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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

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?

OP posts:

grommit · 27/05/2003 14:24

Pie - nothing constructive to add - just lots of sympathy. You sound like you are having a dreadful time - I will stop whinging about a bit of morning sickness...

Original poster

pie · 27/05/2003 15:23

Ok...

When I rang the GP the receptionist told me that she would remind my GP about the referral and get her to fax it through asap. This is when I made the osteopath appointment.

I then went round to my mums, 15 minutes to walk about 30 metres, and lay on her floor wailing!! I checked this thread there on my brothers ultra slow computer. Decided you were all right that I shouldn't stand for it.

Rang the Obstetric physio department and began to cry that they should see me whether I had the referral or not. Lovely receptionist asked my name, said oh your referrals just been faxed through. She said that the earliest appointment was on Monday but as the Senior physio hadn't seen it yet she couldn't give the appointment to me without checking. Could she call me back in an hour?

Less the 20 minutes later receptionist rang back Senior physio will see me herself tomorrow at 3pm.

Yeah!!!!

If this had failed I would have rung midwives and insisted they admit me or do something.

But yeah someone actually listened!!!

Thanks all for giving me the confidence to demand action. Tomorrow I fully expect to me in a nice comfy girdle

OP posts:

Original poster

pie · 27/05/2003 15:24

Oh yeah and I cancelled the osteopath for now, so saved the money. Must remember that its for bills not lipstick or DH will kill me!

OP posts:

GRMUM · 27/05/2003 15:54

Pie glad to hear something has been done for you.

Hope you can just rest and relax between now and then.

SoupDragon · 27/05/2003 16:10

Great news, Pie. Having suffered severe back pain myself you have my sympathies.

nobby · 27/05/2003 17:07

I know this is probably a bit premature with all you're coping with but when you see the physio and midwife should you ask him/her about labour just in case the pain is still there? Come up with coping strategies or a plan B?

Does anyone have experience of delivering with sciatic pain? What happened?

I had unexplained back pain during last labour and couldn't face it again so am starting discussions with consultants/midwives etc now just in case.

Good luck and take care.

WideWebWitch · 27/05/2003 21:42

Well done for getting action pie, I really hope they manage to relieve your pain. Ooh, the power of mumsnet is marvelous!

mears · 28/05/2003 00:14

Glad you got a result pie. Hope you get some relief tomorrow. Best wishes, mears.

robinw · 28/05/2003 07:26

message withdrawn

motherinferior · 28/05/2003 08:10

And spend £35 on bills, £5 on chocolate and lipstick. You need it.

Original poster

pie · 28/05/2003 17:34

Oh joy...just got back from the physiotherapist. Got a whole body tubigrip, a maternity belt and a pair of crutches. She diagnosed symphysis pubic dysfunction, and said that was not all that was wrong. My abdominal muscles have spilit too far and are not offering any support to my womb. She said that as I was hospitalised for hyperemesis I obviously have very high pregnancy hormone levels which have reduced all my ligaments to jelly.

I'm too see her every couple of weeks up until the birth and at least 3 months after.

I can't imagine it being summer, having tubigrips and girdle, crutches being in the third trimester trying to entertain DD for the summer holidays.

Anyone know of how you can safely induce a coma so I can just come round when the baby is here?

Oh yeah and all the ideas I had for the actual brith, like squatting, well thats out the window. Only certain positions aren't gonna rip me in too.
I'm terrified I'll end up with a cesarean.

Oh well, I would say that things can't get worse, but thats just tempting fate.

OP posts:

Original poster

pie · 28/05/2003 17:37

Oh yeah and I also have just a good old fashioned backache...

I wanna a tropical island now!!!!!

OP posts:

SoupDragon · 28/05/2003 18:01

Oh Pie! I don't know what to say... Hugs anyway.

Hopefully all the equipment you've got will help with the pain though.

GRMUM · 28/05/2003 19:11

So glad you've finally been seen pie.At least you have some answers now and someone on your side trying to help.Good luck.

nobby · 28/05/2003 19:33

Blimey! Still, at least you know and someone's helping and they're taking you seriously. Do you feel like ringing your GP up and going 'ner ner ner ner ner'?

As for a Ceasarian - try not to worry about it. Getting your baby out without doing you any damage is the main pririty - however it's done.

Enjoy the summer!

SamboM · 28/05/2003 20:17

Poor you Pie, but well done for getting it all seen to. You'll cope somehow - we all do! Don't envy you all that palaver in the summer though. Chin up!

aloha · 28/05/2003 20:19

Oh, I am sorry. It sounds awful. Poor you. If I can offer any comfort, I had an elective c-section for placenta praevia and just loved it. No pain and a quick recovery. I suspect by then you won't care much how the baby comes out as long as the baby's fine and you can start getting back to normal.

soyabean · 28/05/2003 20:30

Pie, poor you, must be feeling awful but at least you have a diagnosis and someone is taking you seriously and you know you were right to keep on at them (well, there wasnt any alternative was there)> I had a thought which didnt comne to me when I wrote before, that you can phone the London school of Osteopathy for an appointment and I think it might be free if you're on a low income, certainly it is much cheaper than going private. You get seen by a 3rd or 4th yr student under supervision. Its in Borough Rd SE1, I cant find the tel no but it should be in the phone book. I had a mixed experience there, to be honest, sometiumes I felt better and sometimes not, but I know several people who swear by it. It might be worth a try if you need it at a later date. Good luck.

SamboM · 28/05/2003 20:31

There is another one like this in Trafalgar Square, maybe the Royal College of Ostopathy or something?

WideWebWitch · 28/05/2003 20:35

Oh pie, how awful. I'm glad you've got a diagnosis though. There was a thread on symphysis pubic dysfunction recently though I don't know if it'll be any help. Poor you, much sympathy.

mears · 29/05/2003 00:44

So sorry to hear of all your problems pie. You might find that the best place to labour is in the birthing pool if there are problems about positions that concern you. The water would support your body and allow you to have freedom of movement, however you would need to be able to get in and out safely. I hope that the physio and supports you get will ease your pain. Thinking of you, mears.

Angiel · 29/05/2003 01:52

Hi Pie

Sorry to learn that you are having such a hard time with your pregnancy. I suffered from symphysis pubis dysfunction in all 3 of my pregnancies and I know what you must be going through. If you want any more information, I'd be happy to let you know of my experiences.

Hope you start to feel better soon.

motherinferior · 29/05/2003 08:24

Oh sweetie. I too have SPD but not nearly as badly as you (ie if I don't do much I'm all right). Pupuce is good on recommending osteopathy BUT an osteopath who's trained to work with pregnant women. There is an SPD group accessible through the NCT website, I know. I find it does get better (OK, at my levels)if you really don't move much...

DP also swears by the London College of Osteopaths.

Is any sort of childcare feasible over the holidays?

Longer-term, I've been told to do pilates - have been doing antenatal pilates which MAY be helping a bit, but I don't think you should tackle it at the moment.

Would you like me to go round and bop your GP on the nose?

StripyMouse · 29/05/2003 08:38

Oh Pie - I was so pleased for you yesterday, finally getting that appointment but forgot to think that all they might be able to do is diagnose you and give crutches! I cannot express how much sympathy and heart felt best wishes and hugs i want to send your direction! I just wish there was such a thing as a virtual tropical island I coudl send you and dh for a well earned break. The next possible day that you and dh can both be at home together (weekend?), I would call in your mum to look after your dd and have a full day off just relaxing and having a one day holiday - put lots of tropical music on to get the mood going and eat junk food (pref. choc icecream), watch old movies on tv etc. and do nothing. Failing this, take care and try to keep up yer pecker up - it won?t be forever...

megg · 29/05/2003 09:00

Pie I really feel for you. I had sciatic problems from 13 weeks all the way to the end. The good news is that as soon as ds was born backache was gone. The ob physio was lovely and gave me some exercises. Have you tried leaning over a gym ball or beanbag? I changed doctors as soon as I had my ds because my GP was the same he told me I was pg so I just had to put up with it. He even tried to tell me it was because I was doing yoga. Good luck and just keep seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Whenever I see a beached whale on tv now I remember trying to turn over in bed!!

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