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Pregnancy

Freaking out about my back.

87 replies

pie · 26/05/2003 21:23

Ok, I've had really bad backache since the 10th week of my pregnancy, I'm now 19 weeks. Intially I was told that this would get better as my retroverted uterus came forward. Then I was told that it was being caused by fluid from a burst ovarian cyst (I was admitted to hospital for this as the pain was so bad), now I've been told its just one of those things.

I CANNOT walk or stand. I can't sit for more than a few minutes at a time. I cannot turn over. My legs are heavy and numb and I spend most of the day crying over the pain. I have had to cancel appointments with Doctors as I can't get to them.
Two weeks ago I saw my GP and she said she would refer me to the Obstetric Physiotherapists at the hospital I'm booked into. I haven't had an appointment through.

Over this weekend it has got worse. My DH has just told me that there are now blue marks all over my lower back, he says he can't tell if their veins or bruises.

I can't afford an osteopath, but I can't seem to get anyone to realise how much pain I'm in.

How do I get my GP to take this seriously? Should I be worried about the marks all over my back?

Please can someone reassure me that if this is all pregnancy related the pain will stop once the baby is born?

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soyabean · 26/05/2003 21:31

Pie I'm afraid I dont have any advice but just send sympathy, have been plagued with back trouble for years on and off but yours sounds particularly awful and I think I would go back to the GP and remind about that appointment. In fact have just reread your post: phone the doctor if you cant bear to go ther.
Lots of people have backpain in pregnancy but I dont think it is normal to be in constant pain as you are.
Good luck

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nobby · 26/05/2003 21:36

Pie. I'd really try to call the doctor out - that's what the system is there for. I have backpain too (15 weeks gone) but it's nothing like yours - and my GP has already referred me to a physio. A lot of things are written off as part of pregnancy - but your back pain is extreme and you need to get the doctor out asap and get them moving. Can you have someone with you - you're not likely to be at your most assertive.

All the best.

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GRMUM · 26/05/2003 21:44

Why don't you try phonong the physio.dept direct.I think if you explained the situation to them they would try to see you immediately.

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ForestFly · 26/05/2003 21:49

You have to get the health visitor round now! She can refer you to everyone, and will come round to your house no problem. Once you get pregnant the H.V. should look after you is she/he not doing that?

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robinw · 26/05/2003 21:49

message withdrawn

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whymummy · 26/05/2003 22:01

a friend of mine had bad sciatica while pregnant and she also was unable to stand,walk or sit down without crying with the pain,keep phoning your doctor to get that appointment as soon as possible in the meantime have you tried aplaying a hot water bottle it might ease the pain a bit,good luck

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pie · 27/05/2003 08:45

I'm trying to get through to the Physiotherapy department to see if they have even got the letter from my GP, then I will get hold of my GP and bitch. Unfortunately my DH will be out all day...

Forestfly, the HV never look after the pregnant mothers round my way, just the babies once they are born. Also I have been told that the Obstetric physiotherapy department only takes referrals from GP or midwife, and bloody hospital only sees me every 6 weeks at the moment.

Ok I'm off to lie on the floor and cry some more...

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motherinferior · 27/05/2003 08:49

Honey, lots of love. Sounds quite quite awful. Doctors do this awful 'oh it's all part of pregancy' crap. Hassle the bloody doctors. Would a hot bath help?

I almost wonder if it might be worth going to A&E, and/or the women's bit of your local hospital. Where are you?

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pie · 27/05/2003 08:54

I think that they are gonna give me my own cubicle at A&E!!! Seriously though I have already been admitted twice with this pregnancy and DD has got to the stage that if she overhears me talking about seeing the doctor she starts crying saying I won't come back

I'm booked into Queen Charlottes so I'm always at the Hammersmith A&E....

I honestly find that nothing helps, hot or cold, rubbing, lying still or moving. I am in a state of constant cramping or sharp stabbing pains. I can honestly say that if feels worse that labour.

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StripyMouse · 27/05/2003 09:00

Oh Pie - just found your thread. I can offer nothing other than complete sympathy and total disbelief that you are in such a terrible way with such little medical support so far. I really hope that the A and E will be able to help you out and at least tell you what those blue marks are and how the baby is doing.

Is it realistic to ask for dh to come home and look after you and/or DD? I know I wouldn?t have let him out of the door, but then he works from home so a little academic really... I really hope that they sort this out fast for you. Let us know how you get on. Loads of cyber hugs and bestest wishes.

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pie · 27/05/2003 09:10

My GP is not taking calls or appointments today but the receptionist told me that she hasn't even made the referral. That was 2 weeks ago...

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WideWebWitch · 27/05/2003 09:11

Pie, sorry to hear this too. Is there a friend who could come round and get pushy on your behalf on the phone so you see someone? I'd go for asking your GP to come out too though and really making sure they understand quite how painful it is. Hope someone takes some notice and helps soon.

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Metrobaby · 27/05/2003 09:28

Pie as a fellow back sufferer you have my sympathies. Back pain is so awful.

I find that doing very gentle yoga stretches can help relieve the pain - but if you do this please ensure the postures you do are both suitable for pregnancy and back problems. Also there is a book called "Treat Your Back" which is wonderful and shows you very gentle stretches to help relieve the pain in your back. Its an old book and you may find your local library has a copy - perhaps you could ring beforehand and check the availability.

Finally if you can get to an oestopath I've found they work miracles. If you can go to one that has been recommended by a friend/family member. If you are included on your dh's private medical insurance you can get the costs reimbursed I think if your GP refers you.

Hope it gets better soon, and lots of sympathy again

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GRMUM · 27/05/2003 09:28

Pie I'm so sorry to hear that your not having much luck so far.You don't have to see an obstetric physio.As a first opinion any physio should be able to assess your condition and then point you in the right direction.Does your GP surgery have a physio attached many do these days.Also many physio.departments have self-referal systems now.I find it hard to believe that they would turn you away in your circumstances.
As an immediate piece of advice the only thing i can suggest you try is to get loads of pillows and lie on your side.Put a pillow or two next to your bottom leg,bend the top leg up towards your tummy and support it on the pillow(s)Slightly turning over forwards.If you need support under your bump put a pillow there and a couple more to support your arm.This position should at least get any pressure off your spine as you said earlier that your legs feel heavy and numb.
really hope that you find a solution soon.

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motherinferior · 27/05/2003 09:37

What the hell is your GP playing at? A pregnant woman is in a lot of pain. For all she knows it could be very serious. If I didn't live the other side of London I would drop work and come round, seriously.

I'm with WWW on refusing to be fobbed off; or could you face going to hospital now?

Sorry to be so incoherent but this is making me VERY cross indeed. I bet your sodding doctor also says 'pregnancy isn't an illness'.

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pie · 27/05/2003 10:32

Just had the biggest arguement with DH about how he should ring and that his money priorities are wrong and I need the money to see an osteopath TODAY. Both of us in floods of tears. He wouldn't ring doctors, saying that I should do it. I can barely speak due to pain and being upset. Outcome is that he has given me his last and I mean last £40 and I am seeing an osteopath this afternoon, though I don't know how we're gonna pay the bills that money was meant for or how I will pay for future appointments. I gave him a bollocking for not standing up for me.

As for GP, I see the midwife on Thursday and she can refer me to the physio on the spot, I give up on my stupid GP, this is not the first time she has simply forgotten to make a referral.

Thanks for all the tips though I just wish something would work!

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SamboM · 27/05/2003 10:41

Pie, I'm so sorry to hear you're in so much pain. Can your gp not refer you to an ostepath on the NHS? Mine does, and the osteo is brilliant. Where do you live? My GP is in Putney. You shouldn't have to spend your last £40 on treatment that should be covered by the NHS especially as you are so pg. If there is anything I can do to help as I presumably live close to you if you're going to QCH/HH, please let me know.

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pie · 27/05/2003 10:45

Wanna know how long the osteopath takes to see an urgent referral at my surgery???

6 weeks....

I'm hoping that I will only need a few treatments, but right now I honestly don't care about the money. Its getting really upsetting that I can't look after DD.

I live in Holland Park btw Sambo. I think this is why everything is shit, because the health service assumes that if you live round here you must be as rich as Robbie Williams and be able to pay for everything. Something like 50% of the patients at my surgery are private.

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SamboM · 27/05/2003 10:57

How about going into A&E and refusing to move until they do something? They are hardly going to kick you out!

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GRMUM · 27/05/2003 11:04

Yes I agree with samboM.In fact what about calling an ambulance saying that your legs are going numb and that you can't weight bear? It is disgraceful that you should have to go and pay.I knew the NHS had gone downhill but this is horrifying.

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aloha · 27/05/2003 11:07

I agree with the A&E suggestions. Mind you, that's partly because when I had constant agonising lower back pain I went to an osteopath in Holland Park who was full of sh*t about how I was all misaligned etc etc and wanted me to have lots of treatments...so I went to my GP who referred me urgently to St Mary's where I was found to have two huge ovarian cyts. Now, I'm not saying this to worry you (I was fine after treatment and never had a twinge since, not even when pg) and I'm sure you don't have anything seriously, but it seems to me to make sense to get this checked out medically before spending money you can ill afford - head to casualty at St Mary's and get yourself seen. Your GP sounds utterly useless btw. I know how this constant pain can really get you down, particularly if you feel you can't take painkillers due to being pg. I couldn't have coped at all without extra strong ones, so I truly feel for you.

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motherinferior · 27/05/2003 11:24

I too think an ambulance, and get yourself there.

NHS referral to osteos etc is v patchy, and depends on who's already got agreements (ie paying ones) with services, but there should be some ways round it and I can probably help you with this if and when it comes to it (I've done a bit of work on access to complementary medicine on the NHS).

Don't worry too much about your daughter, honey, if you can possibly help it.

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mears · 27/05/2003 11:52

Pie, if you were booked at our hospital, all you would need to do is call your midwife and ask her to make a home visit. She would refer you to the physio, who would also see you at home. I had terrible sciatic pain in one of my pregnancies and the physio came and gave me treatment at home.

If that cannot happen, I would suggest you phone your midwife and ask her to make you an urgent referral to the physio. There is no waiting time in our area for referral to obstetric physio. If you cannot get your midwife, phone the physio dept. direct.

The other way to get treatment is to be admitted. Again, in my area that does not involve A&E. You would be admitted directly to the maternity unit and seen by a physio that day.

You should not need to pay for a private osteopath . You should be bale to be seen on the NHS. Good luck.

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Katherine · 27/05/2003 12:49

Oh Pie you poor thing. You've had it all this pg haven't you.

I've had really bad sciatic pain this pg. I never have back pain normally or in either of my other 2 pg so this really caught me off-guard. The first twinges vcame at about 7 weeks (first hint I should do a test) and by 12 weeks I was in tears every evening as that was the time it was worst. I just couldn't get comfortable, the pain was incredible and as for trying to move into a more comfortable position, well that just made it worse. Evenutally I found some comfort at night by wedging pillows between my legs and then got a pg pillow. I know you are strapped for cash but have a look on the buy and sell boards on UK parents or ask through your local NCT group if you can borrow one.

If its any comfort now at 29 weeks its much much better although certain things set it off (vaccumming is the worst and I had it bad on Friday night after a long car journey). Because mine started so early I could think of no physical explanation. The MW at the hospital said it was just wild hormones making my ligaments stretch but why is irrelevant anyway.

Phone your MW - they are totally different to GPs mine is always offering to visit me at home and they will do loads just in response to a phone call.

I spent moments at 12 weeks wondering how on earth I was going to get through the pg it was so bad but I am ALMOST normal now at 29 weeks so hang in there - it might suddenly clear up although I'm sure that is hard to imagine. Try to work out if there is anything which makes it worse such as cleaning and just refuse to do it and just experiment with different positions. Thinking of you.

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aloha · 27/05/2003 13:58

Oh, Mears, what brilliant advice. Of course! The midwife and the maternity unit and bypass the gp altogether. Hurrah for Mumsnet.

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