urgent you are. Make sure you tell them it is keeping you awake and keeping you off work-big priority points. Don't get lulled into thinking it is feeling better by then-if it is feeling better it is because you've not done all the things you normally would be doing and would like/need to be doing.

Yeh I had a physio phone consultation as well. It's how they assess situation in first instance. I got 5mins into call and was told they would need to see me.

Just be prepared to tell story a second time!

Glad your gp was total on it though. Some seem to be a bit rubbish

lucky I am not your boss....
I had spd from 20 weeks, I let work know and they worked around me so I didnt have to walk miles and I sometimes worked from home. Used a belly band to help support the weight, etc. not that it really helped.
Sorry to turn out an old and hated phrase but you are pregnant not disabled.

Lucky I'm not your employee Sherbertpips

I'm glad you managed with your spd, but it's very different for everyone. I've known people be admitted to hospital and be on hourly morphine for it. Sounds like you had it mildly.

Working from home not an option At all. Wish it was! I cant see anywhere where I've suggested I'm disabled! Just in pain. Ive worked through morning sickness, chest infections and general pregnancy ickiness. Ive taken holiday for extra scans rather than time off. But i cant walk from my living room to my kitchen without being close to tears. I hate tgis "I had it and I coped" attitude. Good for you but Ive got it and I cant cope. Thats why the medical profession exists and women have rights when ill during pregnancy.

I had also phone assesment first by my health insurance, They had covered all my physio sessions and I was seen right the next day after I called. It helped a lot.
I dont know how people can stay in pain for weeks waiting for referral or appointment.

I has mild SPD since 17w but at 24w it progressed much worse and very quickly in course of couple of day.

With SPD actually I find it easier to go to work than to stay home. I dont have crazy commute- 20min walk and 20min train. Once I get up and start walking it is OK. I have proper ergonomic chair at work and that helps a lot.

At home sitting on the couch is far from ergonomic, actually it is the worse place to sit and get up from I found, lying in the bed is not best either and turning and getting up agony. And then there are always things to do, to bend to pick up something etc. definitelly it is harder wiht SPD at home.