Severe aching joints- help!

[Kt2108]

Hi all
Currently in week 2 of unbearable aching joints- mostly hips and knees
I do have hyper mobility- was diagnosed about 10 year ago so this will be making it worse
I've read up on how the hormone relaxin is released which loosens joints, and since that's why hyper mobility does basically I'm in double the pain

Was wondering if anything has anything similar and how they're coping?
In my worst times before pregnancy I was on 2x30 mg of codeine up to 4 times a day and obviously can only have paracetamol now so it's not touching the sides
😩

How far along are you? I'm sure some people have been prescribed co-codamol so it might be worth asking the doctor.

I don't have anything similar but I have found sleeping with a wraparound pregnancy cushion helps support all the necessary areas and reduces my back and hip pain. I don't know whether antenatal yoga or some sort of antenatal aquatic exercise class would help in your situation?

Ive been on cocodamol since week 6 of my pregnancy, I’m 26 weeks now. Been on the max dose of 8 x 30/500 for about the last 9 weeks.

I had mild sciatica before getting pregnant and thanks to relaxin, I’ve been almost entirely housebound since 16 weeks.

18 weeks now, anything antenatal is off limits as then my pelvis would be 'too engaged' too early. Apparently. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I'm going to phone doctors today honestly never felt anything like it. I've been looking at the pillows- any that come highly recommended?

I use the kit for kids cuddle me pillow. It generally got good reviews but is no good if you're tall (I'm just under 5'4" so not a problem for me). Also found it for about £20 although can't remember which site now.

Fab thank you! Just over 5ft 4 myself so shouldn't be a problem. Docs booked for Friday so fingers crossed!

I'm 14 weeks with Baby No 2 and I'm also on 30mg/500mg co-codamol (I've got arthritis). Managing to take it sparingly at the moment, but have to come off my meds when I reach 28 weeks so I think it will be needed.

In my first pregnancy I was quite scared to take anything. By 32 weeks I was housebound with severe muscle spasms and in so much pain. I was admitted to hosp for a few nights but by then we were past the point of no return. I was prescribed steroids but the pain was unbearable and I didn't sleep for weeks!

I'm hoping to keep my pain under control this time - Physio, stretches and listening to the docs advise about painkillers....good luck and please seek whatever help you can! I've got a pregnancy pillow and find it really helpful. Good luck op x

Sorry, me again! The pregnancy pillow I've got is a Dreamgenii - it was given to me by my SIL. However, for me (I'm 5'2") I find a normal v pillow works just as well and it was much cheaper! x

Hi OP,

Just to say I have the exact same issue - aggravated hypermobility in pregnancy. I'm afraid mine has got worse over the pregnancy (I am now close to full-term). It's tolerable during the day but makes it really hard to sleep. Personally I haven't found pillows helpful because it is not my positioning that's the problem, it's the joints themselves. Similarly others have suggested yoga to me but my physio's advice has always been to avoid anything like that as it just loosens everything even more.

What I would say is that my obstetrician was positively enthusiastic about putting me on codeine when I mentioned the issue at around your stage in pregnancy. I decided against it as it was manageable then and I wanted to minimise the medication I was taking but she was quite adamant that it would be fine to take it if I needed it.

@heregoeseverything
Mines always been there and goes through stages of being horrendous to not that noticeable but it's just constant now and effecting my sleep! Codeine used to be a life line so fingers crossed I come away tomorrow from doctors with a plan. And yeah very wary of the yoga thing, even when people say they specialise in it they can do damage!
On the plus side I read it can mean a quick labour ? 🤞🏻

@Kt2108 A quick labour is not necessarily a good thing - if you haven't already I would suggest reading up on precipitate/precipitous labour. It seems many hypermobile mums have quick and relatively straightforward births but we are also at greater risk of significant damage. I asked my midwife about this and she had no idea what hypermobility even was so I have no confidence that my personal risk levels have been properly assessed in the childbirth advice given. I have decided to have a C section, but would probably be having one anyway if it wasn't for the hypermobility.

@heregoeseverything
Ah I know that if I’m honest I’m just clutching at straws for a positive. I haven’t yet saw my midwife since it’s become bad but I’m there next week so will mention it. Will have a look at what you mention too. Thank you!