HELP! Back agony

[Catarinah]

Hi everyone. Im 18 weeks pregnant and my back injury (i damaged my saicroliac joint a few years ago whilst running) is coming back with a vengeance and I can only assume it'll get worse the further along I get. What can I use to ease the pain thats pregnancy safe? I'm also concerned that I'm going to get really unfit and massive as its currently even hurting to walk and is disturbing my sleep too :( I am starting pregnancy yoga next week but any pain relief I can take othet than paracetamol?

I know with SPD they prescribe codeine if the pain gets really bad, you're not supposed to take anti inflammatories like ibuprofen though and aspirin is out as well. Can you go see your GP/midwife and get a referral to physio? Or maybe pay privately?

I'm pretty sure I've got SPD and it came on really badly and suddenly but has got better as I've cut out things that aggravate it - could your pain be SPD/PGP? If so you could try some of the recommendations like going up stairs one step at a time, engaging your core when you walk/move, not twisting your hips, etc.

I can't walk for exercise anymore and find yoga dull and not active enough but I can still use a cross trainer and go to a boxercise class.

@Kinsters is could be one os those, I just think it's my SI as it's exactly the same pain as when I was diagnosed with SI and on the same side too. It gets pretty excruciating and I just cried in pain earlier. I'm currently lying in bed as I'm struggling to move. I will go and see my GP this week as I can't do 22 more weeks like this and whilst working full time!

Yes definitely go and see your gp, I was told by a physio that pregnancy can really aggravate any existing conditions or old injuries (pretty sure my SPD happened because of my scoliosis).

With sleeping I've created a proper little nest for myself and that makes it much more comfortable. Thick single duvet on top of the mattress for me to lie on then one of those u shaped pregnancy pillows and I lie on my side with the pregnancy pillow between my legs and add extra pillows around my hips if I'm feeling sore.

I really hope your gp can help you, it's so miserable being in pain and just thinking still 20 weeks to do and it's only going to get worse.

@Kinsters yes thats my worry. I read that too, that and pre existing injuries are likely to return. I also don't want to go off work as any "pregnancy related illnesses" will trigger my maternity leave! Unless if I have a sick day I say it's nothing to do with the pregnancy?

Oh really? I thought that wasn't until 36 weeks - are you sure they're allowed to make you start maternity leave that early? Doesn't sound fair/right!

I found the advice and workout here good for helping with SI pain in pregnancy:
www.thekulacollective.com/blog-/prenatal-yoga-si-joint-pain

I was doing normal yoga for weeks and probably made it a lot worse so be careful!
I saw an osteopath privately.
Sitting on a gym ball seems to help.
Hot water bottle / icepack may help.

A serola belt might help. I’ve definitely.
See a chiropractor or osteopath if you can.

*ice

@Kinsters oh maybe you're right, I'll need to check that (I work in a school and am currently on Summer holidays) thanks @Potatopia i have used deep freeze gel this evening and that seems to help a bit...and I have ordered a support belt online too @moreismore

Go for a deep tissue massage with someone who can do it during pregnancy, my usual masseuse was able to keep my pelvic/sciatic pain at bay.

When I was pregnant with DD2 my back muscles would spasm. I booked in with the GP and she prescribed me low dose codine to take as and when. It helped a lot. I've found after having her though, the pain has never really gone away and I think it's possible from the spinal blocks from both my csections as it's around the same area. I take low dose cocodamol from the chemist now when it's bad. Doctor offered to prescribe it but it's cheap enough to buy.

Check with your gp and chemist though to see what's safe

@Falafel19 @MotherOfLittlePeople thanks guys I will see what the gp says. Although i usually feel sick when i take codeine... But I'd rather be vomiting than this pain I'm in right now it's so bad :'( and I'm not even big yet. Just ordered a pregnancy pillow too