help I found put I'm pregnant but I can't sit

[Littleraindrop15]

Hi all,

I just found out I am pregnant which I am over the moon with. But over 1 year ago I hurt my bum falling down the stairs at the time I didn't go hospital as after a few days rest I was absolutely fine.

I started to get pain when I sat down around my coccyx area months after the fall but it would come and go it would last maybe a few hours and then it would be like nothing happened. Around June last year the pain came on and has stayed ever since I literally can't sit down I bare all my weight to the side etc. I have had x-rays my coccyx appears fine I was told to go physio which I did the physio has referred me on to orthopaedics. back in December I received a letter that they will send me an appointment half way through the month but when I called they said its a 6months waiting list. I called on Friday to see if this can be brought forward with no success. at the moment nobody knows what's the cause of this as coccyx looks fine on xray

I was wondering if anyone else has had any similar situations whilst being pregnant as I'm worried when the weight of the baby grows and pushes down I might not be able to sit even by leaning sideways.

also I have done exercises on the area
tried a coccyx cushion but made the pain worse

thank you

Could it be a pilondial sinus ? The reason I ask is I went down a slide with my ds and landed awkwardly at the bottom, banged my bum and properly winded myself. For a year after I had on and off pain in the coccyx area, it felt like it was bruised especially when I sat down. Eventually I went to the doctor who confirmed what it was a referred me for surgery ! It's basically a cyst by your tailbone which will eventually cause a tiny hole to appear and it can bleed etc

I wish I knew what it was its really annoying because genuinely can not sit down. but I will google and see if it could be a pilondial sinus. thank you x

When I first found out I was pregnant I had intense pain in my coccyx. It was painful walking. Any type of movement, even just sitting caused extreme pain.
I haven’t had any injuries in this area so I was very worried.
After getting it all checked out I was told it was it was my hormones beginning to change my body. It eventually eased and by weeks 9-12 (I found out at 5/6 weeks)
Must say now I seem to have lower back pain and hip pain all the time!

@Hiddenvoice oh god bless you I don't know how I'm going to cope and I'm not sure the orthopaedic doctors will be able to fully investigate now that I'm pregnant.

I'm so scared the pain will get worse than it is now

Hopefully it won’t, I was referred to a physio for try ease some of the pain and given safe pain killers to use. I go for baths nearly every night and apply heat to the areas. It does ease the pain but I keep reminding myself that it will be worth it.
Hopefully your pain eases up and they can help you!

Oh lovely! I'd ask your GP for an urgent referral to women's physiotherapist and you should probably remain under their care throughout your pregnancy and post-delivery. Explain you're pregnant and in constant pain etc. I would also ask if your other appointment could be brought forward considering the circumstances. I don't think they'll x-ray you now though, for obvious reasons, which is unhelpful. But perhaps a physiotherapist and a consultant could check you over and advise on exercises/positions to make it less painful and not worse for you before it's fully addressed after the birth? Or perhaps it's something that can actually be helped now. I hope it goes well for you, best wishes xx

Oh and yes it could be relaxin - I had bad hip pain as a result and was under physio for a year. This could be making a minor issue after your injury worse now, I'm afraid.

I had a similar issue in the same area, altho mine was nerve pain brought on by a bicycle accident. I saw countless dr's, consultants, specialists and in the end took myself to a chiropractor who specialised in women's health - I had to pay for it myself though. I would recommend finding a chiropractor who has experience with pregnant women - there are more than you think. They will usually work also side a women's health physio if you manage to get into one via NHS. To clarify, I wasn't pregnant at the time but the chiropractor I saw did work mostly with pregnant women. For me, the pain was resolved within a few months of starting chiropractic.

Meant to say they will usually work along side a women's health physio, if you manage to get a referral to physio via NHS.

Pilonidal.

Just a tip while you're sorting treatment OP, get a pressure relief pillow (the ones with the hole in the middle like you'd have for piles), DD injured her coccyx and it was a godsend.

When I was 18, I fell off a rather large rock in Norway (3-4 foot drop) and hurt my coccyx too. It was ridiculously uncomfortable trying to sit for years after. Fast forward to 28, had DS, all the ligaments in your pelvis and surrounding area soften up to allow for birth. Coccyx hasn't hurt since and DS is coming up 4. My theory is it was dislocated and popped back into place during the birth. Having this baby might fix it for you too!

I would recommend a really good physiotherapist. From my experience, they can be great at identifying the issue and although they can't do the tests the hospital can, they can certainly point them in the right direction. Recently I had ongoing knee issues and went through various tests, all showing nothing. Visited the private physio who told me what he thought it was and the tests that would be needed. He wrote me an email to forward to my doctor with a list of his recommendations. Tests were undertaken and he was right with his thoughts. I had been having the issue investigated by the gp for about 4 months at this point

I'd suggest trying to see an osteopath as well as pushing the NHS to accelerate the investigation.

I've always suffered with my lower back and knees since having an accident as a child and so regularly have had physio. I've tried physio to help with PGP during pregnancy and have found it gave me very minimal relief. Someone on here recommended the pelvic partnership and I found an Osteopath instead... After 1 appointment and 2 weeks of exercises (similar exercises to what the physio recommended), the pain has reduced significantly and I no longer wake up in agony (still in pain, but manageable unlike the pain when I was having when doing physio alone). I'm 26 weeks so can't comment on how I'll be in the third trimester but at the moment the pain is reducing rather than getting worse, so there is some hope for you. It's certainly not just something you just have to put up with.

There is so much information and so many tips available from the Pelvic Partnership, as well as a list of practitioners who could help:
pelvicpartnership.org.uk/list-of-recommended-practitioners/

@StormyWindow

Just a tip while you're sorting treatment OP, get a pressure relief pillow (the ones with the hole in the middle like you'd have for piles), DD injured her coccyx and it was a godsend.

The OP said that she has one and it made it worse.

OP I agree with asking for a referral to a woman's physio asap. This needs to get sorted asap. Good luck.

thank you for your messages everyone I don't think it's pilondial as there is no redness or when I press the area it doesn't hurt this feels a lot deeper.

I've booked an appointment with the physio its March as I was referred to women's physio before in November but haven't heard back and my physio kept me on the books in case I needed to see him which is nice of him.

I've called orthopaedics again and explained I am pregnant and the receptionist said she will try to help but there is a 6months waiting and that hopefully now being pregnant it might resolve the issue on its own.

I tried to call the doctors but they didn't pick up was on the phone hanging from 8am till 9.45am I gave up I will just show up at my doctors physically tomorrow and book it as I need to pick up a form for the pregnancy anyway.

hopefully the doctors can sort something with orthopaedics its crazy how slow the process can be I started at the doctors in June and we are February and nowhere near any resolution.

it's so weird my doctors have in house physio who I had to see which took over 7weeks for an appointment to then be told I had to see the external physios as self referral. what was the point I could of saved 7weeks mind boggling

Do you have any physio or consultations included in for example private health insurance through work?

I would just flag up not every physiotherapist will advise you if you're pregnant, there's a reason why pregnant women are supported by women's physiotherapists, because of their specialism.

If the wait is that long and you're concerned you might want to book a private orthopaedic consultation anyway. It's tricky, things could become less painful or more, I'm sorry you're worried

Pelvic partnership have a list of recommended practitioners for the treatment of Pelvic Girdle Pain. I realise you haven't got that. However if you have a problem with your back then PGP is something you want to be aware of. Many physios are wary of treating women in pregnancy but these practitioners specialise in it. There are osteopaths too. Early intervention is absolutely key here. Your body has a job to do that hasn't really started yet. Try to get yourself into manual therapy to give your body the best chance possible. Quite often a little realignment at the right moment is life changing. Don't leave it.