Physio for pelvic pain

[fudgedoughnut]

Long story short I am sick and fed up being pregnant and I'm only 27 + 5. From weeks 5-14 I suffered with terrible morning sickness and had to be signed off work.

Weeks 16-24 I couldn't sleep due to restless leg syndrome and awful heartburn and the doctor signed me off again. I was just getting back into the swing of things at work when I started experiencing pain in my left lower back and buttock that's so bad it's making me limp and grimace with pain every time I need to walk further than the length of myself. I commute to work by bus and the walking to and from the bus stop to get into work has started to make me miserable because it's so painful.

I've self referred to the physiotherapist but don't have an appointment until next Friday. For my entire pregnancy my mum has been on and on at me to be at work, telling me I will have a son to support now and I can't take so much time off. Not an issue because I receive full pay when off sick for up to 6 months and legally my employer can't touch me. Plus they have been so supportive I really can't fault them. Nothing I say convinces my mum that my work won't sack me. My mum thinks I'm lazy and has told me I should be putting up with whatever pregnancy throws at me, after all every other woman does

I've just been to the doctor and she's signed me off until my due date. I could have cried when she said the pain isn't likely to go away until after I give birth. I'm dreading telling my mum and honestly I just really want to be back at work. I feel like crutches would help me do all the walking I need to do to be there. Will the physio hand these over if I ask for them? And how do I handle my mum ?

Yes the physio will give you crutches if you need them. They should help take some pressure off your back and hips. Also have a look at the Pelvic Partnership website which has lots of useful information about how to move and things to avoid doing. Also have you got pain killers? Will your mum be sympathetic now you have been signed off by your doctor?! Hope things improve soon

I've gone through the same spd hell. Had it since first trimester, been on crutches and signed off since 25 weeks. My mum was the same as yours, she told my gran that pregnancy wasn't an illness and I should just get on with it! Then I phoned her and she wanted sympathy for a bloody mouth ulcer! Admittedly she was slightly better once she saw how much pain I was actually in and we went out for dinner with my partners parents who were very sympathetic and nice. Just ignore her, it's really non of her business.

Thank you FelicityElectricity that site is really helpful. Unfortunately her attitude has remained the same each time the doctor has signed me off so far so I don't see it being any different now.

Paracetamol does nothing for the pain :(

Your Physio should discuss pain relief methods - maybe a TENS machine would help? Some departments have special support belts or large tubigrip to go round your hips which can help a bit. It is horrible but there should be something that helps. Hope your appointment goes well on Friday.

Next Friday I mean. Have you found a private Physio or self-referred to the NHS? A private one may be able to see you sooner.

Yes, I've had pelvic pain too. The physio gives you some gentle excercises to do like the cat position in yoga and sitting on big ball. Also getting a cushion for your chair so you sit in a correct position. Lots of advice on how to adjust what you do to reduce stress on the pelvis.

They will give you crutches and a maternity support band too if you need it.

On a positive note....my back pain has improved as time has gone on and the restless legs have stopped. Are your iron levels ok? I had to go on pregaday as iron levels were low and this seems to have helped with restless legs.

Also, at night, get a sleeping bag and put it under your sheet for extra soft support on your hips. I have multiple cushions for my legs (between the thighs/calves and under the hip I'm lying on).

Have also stopped walking when I don't need to and don't try and put my socks on standing up, get out of the car by swinging both legs out together - you can sit on a plastic bag too.

Hope this helps x

I have a pelvic support belt i wear early in the day to give my pelvis the support the ligaments don't..ie on my commute walking or on the tube -. It is the exactly the same pain location and I am only 13 weeks so am dreading later pg but know the Dr will step in at some point.

Pelvic floor things help it strengthen too.

BTW You are NOT lazy. Dr's do no simply sign people off - you are suffering and in pain, poor thing, lots of tlc is needed.

I am sleeping on top of a doubled up duvet, that helps a bit.

I'm so sorry you're having such a difficult time...please don't feel guilty for being signed off work, apart from any of the symptoms you mention, being tired and stressed isn't good you for, so hopefully you will be able to relax a little more with your feet up?

Re: your mum, I would practise a few calm, measured phrases - even write them down on a pad you can see before you phone her, eg 'the doctor has advised me to do the following.' 'I'm focusing on what's good for me and the baby right now.' 'work have assured me the following' and just keep repeating them. It's so frustrating when people keep assuming your experience should be the same as theirs. Is she bad at sympathy but better at practical help? Maybe there's a task you can enlist her to help with. She might be feeling worried and unable to show it to you...annoying for you tho :-(

Good luck!!

I'm 35 weeks and have pelvic pain on top of a foot injury. The physio I've had has been great.

As others have said, do try and get hold of a pregnancy support belt, either through the physio or just buy one. They are not expensive this one is going for under £10 on Ebay. When I use mine, the relief is immediate. The physio should give you crutches too.

I disagree with the suggestion about going private to get seen sooner. Your local NHS physio department will have someone who specialises in women's health and who will be experienced in treating cases of PGP. I think that would be worth waiting for - a private physio who works mainly on sports injuries may not see so many cases. I know it's tough to wait though.

As far as your mum is concerned, it sounds like there is something about pregnancy that blinds her to the fact that you're in pain. If you'd fallen over and weren't pregnant, would she be sympathetic? Maybe she had similar in her own pregnancies and didn't get the same support. But either way, her reaction isn't nice and isn't helping you. Do you have to tell her about being signed off? Assuming you do, shut her down at the first sign of negativity - try something like "the doctor told me that it was the best thing for me and your grandchild". Any negative response after that could be met with "if I carry on regardless I could be putting my long-term health at risk" which is entirely true.

You deserve to be looked after and have relief from pain. Remember that (and sorry for rambling)

It does need to ideally be a private women's health physiotherapist but there are musculoskeletal private physios who have had extra training to treat pelvic girdle pain or SPD so it does depend on who you see so it is worth asking if they have experience treating this condition. The CSP (Chartered Society of Physiotherapy) can help you locate the most appropriate type of physiotherapist www.csp.org.uk

And unfortunately NHS women's health physios are scarce in some areas or unable to see people quickly due to long waiting lists but that's another topic! ;)