Advice needed about spd/pgp and physio/osteo

[craftynclothy]

So I've seen an obstetric physio for my pain in hips/pelvis etc and she confirmed it was all in my joints, not muscular. She gave advice on how to move about, gave me 3 exercises to do and a support belt to wear. Now at first it seemed helpful but I think it was maybe just hiding the pain tbh.

Today & yesterday I've been in agony. I don't know whether to ring the physio and see if I can get another appointment with them (and if that would even be useful) or whether to just book in with an osteopath (my independent midwife has recommended that but it's expensive).

I know if money wasn't an issue I'd go for the osteopath but it's £50 for the initial visit and £45 for subsequent visits. I also don't know how many visits I'm likely to need (am 32+3 today).

Shoudl maybe point out that we're paying for the IM with my maternity allowance so money is already quite a stretch iykwim.

WWYD?

ring the physio! I also saw NHS obstetric physio for tips and belt but was still in agony, then remembered she had given me her direct line and said to call again if necessary - since then (about 27 weeks?) she has seen me once a week to assess my pelvis and give massage. Worth trying, and if you still need more help in addition to that, then maybe try an osteopath or acupuncturist, but it IS a lot of money, especially as you'd probably need several visits, as you say.

Also talk to midwife and/or GP and find out exactly what is available on NHS in your area - my midwife was really helpful and got me an NHS acupuncture appointment (which didn't seem to help me, as actually more pain in the days after the treatment, but other people have sworn by it, so worth trying?). Let them know that it really is painful, not just 'discomfort', as SPD seems to come in all sizes, and your GP or midwife may only have seen women with less pain than you.

Also if you haven't already, maybe try an aquanatal class. Being in water seems to help me, even if only temporarily, and apart from pregnancy yoga it's the only exercise I can do!

I'm 32 weeks and not happy about another 8 weeks or more of this, but I do feel that midwife and physio are taking care of me as best they can.

Rang the physio and all they'll do for me is give me a quick appointment to give me another belt and crutches sometime next week.

Doctor is useless. When I first went he said the pain is cos I'm pregnant and that's that. I had to push for a physio referral and he reluctantly agreed but said there was a 3 month wait so I prob wouldn't be seen before the birth. It was my midwife who referred me directly to the obstetric physio (and got and appointment for 4 days later).

Can't get to antenatal as I have no childcare for dd, can't drive cos of the pain either. Only option would be to go to pool at weekend but no idea how I'd get dressed again afterwards - dh has to put my knickers, socks & trousers on in a morning.

Have phoned to see if I can get in with Osteopath but he'd left for the day so doubt I'll hear before Monday. (sold the wii fit to put towards the cost).

Just fed up. Midwife coming tomorrow so I might ask if there's anything else available. Also got appointment with NHS pregnancy support midwife on Monday so will ask her too.

that's awful! I was so relieved when physio started to give me regular appointments, because even though they don't help pain too much, I have someone to moan with once a week, and she's very sympathetic. It's so unhelpful when people say 'it's all part of pregnancy', or, like one of the (male) GPs at my surgery 'well, giving birth is much more intensely painful so you'll forget about the SPD then'.

I suggest begging midwife for any other options, and if there's really nothing useful they can do, trying to fund at least 2 visits to osteopath, because it might help the pain and it should certainly make you feel more cared for. Can you also try getting some co-codamol to use occasionally, if you haven't got any already? I've taken it once or twice a week when really desperate with the OK of my GP, and it does take the edge off.

I'm really sorry for you, it's slightly easier for me because this is first child, so I only have me to look after, and dp is helpful and kind (although we really want to try for another child in next few years and I bet it would recur in a 2nd pregnancy...)

Hi Crafty and Duzida,

It sounds like you both have/had SPD like I did-really bad and in constant pain!

Crafty, I could take all the physio you can get, and really push for it if the Dr's dismiss you. I felt a lot of the time like the Dr's thought I was making a fuss, when I was actually in agony for months! I don't think it was taken seriously by a lot of the people I saw. Im sorry you are in so much pain, it really is horrible, especially when you want to feel blooming and get a nursery ready! If you can get crutches, take them, this was the only way I could get around even in the house. I couldn't get to the swimming pool either, I could barely get off the couch!

My other tips are: sleep in a satin nightie or PJs. Not only will you feel a bit more glam but the slippy fabric helps you move in bed.

Go up stairs one at a time, it takes forever, but is a bit easier. I found it helped to come down backwards too.

A plastic bag on the sofa, car seat etc will make moving slightly easier. I found sitting on the gym ball or a dining chair much easier than sofa.

Also, make sure it is clearly marked in your birth plan, and ask your birth partner to tell any medical staff involved in the birth, in case they don't read it.

And Duzida, that's so like a man to say that! In fact after 4 months of being in constant pain, I found birth to be a piece of cake! It was only 9 hours and I had gas and air! Much easier than trying to get upstairs, shower and get dressed!!!

I'm sorry if this has already been suggested but has anyone tried seeing an osteopath who specialises in SPD/PGP?

I suffered severe SPD with my last pregnancy - was wheelchair bound by the end. When I found out I was pregnant again (I had the Mirena fitted so thought I'd be safe :P), one of the first symptoms was the SPD rearing it's ugly head again. A friend recommended that I contact the Pelvic Partnership (www.pelvicpartnership.org.uk)via telephone and request a local specialist osteopath. I have to travel an hour to see him but he's been worth his weight in gold! He's kept me relatively pain free so far and the only problems have been my own fault - I got fed up of the drive so tried a more local osteopath (big mistake!).

I've also heard that acupuncture can work wonders although I've no personal experience.

This PGP is an absolute bitch. I hope everyone gets some relief real soon!!!

Jo x

Are you taking painkillers? You can have co-codamol or paracetamol but obviously check with pharmacist before as you may be taking other meds/intolerant to codeine/etc.

Don't part your legs, definately don't 'push' through the pain, avoid climbing stairs if you can or standing on one leg.

Can you get a wide elasticated belt to support your bump and take the weight off your symphasis pubis and a stiff non- stretchy thin belt to stop your pelvis moving about too much. This combo really worked well for me (in the sense that with 8 paracetemol a day and the 2 belts I could move even if it was on crtuches around the house and a wheelchair to go to hospital ).

I'm really sorry you are getting the run around from the HCPs, sometimes they are so dismissive of SPD as just something you have to put up with if you want a baby.

I got really lucky with my SPD as I left the crutches in the car when we got home from hospital and didn't use them again. Each pg has been better from an SPD persective and this time round (3rd pg) I'm not even needing a belt at 25 weeks, with baby no.2 I needed to wear one from 6 weeks but gave up in the 2nd trimester.

hi all im sory to here about you all however i can relate very much so my baby is now 8 months old and i am still suffering ive had the physio, acupuncture, blet crutches but amd still in agony. I feel lik no one has checked me over properly doctors are quick to judge and hand out pain killers whih barely touch the pain.
i dont know what to do as physio has discharged me sayin there is no more she can do but she didnt do much anyway kept cancelling on me i didnt get seen until i was 9 months pregnant by her then she cancelled 3 apt in 8 wks it was a nightmare and still is.
i had to give up work because of this condition and it feels like there is no help for me its driving me crazy i was told by physio i cant drive plus no driving, not alot of walkin feel housebound plus im very depressed due to this i dont know what to do next can someone help plez! rosie