PGP getting no help at all - where do I go?

[KaliJones]

Hi, I’ve had PGP since about 18 weeks, I’m now 27 weeks and it’s so much worse (I didn’t even think it COULD be worse). I was referred for physio, but the problem is they basically shrugged and sent me away as I also have a hernia in my groin. She was worried she’d agitate it with anything she could suggest. So now I have a huge hernia in my groin and PGP pain (in the same area) and all I have is cocodamol which is useless and does nothing but make me tired (I have a 4 year old so not an option).

I’ve been off work for a month, and they’ve signed me off for another month. GP only cares about the hernia (they can’t operate until after baby so that’s that for now), midwife shrugged and told me to wear a support belt (which physio said not to because of the hernia!) I don’t know what to do :(

I’m housebound, I don’t drive and live up a steep hill which I can’t get up and down, so is that it for me? I don’t even know how I’ll get my daughter to school next week (partner works 12 hour shifts), and no one seems to give a single crap.

I don’t even think I’m asking anything lol I just need to rant. I want crutches but midwife said to ask physio and she said to ask my GP??? No one seems to know what they’re doing.

The treatment is complete rest unfortunately. Yes beg/borrow/steal crutches but you should not be walking more than essential such as going to the toilet.

Take the stairs going up and down on your bum.

It’s just vile. The toilet is downstairs and sofas aren’t comfortable to sleep on (they sink in) so the 3 trips up and down a night are killing me off. Do you know at all where I can get crutches from?

No idea tbh it's so long ago!! For various DC injuries we managed to get some from friends, they seem to move around town through various families according to need.

Can you ring up physio?

Minor injuries unit you can go to or even phone 111?

I would consider moving a mattress downstairs to sleep on tbh.

You can buy crutches online, i was recommended some by my physio. Ive had spd since 6 weeks this time round so i feel your pain!

Osteopathy hugely helped me recover last time (it doesnt always get better after birth if its really bad during and mine took about a year to get better after). This time ive been going to osteo during and its pretty much the only thing that helps, along with rest and epsom salt baths to take the edge off. Have you tried a support belt? I bought a serola one thats meant to be good!

If you can afford to go to a private physio or specialist women's health physio there are plenty of treatments can help to relieve symptoms. Private physios may not be able to provide you with crutches but you can buy them from Amazon and Argos.
SPD is awful, best of luck.

I’d see another physio especially one who specialises in women’s issues.

And get a camping toilet for upstairs as hobbling downstairs three times a night in pain is miserable and won’t be helping.

Another vote here for osteopath - NHS physios were useless but osteopath kept me able to move about

I'd set up a bed downstairs tbh - so boring but rest is the only treatment!

Yes I went to the osteopath too and it made a huge difference, not all are trained to treat pregnant women though so do ask.

I’ll have to get some online then, I’ve no choice but to do the school run when my daughter is back next week, it’s a bus there and back and up and down two hills (wonders of living in wales lol) so I need some help and hopefully crutches will do something

I have tried a support belt, I’ve been recommended not to use them because they’re worried it might aggravate my hernia :( I will admit the couple times I wore it didn’t feel good at all.

Definitely can’t afford this sadly - been off work for a month and now off for another and sick pay is incredibly poor :( stuck with the crappy NHS physio for now (who I won’t see again until October)