I think I have SPD...what can I do that doesn't cost $$$$$?

[MrsFabuloso]

I'm pretty sure I have SPD. It hasn't been medically diagnosed, but from my symptoms and just things I have read it seems I probably have it. Or it is something to do with my nerves, ligamnets and muscles in my lower back and pelvis anyway. We don't have the money to spare for me to get treatment from a physio or chiro or anything like that. Can anyone tell me things I can do that will help with the pain? It ahs gotten quite bad over the past few weeks, and last night I was close to tears because I could barely walk after resting on the lounge. Each step was excruiciating, but particularly my right side and I had to hold onto furniture to make it to the kitchen. Turning over in bed is just a rediculous exercise involving about 5 small turns taking about 5mins. Just to roll over...
At the moment, I am resting or trying to. Supporting myself with pillows, using a heat pack on my back, trying to have baths to soothe the muscles...But I have no idea what else to do. Any advice for me??

[Traveller]

Firstly, my sympathies. SPD is excruciating and it sounds like you have it bad.

I would suggest using ice instead of heat. Ice any aching bits regularly, it really helps. Secondly always try to keep your knees together, tie them with tights in bed if you feel you need it (with a pillow between them) to stabilise your pelvis at night. And thirdly, rest. Don't try and do too much. Don't walk if you can avoid it, and try not to go upstairs or uphills unless there is no alternative. I think the hardest thing about SPD is the fact that you are really disabled and people assume you are just making a fuss, so psychologically it hurts as much as the physical pain. Hopefully you will find some ways of coping soon

[MummaBear79]

A friend of mine had SPD too and got a special supportive thing that she wears that makes everything sooo much more comfortable. Maybe ask your GP or Midwife where to get one?

[AnyDream]

I was able to see a physio for free through the public hospital where I was having my baby. It's worth asking whether there is a similar service in your area.

In the meantime, don't climb stairs or hills, keep your knees together getting in and out of cars, chairs, etc and your pelvis flat. Brace brace brace your pelvic floor and tummy muscles any time you get up/down/lift anything. Stand with your weight on both feet all the time. Don't stand if you can sit, don't sit if you can rest lying down. Do not carry anything (that includes a basket of washing). Don't push a shopping trolley. Other women have found relief by icing their pelvic bones, but I didn't get into that. I had a lot of pain from muscles in my hip and back so massaging them out with a tennis ball against the wall did more to assist with my pain.

[LionsandBears]

There's a whole heap of tips here, especially re: turning over in bed:
https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...-137611-3.html

I'd add to the list I posted - get your GP to sign off a form applying for disability parking. It makes a huge difference in reducing steps/effort.
If you can access online shopping, use that. Makes a huge difference.

If you can access a piece of cheap silk from spotlight, put that under you when you sleep. Otherwise, use a bin liner. Use one to swivel in and out of the car too.

[Kazbah]

Kel - there's a chat thread - https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...-a-137611.html

Icing has helped me, but using a wheat pack instead of ice itself gives more relief, it's not a painful cold and lasts longer.
Panadol to help you sleep.
Don't lift anything if you can help it - and if you must, don't bend down to do so. Pip now climbs on a chair for a cuddle instead of me bending over.
When sitting, sit up straight (like a straight-backed wooden chair) on a 90deg angle. Any lessor angles will put pressure on your pelvis - that's likely why the car journey totally caused you pain.

Good luck.

[MrsFabuloso]

Thanks everyone, those suggestions are great!
Though it's going to be tricky stopping myself from doing stuff. I have mostly stopped lifting the kids...mostly! They're both sick at the moment and mega sooky so I have been picking thme up, but I will stop it. I can sit and hug them, that will have to do for them. We don't have a working car at the mo so I am needing to walk a bit, to the shops and taking the kids to childcare ect... though nothing is far away, I am out walking (and pushing the pram) maybe 20-30mins every day or two. Some of that is unavoidable. Not carrying washing (while annoying that I won't be able to do it since noone else does) is doable...I will have to do it when DH gets home from work and he can carry it out for me. DH is already doing the vacumming and is very helpful, though like you said traveller, I do feel guilty having him do so much and having to go to work too while I am doing nothing. Plus he has an injured shoulder too, which we are hoping will be fixed in about 2ish weeks when he goes back to the specialist. I am trying to enjoy this pg but it is just not happening I am hating being pg even more than ever! Such a sucky time....

[Megan]

I had a mild case and saw a physio at my hospital weekly for the last month of my pregnancy. They massaged and then taped me up. The taping stayed on for 3 days at a time and made a huge difference. I went public and the appointments only cost me $10.