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Pregnancy

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

Anyone else suffering really bad lower back pain with SPD?

31 replies

Bellasblankexpression · 02/11/2019 15:04

I’m seven months and really struggling. I’ve been diagnosed with SPD although I don’t seem to have pain at the front so much (do get it sometimes) it’s more down the inside of my thighs and lower back/hips as well as a kind of sciatic pain in my bum which I think is an extra fun bonus rather than part of the SPD.
I’m trying to stay mobile and active but walking really seems to set it off, after about ten to fifteen minutes or sometimes even less, I’m pretty much shuffling.
But then sitting down for long periods of time also seems to exacerbate it.
Has anyone found anything to help?
I’ve had a pregnancy massage which really helped but obviously didn’t last, I’m wondering about acupuncture...

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KnobJockey · 02/11/2019 15:23

Yes, mine started like this. I'm sorry to say the only thing that helped somewhat was a lot of laying and completely cutting back on what I was doing. The support belts helped a little at this point when sitting for a stretch, and putting something hard behind my back. A giant long cushion for bed, for in between your knees and under the bump. But really, really dial back on what you're doing- it's amazing how much it helps. Instead of walking the 15 minutes to the shop and back again, so about an hour's journey altogether, I just used to drive (or get DP to) and just walk for 15 mins inside the shop instead. Driving really used to set it off too, so avoid that if you can.

KnobJockey · 02/11/2019 15:24

I used to say mine felt like a father Tedpsin- like somebody had literally kicked me in my bum, my coccyx was that tender.

RandomMess · 02/11/2019 15:31

Stop walking around!!!

The only treatment is rest, rest and more rest with ice packs too.

See if you can find a local osteopath that is qualified to treat during pregnancy (not all are). That was the only thing that helped me.

Unlike back pain with SPD you need to rest.

Bellasblankexpression · 02/11/2019 15:31

That's a really good description.
Being so limited in getting about is driving me around already and I still have ten weeks of it, possibly more if I go overdue :(
I was a keen runner before so this is making me really frustrated.
I have a belt but I think it's still a little big, it's not always comfortable and rides up. I've got some rock tape as well to strap my back with but it sounds like I might have to go easy on the daily walks :-/
I started wondering if it was actually SPD as everyone talks about pelvic pain around the front, but I don't seem to have that much

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Bellasblankexpression · 02/11/2019 15:32

Thanks @RandomMess my midwife told me to keep walking so I don't end up on crutches but it does definitely make it worse!

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RandomMess · 02/11/2019 15:37

🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

To the midwives advice....

Mintypea5 · 02/11/2019 15:42

My SPD/PGP and sciatica has been debilitating this pregnancy (crying from pain every day) the only thing that helped me was seeing a chiropractor every 3 days. She did some pelvis adjustments (all safe in pregnancy) acupuncture and massage. Would just keep me mobile and pain at a level that didn't bring on tears. Had to be private tho so a bit of a financial hit

Your midwife should be able to refer you to physio to help as well. They tend to do it on a fast refusal during pregnancy

RandomMess · 02/11/2019 15:48

I went to my osteopath on crutches and came out not needing them and went weekly.

I have very tight soft tissue (ligaments, tendons, muscles the lot) so as well as doing bone adjustment it was a lot of work on stretching out all the pull on the pelvic cage.

I am still aghast at your midwife telling you to move more!! All that does is aggravate the inflammation Confused

Bellasblankexpression · 02/11/2019 16:01

Argh so I've just been making myself worse 🙈

I'm booked in for acupuncture - I did get a physio referral but it was just a fitness in pregnancy class and not SPD specific so didn't really help.

I will look into seeing an osteopath - it's just £££ isn't it, I'm already it paying for counselling due a previous termination for medical reasons, and had to pay for hypnobirthing classes as nhs ones had no space... but I'm starting to get desperate!

I'm not the kind of person that can just sit with nothing to do, and the pain is driving me crackers.

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Pollaidh · 02/11/2019 16:08

I had is across my lower back and sacroiliac joint, cocyx and across the front too, sciatica, but back was worse.

Rest, regular physio, protecting your pelvis by avoiding things that make it worse (pushing trolleys, walking too far etc). Also doing exercises - pregnancy pilates classes are excellent but make sure you tell them about the pain.

RandomMess · 02/11/2019 16:14

Have you frozen peas?

Ice pack really low across both your buttocks if the pain is in your back. I suffer with terrible "sciatic"
Pain but actually it's something else to do with the muscles underneath the buttock muscle which needs deep ice packing to relieve.

With lots of rest, ice packs and just a couple of osteopath visits you will likely feel much better.

Bluebellsshells · 02/11/2019 16:24

Yes, the pelvic joint at the back is loose. The whole pelvis front and back can be affected and can strain your lower spine. Your hips maybe struggling too dependent on how deep your socket is. The hip pain is like a bone ache that penetrates your thighs.

But Ive joined up to tell you that the only thing that has massively improved my SPD was taking vitamin d. Here's what I've tried in the years I've had it...During pregnancy used a support belt, limited movement and a group physio session that gave us tips on limiting movement. As you know yourself, this doesn't tackle the issue. You're just trying not to aggravate it. Post birth it carried on so I went to physio by myself and was prescribed exercises. No improvement. Still walking like I needed a hip replacement. Getting desperate after a year of this I paid for a private ostheopath who massaged the tightened muscles but the underlying pelvic dysfunction obviously wasn't going to disappear (though I didn't know thus at the time). Interestingly, they said the physio exercises were all wrong and actually tightening an area that needed loosening. That made sense as the physio hadn't worked. Went to pilates but no real improvement although that was good for understanding what my body could now do (or not do).

Finally, accepted it would always be crap. Until last year, when I went and had blood tests as I was by now quite fatigued and my vit d level was low. Borderline low, so not massively. So I was advised to take vitamin d to raise it (not in relation to SPD). And within weeks I could feel my pelvis come back together. I can only surmise that what caused the loosening of my ligaments was caused by low vit d levels.

I would ask your gp if they can check your level and prescribe vit d if it is at the lower end. My gp, midwife, physio, physio team at hospital and osteopath never mentioned it as a possible cause. Which is a shame because when they finally xrayed my hips last year just before I started taking the vitamins, my hip sockets had narrowed as a result of the wear and tear of my unstable pelvis. That said, I am hugely improved. As an aside, I also suffered increasingly from IBS and that has also calmed right down since taking vit d.

Obviously, you should only take it if it's prescribed by a gp as it's actually a hormone I believe.

I hope my experience helps...meantime osteopath massage and Pilate's, along with limited movements will help you manage it but won't fix it.

Bluebellsshells · 02/11/2019 16:38

And yes, walking will not improve it as the problem is with the ligaments being loose. Walking less will. Bag on car seat so you keep your legs together. Sleep with a pillow between your legs. Or under your knees if resting on your back or sitting in bed. Keep your legs together as much as you can. The osteopath taught me that some of the sharper pains in my inner thighs were actually caused by my thighs trying to stabilise the pelvis. My inner thighs were very tight as was the area by my hips.

Are you hyper mobile by any chance? My physio said I was in my hips and that this had aggravated the issue. Now I'm thinking that my low vitamin d level was related to my hyper mobility.

I'm seriously tempted to do some sort if survey to find out what actually causes SPD because noone I saw medically or privately really knew the causes. In fact, I don't remember ever having an official diagnosis only that it would magically go away when the baby arrived. It didn't.

Anyway, there is light at the end if the tunnel if yours has been caused by the same issue that I believe caused mine.

Bluebellsshells · 02/11/2019 16:59

Just did a little Google and found these two discussions about vitamin d and SPD too....www.hitched.co.uk/chat/forums/thread/vitamin-d-helping-spd-102842/ and community.babycentre.co.uk/post/a30396933/spd_and_vitamin_d

So maybe it is actually a thing!

Bellasblankexpression · 02/11/2019 18:20

Thanks!

@Bluebellsshells that's really interesting I will look into it although you put the fear of God into me - I just assumed it would go away after birth! Sorry to hear you had to deal with it afterwards as well

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RandomMess · 02/11/2019 18:28

If it's "just" SPD it will, although maybe not until you have finished breastfeeding.

I have had Vit D deficiency and not had ongoing issues with pelvic pain despite being very severely affected in pregnancy 3, nowhere near as bad with no. 4 although it started much earlier because I knew what it was and rested instead of carrying on as normal.

PushkinTheCat · 02/11/2019 18:31

Definitely an osteopath, sounds very similar to mine and while it hasn’t made it go away, it has relieved it beyond what I considered possible. He also does acupuncture in the lower back, which really does help. I know what you mean about the cost, I consider it worthwhile for being pain free but am lucky that I can afford to make that judgement without major sacrifices.

Bellasblankexpression · 02/11/2019 18:39

I suppose there is the chance it could be other underlying issues as well - as I suffered from
Sciatica when I was running and had to have acupuncture before for that so there is definitely a weakness there.
Thanks for all the advice, I will look at osteopath prices and see what I can do. I'm really hoping it is just SPD and that it will go back to normal afterwards, I feel like I'm having to just give up my life at the moment.

I will try the tip with the ice packs as well - willing to give anything a go!

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RandomMess · 02/11/2019 18:44

We were really hard up but I couldn't sleep the pain was so bad, couldn't hobble, couldn't pick up my non walking 12 month old and so on...

Plus DH doesn't drive so that was an issue too! Made a huge difference.

I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't true sciatica that you had but this issue I have that is very very similar and commonly misdiagnosed.

Bellasblankexpression · 02/11/2019 18:47

What was the name of your issue @RandomMess if you don't mind my asking? Apologies if you've already said it and I've missed it.
I don't drive which is tricky as it means I'm having to walk places! I was supposed to be doing lessons again but this has put paid to that as it's too painful.
I sound very moany, i know, but I'm very grateful to everyone who has posted with tips and advice

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RandomMess · 02/11/2019 19:18

I honestly can't remember but it's all the stuff connected to the back of my pelvis that runs under the bum muscles.

I have had a few different very good osteopaths due to moving house they have both side I'm a bit of a mess and nothing moves as it's all so unbelievably tight Blush

But that sciatica type pain runs all the way from my bum down my leg into the foot.

Bellasblankexpression · 02/11/2019 19:20

My sciatica pain tends to be more in my bum like a tight little knot that I just can't get away from. Maybe that's also SPD, I have no idea.
I feel a bit happier now that I have a plan though.
I've found a massage ball helps loosen the bum pain a bit so will continue with that as well.
Going to research some osteopaths now

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RandomMess · 02/11/2019 19:22

Wait until the osteopath gives it a good going over 😂

My dance teachers has a similar issue and never takes up my offer to give it a good massage, we move know how much it hurts!!! Although it does work, it's very hard to relax then they attack it...

anitagreen · 02/11/2019 20:10

Your going to think I'm mad but I am 30 weeks and have bad SPD and I've found turmeric tea from Holland and Barratt have really helped me Confused it still aches but it's not pulsating or making me feel so incapable anymore, I actually bought it to boost my mood a bit but it's stopped everything aching I'm wondering now if it's anti inflammatory

Bellasblankexpression · 02/11/2019 21:11

That's interesting @anitagreen I thought turmeric was one of the spices you weren't supposed to have much of in pregnancy? But maybe I got that wrong? So many rules and whatnot.

I just stupidly weighed myself and nearly had a heart attack. I think not being able to move much has really powered up that weight gain 😭

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