This is crap, think have PGP and no one will bloody help me!

[bohemianbint]

This describes what I have exactly, and I've had it from being about 8 weeks pregnant. (Now 19 weeks!) It's just in one cheek, as it were and is sometimes so bad I stumble when walking, it's almost as though my pelvis gives way.

I went to the doctor and said I thought I might have PGP - she said no, probably sciatica and talk to the midwife. I spoke to the midwife, she ignored what I said about the PGP thing but referred me to the physio. Physio got back to me and said that I should go to a session for an hour with loads of other people where they would teach us exercises to help.

Now, is it just me or is that a crock? Everyone is assuming it's sciatica, which I don't think it is, the symptoms aren't the same. Now, am I being (pardon the pun) a PITA or does an hour lecture sound like a bit of a waste of time? Plus would be a nightmare as would have to take 19month DS who wouldn't really appreciate it.

Has anyone had PGP? Think this sounds like it? And what do I have to do to get someone to take it seriously?!

PGP is fairly common and apart from physio there isn't a huge amount that can be done as far as I am aware (had it during pregnancy). Sciatica is apparently often diagnosed during pregnancy when in fact it is other things, the exercises they teach at the group session are probably the same they do for PGP and SPD anyway as it'll all be about strengthening your core abdo, lower back and pelvic floor areas so I would suggest going.

FWIW I had physio and it didn't help a bit! Seems to be just one of those pesky pregnancy things that lots of people get to varying degrees, mine wasn't too bad but I know someone who had it and was on crutches.

carers are hopeless with PGP/SPD.

Check out the pelvic partnership website for tips on how to cope and follow their advice.

I have both SPD/PGP and sciatic pain on one side.
Pelvic pain worst when too active or stay locked in sitting position too long and sciatic pain worse when strain on veins/circulation in lower body (standing too long)

Best remedy so far is keep legs parallel/avoid jerky movements and rest feet up as much as possible.
Keep your pelvis stable and feet well grounded (ie: avoid standing on one leg and keep weight evenly distributed weather standing, sitting, kneeling etc...)

You have all my sympathy.

I had similar pain and seemed to be helped by a woman who did cranial osteopathy for pregnancy. It didn't go away imediately, so I couldn't say for sure it was that, but might be worth a go.

osteopathy for SPD is fab, it got me off crutches and immobile to be able to cope with walking.

I have this too, and i feel your pain

I saw a physio privately and was told it was due to weakness in the sacro-iliac joint. It started when I was 6 weeks preganant with my DD, but I had had problems after my first pregnancy that were teated successfuly by an osteopath. My DD is now 9mo old, and i still get the pain. It's a constant ache on my right side and i get accompanying leg weakness as well as pain in my knee and my leg muscles (I presume for overcompensating for the pelvic weakness). It did get really bad again recently but I was fobbed off with a sheet of exercises by the GP (who also said it's sciatica) when I asked for a re-referral to the physio. I've since found out that it had worsened again because I'm pregnant again.

Anyway, I wore a pelvic support belt during my pregnancy with DD which helped a little, and I got some exercise from my physio. Pilates also helps a lot.

I did go to a group session at the hospital when I was pregnant with DD, but there were about eight of us all with slightly different ailments. They treated us all as having all the ailments and gave a very broad brush range of exercises. I didn't find it at all helpful.

If you can afford to see a private physio, I would receommend it. I think I paid £40 for the first session and then £30 a session thereafter. I had three sessions over the course of about 5 weeks and then a follow up about 3 months later where she checked that things were gettnig a bit more stable.

i think i might need to go back to her again though.

Yes pilates helps a lot as it focuses on stability.

Avoid yoga unless you have a really well established regular practice and know how to pace yourself. Too much stretching in the groin if you don't know what you are doing.

I totally sympathise I had really bad PGP that started at 17 weeks and like you the midwife could only offer me a physio class which I would have to wait 6 weeks for. I found an osteopath that had an interest in pregnancy and post pregnancy problems and after 2 sessions and following the exercises and tips he gave me I am sooooo much better. For me it was well worth it even to find out which stretches and things I could do that would help (rather than the sort of ones I was doing that were probably making it worse).

I have sciatic pain constantly due to a slipped/compressed disc. The only thing my GP (who also happens to be the team doctor to a 1st division football club - he is great with any sort of ache pain or injury - much better than a&e!) recommended was pilates. No to all the other therapies, just plenty of rest, gentle exercise, pain killers (which is something I am concerned about now as I normally take very strong ones - but cant!!) if needed, and pilates to stretch everything out.

Thank you for all the replies and big sympathies to everyone in the same boat, it's awful! It seems to have got worse overnight and is now also in my right foot (has been for about a week but have only just twigged it's probably connected as it's not going!)

Well, maybe I'll go to the phsyio class, I suppose it can't hurt, but will def look into Pilates classes nearby.

Thanks again, really good to hear it isn't just me dealing with this!

(that sounds like I'm saying I'm glad other people have it, which of course I'm not...!)