Horrendous Hip Pain

[gigi556]

I'm 35 weeks pregnant and today my left hip joint hurts so badly I can barely walk. I was ok getting to the office but it's become worse and I'm hobbling around the office. I was struggling over the weekend with lower back pain on the same side but this is unbelievable.

Has anyone else had this? It's different from the hip pain I've had at night which effects both side and is more of a throbbing.

Who do I call for advice? Midwife? GP?

Thank goodness this is my last week at work!

PGP sounds likely. Call the midwife, and put your feet up. I've had it every time. Only 11 weeks and have it already again! At least you're at the end! :) silver linings. Keep your knees together when you move, and lie down if you can. Not much will help but rest but it will pass - probably a bit late for physio to help much but check out the pelvic partnership website for better advice X

I am literally waiting in the GPs now for the same reason! 36 weeks, had PGP for a few months but woke up with horrendous pain in left hip joint, hobbling and couldn't put shoes or socks on.. Rang my Midwife and she said probably need stronger pain relief and to go to GP (likely codeine), but I'll report back once actually seen GP.
I'm on mat leave now so it has got better with rest (sitting) but is sore again after driving here/walking into GPs so you may need to have a good rest..

Ps take paracetamol if you haven't already

Dr checked me over, prescribed rest and paracetamol and since I'd done that today with some improvement but still painful she prescribed codeine. Getting the physio to ring me tmrw (who I saw a few months ago) and said she wouldn't rule out x-rays if didn't get any better but would avoid if possible.

Yup, sounds like PGP! The back ache was probably also PGP if it is the same side. As pps have said, paracetemol and rest - but equally try not to sit in same position for hours - just getting up every half hour and taking a few steps can 'reset' your position.
Don't attempt hoovering or heavy lifting (including shopping bags). Do try and swivel in and out of bed or the car with knees together rather than leading with one leg and do get dressed/undressed sitting down rather than balancing on one leg.
There is still time that a physio might be able to help if you could see one in the next few days (I started to feel the affect of my exercises within a few days of the doing them twice a day) but at 35 weeks there is not much time to get an NHS referral.

FYI codeine can bung you up. Constipation in late pregnancy is not fun so if this happens to you ask the GP for something to move you along. I was too embarrassed to ask first time round when taking codeine for PGP and it made labour more painful - they gave me a bloody enema in the end!! Just thought I'd share. Forewarned is forearmed and all that!

Thanks for the warning chocoraisin - the GP did say that actually as well (forgot to say in post) but bears repeating! I've been quite regular due to my date/dried fruit intake but will watch out and get something else to take if required - don't want an enema if I can help it !

PGP!
Go see an osteopath if you can afford it.

Thanks for the advice. I could definitely pay for physio and might be able to go quickly through my private health insurance. What about a chiropractor that works with pregnant women? Could that help? I have an acupuncturist so could try that too?

I'm pretty sure the baby dropped as well so maybe that has something to do with this suddenly becoming so bad...

I think an osteopath would be your best bet (I saw one several times for my PGP and he was amazing) but have also heard good things about chiropractors for PGP. I don't think a physio will be able to help much, especially not at this late stage. The physio just gave me a support belt (which I found uncomfortable) and exercises to do, but it was too little too late! The osteopath actually manipulated and massaged my joints and muscles so I felt better.

No idea whether acupuncture can help - it could be worth a try but I suggest trying an osteopath or chiropractor first.

I did have acupuncture when baby was late and I was desperate to avoid an induction. I gave birth 2 days later but don't know if the acupuncture had anything to do with it!

I'd say either Physio or osteopathy could definately help x

My physio did say she could do acupuncture if exercises didn't work so that seems to an option especially if you already have one. She did also do massage and manipulation so I suspect not all physios equal in what they are trained in. Maybe google for people who specialise in pregnancy/PGP and see what that turns up in your area - whether physios or osteopaths. The physio I used is specifically registered in women's health and as a pelvic specialist.

I didn't have PGP but I did have horrendous sciatica and acupuncture definitely helped. It doesn't fix the problem but I found it was brilliant for pain relief, there is no limit on the amount of time you can have it unlike painkillers! I had it 3 times a week towards the end and it helped me cope on just a couple of codeine at night rather than having to take it constantly.

PGP sucks massively. Physio did nothing- chiropractor helped massively.

Also mat belts can be handy but try not to wear all the time. If you can get to an NHS physio ask for a support bandage which is less constrictive (like you'd wear on your wrist if it was sore). They have massive roles of the stuff. KT physio tape can also help, tutorials for how to do the strapping are online.

Pace yourself too- so if you know you're going to need to push a shopping trolley for example be prepared to need to sit down after.

Good luck hun x