Quick question on gel prescribed for hip pain...?

[PurpleLostPrincess]

Hello all, I haven't been on for ages because our internet was down. I haven't even had a chance to catch up on my usual threads!

I'm 25+2 today and for the last week my hips have been really really bad. I previously mentioned this ages ago to the GP who said that they wouldn't consider physio because I'm pregnant. Then I mentioned it to my consultant (when I was about 22 weeks) and she said to come back if it became 'unbearable'. Well, I can honestly say it is now unbearable - I'm not sleeping for more than an hour or two at a time so I'm absolutely exhausted (and yes, I've got every pillow known to man surrounding me!). I can bearly walk and even changing gear hurts when I'm driving! I went to a rapid access appointment this morning and it was a new lady. She has told me to exercise more but I told her that even walking hurts! She suggested swimming so I'm willing to give that a try.

My question is that she prescribed me with 'Solaraze gel' to rub in for the next few days. She looked it up in her book and said that the tablets aren't advised in pregnancy but "the gell should be ok!". I've googled it and it shouldn't be used in the last trimester so I'm ok on that front. My confusion is that it is meant to be for 'Actinic or solar keratosis' which is a skin condition. I'm wondering if she just wanted to give me something because I couldn't stop crying!!??

I'm keen to find out if any of you think I should give this a try and if it's worth the risk based on the fact that my skin is fine!?

I'm working from home on the laptop as I couldn't face going into the office while I'm so tired - only 3 weeks left at work and I can't wait to leave!

PLP 25+2 xx

hi there

i have absolutely no idea on the gel, but have to say that 2 sessions a week of chiropracty has helped enormously. not cheap, but worth it.

mine started a few weeks ago also, (am 29 weeks now) and almost immediate (if temporary) relief was had.

it's more about pain management between sessions for the moment, but it's allowed me to get longer sessions of rest at night with some pillow support as opposed to 15 mins between agonising rollovers from one side to another.

hope things improve for you either way!

Oh thank you islawhite, I might have to invest in that even if we are skint!

What a relief to know that I'm not the only person groaning in pain in the night just from moving around! I just keep telling myself that I'll be up in the night when this LO arrives so I'd better get used to it!!

Did I mention I can't even put my knickers on standing up any more - I think that was the final straw for me really!!!

Can I ask if you are taking painkillers at all? I have also been given codeine but I'm trying to limit taking it as it tends to make me even more constipated than I am already!

Thank you, I did wonder about this but I don't get any pains at all in my pelvis so I kind of eliminated it really. It is almost exactly what you have described except that it's not in the groin/pelvic area, its my hips and lower back... Thank you anyway and I'm glad you managed to find a way to cope with it!

I'm thinking I'll avoid the gel for now and speak with my midwife later in the week (she only works Thurs/Fri). Or should I call the ante-natal department at the hospital? I'd at least like a belt if that is something that would help...

hi plp

am so sorry i didn't manage to keep track of this last week - are you any better? did you speak to the midwife at all?

i'm not on painkillers no - your situation sounds way worse than mine - mine tends to loosen up during the day, and then really only start to bother me at night.

on the chiropractor front, it's important to make sure they have experience in pregnancy and birth, as they tell me that putting you back in the correct position once you've had bubs is really key - once the relaxin hormone stops being produced, your pelvic region can set slightly incorrectly and produce pain.

don't know if you decided to take this any further, but whatever route you go down, i hope you find relief asap!