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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Pelvic Girdle Pain support thread - hobblers unite!

79 replies

chocoraisin · 24/04/2017 16:21

Anyone else with hip, back or pelvic pain want to come and have a sympathetic Brew with me?

11+3 and looking like crutches will be mine before 20 weeks (again). Horrendous SPD/PGP with all three pregnancies. I am stoic this time and paying for private physio, but I know it won't hold it off completely.

For any newly diagnosed, hang in there - it's horrible, but it's rarely permanent and you will get better in the end!! Believe me after a wheelchair with no.1 I wouldn't be here up-duffed with no.3 if I didn't think it got better in the end.

And anyone who needs proper advice in place of emotional support and the odd Biscuit with your whinge/gossip/rant, please go check out www.pelvicpartnership.org.uk who are AMAZING and have a helpline and everything (who I have sobbed to on occasion before).

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Original poster
chocoraisin · 03/05/2017 22:22

how's everyone doing today?

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vfoster · 03/05/2017 22:24

I've got first physio tomorrow. So relieved, hope they can do something to get my mobile right now as I can't really move!

NannyPlum82 · 04/05/2017 07:54

I am now in agony. I'm 11 weeks today and I cried my eyes out at the thought of this for the next 30 weeks.

I had a slipped disk last year and some of the pain is similar to that. So pain in back, shooting down my sciatic nerve. Coupled with pain in my hip joints and the ever lovely stabbing between my pegs pain.

Got physio tomorrow. Here you have to go to a class and learn all about PGP and then be assessed after. Waste of time but hopefully i will get some treatment tomorrow.

Gp also gave me all clear to take 30/500 cocodamol. They took the edge off it a bit so i managed to sleep last night.

Sorry there are so many other sufferers.

NannyPlum82 · 04/05/2017 07:55

*legs not pegs!!!

Original poster
chocoraisin · 04/05/2017 17:47

Vfoster how was it? Did they help at all?

NannyPlum - I'm 13 weeks and in the same boat. BIG LOVE TO YOU. My physio has given me a serola belt, ask about that one when you see the physio (its tonnes better than the one the NHS give you and about £40 on Amazon). I'm also considering treating myself to some funky crutches and embracing the shitty disability stage with style this time around. Have you got older kids? Is this your first time? The only thing keeping me sane is the knowledge it more or less goes within 6 months of birth. And physio after birth is WAY more effective than during pregnancy.

I hope you get some sleep tonight x

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vfoster · 04/05/2017 20:42

It was ok! Got some exercises and even taught the physio some of the things I'd learnt on here! She was impressed and loved the plastic bag on the car seat idea!!
I was told they don't give out belts for free in our trust but directed to which one to buy and given some crutches. Hard to get used to using them though!

gigi556 · 05/05/2017 06:20

Ok, I kind of feel bad posting my question here as you all seem to be in a much worse situation than me!

My PGP has been relatively mild until last Monday when it flared up so badly I couldn't walk. I've been taking it easy since then it's much better. Probably helps that I've now started my maternity leave and I'm not stuck in an office chair. Anyway, my physio referral came through yesterday and I'm wondering if I should still go? I'm 37 weeks now...

AcademicOwl · 05/05/2017 06:38

I'm just checking in to support. I'm post pregnancy - ds is 18m old (he's number 3). I had horrible pelvic pain from 20 weeks for all three. Went from walking miles to struggling to hobble a few feet. The best treatment was hydrotherapy; 30 minutes of floating about and not being in pain.
Post delivery, it has taken me 18m plus each time to get back to 'normal' walking, but I still have to pace myself. After middle pregnancy, i overdid it (walked a mile or so) at about 3months & hugely regretted it!
My advice is take it slowly, accept that your body will take time to heal - and that's ok. 💐💐💐 to all

WhatwouldRuthdo · 05/05/2017 07:48

It's so nice to find this thread! Obviously not to hear everyone is in pain, but to get some tips and have a moan with people who get it. I think a lot of my colleagues think I'm just being a wimp. I'm 23 weeks and have a had pelvic pain since 13 weeks. I have a long commute and a 3 year old and am really struggling some days. Nights are especially painful, and sitting in an office chair. My midwife is quite unsympathetic. Is it worth going to the GP to see if I can get a physio referral?

MotherofKitties · 05/05/2017 08:17

I'm 28 weeks with my first and I've just been diagnosed with SPD and been prescribed codeine and paracetamol to help with the pain, but I feel really nervous about using the codeine: has anyone else used it?

I know the doctor wouldn't have given it to me if it was unsafe for the baby, for all the advice on the leaflet and online states not to take it if pregnant as it can give the baby withdrawal symptoms and be quite dangerous!

Got a physio referral so waiting for that to come through, just really don't want to take anything for the pain in case it affects the baby, but at the same time I'm struggling to walk... xx

Original poster
chocoraisin · 05/05/2017 10:38

Motherofkitties I took codeine with both my previous pregnancies. Both my boys are fine, they did withdraw but the hospital managed it (5 day stay both times) and we all survived! Take it under guidance and if you do, take it round the clock, bang on 6 hour intervals. It works better when it's in your system and doesn't get processed out so even if you feel better, just reduce the dose and keep taking it. That way you will take the least possible to keep on top of it, rather than yo-yo-ing between nothing and high doses to get it back under control.

Vfoster I'm glad it helped! gigi yes, go, even at 37 weeks it might help. WWRuthdo definitely try your GP - I'm going to mine this week for a pain management plan. Good luck!

Owl welcome :) another veteran always good to welcome on board to remind us it's not endless! And good to know I'm not the only one mad enough to do it 3x haha.

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Hotpinkangel19 · 07/05/2017 20:09

Hi, I'm 6 weeks 3 days with DC4. Had PGP/SPD with all 3 pregnancies, each one started earlier and was worse 🙁 When did everyone else start suffering? I'm dreading it xxx

NannyPlum82 · 07/05/2017 20:58

Hotpinkangel - mine has got earlier and more severe each time... hope thats not the case for you xx

I am gutted. My appointment on Friday was just a pain management class, no examination, no physio. I can't get an nhs physio app for 2 weeks!!

So tomorrow I'm going to a private physio.

I am in so much pain. Every place that could hurt hurts.

sallywiththegoodhurr · 07/05/2017 21:07

Can I join please??

Not currently pregnant (TTC) but I have terrible pelvic issues from giving birth last time around.

Can I ask how you've found the support is for SPD in pregnancy?

Rabbitykins55 · 07/05/2017 21:22

Can I join please?! I've been in pain since about 14 weeks, GP told me to just get on with it because it's part of pregnancy but at 22 weeks I had to go back as I couldn't stand the pain any longer. I've had physio which did help but reached my quota of sessions and now that I'm 40 weeks there's little point in pursuing further treatment. I'm now in a lot of pain again, is there anything anyone recommends this late in pregnancy and will it really go away after birth? I really, really hope so!

OnNaturesCourse · 08/05/2017 11:00

Can I join and drag this back up?

I think I have something similar. Intense pain in lower right back, right above the bone. My right hip is clicking and groaning. I keep getting shooting pains in my pelvis. I originally thought I'd pulled something being sick but the more I look into the more it looks like it's pelvis related.

I'm only 10+6 though, isn't it too early to have such a thing?

Psolomon · 08/05/2017 11:49

Hello, I've just noticed this thread and my heart goes out to all of you. I'm not pregnant but I had my second child 15 months ago and the horror of PGP in that pregnancy will never leave me (my first pregnancy - dd was 13 months when I conceived ds - was entirely pain free).

I was prescribed dihydrocodeine 4 x daily (can't remember the dose) but was told I would have to come off the entire dose by 36 weeks if I wished to realise my dream of birthing under water at a MLU. The thought of those last four weeks were terrifying, but I upped the (NHS) accupuncture and self-medicated with DHs Tramadol (I did my research and the bioavailability is minimal).

If I decide upon dc3 I've decided I will self-medicate again. I know this is a reckless concept to some but the risks are tiny with some otherwise-known-as-acute drugs (ie slow-release morphine; my mum is on this drug and I would definitely be accepting help from her in the future).

Please don't suffer incomparable pain. Cry to your GP. Keep ringing midwives and HV. They do not want women in intense agony on their consciences or their books Flowers

gigi556 · 08/05/2017 12:22

OK, I've got my physio appointment booked in for next week as it's the earliest they have availabile. I'll be 39 weeks.... Hmm

OnNaturesCourse · 08/05/2017 13:22

GP thinks it could be the start of it for me. I've to monitor it and be referred later if needed. To hobble along until then. 😐

Original poster
chocoraisin · 08/05/2017 18:45

welcome all fellow sufferers xx I'm on crutches today and it's helping but as I'm barely 14 weeks, also a bit depressing. Onwards ladies!

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OnNaturesCourse · 08/05/2017 21:45

I got stuck in bed earlier, that way embarrassing 😞

Original poster
chocoraisin · 09/05/2017 20:32

Oh no!! How did you get out??

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OnNaturesCourse · 10/05/2017 09:26

DP to the rescue. I mapped with a pillow between my legs and found I couldn't roll back over to get out. He had to lift me to swing me round then pull me up. It's better today, more in my front pelvic area.

Original poster
chocoraisin · 10/05/2017 18:40

ooof!! sounds sore!! I'm glad it's better today. I've started limping on the left side without my stick/crutches so am simply embracing the disability aids for the forseeable. And training my 6yo to fetch and carry everything I possibly can! My 4yo remains untrainable though...

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AcademicOwl · 10/05/2017 21:48

Erm Psolomon, if you're thinking about taking someone else's MR morphine during pregnancy without any medical supervision... please don't! And although I completely understand the awfulness of the pain, self-medicating with tramadol is also (at the very best) unwise.
I think it's terrible that people feel driven to such lengths.