Help, my pregnancy and RA are ganging up on me!

jenzie06

Only 4 weeks to go, just got to hang in there but I'm having a flare and now my hips have gone. Got terrible pain in my lower back, pelvis and around the front of my pelvis. It even hurts underneith my bum like I've been riding a bike. Haven't been on a bike in years!! I'm struggling to walk even round the house or get in and out of the car.

Once I've packed myself around with pillows so my hips are bearable my arthritic joints start complaining. I'm off to see my consultant this week so hopefully he can come up with something. Its stopping me sleeping and resting.

Just to add insult to injury I've had terrible indigestion for the past three days constantly.

Sorry for the moan but my bottom hurts!!

Jen

colinone

Wow Jen your brave
its one thing coping with the pain of arthritis but to have a baby i'm lost for words, i can only offer my best wishes and good luck.
Colin

dorcas

Oh Jen!

you have every right to moan.....what a time you're having :shock: :?

only four weeks to go now, so hang on in there and we'll help you with the count down.

lots of love to you and baby. Iris x

frogmorton

Hi Jen

Poor poor you

I hope that they have some ideas for you. I really do.

Have sent you a pm.

Love

Toni xx

cthornley

hang in there Jen....i know exactly how you feel I was there with my LO,

i don't know if any of these will bring any relief but they helped a bit when I was there....
My husband went the unbelievable extra mile and bought me a wonderful new mattress which had memory foam in it...now i'm not suggesting that you do the same but you can get foam toppers or even just put a doubled up sleeping bag or extra duvet under the sheet, releases the pressure a bit on those sore joints

distraction...its hard at the end especially when in pain to think of anything else but try your damnedest to find things to do....I was lucky with this one my waters broke 3 & half wks early and I was still at work :? but he did take nearly 4 days to finally come out (by emergency c-section) so I had to find lots of things to take my mind of it all ( oh and i watched some absolutely terrible films to pass the time)

have you spoken to your rheumy about seeing a occupational therapist....for now and when the baby comes they can give you suggestions on how to cope carrying, lifting (babies are heavier than you think), bathing and also give you aids to cope....i got a great pressure cushion which helped with sitting with the baby & a grabber for picking stuff off the floor (essential when ur hips are playing up)

also have you seen a physio who specialises in pregnancy a lot of them deal with pregnant ladies with SPD and a lot of the suggestions can also help with arthritic hips...my hospital held a special drop in session for women with SPD and other problems and had many suggestions, at this I was given a SPD support belt to wear (not very flattering ) which actually helped with my arthritic hips you may also be able to get one from your dr / mw, they can also give some suggestions which may help when you finally go into labour.

It may bear thinking about now about your labour - I didn't realise until I was there that the hospital beds are very high (even on there lowest setting) once I had my baby and was in the post labour ward and at night I was left alone with my baby as my husband was sent home...this was very difficult, I had post c-section pain and hip pain and found moving about to see & tend to my baby extremely difficult and demoralising and one of the most miserable parts of my experience. I begged to be let home as it was so difficult but was kept in as i'd had a c-section, finally i was let go but mainly because i was being a pain and my hubby is a dr. My advice would be to make sure that the hospital staff and MW's are aware of your arthritis it is easy to get dismissed or forgotten about as they can be very busy. Do not be afraid to ask for help, make sure they position the cot by your bed so you don't have to get up to see your baby is ok and make sure that you can have family there as much as you need to give support and mainly be mentally prepared.
Sorry I sound terribly negative but I think that being prepared would have made the experience so much better, I don't think i realised how difficult or even how wonderful it would be and it is wonderful.

hope you get some relief soon
Chrissie

suzster

jen,
i had terrible spd and hip pain and thankfully i was induced a few weeks early.
but the best piece of advice i was given, because i really struggled getting in and out of cars, it is tough for anyone with hip / pelvis pain and i was told to put a carrier bag on the seat so that moving is much easier. you can kind of slide round. if that makes sense?
my RA started just after my youngest was born so if you want any advice please just ask!
good luck and try to focus on the new baby, i know 4 weeks seems forever, but it isn't, honest!!
sue

jenzie06

Thanks for the replies everyone.
Chrissie - thanks for the suggestions, I already have a tempur mattress and can't do without it, its fab. I've got my OT coming out to do an assessment to see if there's any help they can offer.
Sue - the plastic bag idea is brill and have already started to use it. Not sure if I've got SPD (or if this is normal for this stage of pregnancy - my mum says it isn't that normal) but resting seems to help.

I'm off to see my rheumy on Wednesday and I can't wait as my joints are getting worse. Got a tour round the delivery suite tomorrow so we can see what it is like. The baby decided not to move yesterday til 4pm which was a little worrying but he woke up and jumped around lots after that. Luckily my hubbie has taken the week off to do the list of jobs I've written for him before the baby turns up so I'm being waited on hand and foot and he can push my wheelchair around. He wants to know why he has to clean the garage before the baby arrives!!

3 weeks to go on Thursday!

dorcas

Isn't it weird how we just HAVE to have every corner of the house, garden, garage, everything totally cleaned, decorated, re-arranged and have a high gloss polish before baby arrives?
they say it's the primitive nesting instinct lying dormant within us all (women that is!).

it can be a bit worrying when baby doesn't move for a few hours...can be that he/she is just getting ready for making the grand appearance....if in doubt though you can always contact your mid-wife; I'm sure he/she will be more than happy to check everything's ok..... (I have a daughter who's a mid-wife)

hope you are feeling a little more comfortable today?. :roll:

three weeks on Thursday? wow....days are flying by.

folks on the chit chat zone are buzzing with your good news and counting down the days with you....and getting excited, as this is our first forum baby.

keep posting and keep well. Iris x

jordan7j

Awww Jen!!!! so excited for you!!! not about the pain etc obviously!! only under 4 weeks to go, I remember when I had my first, it seemed like he wasnt really mine at first, like this cant be real, its so unbelievably wonderful.
Get as much rest as you can, hopefully the rheumy can solve the pain problems for you.
We will all be with you in spirit in the delivery room!!! lots of love Jay x

poppy30

Not been on the forum for a while as my arthritis and increasingly active 5 month old son are keeping me far too busy!!! Just wanted to wish you all the best.... sorry to hear that you are feeling so rotten. I had awful SPD in the final weeks of pregnancy and the carrier bag idea from Sue was so useful!... getting comfy at this stage is hard enough without the added complications of flare ups! :shock:

Good Luck and keep us posted!

Poppy x

dolittle

Hi Jen,
Do wish I had that magic wand ... Your pain would be gone in seconds!

Can't imagine how uncomfortable you must feel. The weeks must seem like an eternity. Will just give me enough time to make you a medal! Ah, but no need ... you'll have a reward you made yourself - the little one!

I wish you all the very best. ((( ))))s
Dolittle

suziev

hi

just wanted to say that it does sound like SPD however your not alone my sister has got it too and she says the pain is awful, i had hip problems in the later part of my pregnancy but it mainly felt stiff and when i sat down my coccyx hurt like hell.

your so close to the end now pet and you have done so well, pat on the back.

i think getting the house and jobs sorted will make you feel better, crack the whip and finish of your nesting.

love suzie

marion1952

Hi Jenzie

So sorry to hear about your back and pelvic pains.. I had those too when I was pregnant many years ago... I remember the absolute agony trying to move my legs to get out of bed - it's like a knife going through you! I do hope you get some relief soon.

Marion x