SPD/PGP Support thread

[Rachiebaby24]

ive been the doctors they are reluctantly letting me return to work and has written in big black letters LIGHT DUTIES ONLY and has also give my 30/500mg co-codamol. in pain now as OH knocked into me accidently.

they have given you co-codamol?? i have been given them and on the box it says makes you drowsy! How can you work if your in pain and drowsy?!

 

[Tudor Rose]

ive been the doctors they are reluctantly letting me return to work and has written in big black letters LIGHT DUTIES ONLY and has also give my 30/500mg co-codamol. in pain now as OH knocked into me accidently.

they have given you co-codamol?? i have been given them and on the box it says makes you drowsy! How can you work if your in pain and drowsy?!

i took 2, 3 hours ago didnt make me drowsy, i.l just have to see how i go with work, i can only try if i can manage til at least 25 weeks i.l be happy and if need be i.l start my maternity leave at 29 weeks

 

[MrsGlitz]

Hi ladies!

I know tomorrow is going to be a killer day for me; I spent 3 hours hobbling along baby shopping on my crutches. I didn't realise the time I spent on my feet; though I have been in bed since I got back!

I should have seen my GP yesterday but was stuck in Bristol and unfortunately he only works 2 days a week so am seeing him on Thursday. Sometimes my dihycodeine works, sometimes it doesn't relieve the pain. I am going to ask about oesteopathy or changing meds. I guess I might as well get him to write another sick note then as my current one runs out on Tuesday.

 

[cymrucath]

Make sure you take it easy for a few days now if you can MrsG! I have been stupid today though, spent most of it stood ironing everything in sight and I am in agony now. I've been sore for the last couple of days so why I did it I don't know but I already feel like my back is split in 2!! Not looking forward to going to bed tonight, I know it's going to be agony!

 

[MrsGlitz]

Don't worry I will take it easy, make sure you do too cymrucath! Do your ironing sat down next time!

I know I definately pushed it too much today, I feel like my pelvis is splitting open just walking (or should that be shuffling?!) to the bathrom.

 

[aflight84]

Hey girls, I officially feel defleated! I went to see my consultant last night to set the date for mia's arrival and he wouldn't let me explain my concerns about leaving it to 39 weeks just kept talking over me about how even thiugh term at 37 weeks every day coints which I understand fully but if my spd and dysplacia is so bad I'm in tears with the pain surely that's reason enough to bring it forward to 38 weeks??
I'm calling the hospital to pleading with them today but I don't knoow what else to say to get them to see how much I'm struggling

 

[Tudor Rose]

hope you get it sorted aflight,
i took 2 co-codamol (30/500mg) at 4pm yesterday and they didnt do much, took 2 at 11:30pm and went to bed and when i lay down it felt like the room was spinning like it does when you,ve had a couple to drink, so if im taking them in the day i. take 1 co-codamol and 1 paracetamol, its the 1st time ive slept through though!

 

[aflight84]

the lady i spoke to was way less than sympathetic (bitch) she said a little sacrifice now is nothing! yeah trying dealing with dislocated hips from 11 weeks pregnant cow bag!
the only thing i can do is go back to see the consultant next week and see if i can convince him but he'll only do what he thinks is right for the baby which by NHS guidelines is section at 39 weeks ARGH

 

[MrsGlitz]

As I suspected I am in massive pain today. Serves me right I suppose. Going to spend the day in bed!

 

[lynnikins]

im in really bad pain today, thank God that dh is home to help today, i spent an hour and a half cleaning the understair cupboard last night then today got to the doctors to find out my Antenatal with the GP was missing it just vanished between me booking it 2 wks ago and today so i had to walk home since dh has taken the car to be serviced , they offered me an appointment 2 hrs after my original time which was useless as it took me half an hour to waddle home after waiting there for 30 min for them to see if the mw or the gp could squeeze me in, so by the time i got home i was due back there in a hour which aint gonna happen caus it would take me more than 30min to get back there on foot caus its up the hill on the way there, and im already crying in pain just to adjust the position of my leg while sitting here, ive taken a couple of co-codamol and i just hope they start working so im not stuck in one place all day

 

[Kirsti]

Hello am i ok to join in here. i was told last week i had this SPD i escaped it JUST with my other two i think! but this being my third baby in under 3 years its hit me bad do you all have tips to coping with it on bad days positions etc. Also i have a two year old an 17 month old so i have them to run after which doesnt help but i cope if you have any advice i would gratefully appreiciate it xxx

 

[cymrucath]

As I suspected I am in massive pain today. Serves me right I suppose. Going to spend the day in bed!

Me too I have noticed though that my pain free gap has increased and now the pain is very localised on my right hip and in the right buttock going down into the groin. I think I am better when I sit propped up as when I lay down it just feels like my leg is too heavy for the rest of me if that makes sense!
I hope all you ladies feel a little better later on, I am going to get myself snuggled on the sofa with a hot water bottle and watch some trashy daytime tv.
Sending you all much love!

 

[livin]

I just got back from antenatal clinic at hospital, I was asking about different pain relief available or if possible on my really bad days if I could take an extra co-codamol, my GP said anything stronger or more than 2 per day would need to be under obstetric care.

Was told by doc that they will not advise any more than 60mg codeine per day along with the paracetemol. So I've to stick with the 2 co-codamol 30/500 over 24 hours. Also said if pain is so severe, they can take me in and give me morphine short term whilst monitoring. Obviously with 3 other kids its not an option. Only good thing to come out of it was that she said I should return at 37+1 weeks to discuss induction at 38 weeks - so at least its all documented, but right now I'm so sore and near to tears.

 

[Tudor Rose]

livin- my doctor (gp) prescribed me co-codamol 30/500mg and said up to 4 a day is ok as long as its well spaced out. but i cant take 60mg in one dose it makes me feel tipsy so taking 1 with 1 paracetamol.
ive just been out food shopping, OH pushed the trolley but i know i.l suffer later on

 

[MrsGlitz]

I find it bizarre how we're all being told different things about the amounts of codeine we can take safely! I am still under GP/MW care, with no mention of an obs referral and I am taking 30mg of dihydrocodeine and x2 500mg paracetomal every 4-5 hours. Although I am going back tomorrow to see if I can get anything stronger, I suspect I will just be told to rest more though!

I did originally have 60mg of dihydrocodeine which I could take 3 times a day with normal paracetomal. Mind the specialist interest in obs GP I am now seeing wasn't happy I was taking the 60mg 3 times a day.

 

[MrsGlitz]

Oh you ladies will like this...

I was chatting to my sister's dad on the phone, he's not the easiest person to speak to at the best of times. Anyway, he told me to enjoy the rest of my pregnancy, despite knowing I am in pain since 16 weeks and have been off work for 6 weeks. I ended up snapping and telling him to try enjoying being in permanent agony and a prisoner in your own home. Of course being 60 he's been through far worse and battled and got through it. And he's planning on coming over to see me "to cheer me up" tomorrow. I don't need to see people like that!

 

[wannabubba#4]

I find it bizarre how we're all being told different things about the amounts of codeine we can take safely! I am still under GP/MW care, with no mention of an obs referral and I am taking 30mg of dihydrocodeine and x2 500mg paracetomal every 4-5 hours. Although I am going back tomorrow to see if I can get anything stronger, I suspect I will just be told to rest more though!

I did originally have 60mg of dihydrocodeine which I could take 3 times a day with normal paracetomal. Mind the specialist interest in obs GP I am now seeing wasn't happy I was taking the 60mg 3 times a day.

The big problem is -that there is no recommended dosage for pregnant women - there are no clinical trials carried out on pregnant women for obvious reasons so therefore there is no data to back up theories.
Codeine is morphine based and just like heroin is highly addictive -there more you take the higher the risk of addiction for you, and also for your baby

'' This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. It is not recommended for use for long periods or in high doses near the expected delivery date because of the potential for harm to your unborn baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Infants born to mothers who have been using this medication for a long time may have withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, abnormal/persistent crying, vomiting, or diarrhea. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of these symptoms in your newborn. '' Copied from medical Journal

Side effects also include respiratory distress, circulatory problems and can cause cardiac arrest.

However, my sis has lupus and needs to take 30/500 cocodamol regualarly without missing any doses at all. She was advised to take them continuously thoughout her recent pregnancy.

Unfortuantely we'll never know if my nephew was affected by the codeine, as he was born prematurely due to placental previa and ended up in NICU on morphine (due to 2 x collapsed lungs shortly after birth) -which he did have to go through withdrawal from.

Dont want to scare anyone but make sure you are asking your GP's about recommended safe limits etc and take the minimum you need to get through. My GP only recommends 8/500 cocodamol; one a day with paracetemol when I really need it.

 

[Caroline]

I'm on 8/500 of paracetomol & codine & can take 2 every 4-6 hours. Most I take is 3 lots in anyone day.

 

[MrsGlitz]

Looking back on today, I have only taken my dihydrocodeine twice today and just rested lots so maybe I don't need my meds changed. I will get a fresh prescription tomorrow and ask for 8/500 co-codamol to try and 'just' have the dihydrocodeine for bad days. I am now more concerned about effects on Baby H. And clearly with rest I manage OK, or at least as OK as any of us can hope to be!

 

[livin]

Thanks for all the info guys, I took co-codamol 30/500 and voltarol when I was pregnant with my little boy, don't remember how many I did take daily but my DS stopped breathing, turned blue and was rushed to SCBU after he was born. I think this is partly why they are being so restricting, I only take the co-codamol now on really bad days. Plan for next couple of days is resting as much as you can with 3 kids, clubs etc...

Hopefully we can all have a more settled few days.