Pain relief in pregnancy

[jacksmannequin]

So pre pregnancy I was prescribed the 30mg cocodamol for pelvic and back pain. Obviously haven't taken any or put the prescription in since I found out. I'm now 17 weeks and in agony with my lower left side of back and my hip. I believe it's spd/pgp and it's one of my sacroiliac joints causing the issue. I also had this pain pre pregnancy after my ds was born years ago.

Am I allowed to take anything stronger than the standard paracetamol ? It just doesn't touch the pain, I'm barely sleeping and in so much pain. It's more bearable in the day but as soon as the evening comes the pain is immense and I don't know what to do with myself.
Had anyone been prescribed the prescription strength cocodamol in pregnancy ?

Btw I used a hot water bottle last night and it didn't help either.

I would contact your midwife/ hospital and get their advice. They will be able to support you and give you contact numbers for physio.

Yeah im going to tomorrow definitely.
Just would like some experiences in the meantime

Pretty sure you can't take anything stronger. Check your pregnancy book it will list what you can and can't take.

Have you tried a TENS machine? I had sciatica during pregnancy.. Used one and even managed a camping trip! Boots have a great selection and you can hire. Or ask your mw. I borrowed one from our local hospital for free.

I will have a look at tens machines, how do they work ?
Was wondering about the pain relief as after searching forums it seems a lot of women with this spd are prescribed cocodamol. It's the fact I'm getting hardly any sleep aswell

Nhs have a good explanation so just Google tens machine!! Honestly I couldn't have gotten through my pregnancy without one!! Even slept on an air bed for a week at 32 weeks!

I fell down the stairs and dislocated my coccyx when I was pregnant. It was unbearably painful at certain times and paracetamol did nothing to help.

The pharmacist wasn't allowed to sell me anything other than paracetamol and said I'd need to get a prescription.

I was prescribed naproxen by my GP and uses it sparingly when I most needed it.

I had a historic pelvic injury due to a horse riding accident in my teens so I also have 30mg cocodamol on prescription. In my first pregnancy I had PGP in 3rd trimester and this current pregnancy it started at 10 weeks. I've found it absolutely crippling this time. I'm 30 weeks and when I asked my midwife, she said I could take the cocodamol as and when needed. She did warn that if you take a lot (up to 8 a day) in late pregnancy, baby can have withdrawal so I'm literally taking 2 a day max and only if absolutely needed. I sympathise with you 100%, it's horrible x

Thanks for the replies. And just to update incase anyone comes across this thread in the future while googling.
I asked a midwife at the hospital this morning and they said cocodamol is fine to take even the high strength stuff. I'm going to just take the one tonight before bed and see how I go.

Since spoken to a different midwife (part of a different trust) and she said no you can't take it so who do i listen to !

I'd speak to your GP for peace of mind.

But cocodomol is known to be safe during pregnancy but caution near the end is needed as the baby can withdrawal symptoms.

@blinkybilll thanks. Yeah I will, will have to get a callback tomorrow now. I'm just in so much pain I can't even sit down without it causing me bad pain so don't see how I'm meant to carry on like this without something stronger

You may find this website useful OP

www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/

@ZuliKyanLarsFoz thank you that's helpful. Everything I've read pretty much says it's fine but not for late pregnancy. Will speak to the gp and explain how bad it is and hopefully will give the ok 👍🏻

Another update, doctor said to carry on with the 30mg cocodamol. He seems to think the issue is coming from my original back issue rather than just pregnancy related. And hopefully my joints should stiffen back up in 4-6 weeks and it'll ease off 🤞🏻🤞🏻