Has anyone ever had severe SPD in pregnancy ?

AmandaD28

Hey guys,

Just looking for some advice NOT medical advice as I see my doc for that and am seeing her to review later this morning ?

I've got symphasis pubis dysfunction (SPD) and I'm pregnant currently 16wks and it started at around 8weeks following a kidney infection.

Its making my life a misery atm I am taking codeine phosphate, paracetamol and ibuprofen at present to help with the pain but as I write this I am in agony and my meds don't seem to be working.

The GP's so far do not seem to take me seriously and keep trying to brush me off.

I've seen physios and they have given me a brace, crutches, a bath board and a slide sheet. They took it seriously but like I say from GP's give me the brush off.

It seems that because I am pregnant there is little I can take there are concerns already about the medication I am on my GP surgery seems to just have locums and depending which one you get you get differing opinions as to whether I am causing damage to my unborn child or not its a huge worry and I hate the stress I feel like I am under.

I've asked if there are any particular specialists I can see they say there is not I've seen the physio's and thats all they can offer I am at my wits end with the worry and keep treking back and forth to see them.

Has anyone else been here ? What did they do ? did you see any specialists to help ?

I'm only 16 wks atm and physio's have threatened a wheelchair if it gets too bad I don't want this but I feel like giving up now it hurts so much.

Anyone got any advice ? Would be greatly appreciated

xx

polkadot

I had it with all my pregnancies (currently 17 weeks with number 3) and I have cerebral palsy too-biggest complication being that I have chronic hip dislocation.

I also take co-codamol regularly (is fine for baby) although I would say stay off the ibuprofen as there's no real concrete scientific testing to prove for it or against it).Unfortunately there really isnt much to be done for it (except delivering the baby)-so if you already have the equipment you're on the right track.I do find changing positions often makes it easier to bear.I was in a wheelchair from 20 weeks with DS1.I managed better with DS2 and with some extra help at school run time managed to go all the way with just crutches on really bad days.

I think the best advice further from what you have already is to try to remind yourself that it is a temprorary condition-and I promise when you're holding your baby you will have forgotten it.Try to rest when you can and maybe get OH to give you a rub every now and then.

My_Feet_Hurt

Hi,

I had this with both my pregnancies from 14 weeks and 10 weeks respectively.

I didn`t have it as bad as you sound to have, but wanted just to write and wish you all the best.

The best advice I was given was to try and keep my knees together as much of the time as possible - like when getting out of bed move both legs off the bed at the same time instead of one at a time.

It seems impossible to believe with but it really does get better when you have had your baby.

M
xx

Make-it-3

Have the physios suggested any exercises? Other than that lots of rest is the main thing that helps, so get partner doing housework and shopping.

Are you working? You may need to get your GP to sign you off work.

I got SPD at 18 weeks and was worried about how much longer I had left off my pregnancy but the things above helped ensure it didn't get too much worse.

Also, I found I started to get relief once the baby's head engaged.

vroombroom

you have my sympathies hun x

I had it bad from about 24 weeks. One hip was higher than the other and I had to see the physio right up until 39 weeks. God I will never forget the pain - trying to roll over in bed, I could hear my cocyx and hip bones grinding, I couldn't get my clothes on without OH helping and one night it was so bad I was screaming in agony. One day I couldnt get out of bed, OH was at work and my mum had to come 11 miles to help me:( My feet also swelled from a 6 to size 8

Mine went literally after I gave birth - I remember sleeping on my back for the first time in months. However I am still seeing a physio now and again as my lower back still hurts x

Best advice I can give is just take it easy, don't do anything you need to do (get OH to do it) and wear your bump band and use crutches x

Wonder_Womble

Hi Amanda, sorry to hear you are really struggling. I can sympathise a lot with the pain relief side of things. I'm struggling with my back and have been told the only things I can take are the Codeine phosphate and paracetamol. I was advised to take them together to give the codeine an extra 'boost'. Is this what you are doing, if not ask your GP? What doseage codeine are you on, I was told I can take up to 60mg twice a day, so check you are taking the max you can with your GP. Like you, it isn't really helping with the pain and I've had conflicting advice from GPs and Consultants with regards to other pain relief. My Consultant told me I could use a TENS machine, GP said no.

Do you have a bump support band, like this:
http://www.mothercare.com/Nexcare-Maternity-Support/dp/B000TM0IWY?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_4&nodeId=42796041&sr=1-4&qid=1308906769&pf_rd_r=0PVEFAMH15FECJPXVKG0&pf_rd_m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=42796041&pf_rd_p=231490867&pf_rd_s=related-tab-3-5&extid=ps_ggl_Maternity+Lingerie_Bump+Supports_bump+support

You can get them at Boots and Mothercare, and a lot of people who I know who had SPD said it gave them some relief when wearing it. I'm going to get one myself in the hope it will help with my back.

Good luck!

Mrs_Monkey_3

hi, I usually lurk on these boards and don't post.

I am 35 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child and woke up at 28weeks unable to move due to SPD/PGP. I see a physio and have a support band and crutches, due to a drug allergy I am relying totally on paracetamol for my pain and it doesn't cut the mustard. Womble the last few days I have been using my TENS for some relief but this is not recommended until 34-36 weeks due to the risk of prem labour. I feel for you all, like VRB I can't get dressed alone, get in or out off bed, even turn over with out DH to help. I have given up trying to have a bath or shower as my leg will not lift high enough, most days it's glued to the floor and just does not respond. I haven't slept more then a hour at a time for weeks, today I'm stuck upstairs in bed as I just can't manage to climb down them. I usually have to go up on all fours or down on my bum and can take nearly 30-45mins each way.

I'm surviving due to a very loving husband and an amazing midwife who remind me of the beautiful baby I will be meeting shortly. I have to see the consultant this week for a plan of care for delivery. I'm really worried about the whole VE thing, I can't do the whole ankles together and frogs leg thing.

ab7167

Hi,

I had in both pregnancies and got the same brush off from the physics. I saw a chiropractor regularly (every week by the end!) and she kept me on my feet by keeping my pelvis lined up. She is an ante and post natal specialist, in Abingdon. You do need a chiropractor that is experienced with SPD and pregnancy though.

Also, I had a water birth with both which helped immensely. It relieves the pressure on your pelvis so so much, can you talk to your midwife about this? Swimming helped me as well, not so much for the exercise but just having the weight off my pelvis. It's a bit of a chore getting changed after though... I was in the swimming pool the day I went into labour with DS, I was a week overdue and the lifeguards looked very nervous!

Hope it gets better soon

A

Violetta_2

I had it really bad, strangely still have some pain at certain times of my cycle but it's not too bad. I found the pelvic partnership a great resource, oh, looks like SPD is now called Pelvic Girdle Pain, who knew? One thing I can recommend is a gym ball (you can get them in Argos from £4.99) it was 1 of the few thing's that gave me relief, was recommended by physio to sit on.
It doesn't seem like there is a great deal they can do for it, I was stuck in my flat for most of the last few month's of my pregnancy.
Helpful info here too http://www.pelvicinstability.org.uk/index.asp

pigpen

Ive barely been out of the house in 3 months.. I cant even get in the car without a lot of help.. I havent had a shower or bath in maybe 3-4 months apart from when at OHs mums.. but a 2 hours drive for a shower is extreme! I do wash.. honest! lol.

I was told the physio could speak to the consultant about different pain medication so you wouldnt have to see the GP.. but I never got as far as a physio appointment.. I have nothing.. I am taking twice as many cocodamol as the box recommends and it isnt making the slightest bit of difference.. though I absolutely do not recommend this, I just feel like I have no alternative. I cant remember the last decent nights sleep I had.. I am overly emotional, overly tired and stroppy beyond belief! I just want this baby out and I want it out right now..

Ibuprofen is fine in all but the last 3 months of pregnancy so it fine for now.

I also have a hip dysplasia and arthritis in my hips and legs.. so I am used to a fair amount of pain but this hurts to breathe. I ended up with kidney failure with my last pregnancy possibly because of the SPD as I couldnt sit on the loo to pee properly I got an infection which led to kidney failure and by the time the stupid people at the hospital listened my liver was working at 30% as well... a few more days I would have robably been dead.

Sounds like you have had loads of input already but you could try speaking to the physio about medication se if they can suggest anything other than hot water bottles (in August!!!! dur!!!!) and rest..

JustKeepSwimming_2

Sitting on a black bin bag can help if you need to get in & out of a car, or know you'll need to "twist" to get up out of a seat - I found this helped me a lot & compared to all of you, I only suffered very mildly.

A friend who had it for far longer (& worse) than me was glad when she got her wheelchair. She thought she'd hate it as she felt it would be the final loss of independence but it actulally helped a lot with the pain & she felt far less tired. She could even drop off in it at times.

My heart goes out to all of you suffering with this.