SPD getting much worse but Dr says he can't do anything :/

[LilMiss_91]

I went to my Dr a few weeks ago, around 30wks I think. I told him about the pain I was getting in my left hip while walking and he literally said "there's bugger all I do about it" (he didn't say it in a horrible way, more of an apologetic way). But it's getting increasingly worse. It's every day now and just a short, slow walk (when I say slow, I mean snails pace!) is enough to cripple me for the next week.

Right now I'm in agonising pain with every movement, my hips, pelvis and lower abdomen feel like they're gonna just seize up entirely and I won't be able to move. Can the Dr seriously not do anything? It's making me so miserable I want to be able to have an active labour but at this rate I feel more like I'm going to be confined to a bed

 

[CatherineK]

A chiropractor could probably relieve your pain. Mine was able my SPD pain literally disappear.

 

[rachie2011]

I suffer from PGP and was referred to physio by my midwife. Perhaps give your MW a call or mention it at your next appointment and explain how debilitating it is for you and ask if there is anything that can be done to help you. x

 

[Quailpower]

Speak to the MW but dont get your hopes up.

I have a condition similar to SPD but when not pregnant (its in my knees too!), and they cant do anything other than physio which has a 50/50 chance of making it a bit less painful. That and dose me with strong painkillers but obviously cant have opiates when preggers

 

[LilMiss_91]

Thank you ladies, I will have a word with my midwife when I see her. I'm due to see her next Wednesday anyway.

@CatherineK I've heard brilliant things about chiropractors but I just can't afford to pay for private treatment

@Quailpower How awful to have it in your knees as well! You totally have my sympathy. I've tried paracetamol for the pain but it does nothing to relieve it so god knows how you must feel!

 

[2bcome3]

I have been having SPD since around 24 weeks and getting a physio referral early is definitely the way to go. Waiting times can be long enough to be seen...

Before you get an appointment even google recommendations for SPD (also called PGP - Pelvic girdle pain) or attend a physio group class where you learn what to avoid can make a difference.

You could also get a belt (mine is called serola belt) which really helped me in work
(being on my feet and walking/lifting).

I've been seeing a private Osteopath as well and she has been my life-saver on many occasions (but I know it doesn't come cheap and I'm fortunate enough to be able to afford what my insurance doesn't cover) but even seeing an osteopath or a chiropractor once or twice will get you relief. I find them much more hands on than the physios...

My pain however never goes completely away but I have good and bad days and thankfully am still able to do most bits. And yes, it will get worse the further along you are...

Paracetamol is the only medication they recommend to take. However if it's totally unbearable there are pain specialists in the hospitals that you can be reffered to. (They do Nerveblocks and can prescribe certain strong painmedications but thoses should only ever be taken under consultants order!!!)

Hope you'll be feeling a bit better soon!
Hug and remember you're not alone out there and it's only for a limited time!

 

[LilMiss_91]

I have been having SPD since around 24 weeks and getting a physio referral early is definitely the way to go. Waiting times can be long enough to be seen...

Before you get an appointment even google recommendations for SPD (also called PGP - Pelvic girdle pain) or attend a physio group class where you learn what to avoid can make a difference.

You could also get a belt (mine is called serola belt) which really helped me in work
(being on my feet and walking/lifting).

I've been seeing a private Osteopath as well and she has been my life-saver on many occasions (but I know it doesn't come cheap and I'm fortunate enough to be able to afford what my insurance doesn't cover) but even seeing an osteopath or a chiropractor once or twice will get you relief. I find them much more hands on than the physios...

My pain however never goes completely away but I have good and bad days and thankfully am still able to do most bits. And yes, it will get worse the further along you are...

Paracetamol is the only medication they recommend to take. However if it's totally unbearable there are pain specialists in the hospitals that you can be reffered to. (They do Nerveblocks and can prescribe certain strong painmedications but thoses should only ever be taken under consultants order!!!)

Hope you'll be feeling a bit better soon!
Hug and remember you're not alone out there and it's only for a limited time!

Thank you 2becomes3 that was a really helpful post. I might investigate the osteopath route and at least see how much it would be.

I had a look around on the internet about self help sort of things and I'm doing quite a few of them already! Some things are so hard to adopt as habit though when you're used to doing things a certain way!

My mum's out looking for a belt for me as we speak! So we'll see how that goes I would ideally like to avoid painkillers if I can. I've made it this far without and am hoping for a med-free birth so I'd like to manage without if I can

Thanks! I have to keep reminding myself that it's only for a set time haha

 

[_Lexi_]

Pretty sure they had the support belts in mothercare the other day. Might be too late for a physio referral my sil was referred at 24 weeks, after chasing it and chasing it, her appointment has just come through for 2 weeks time, which would be ok if her lo wasn't 6 weeks old already! (And she went 2 weeks overdue!) apparently the n&n don't do anything in a hurry! Hope it eases soon for you x

 

[Aurora_rose]

Crutches help to keep you mobile! You can buy them from argos if you cant get a physio appointment and they do seel the belts as pp said in mothercare. If you have an exercise/birth ball use that to sit on.

Ive had spd since 17 weeks and unfortunatley they cant do anything for it other than try to make you a little more comfortable x

 

[MrsWhy]

I've also seen the support belts online at Tesco's (in the maternity section) and also in Boots

If you do buy online from Tesco's, they can deliver it to your nearest store for you to pick up (I do this all the time) and then you don't have to pay delivery charges

 

[2bcome3]

I know where you're coming from with not wanting to take painkillers. I'm still only taking paracetamol when I really need it or know that I have to do something that will pain me a lot. I'm hoping for a natural birth with minimal painrelief too.

Oh an make sure you mention to the midwives that you have the SPD/PGP when you're going into labor. Especially if you have an epidural, they have to be very careful not to overstretch things and do permanent damage to your hips. There are certain positions you should be advised to avoid or should be recommended to you.

I know it's not always easy to follow all the guidelines and sometimes you can adapt them to your own as well. I, for example can still squat and find it actually helps it, while recommendations are not to. But then I can definitely not do anything "one legged" and with a big belly it is just so tempting to try to push things with your leg instead of bending and picking them up...

When I initially started having groin pains I found this website great for information:
https://www.pelvicpartnership.org.uk/

Also, one of the things my osteopath does (and some of the hands on physios as well) is massaging your outer bottocks and your outer upper thigh area. It releases the tension. I found that great and even though my husband doesn't get the spots exactly right, it still helps if he does it in between (and I checked with my osteopath, she was happy for him to do it at home as he can't do any damage if I make sure it's not painful. It's just like a deep muscle massage).

So here comes my attempt in describing what we do:
Lie on your side, have the lower leg stretched out and the upper one bend, resting on the ground. (Just a comfy lying-on-your-side position pretty much)
To start or if you're unsure about the ellbow let your partner massage your lower back, hip and thigh area with his hand and palm (he can be quite firm). Even that will feel nice...
If you want test for tender spots in your soft tissue (not the bony parts of you hip) yourself by pressing into the muscle areas with your hand or fist. When you find a tender or tense spot get him to bend his arm and put his elbow on that exact spot. Get him to apply pressure to the spot (so that you feel it but never that it's too painful, he can "lean" into you) let him apply the pressure for about 20-30 seconds. Then let him release it gently and rub the area for a moment.
Do the other side after you finished with the first.
I find it particularly helpful before going to bed after a long day, so that the stretched muscles have time to loosed overnight...

Hope you'll get relief soon!

(There are usually about 3 or 4 spots that I can find are sore. One is on your upper outer bottom pretty much underneath your hip bones, one is on my outer thigh, pretty much where you bend and on the lower outer side of the thigh...).
If you ever had sciatic pain, most spots are pretty much along that "line of pain" that you get with sciatica...