SPD - can you take painkillers?

[Moomin]

I've read on a few threads recently that some people take painkillers of differing strengths to help with SPD pain. I've never been given this option by any medics, but would take some if it's safe to do so as I can hardly walk at the mo. Would just plain old paracetemol help or do I need something stronger via the GP?

i don't have any expereince of SPD, but it is fine to take paracetamol during pg.
try it... if it makes no difference see your GP to see if there is anything else you can take

Moomin, I had SPD from week 20 of my pregnancy and I know how painful it is My GP gave me a prescription for paracetemol, which I took pretty much on a daily basis! I was a bit concerned about how many painkillers I was taking but was assured that paracetemol is totally safe. Hope it gives you some relief, to be honest it only really takes the edge off but it's better than nothing.

Good luck Moomin. I suffer from spd and problems with my sacroiliac joints and took some hydrocodeine tablets when I could hardly stand the pain. However, that's a bit of a last resort in pg. The best thing is to treat the cause of the problem - do you have regular chiro/osteo appointments? I can't emphasis enough how much this has helped me. I also wear a special velcro belt all the time now (during the day) and although it's hardly glamorous it has been a life saver. 10 days ago I couldn't get upstairs and was heading down a depressive spiral at the thought of 20 more weeks of agony in pg.

I hope it improves soon. I really sympathise with you.

Yep, I see an osteopath and wear a belt & use crutches when I have to walk a distance. I'm on hols from work at the moment, dd is in nursery and I'm trying to limit movement to a minimum so I don't wear the belt round the house. Just wondered if I can take something just to take the edge off it when I'm getting up/down and shuffling around. Sounds like paracetemol is a good idea. I feel like an old lady!

I really would recommend wearing the belt all the time. I have been advised by my chiro and physio that sitting down without the belt can make your pelvic joints flare out and make the pain even worse.

fair enough, I'll go and put it on... it's just so sexy I can't trust that the builders won't find me irrestistable if they see me in it

I know what you mean. I am fighting the men off 24/7.....

I took paracetomol - but you must take it regularly for it to be effective - I tried to time my dosage so that i'd be able to have the 4th dosage in the night (as that was when pain was at its very worst). Go to the GP and get a huge prescription for these as you won't have to pay!
Good luck - I know how you're feeling.

hi suffered from spd in all 4 pregnancies but was worse in the last one. doctors and midwives prescribed me with co- dyramol for when the pain was really bad.
also was advised to hire a tens machine which i found helped alot and used this constantly from about 30 weeks until i had ds.

Good idea about the paras from the GP. Don't know if I'll be allowed to use a tens machine - looks like I've got placenta praevia and can't have any unnecessary jiggling about! I'll check with the midwife anyway.