Struggling so so much. Please help!

[squishyegg]

I am 33 weeks so still a while to go.

I am not sleeping whatsoever. This isn't due to insomnia- as I'm bloody shattered and could easily sleep! It's down to my whole body hurting!!

I can't even describe the pains I have. Sciatica is the worst culprit which I was seeing a physio for but the exercises aren't helping whatsoever. I can't turn in bed without wincing with pain. I have to hold on to my headboard to help me move because it hurts so much.

I can't sleep on one side for longer than 20 minutes as my side starts to hurt so I then have to try and turn over and then it's that all night- tossing and turning with added pain.

Paracetamol does absolutely nothing- neither does heat.

I had dihydrocodiene from when I was in hospital last- this was given to me by doctors there. I was in for threatened preterm labour. These helped a tiny amount but my GP won't prescribe them to me so can't have them.

What can I do?? I'm crying every morning due to frustration and exhaustion. I still have a son at home and I have a week this week of school runs etc. I have to still tidy and do things in the day. I can't even do an hour in town without the pain increasing in my body.

I know it sounds like I'm exaggerating but I've never had this! I have carpal tunnel too so literally from my neck to my toes- I hurt everywhere!!

What to do? I guess put up with it?!

Please don't give me the "well get used to it because you're having a baby" because I've had a baby before and at least then I could sleep when baby slept as I wasn't in pain!!

I don't think you're exaggerating. I feel exactly the same, hips, legs, knees, pelvis, back, feet, groin etc, and have done since about 34 weeks. I'm 40w and everyone tells me to keep active to bring on labour, I literally find gripping a cup painful, and I can't raise my arms above my shoulders. I was told I could take co-codamol for a tooth abcess during pregnancy, check with your midwife but that could be an option?

@PurBal I think I'll have to try and contact my midwife- she's very hard to get hold of though!

Going to have a bath this morning but I'm so bloody irritable with my family because I'm so tired

Aw bless you ☹️ I’m 34 weeks and that’s fully what I expected the last trimester to feel like. It turns out I’ve been extremely lucky, I sleep like a baby every night! I’m starting to get sore when I sit down for a while and I go to get up, it almost feels like I have one of those tight exercise bands round the top of my thighs keeping my legs together, it’s sore to seperate them much! I can put up with that though, it’s hardly anything compared to what you’re describing. You must be able to get something to help. Either a physio/ chiropractor or even the GP can surely recommend something 😕 Sleep just affects everything so you must be completely miserable x

Have you been for deep tissue massage for the sciatica, or to an osteopath? Have you a support belt for it? Have you splints for the carpal tunnel?

Was also just about to recommend an osteopath, I’ve heard great things and some run maternity clinics.

Hope you feel better soon x

It sounds awful for you OP. I had carpal tunnel really badly during both pregnancies. It was miserable, I tried lots of things but the only thing that really helped was acupuncture, although from memory I think I had to go frequently for it to have any impact. Might be worth a try. Definitely speak to your midwife again.

If you're wanting to keep active what about swimming? I'm getting lots of pain and discomfort now im in third trimester and it's the only time I feel bloody comfortable

@Garman yes to all apart from deep tissue massage

Have you tried acupuncture? I was sceptical but I had it (at the hospital) during my pregnancy and it helped my sciatica and SPD so much!

In my first pregnancy I had sciatica from 6 weeks until my baby was a year old! The pregnancy caused an old injury to flare up.

I'm know it's against advice but I had no choice but to sleep on my back for the entire pregnancy. I was also prescribed cocodamol for the entire pregnancy although I did cut down my dosage in the 3rd trimester. Perhaps some cocodamol at night would help you sleep.

I also had a bed rail which helped massively.

I tried all the usuals, physio, Osteopath, acupuncture, reflexology, swimming etc but nothing worked.

I am 38 weeks now, second time around for me. My pain issues started around 30 weeks in my first pregnancy and I've had the same this time, but from 18 weeks. I have had a big improvement both times from seeing a chiropractor. It's not cheap and at first I was seeing him every other day, but it's honestly saved my sanity. At 20 weeks this time I was in so much pain that I couldn't see how I would be able to continue with my pregnancy. I can't recommend it enough. I hope you get some help soon.

Try a deep tissue massage so, it helps mine a lot.

Hi you need to see a Chiropractor about your sciatica. I had the exact same as you, paid £60 for a session at a local clinic and it's gradually went away over the next 2 weeks. I was astonished so much pain could be sorted within one session.

Just to add, some people do need more than one session but not usually more than 2 or 3. It was worth every penny.