When I first started writing my blog a few years back I wrote about Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (Pelvic Girdle Pain) that I developed in my second pregnancy and that I was one of the unlucky minority that the condition never improves once baby arrived. In my previous post I explained more on how I developed it and how hard it was to get help from the medical professionals and how it effected my life. So if you are at the beginning of this condition that post may help give a wider perspective of what I faced.
After seeing the consultant it seemed surgery for pinning and plating my pelvis in the future would be my only option…
Having not really updated my story since the last post and the fact so many wonderful ladies reached out to me on my last post this update post has been a long time coming (sorry ladies)
Firstly to each and every one of you that reached out and are suffering with this debilitatingly painful condition … you are not alone and I am sending each of you the biggest hugs, for many people who develop this condition very few medical professionals actually knowledge the condition and those that do seem to limited on what can be done for the person suffering going forward.
Over the last 3-4 years I have changed so many things to cope with this condition that in fairness it’s going to take some time and possibly a series of posts to explain what has been happening in the last 3-4 years for me.
To start with there are some super simple things that I have discovered that can help me in day-to-day living:
- Sit down to iron (and take regular stretching breaks)
- Regular swimming helped massively *makes note to self to make more time these days*
- Wearing a pelvic support belt during any physical activity can help (speak to a physio about getting one)
- Sitting down to get dressed
- Online food shopping – no more shopping trolley pushing for me … or get someone else to push it
- Use wheaty bags if you get chance for pain relief (I often take mine to bed.
- If possible change your mattress (we went with memory foam and found this has helped but don’t feel you have to buy one)
- Yoga and Pilates have made a difference and helped me feel that I had some ability to a life and were great at lifting spirits
- Don’t push yourself beyond what is comfortable for you (this is will be different for everyone)
- Posture played a massive part of my acute pain so being aware of how I sat was important.
At the beginning of this journey the thought of any physical activity made me cringe, however being 8 stone overweight after the birth of my son (aged 4) I had no choice but to accept that extra weight really does effect the condition and makes matters worse.
I set off on a weight loss journey and lost 4.5 stones and although the pain never went and it was painful to carry out physical activity (as in taking painkillers before, during and after) it was a case of little and often and keeping activity regular as it really is a catch 22 weight makes it worse and yet it hurts to move … mind over matter and having a cry every now and again helped (Yep I am really that sad!)
However after giving up smoking 2 years ago I did in fact gain back the weight I lost and found once again the pain was excruciating so have started on a weight loss mission again …. However I am now 6 months pregnant and SPD is a whole other story once again so more on that to follow.
Useful Websites:
SPD is horrendous. I remember having it during my second pregnancy and the physiotherapist saying there was not much they could do whilst I was pregnant. The support belts did not help either. I am sorry to hear you are going through it and hope the pain eases soon x
I had this with my middle one but not my other two, it is the most horrendous thing ever 🙁 Hope you find something that eases it x
Dear Sonia,
I must admit your post grabbed my attention mainly a because you are saying you didnt have SPD with your first nor third child… Would you mind describing your experience in a bit more details: what helped you , etc. I am like JAmie… suffering still after 6 years. My daughter is 5,5 and I would love another child but am terrified if it might the most stupid decision ever.
If you ouwl rather email me directly please do so!: ela_augustyniak@yahoo.co.uk
I will be ever so grateful
I have to admit I haven’t heard of SPD but owch it sounds painful – I know about the finding things that help I’ve done that with the fibro, all sorts of silly things seem to help me just feel a bit more comfortable. x
I was so thankful that I never had SPD. Wiah pregnancy can be terrible!
I didn’t have this
But what a painful condition * big hugs
Jaime, sounds like a debilitating condition and I am sorry it has affected your quality of life. I do hope that, once baby arrives, you would be able to go back to the list above or that surgery would take the pain away for you.xx
oh Jaime, that sounds like an awful condition. I am so glad I never suffered and hope you find the relief you need xx
Sorry to hear you are suffering (still suffering!) … I had SPD when I was pregnant with Eli and ended up being given crutches to walk around with, not very useful when you have an energetic two year old in tow! These all sound like great suggestions for helping to manage the pain and I hope that you get some more assistance as the pregnancy goes on x
Good morning lovely! As a fellow sufferer, it’s always interesting to read your posts! They say mine has caused two slipped discs over the years, but your tips are still very relevant. The best thing I ever bought to treat the pain was a heated underblanket. When the pain is bad, there is nothing more soothing than turning it up high and lying down on it. It’s like a massive wheaty bag, but it’s totally flat, so you can lie down flat and it covers a much wider area. 🙂
oh Lucy thats genius! i love it .. *tootles off to look for one*
I have been lucky enough to avoid this, but have seen friends suffer. So painful and debilitating. Am sure your tips from experience will be really helpful to anyone suffering.
thank you Sonya, i do hope they will help someone xx
I didn’t suffer during any of my four pregnancies thank goodness. It sounds awful. I hope your pain eases for you. Kaz x
thanks Kaz, i think surgery maybe the only way now 🙁
SPD is terrible. I had it with my second pregnancy (thanks to the damage of having twins previously) and struggled so much. I ended in hospital on crutches. Sometimes I just move oddly and it comes back even now. I had physio and a belt, but in the end nothing much worked 🙁 I hope yours improves and you get some relief soon
Thanks for your posts on SPD (pgp) I suffered with both my pregnancies, with my 2nd it started at 6 weeks and didn’t disappear at birth, 18months later I was discharged from physio as it was improving but was told not to walk up hills at it hurt like crazy! It soon became a distant memory. However I have recently started a couch to half marathon training plan and can slowly feel that pain creeping back in on my lower back and the slight twinge in the Peronium …. It can’t seriously come back 4years post partum can it?
Sending hugs to you as I fully understand all the tears and pain it brings… Do you seriously have to wait until your 40 to get a better way of life?? That’s not right surely and worth a fight? Xx
My spd came back 4 years later for no reason at all. The slight twinges and all too familiar cracking. I suffered for 14months having to use a walking stick at the age of 33 was a massive blow for my confidence, and as a result I hit rock bottom. Things are better now I picked myself up and decided to just get on with it. Hope you manage to stay well enough to achieve your marathon. Good luck x
Hi Jaime.
Thank you for this post. It is really good to hear stories from fellow sufferers.
I developed SPD with my youngest son, he is now 3 and i have lived with crippling pains everyday which only seem to be getting worse.
The pain isn’t just in my pelvis, I get awful aches in my legs, all my joints hurt like hell and I terrible pains in my feet and toes.
Do you find that one of your toes gets a numb feeling from time to time?
I have been to my doctor so many times and only seem to get pills chucked at me. I eventually self referred to the physio who diagnosed me with spd. She also said my thigh muscles were shorted and my knee reflexes were nom existent. I got sent away with exercises and an appointment for a month later. I’m finding the exercises make everything worse though.
I am 30 years old and I feel like I’m 90, its such an awful thing to deal with day to day but I am so pleased I have found others with the same condition.
Love Marie xx
it sounds like the same issues as me Marie and you certainly are not alone! i often say to my hubs that i file like a thirtysomething trapped in a 90 year olds body! I am sending massive cyber hugs to you
Hello. I’m 27, my son is 4 and a half now and i still have it 🙁
Mine was diagnosed during early stages of my pregnancy and by the end I was using a wheelchair in supermarkets etc. I could walk with my brace but not far at all.
I had physio for a couple of years but it was worse to start with however found hydrotherapy helpful as it’s much more gentle.
I’ve read articles about woman with SPD during pregnancy becoming permenently wheelchair bound during the second. Have you heard of this before? I’m afraid to have anymore children.
Things I’ve found helpful are.
Moving legs together when getting out of bed.
Never stepping over objects.
Sleeping with pillows between my legs.
Heat.
I also feel about 90, its not great. It’s lovely to have a place where we can all chat though, thank you!
How long does the surgery last?
Best wishes to all x
I suffered with spd 7 years ago when I had my twins. The pain was horrendous! Fast forward 4 years for no reason the pain came back. I spent 14months suffering not being able to do basic things or enjoy my children. I had physio which didn’t help much and was sent to a specialist, only for him to tell me spd doesn’t exist and I’d be fine when I’m 70. Life is better now I not what activities to avoid. Hope your pain improves. Take each day as a new day and praise yourself when you achieve little things.